Game of Thrones

So! How is everyone enjoying this season so far? 

I've been enjoying it but I was a bit annoyed with this week's episode. So much stuff that wasn't in the book, and I can totally understand the need to do that sometimes for the sake of story-telling, but this stuff just wasn't even relevant. Margaery Tyrell has no purpose for hanging around as much as she is, she was hardly in the book and was certainly not active in it. The whole thing about Renly's preferences is also completely irrelevant, especially considering how the rest of the book goes. Felt like it was a waste of time that they could have used toward something else. And don't even get me started on THE Joffrey scene. 

I'm happy that they're treating Tyrion and Melisandre pretty faithfully, that kind of redeemed the episode, but I'm just hoping next week is better.

I don't mind deviations from the book if they make sense, the stuff about Renly is implied a lot, so I don't mind them making that explicit as it would be difficult to get across otherwise, however I do mind the change to Margaery as she's an ambiguous character to me, which now has been totally lost as she's obviously aware and complicit in everything happening. Annoying.
I also don't mind the Joffery scene, although slightly harrowing, but it does set him up as a pantomime baddie, but then you don't get to see all the small incidental cruelties he puts Sansa through in the book so they have to show him as "bad" in a big way (and any excuse to put a lesbian scene in seems to be de rigueur for the series)

The terrible acting of Dany is driving me insane otherwise, I AM KHALEESI, THIS IS ACTING NATALIE PORTMAN TAUGHT ME. Luckily there's not been much of her lately

I am a bit in love with the Hound...is that wrong?!

We're enjoying it, but I've only read the first book.  I am a little worried that they might lose audience because of how many strands they seem to be trying to stick into each episode.  It seems like we only get a couple moments of everyone, so people who aren't that committed might get confused or bored.

There's may be some spoilers in here so for anyone who hasn't read the books/watched the show and doesn't want to know, look away! Also, I'm just ranting for the sake of ranting. 

Spoiler: show

See, I think Joffrey has already successfully been established as cruel, heartless, etc. Not a minute prior to that scene, they show him pointing an arrow at Sansa, threatening to kill her, but he then decides to have his guard rip her dress off and beat her with a sword in front of a crowd of people. This is after the fact that he had her dad's head cut off, has had his guard hit her before, and is just generally a massive douche. The subsequent prostitute scene was complete overkill and just not necessary and a waste of time. I mean, I get that they have some kind of boob quota for HBO programming, but they could have used those boobs to tell some other part of the story. 

They could have used that time to actually make Catelyn not sound like an idiot when Stannis and Renly met (her words during that scene in the book were so much stronger), or to flesh out some other part of the story. I get that they were trying to make a funny, but it just lost the weight of what was happening. Instead, so much time has been devoted to the "Renly's gay" which really, truly is not relevant to the story at all despite the fact that it's hinted at in the book. It just isn't, especially considering what happens to Renly. And because they've decided to place importance on this, we've got Margaery and Littlefinger running around yaking up a storm when they shouldn't be.

Ok, sorry, total nerdrant is over. Hahaha.

So yeah, I agree with Ompha that there are only a few minutes of each, and I really feel like that could have been remedied by choosing to use the time more wisely.

I also agree that Dany is struggling a bit in the acting department, but it doesn't bother me too much. I think Stannis bothers me more, not that he's bad but he's not as Stannis-like as I'd like him to be.

I can't wait for more Brienne though. I think they cast her perfectly!

I try to imagine that Dany is dehydrated and has sunstroke after all that time in the desert and that is why she acts like that.

So! How is everyone enjoying this season so far? 

I've been enjoying it but I was a bit annoyed with this week's episode. So much stuff that wasn't in the book, and I can totally understand the need to do that sometimes for the sake of story-telling, but this stuff just wasn't even relevant. Margaery Tyrell has no purpose for hanging around as much as she is, she was hardly in the book and was certainly not active in it. The whole thing about Renly's preferences is also completely irrelevant, especially considering how the rest of the book goes. Felt like it was a waste of time that they could have used toward something else. And don't even get me started on THE Joffrey scene. 

