Game of Thrones (HBO)

[Shane]

gotta agree with Shane. It's still good TV, but it's nowhere near the incredible first season, that had jaws dropping constantly.

i do love that Cercei continues to just look like an idiot. even when you think she's got the upper hand on Tyrion, she's still making mistakes.

The best part of the show was when she brought in the phony *****. Lol.. The imp just goes right along with it. That was good.

 

[Duckjake]

Some don't like book 4, but I do.

I agree that book 2 is the weakest. Book three is hands down my favorite..not even close.

Book 4 was so boring I've never bothered to get book 5. 1-3 were great and then nothing.

 

[Stout]

I mean hell they couldn't even give us a decent frontal of Rob's love interest.

HBO is really letting me down.

This is where they have really fumbled. Not that we didn't get full frontal (lol), but that we have it at all. Rob was never a POV character, and there is exactly no need to follow along with him any more than was done in the books. It has completely wasted valuable time this season.

 

[cardfaninfl]

Each episode in season 1 stands on its own as great mini-stories. The fact that all of them together tell a continueing tale is reason so many, non-fantasy book readers, enjoyed the series. This season feels like HBO forgot that.

Scenery, location and the tease of the upcoming seige of King's Landing seem to be the focus. Its as if the production's only priority was to make the Blackwater Bay battle scene, and all season 2 episodes prior to that were just a needed annoyance.

After viewing a season 1 episode, I couldn't wait to watch each one again. I don't have that feeling with any of the S2 shows.

I'm going to get "flamed" for this, but the Dany's dragons story has been the most wasted time this season. She is frustrated, everyone underestimates her because she is a young woman and Jorah is love-sick - jeez, we get it, already. A few more hours of the same dialoge and facial expressions from the actors won't make that any clearer.

 

[Covert Rain]

The one thing that drives me crazy about the show is every other episode is a tad boring. Then there is a great episode next.

I love this how though.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm going to get "flamed" for this, but the Dany's dragons story has been the most wasted time this season. She is frustrated, everyone underestimates her because she is a young woman and Jorah is love-sick - jeez, we get it, already. A few more hours of the same dialoge and facial expressions from the actors won't make that any clearer.

totally agree. they've been playing the same beats over and over again in that story.

it just kinda feels like the entire season's been a stall.

 

[Stout]

Each episode in season 1 stands on its own as great mini-stories. The fact that all of them together tell a continueing tale is reason so many, non-fantasy book readers, enjoyed the series. This season feels like HBO forgot that.

Scenery, location and the tease of the upcoming seige of King's Landing seem to be the focus. Its as if the production's only priority was to make the Blackwater Bay battle scene, and all season 2 episodes prior to that were just a needed annoyance.

After viewing a season 1 episode, I couldn't wait to watch each one again. I don't have that feeling with any of the S2 shows.

I'm going to get "flamed" for this, but the Dany's dragons story has been the most wasted time this season. She is frustrated, everyone underestimates her because she is a young woman and Jorah is love-sick - jeez, we get it, already. A few more hours of the same dialoge and facial expressions from the actors won't make that any clearer.

Agreed on all points. The problem is that book 2 is a setup book. The producers should have noticed that problem and moved to remedy it for the show, and should not have fed more into it. Robb's storyline is the ultimate representation of that. Nothing matters about his storyline--NOTHING--except outcomes of battles, outcomes of decisions he makes, and the small amount of stuff with his mother. Instead, we have a great deal of time wasted utterly on Robb in order to appease the young 'oh, he's so hot!' crowd. Stupid.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Agreed on all points. The problem is that book 2 is a setup book. The producers should have noticed that problem and moved to remedy it for the show, and should not have fed more into it. Robb's storyline is the ultimate representation of that. Nothing matters about his storyline--NOTHING--except outcomes of battles, outcomes of decisions he makes, and the small amount of stuff with his mother. Instead, we have a great deal of time wasted utterly on Robb in order to appease the young 'oh, he's so hot!' crowd. Stupid.

really? we get like one scene of Robb in episodes if he shows up at all (i think he's been completely AWOL in four episodes). It's just that... this season feels exactly like what you're describing... a lot of set-up for something else. that kind of sucks and has left me a little bored.

 

[Stout]

really? we get like one scene of Robb in episodes if he shows up at all (i think he's been completely AWOL in four episodes). It's just that... this season feels exactly like what you're describing... a lot of set-up for something else. that kind of sucks and has left me a little bored.

Come on! This last episode had like two prolonged scenes and another few shorter ones. The season has been laced with long, boring and useless scenes with him and this chickie that he just banged. A waste!

 

[Shane]

Come on! This last episode had like two prolonged scenes and another few shorter ones. The season has been laced with long, boring and useless scenes with him and this chickie that he just banged. A waste!

Yea im not feeling you on this. Rob scenes overall In season two haven't been all that much. His screen time has been minimal overall IMO. certainly not enough to be saying its the reason this season has been downright dull.

