23 replies to this topic

[Doc]

A year and a half ago, zol recommend this series as a great read. I started the first book and was bored to tears. The HBO series, however has kept my attention since day one. Any other watchers?

[metzol]

Really? Bored to tears? I've recommended this to many people and every one has thanked me profusely. Wow, to each his own I guess.
But the series engages you? It's a light version of the book.

[Doc]

Really? Bored to tears? I've recommended this to many people and every one has thanked me profusely. Wow, to each his own I guess.
But the series engages you? It's a light version of the book.

Maybe I will try again knowing there is some excitement coming.

[mikevailrules]

i want in on the books. i'm too cheap for hbo, but i caught the premier when i was on the road at a HI Express.

public library didn't have them though

[B P]

I've caught myself up with the HBO series. Very good series. Was apprehensive at first, but got hooked in the first episode. The best part is that the episodes are 1 hr, but it really feels much longer. Sometimes I find myself thinking "damn it, the episode is over" thinking they'll end it on a suspenseful moment, but the episode continues with even more suspense.

Really hate Queen Cersei which says a lot about her acting (a good thing!). And the actor they picked for Joffrey was perfect. The kid doesn't even have to say a word, his face just screams I am a man who loves other men, just sayin'!.

I was thinking of picking up the books. Nick, did you read just the first book of the series only or all of them? I heard there are 5 books with the last 2 being sub-par. If I started reading, I'd like to know that the quality wouldn't just drop and would like some closure. From what I've read online, the author is getting up there in age and while he released the first 3 books in 4 years, it has taken him 11 years to release the last 2.

[metzol]

I've caught myself up with the HBO series. Very good series. Was apprehensive at first, but got hooked in the first episode. The best part is that the episodes are 1 hr, but it really feels much longer. Sometimes I find myself thinking "damn it, the episode is over" thinking they'll end it on a suspenseful moment, but the episode continues with even more suspense.

Really hate Queen Cersei which says a lot about her acting (a good thing!). And the actor they picked for Joffrey was perfect. The kid doesn't even have to say a word, his face just screams I am a man who loves other men, just sayin'!.

I was thinking of picking up the books. Nick, did you read just the first book of the series only or all of them? I heard there are 5 books with the last 2 being sub-par. If I started reading, I'd like to know that the quality wouldn't just drop and would like some closure. From what I've read online, the author is getting up there in age and while he released the first 3 books in 4 years, it has taken him 11 years to release the last 2.

I've read all five books. There are supposed to be two more but who knows when they'll be out. All the books have been excellent. But the last two books are a bit frustrating as he never seems to advance the plot. He just creates more plotlines. It's like he's moving sideways.

Spoiler Alert:
By the end of Book 5 Daenerys is still trying figure out how to get across the sea to invade Westeros.

By the way, I'm finishing up the first season of the HBO series and am enjoying it immensely. Very well done and very true to th ebook. Tyrion is perfectly cast.

[B P]

I've read all five books. There are supposed to be two more but who knows when they'll be out. All the books have been excellent. But the last two books are a bit frustrating as he never seems to advance the plot. He just creates more plotlines. It's like he's moving sideways.

Spoiler Alert:
By the end of Book 5 Daenerys is still trying figure out how to get across the sea to invade Westeros.

By the way, I'm finishing up the first season of the HBO series and am enjoying it immensely. Very well done and very true to th ebook. Tyrion is perfectly cast.

Good to know. Might jump in then. And hope he provides closure.

And I do agree about Tyrion. Most say he's the star of the show. I'd agree. He did win an Emmy for it too.

Spoiler

And that last bit about Daenerys is not surprising to hear. So far in the TV series it really does feel like Daenerys is supposed to be a huge character yet nothing ever happens with her. What, dragons? An entire season just so that we could see dragons hatch from eggs? I feel when she's on, the show is just wasting screen time. In fact I almost tend to tune out when the show focuses on her.

[B P]

By the way, the guy that plays Eddard Stark looks like Triple H. Or maybe the other way around. Hard to find a good picture comparing the two, but...

