What, no one saw Iron Man 3 or the newest GoT?

[Zeus]

You guys are usually pretty good at talking about these kinds of things. Almost a week later and nothing.....

[Anarky]

Just got done moving into a new place. Trying to convince the Fiancee we need to see Iron Man 3 soon. And yea... need to catch up on GoT.

[Lox]

Saw both.

[Flip]

Yeah i'm current with GoT, too. All i have to say is that Ygritte is a stage 5 clinger, oh boy. She goes from cool wildling chick to psycho beast after fucking Jon once.

Two episodes ago it was, "I never ever ever ever ever want to leave this cave." and this week its, "I'll cut your balls off if you betray me."

Run, Jon!

[SineSwiper]

Yeah i'm current with GoT, too. All i have to say is that Ygritte is a stage 5 clinger, oh boy. She goes from cool wildling chick to psycho beast after fucking Jon once.

Two episodes ago it was, "I never ever ever ever ever want to leave this cave." and this week its, "I'll cut your balls off if you betray me."

Run, Jon!

Nah, just a lot at stake, and she's not a typical woman, either. She's a wildling. They are in an army of different clans that, not even a year ago, wanted to kill each other. And Jon is the oddest one of all, being the only ex-crow in the group.

She knows that he still has allegiances towards the Nightwatch, just like she does with the wildlings. They both know that the possibility exists that they might risk leaving the army, but she wants to make sure that the two of them take priority over whatever allegiances might force them apart.

Then again, if what that Beastmaster guy said was true, none of the wildlings can be trusted that far, not even her.

[Eric]

Since I read the books, honestly I've been hoping for a major book deviation, 1) to make things unpredictable for me, kind of like how The Walkiing Dead TV show isn't a copy/paste, and 2) Because it will infuriate many of the book's fans and I can feed on their tears. ^_^

[Flip]

Since I read the books, honestly I've been hoping for a major book deviation, 1) to make things unpredictable for me, kind of like how The Walkiing Dead TV show isn't a copy/paste, and 2) Because it will infuriate many of the book's fans and I can feed on their tears. ^_^

Hmm, there has been a couple decently big changes.. but yeah, nothing plot changing i suppose.

Spoiler: show

They seemed to have morphed Gendry and Edric Storm. In the books, Gendry STILL doesnt know he is a Baratheon. Having Cersei betrothed to the Knight of Flowers is an interesting twist, i guess they decided to not have his older crippled brother in the show at all.

I'm hoping, in a few seasons, they cut out Dorne, the Iron Islands, and Young Griff. Martin kills people off but then throws in new characters so casually, but a TV audience will not care about them at all. Even as a reader it is frustrating. I remember starting A Feast for Crows and thinking, 'What the fuck is this shit, who are these people? Arrrrrggg.' But, at this point in the novels, we still dont know how important these new people are. All i do know is that they drag on the main storyline forever.

[Shrinweck]

Any changes to GoT should probably be after book three where just about everyone I talk to says the series turns to garbage, whereas The Walking Dead was just consistently rife with things that could potentially be changed in order to make the story better.

[Blotus]

I would let Ygritte (or Rose Leslie rather, the actress) cling to me as much as she wanted. That girl is hot as all get out.

Since I read the books, honestly I've been hoping for a major book deviation, 1) to make things unpredictable for me, kind of like how The Walkiing Dead TV show isn't a copy/paste, and 2) Because it will infuriate many of the book's fans and I can feed on their tears. ^_^

Me too on the deviation, for the same reasons.

As far as Gendry goes (for Flip)...

Spoiler: show

IIRC, in the scene with Stannis and his wife and her STILLBORN BABIES IN JARS (dafuk?), one of the stillborns was named Edric. Which was neat, I guess.

Honestly, I don't even remember reading Gendry doing anything after Arya leaves him, so if they want to use him for the blood/slug/kingkilling ritual, that's cool!

[Flip]

I would let Ygritte (or Rose Leslie rather, the actress) cling to me as much as she wanted. That girl is hot as all get out.

Since I read the books, honestly I've been hoping for a major book deviation, 1) to make things unpredictable for me, kind of like how The Walkiing Dead TV show isn't a copy/paste, and 2) Because it will infuriate many of the book's fans and I can feed on their tears. ^_^

Me too on the deviation, for the same reasons.

As far as Gendry goes (for Flip)...