I also agree withh Cheesy and the other poster that the missing dragon dialogue with chalesi has been a complete and utter waste of time. I was one of the very few that thought dragons in the end of season 1 was a huge let down. Not some big dramatic cliffhanger like most. It was seriously disappointing. It has yet to add anything to the story IMO. Considering how longit takes them to grow up. How old Jofrey is at beginning of season one to end season two. I don't see them growing up fast enough to have any real impact? Unless season three jumps forward dramatically in time.

 

[D-Dogg]

Yea im not feeling you on this. Rob scenes overall In season two haven't been all that much. His screen time has been minimal overall IMO. certainly not enough to be saying its the reason this season has been downright dull.

I also agree withh Cheesy and the other poster that the missing dragon dialogue with chalesi has been a complete and utter waste of time. I was one of the very few that thought dragons in the end of season 1 was a huge let down. Not some big dramatic cliffhanger like most. It was seriously disappointing. It has yet to add anything to the story IMO. Considering how longit takes them to grow up. How old Jofrey is at beginning of season one to end season two. I don't see them growing up fast enough to have any real impact? Unless season three jumps forward dramatically in time.

Dragons grow quickly - but not so fast that she's going to be hopping on dragons and burninating Westeros in a few months of storyline time for sure. originally, Martin wanted to have a five year gap in the story between books three and four, but it didn't work.

Dragons don't add much to the story for a long while so if you are holding out for that to happen, pack your overnight bag.

 

[Covert Rain]

I have to agree with several of you above. The endless scenes of recapping things is beyond annoying. It's not just Daenery's scenes either. How many times do we need to hear Rob's mother pine for her children? How many times do we have to see Tywin deep in thought? The guy has stared out the window or sat in his chair most of the season.

Truth be told this annoyed me in Season 1 as well. However, this was something so different that I gave it a pass because every other episode was awesome. More of the same this season although I think it's worse.

I am developing a love hate relationship with this show. I seriously think I could watch every other episode and not miss anything.

 

[crisper57]

Without saying too much, Robb has a big moment in the future and even though his scenes this season are a waste on their own, I do think they help viewers get more invested in his journey. If we just heard about his story second-hand like in the book, I don't think we'd care about him as much.

Dany's scenes drive me crazy. Like a car stuck in sand, she can't get any traction. She just spins her wheels, lingering in the same spot for too long. Then she will suddenly lurch ahead, only to get bogged down again. It is maddening.

I will say that the last 2 episodes should be good because while Book 2 is weak, it does go out with a bang. There are 2 really big events that we still need to see.

Spoiler

I'd call them game-changers : Blackwater Bay and Dany at the House of the Undying

This upcoming episode is the one I have personally been waiting to see all season long.

 

[Stout]

Without saying too much, Robb has a big moment in the future and even though his scenes this season are a waste on their own, I do think they help viewers get more invested in his journey. If we just heard about his story second-hand like in the book, I don't think we'd care about him as much.

Dany's scenes drive me crazy. Like a car stuck in sand, she can't get any traction. She just spins her wheels, lingering in the same spot for too long. Then she will suddenly lurch ahead, only to get bogged down again. It is maddening.

I will say that the last 2 episodes should be good because while Book 2 is weak, it does go out with a bang. There are 2 really big events that we still need to see.

Spoiler

I'd call them game-changers : Blackwater Bay and Dany at the House of the Undying

This upcoming episode is the one I have personally been waiting to see all season long.

I disagree. I think that us not knowing anything about his 'secret' romance until it is revealed creates much more of the impact that is supposed to happen, what happened in the books. I'll explain in spoilers.

Spoiler

When we have no idea what he was up to, and THEN find out that Robb reneged on his marriage contract, it makes it seem much more like an impetuous mistake of youth, which it was, as well as a monumentally stupid and dishonorable thing, which it was. It is something that no one aspiring to leadership, much less kingship, should ever do. Kings don't often get to let their heart rule them. I'll say no more unless asked.

 

[Phrazbit]

I have to agree with several of you above. The endless scenes of recapping things is beyond annoying. It's not just Daenery's scenes either. How many times do we need to hear Rob's mother pine for her children? How many times do we have to see Tywin deep in thought? The guy has stared out the window or sat in his chair most of the season.

Truth be told this annoyed me in Season 1 as well. However, this was something so different that I gave it a pass because every other episode was awesome. More of the same this season although I think it's worse.

I am developing a love hate relationship with this show. I seriously think I could watch every other episode and not miss anything.

If you think ol' Mama Stark is a whiner on the show you cant imagine how annoying she is in the books. She's , by a wide margin, my least favorite character's perspective to read.

But as for the pacing, its deliberate. And honestly, its sped up significantly from the books. Such as the scene when Arya's group heading towards the Wall gets attacked by the King's men on the road and she and a few others make a run for it. Their attempt for freedom lasts about 50 pages in the book and the show glosses over it in roughly 15 seconds.

 

[D-Dogg]

The more I hear, the less I want to watch season two of the series.

And with that..the more I want to finish book 5 and to stakeout Martin's house until book six is done.

Read the damn books, people. Get your soft core porn elsewhere, and read one fracking hell of a story.