[StrawberryFieldsForever]

I absolutely love the HBO series, but then there is virtually nothing that HBO have done over the years that I haven't loved.

I'm a compulsive but quite slow reader, but I never made it past about page 350-400 of that first Game of Throne novel, in fact each volume of that 'Song of Ice and Fire' series I think is anywhere from 750 - 1200 pages long, and the endless cast of characters alone is just mind-boggling, so I decided that life is just too short for George R R Martin's endless books... I may go back and try it again if I ever end up paralysed from the neck down and only have movement in my eyes

[metzol]

By the way, the guy that plays Eddard Stark looks like Triple H. Or maybe the other way around. Hard to find a good picture comparing the two, but...

Now that I've grown my hair long again, my students have nicknamed me Triple H. I don't think I necessarily resemble him but I'll take it. It's better than Billy Ray Cyrus.

[gak29]

Now that I've grown my hair long again, my students have nicknamed me Triple H. I don't think I necessarily resemble him but I'll take it. It's better than Billy Ray Cyrus.

HA!

[Retire#17]

I finally finished season two (only started a month or so ago) and it is just an amazing show. I put the books on my e-reader and I'm going to start them as soon as I'm done with Happiest Recap (part 1).

[Doc]

I finally finished season two (only started a month or so ago) and it is just an amazing show. I put the books on my e-reader and I'm going to start them as soon as I'm done with Happiest Recap (part 1).

I hope you have a lot of coffee.

[Retire#17]

Doc you are right ... those books are so detailed it makes reading them so slow. Especially when you dont have huge chunks of time to read. 

 

So what did people think about the first episode of season 3.

Spoiler

I was not impressed with the giant. I thnk the show stands well on its own without the mystical creatures.

But other wise I thought is was way to short and when the epsode ended I was so mad that I had to wait a whole week to see more. Oh how gross was

Spoiler

when that dude cut the nipple off the soldier.

Yuck.

[goldglv17]

Episode 1 was OK to me Niel. I thought it was a lot of catching the viewer up. I really enjoyed last night's episode. The mythical elements are always going to be a part of this show, but kept in the background I think. I haven't read the books as this and TWD are the first two shows I can remember where I enjoy the TV show so much I do not want to spoil anything by going to the source material.

[Retire#17]

I agree the second episode was way better, it had tense moments and a scene where i was tearing up a little. And I'm going to finish the first book, but not go any further because I want to enjoy the show for what it is.

[Luke]

Watched the first 21 episodes over Easter...and the most recent ones since.

Why isn't anyone else asking when Jon Snow is going to get the clothes off redhaired girl?

 

It is a fun show.

[Retire#17]

Because he took an oath. And Starks are good to their word (not so much Robb). It's also really cold north of the wall, so it would be impractical.

[Retire#17]

So Luke, I don't know if your HBO is a US feed or what. But after the end of the show they had a little video about things on HBO this sping. Just an innocent little trailer. People walking into rooms smiling, looking dour, movie events all set to uplifting music. So yours would be for Fall.

But there is a clip where Jon achieves you goal for him. Me and my buddies argued about the significance of that two second clip for thirty minutes. Holy crap I need new friends.

[goldglv17]

I absolutely adored this past episode, probably my favorite of the series outside of Blackwater.

 

Spoiler

Hate seeing a neutered Jamie feebly attempt a fight (Possibly trying to get himself killed?)

 

Love the masterful game Joffrey's future bride and grandmother are playing.

 

Hate hearing how the spider became a eunech.

Love how he is going about extracting revenge.

 

Not really feeling The Hound storyline, but can deal with it to get to the other amazing stuff.

 

Clearly the amazing stuff of this episode was Mother of Dragons hosting a BBQ. Go back and watch a season 1 episode where we meet her and see where she is now. Simply an amazing transformation. I do think at some point to deal with the White Walkers, she will have to team her new army with some faction of Stark/Snow/Knight Watchmen. But first, on to King's Landing.

 

Winter is coming.