Spoiler: show

IIRC, in the scene with Stannis and his wife and her STILLBORN BABIES IN JARS (dafuk?), one of the stillborns was named Edric. Which was neat, I guess.

Honestly, I don't even remember reading Gendry doing anything after Arya leaves him, so if they want to use him for the blood/slug/kingkilling ritual, that's cool!

Gendry in the books

Spoiler: show

Runs into Brienne and saves her life at one point. I cant remember if he then travels with her, but I'm pretty sure she noticed he looked Baratheon. So, his plot in the books is still slightly ongoing and unknown.

[Blotus]

Oh right.

Spoiler: show

I think he saves her during her fight with Biter.

[SineSwiper]

Any changes to GoT should probably be after book three where just about everyone I talk to says the series turns to garbage, whereas The Walking Dead was just consistently rife with things that could potentially be changed in order to make the story better.

Even GRRM acknowledged that the way it was split was daft. Shellie was telling me about who was in Book 4, and my first thought was "Are you fucking serious?! Three of everybody's LEAST FAVORITE characters get an entire book?!"

So, they plan on re-combining Book 4/5 and then splitting it up the way it should have been done: by time, not by characters.

I've heard that the Walking Dead comic has some high points, but overall, it's pretty hit or miss. So, in that case, I don't mind the story changes, as long as they don't deviate too much.

[Shrinweck]

GoT is a much more complicated story than TWD and changing something now could mean having to pull something out of your ass later.

[Shellie]

Nah, just a lot at stake, and she's not a typical woman, either. She's a wildling. They are in an army of different clans that, not even a year ago, wanted to kill each other. And Jon is the oddest one of all, being the only ex-crow in the group.

Mance Ryder himself is an ex-crow, which is why they agreed to give Jon a chance.



Only 2 episodes left. I'm really shocked what all they plan on fitting into them! I was hoping they would drag this book across 2 seasons, but it doesn't look that way.

[Flip]

Nah, just a lot at stake, and she's not a typical woman, either. She's a wildling. They are in an army of different clans that, not even a year ago, wanted to kill each other. And Jon is the oddest one of all, being the only ex-crow in the group.

Mance Ryder himself is an ex-crow, which is why they agreed to give Jon a chance.



Only 2 episodes left. I'm really shocked what all they plan on fitting into them! I was hoping they would drag this book across 2 seasons, but it doesn't look that way.

Whoa whoa whoa, they are def dragging this book across two seasons. What basically unknown is if they do Joff's wedding at the end this season or near the beginning of season 4. There is still a ton of stuff left in book 3, there is no way they can cram it into two episodes. I thought for the last 3 eps they would do Tyrions wedding, Edmure's wedding, and then Joff's wedding to keep the theme going, but i dont know. Edmure's wedding at the Twins will be next episode, but i'm not sure what they will do for the last episode... probably focus a lot of Dany and her trying to take over Yunkai and have the royal wedding in episode two of season 4.

[Lox]

Yeah, book 3 is definitely two seasons.

I'm kind of hoping they keep Joffrey's wedding for next season, but it really feels like they're going to have it in season 3.

[Shellie]

GOOD. I must have what parts of the story are in which books blurred.

[Shellie]

Id prefer Joffs wedding this season and the Frey wedding next season!

[Zeus]

It's official: Game of Thrones has been AMC'd.....with a lot of nudity added in

[Flip]

It's official: Game of Thrones has been AMC'd.....with a lot of nudity added in

Thats honestly just how the books go. Very very verrrrry slow. I keep telling people at work that they will be disappointed at how long it takes for nothing to happen. The first 3 books were the best things ive ever read, though.

If HBO wanted to, they could have cranked up the action and made book 3 one season by cutting out the fluff.

[Eric]

It's official: Game of Thrones has been AMC'd.....with a lot of nudity added in

Keep in mind the books get progressively longer as well.

[Zeus]

It's official: Game of Thrones has been AMC'd.....with a lot of nudity added in

Thats honestly just how the books go. Very very verrrrry slow. I keep telling people at work that they will be disappointed at how long it takes for nothing to happen. The first 3 books were the best things ive ever read, though.

If HBO wanted to, they could have cranked up the action and made book 3 one season by cutting out the fluff.

Boardwalk Empire is a slow moving show and I love it. It has zero to do with slow and everything to do with "I don't fucking care". And I'm fully caught up now so it's not I'm talking after only watching part of the season.