 

[Covert Rain]

The more I hear, the less I want to watch season two of the series.

And with that..the more I want to finish book 5 and to stakeout Martin's house until book six is done.

Read the damn books, people. Get your soft core porn elsewhere, and read one fracking hell of a story.

Simply can't do it. My experience has been whenever I read the books first the adaptation on TV or film is most of the time disappointing. I prefer to do the reverse and see it then read it. Then reading the books is a huge bonus with all the extra material and parts of the story.

There have been a few exceptions like Lord of The Rings where I wasn't disappointed in the adaptation but like I said it's usually the reverse for me.

 

[crisper57]

I disagree. I think that us not knowing anything about his 'secret' romance until it is revealed creates much more of the impact that is supposed to happen, what happened in the books. I'll explain in spoilers.

Spoiler

When we have no idea what he was up to, and THEN find out that Robb reneged on his marriage contract, it makes it seem much more like an impetuous mistake of youth, which it was, as well as a monumentally stupid and dishonorable thing, which it was. It is something that no one aspiring to leadership, much less kingship, should ever do. Kings don't often get to let their heart rule them. I'll say no more unless asked.

My response in a spoiler:

Spoiler

I was thinking more about the Red Wedding than his own. The more screen time Robb gets, the more it will be a punch in the gut to viewers.

I agree with you about these scenes though. All this buildup with wassername is killing that big reveal, which was truly shocking in the books.

Could've done both, I guess by showing him more as a leader in battle, but battle scenes are expensive and apparently HBO wouldn't pony up the cash. So maybe this is the compromise. Give Robb more intimate scenes as they build toward the Red Wedding.

 

[Duckjake]

The more I hear, the less I want to watch season two of the series.

And with that..the more I want to finish book 5 and to stakeout Martin's house until book six is done.

Read the damn books, people. Get your soft core porn elsewhere, and read one fracking hell of a story.

Except one hell of a story stops midway through book 3. After that it is just a bunch of rambling mystical nonsense with no point whatsoever.

 

[D-Dogg]

Except one hell of a story stops midway through book 3. After that it is just a bunch of rambling mystical nonsense with no point whatsoever.

No way Jose. All of book three is awesome, right up to the very end.

I liked book 4. I am loving book 5.

 

[Phrazbit]

About the budget stuff in battles...

The biggest bummer about season 1 for me was totally rewritting the battle that Lannister/Stark battle the Tyrion took part in along side his barbarians. The show just had him take a bonk on the head and miss the entire battle, and in the book that chapter was AMAZING. The descriptions of the 2 sides war horns and how intimidating the northern one was, and Tyrion's exploits with his pointed helmet...

Man, I was so excited for that scene and then... BONK... nothing happens. The biggest, and really, the only severe let down for me for the TV/Book translation.

 

[Duckjake]

No way Jose. All of book three is awesome, right up to the very end.

I liked book 4. I am loving book 5.

Sorry, but the only word I have to describe book 4 is tedious. A lot of others apparently felt the same way. I'd go into more detail as to why I feel that way but don't want to spoil things for those who haven't read all 4 books as of yet.

BTW: Is it just me or does Kevin Kolb look a little like Jason Dufner?

 

[D-Dogg]

Sorry, but the only word I have to describe book 4 is tedious. A lot of others apparently felt the same way. I'd go into more detail as to why I feel that way but don't want to spoil things for those who haven't read all 4 books as of yet.

BTW: Is it just me or does Kevin Kolb look a little like Jason Dufner?

I think others thought it was tedious because of the lack of three major characters that were picked up in the parallel fifth book. I would tend to agree I'd be majorly pissed off if I wasn't able to simply open the 5th book and start reading. Most of the complaints I've seen stem from reading 4 before book 5 came out.

IMO, book 3 is the best, hands down. Then 1. Then 4 and 5 neck and neck. Coming in last is book 2, by a country mile.


And YES, when he retires and gains 20 lbs, Kolb and Dufner will be dopplegangers.

 

[Phrazbit]

I think others thought it was tedious because of the lack of three major characters that were picked up in the parallel fifth book. I would tend to agree I'd be majorly pissed off if I wasn't able to simply open the 5th book and start reading. Most of the complaints I've seen stem from reading 4 before book 5 came out.

IMO, book 3 is the best, hands down. Then 1. Then 4 and 5 neck and neck. Coming in last is book 2, by a country mile.


And YES, when he retires and gains 20 lbs, Kolb and Dufner will be dopplegangers.

Now see, I found book 5 to be tedious... at least the first ~500 pages, because it covered so much of what we knew already from book 4... which I liked a lot.

 

[D-Dogg]

Now see, I found book 5 to be tedious... at least the first ~500 pages, because it covered so much of what we knew already from book 4... which I liked a lot.

Yes, it kind of was a bit, but it was nice seeing some of that from the other perspective, and there was:

Spoiler

The intro to the thought dead prince, all of the Tyrion chapters, etc that I quite enjoyed. Just about finished with book 5 now...dragons loosed by newly roasted Prince of Dorne.