I'm happy that they're treating Tyrion and Melisandre pretty faithfully, that kind of redeemed the episode, but I'm just hoping next week is better.

Agree with all of this. Plus what cheesebiscuit said and what NoseOverTail said under the spoiler bar. I was really annoyed at last week's episode.  All that stuff with Renly, Loras and Marjaery was unnecessary and that scene with Joffrey was way OTT. 

And I just want to add that I miss Khal Drogo. He was hot. 

And I just want to add that I miss Khal Drogo. He was hot. 

Girlfriend, 'tis lucky we don't live nearer each other, as I think we'd be fighting over boyfriends. 

I am waiting for Mr MLG to return before we can watch the 2nd episode, so we are well behind. 

I didn't think THE Jeffory scene was over kill.

Spoiler: show

For those of us who have read the books, perhaps it is but this is a TV series who must also cater to those who didn't read the books.  Very soon they are going to murder a child so they need to ensure people understand how terrible and awful this child was. Jeffory pointing a bow and ripping Sensa's clothes off, didn't seem too out of character to the times but whipping, sexual scene really showed how mad he is. Just my two cents

I will admit I sat there for a while trying to remember if this particular scene was in the book, oh how easily I forget something I read so many books ago.


edited to hide spoiler

Spoiler: show

I liked Dany in sunday's episode, and liked seeing the little dragons once again. I cannot help but feel that she is developing into a strong character. She sounds very determined to go over to Westeros to take over the Iron Throne. It also sounds like Jorah is falling in love with Dany as well?

I also agree that the scene in the week before, with Joffery and the prostitutes was a bit overkill. He was extremely cruel and just... I want to beat his royal behind so much!

So far, I am liking all of season two. I still need to get through the first book (almost done!) Then on to the second book. I hope to get to the third before season three starts.

I'm in the middle of the third book and enjoying it immensely.

After reading all the books, this second season has been a bit disappointing. Everything seems to be happening too quick and I guess I got spoiled with the books, just taking my time and creating and imagining faces in my head.

Wish we could see more of Arya's story on the series but love Tyrion, Jon Snow and the hound.

I don't know if you guys feel the same but I find Dany so boring.

The terrible acting of Dany is driving me insane otherwise, I AM KHALEESI, THIS IS ACTING NATALIE PORTMAN TAUGHT ME. Luckily there's not been much of her lately

snap, and double snap! agreed.

Still struggling with this season. There's just too many unnecessary changes and I'm nerd-raging a bit. By all means make changes, because I understand that they do need to be made, but I just can't follow their line of thinking on a lot of this.

Spoiler: show

For one, Dany's dragons were never stolen. I don't know who the crap Robb Stark is talking to because that chick was not in the book. I have a feeling I know what they're doing and it's stupid and unnecessary. They're also all over the place and I have to say that if I hadn't read the books, I would be having trouble keeping up.

I think they really would have benefited from making an extra episode or two this season. I also think in the future they might benefit from splitting the books into 2 seasons. The 3rd book is a whopper not only in page count but also in the number of important events that take place, and I can't imagine they could do it justice in 10 episodes. Plus, it might give them some extra time because George R.R. Martin takes FOREVER to finish a book and he still has 2 more to go.

Now I'm just hoping they don't botch the end of this season, because what transpires in the book is amazing.

They've already said Book 3 will be two seasons.  Also they aren't following book chronology because timings in the book aren't chronological because of the different character points of view.  I don't mind the changes too much so far.  I'm looking forward to the House of the Undying.

I agree with you, NOT. I just read the first and second books and watched the first season and now I'm about halfway through the second season. I was really impressed with the first season and how much it stayed true to the book, even in little details. This season seems to be taking more Hollywood licenses with it.