They've turned Tyrian, who was the SOLE reason to watch the show the first two seasons, into a nothing, useless character who just seems to be hanging around for the sake of being there. What they did to him in episode 8 on Sunday was embarrassing and it's about to happen again. Nothing happening in Westeros is even remotely interesting in any way. And the Mother of Dragons? Well, at least I got to see her naked again. Otherwise it's just an "OK, I get it, you're a badass, get on with it" storyline. But you know the way they're going that's gonna stretch out for another season or two at least.

Two of the other characters I actually like, John Snow and Aria Stark, are garbage now. They've done nothing interesting with them for a long time and their storylines are crap. Don't even get me started on the garbage that is Stannis Barathian and the Red Witch. Please. And Jesus Christ, I wanna kill Lovejoy myself. That's so fucking useless I almost scream in frustration whenever it comes on.

Problem is, that's all there is now, the stuff I mentioned above. And none of it is remotely interesting. Even my wife, who adores the books, isn't enjoying the show. I don't care how good or bad the books are, the show fucking sucks. My wife and I will likely finish this season but I will probably drop it and never bother again after that.

[Zeus]

It's official: Game of Thrones has been AMC'd.....with a lot of nudity added in

Keep in mind the books get progressively longer as well.

The more I talk with my bud, who's a huge book fan, the more I get the feeling that author is fucking lazy. All he does is kill people off because that's the only way he knows how to move the story forward. My friend's OK with this but I hate it. It's one of the main reasons I don't like the show. I was somewhat interested in the books before but after the show and the explanations I've heard, not interested at all anymore

[Flip]

I disagree with you that death is an easy out for a writer. Making up impossible shit for a main character to survive is lazy, and highly expected in any fantasy book. I like the random and unexpected deaths in A Song of Ice and Fire because its a tricvk that isnt used nearly as much as it should in literature. Most other authors use death as a way to tug at your emotions for you to feel even more sorry for the likable main character. Martin doesnt do that and its refreshing.

What he IS lazy about is fucking writing. Waiting 5 then 6 years for books 4 and 5, only to have them further complicate the 'main' story line is infuriating. If anything, though, Martin needs to be accused of making things too complicated. So much so that there are too many characters, which means only a tiny bit of progression per character in each book.

I like the show. Its an interpretation of the books, it doesnt need to be the same.

[Zeus]

Killing people off is the laziest form of writing. A person's death, particularly one of a certain stature, automatically creates crisis and a void to be filled. It's easy to write the reaction/responses to a death. It's harder to make it good without death. That takes real writing.

For instance, I think GoT woulda been a LOT more interesting had Robert's assassination (it didn't take a genius to figure it out) been a failed attempted assassination. The fallout from that (stirring up the lazy king from his slumber, making him more like the rebel who overthrew the mad king) woulda made for a FAR more intersting storyline than the shiet they did. You can always kill him off later but doing so off the bat was a very lazy way of writing.

[Flip]

I'm not sure you know what lazy means, because there is so much build, anticipation, forethought, planning, execution, conniving, and aftermath in almost every Martin death. His entire series has more history, background, and detail than almost any fantasy world i've come across. For him to demolish his own made up geneology of the made up families who are all but wiped out is almost a shame. It like he builds and then kicks over his own sand castle. Death is a device, and he uses it more appropriately and interesting then i've read in a long time.

EDIT: PS, i'm not sure why i'm arguing a book series with someone who hasnt read the books. At the same time, i'm not sure why someone who hasnt read an authors style is giving labels to that author...

[Zeus]

I'm talking about death as a device in general and not directly related to Martin. I've read enough books in my life to have an opinion on it. I consider over-use of it by ANY author to be lazy

All the details, history, etc., you're talking about can still exist in a world without death as being the main plot device

[Flip]

Im not sure how you could tell a story about warring families, with no one family being the central characters, without death. Are the losers all just going to go to jail forever? Your main argument has to be a joke, without death there would be no A Song of Ice and Fire.

[Flip]

I consider over-use of it by ANY author to be lazy

There sure are a lot of lazy writers out there then like Homer, Shakespeare, Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, etc...

Not saying Martin is at that level, but what a ridiculous statement!

[SineSwiper]

Game of Thrones: You win or you die. Die, as in people die. It's not lazy when you're talking about dangerous politics.

[Zeus]

I consider over-use of it by ANY author to be lazy

There sure are a lot of lazy writers out there then like Homer, Shakespeare, Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, etc...

Not saying Martin is at that level, but what a ridiculous statement!

I do believe I said over-use. I have no issues with death, I have an issue with it if that's all there is to move the story forward

[Zeus]

Im not sure how you could tell a story about warring families, with no one family being the central characters, without death. Are the losers all just going to go to jail forever? Your main argument has to be a joke, without death there would be no A Song of Ice and Fire.

I just gave you a scenario where the lack of death would provide a better storyline in Gay of Thrones than what happened. Robert sticking around and changing would have been much more interesting IMO

[Zeus]

Game of Thrones: You win or you die. Die, as in people die. It's not lazy when you're talking about dangerous politics.

You know why the show is boring as shit right now? No one of note hs died all season. Everything is in a holding pattern because there's nothing to move the storyline forward other than death and the fallout that follows

[Shrinweck]

I actually quite enjoyed the last two episodes. But most of the season has been kind of sparse with interesting stuff, yeah. I've liked all the stuff going on with Jaime Lannister this season, too.

I want to go back to the books but any time I spend with fantasy novels is probably going to be monopolized by me re-reading Wheel of Time stuff so I can finally read the last few books and finish the series for good.

[Lox]

I actually quite enjoyed the last two episodes. But most of the season has been kind of sparse with interesting stuff, yeah. I've liked all the stuff going on with Jaime Lannister this season, too.

I want to go back to the books but any time I spend with fantasy novels is probably going to be monopolized by me re-reading Wheel of Time stuff so I can finally read the last few books and finish the series for good.

I have to finish the last 2 as well, but there's no way I'll ever have time to re-read the series. To Wikipedia!

[Shrinweck]

What was the final count on Robert Jordan's characters? Two thousand? I'm most of the way through the series again I can't stop now :D

My Dad and I started reading them when I was in middle school and he said that the series ended well, so I really want to get to it and finish some day. I stopped finding the time to read them in college since it seemed like it would never end.

[Flip]

I gave up on Wheel of Time and I cant remember where i stopped... 11 maybe? Way too daunting to try and start that one again!

[Zeus]

I actually quite enjoyed the last two episodes. But most of the season has been kind of sparse with interesting stuff, yeah. I've liked all the stuff going on with Jaime Lannister this season, too.

I want to go back to the books but any time I spend with fantasy novels is probably going to be monopolized by me re-reading Wheel of Time stuff so I can finally read the last few books and finish the series for good.

Sadly, Jamie Lannister has become the most interesting character in the show. He should be a secondary character at best right now but everyone else is so shitty, his story has been the best

[Shrinweck]

Yeah the stuff that happens with Arya I've partially spoiled for myself and I don't know how they're fucking it up and making most of it boring but they've managed it.

[kali o.]

Yeah the stuff that happens with Arya I've partially spoiled for myself and I don't know how they're fucking it up and making most of it boring but they've managed it.

Strange. I "kinda" know what happens with Arya and find her storyline the most compelling/best written.

[Shrinweck]

I like it in general. Her with Tywin was the best part of season two and it wasn't even in the book. Season three just didn't interest me much, though with her. I've read ahead now and I'm sure it'll get more interesting in season four, but just not much happened with her this season. The actress has great chemistry with men who are treating her badly (to varying degrees - Syrio, Tywin, Hound) which is all that ever really happens to her so far.

I like how Sansa was one of my least favorite characters for so long but now seeing her learn and get out of shit is kind of fun. They made her less of a bitch during the wedding which was an odd choice. I guess they figured enough people hated her already?

[kali o.]

I like it in general. Her with Tywin was the best part of season two and it wasn't even in the book. Season three just didn't interest me much, though with her. I've read ahead now and I'm sure it'll get more interesting in season four, but just not much happened with her this season. The actress has great chemistry with men who are treating her badly (to varying degrees - Syrio, Tywin, Hound) which is all that ever really happens to her so far.

I like how Sansa was one of my least favorite characters for so long but now seeing her learn and get out of shit is kind of fun. They made her less of a bitch during the wedding which was an odd choice. I guess they figured enough people hated her already?

Arya is pretty much the only character I spoiled myself on...so whether it's her subtle interactions with the people she's met, the coin and the deaths she's caused -- I think its pretty cool. I have no idea how they will play out some of the later shit though...a different actress?

And I'm not reading ahead because, well, I don't like the books. For me, GoT is all about the actors, and the show has had a pretty awesome cast so far.