ChiefsPlanet - Movies and TV Game of Thrones *Spoiler* Thread

ChiefsPlanet (https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/index.php)

- Media Center (https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/forumdisplay.php?f=2)

- -

Game of Thrones *Spoiler* Thread (https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=257986)

Some interesting comments accumulated by sepinwall:

Quote:

The third season of "Game of Thrones" is "probably as big as we're going to get," according to co-showrunner David Benioff, who joined partner D.B. Weiss on a press conference call to preview the HBO fantasy epic's return on Sunday night at 9.

"Season 3 is probably the biggest in terms of the number of new characters, number of new stories overall," Benioff explained. "The universe has expanded as much as it's going to, and now it's going to contract... As pieces start to get removed from the chessboard, we'll have fewer on there. We're nearly to the midpoint (of the story), and it'll be interesting to see what's going forward with the endgame."

The new season brings in a bunch of new characters, including King Beyond the Wall Mance Rayder (Ciaran Hinds), the wise and grandmatronly Olenna (Diana Rigg) and mysterious siblings Jojen and Meera Reed (Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Ellie Kendrick), among others. The season will be adapting, more or less, the first half of George R.R. Martin's third book in the series, "A Storm of Swords," though there are elements from both earlier and later books being included, depending on what makes sense for the TV show.

The Reeds, for instance, first appear in the second book, but Benioff explained that they held them for this season because "We just felt they'd make more impact coming in later... If things get too byzantine, it's so confusing that none of it adds up, and you're spending three minutes with characters per episode, and the whole thing becomes a wash."

Quote:

They're as worried about when the remaining books come out as you are: Actually, "I guess we spend more time worrying than the fans," Benioff said. The two of them visited Martin at his home in Santa Fe back in February to pump him for information about where all the stories are going, so they can properly set them up in the world of the show, and "It was incredibly useful," according to Benioff.

"There's no question that this will be better for us if the books come out before the various seasons come out," Benioff added. "That said, we're not going to take a two-year hiatus (to wait for a book). The little kids are growing older, the show's got momentum now, and the show must go on. We're just hopeful that it will all time out."

There's a lot more. Link.

I'm not reading a damn word in here yet. Just wanted to say that I've just finished reading the first book, based on the recommendation of many friends, and thought it was excellent. I've ordered the rest from Amazon, and hope to get/watch the HBO series as soon as possible. THEN I'll join you guys in here, no doubt. :D

Let's hope Martin doesn't die before he finishes the series like Robert Jordan did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix (Post 9538459)

Haha, yes, you would be wise to stay out of this thread. Manymanymany major spoilers in here. You should not even go to the non-spoiler one unless you catch up to the TV show.

Let the countdown begin...two more days til season premier!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix (Post 9538459)

Its too late now for you, but I am very glad that I saw the first season on HBO before cracking the books. Just for the visual experience of the first big shocker. I think that is a superior way to set your expectations for what it possible in GRRMartin's world.

Would be interested to see what you think of the first season having just read the book.

Btw, this has probably been mentioned before, but if you haven't read David Benioff's novel, City of Thieves, it is excellent. It's about the siege of Leningrad. Really excellent.

Good review from AmAzon:
I would never have dreamed that a story set during the WW II Siege of Leningrad could be as engaging and darkly humorous as this book, but the Author has done a fine job of bringing a diverse set of characters to life, two of whom have been given an impossible mission (find a dozen eggs!) in an unbearable situation (the Blockade of Leningrad, and its consequent famine).

I have over a dozen books on the Siege of Leningrad (for a project I'm working on), and I have to say that the Author portrays the siege with accuracy, if not with full depth - in large part because the story is told from the viewpoint of Lev, a 17 year old boy. This doesn't give the reader an omniscient overview of "the big picture", but it certainly provides a very specific perspective on life in and around the city, and one well worth reading.

It's an "impression" of life during the city, and I have to say that with one exception - Lev would have been much hungrier and weaker in real life - a fairly accurate one. Readers of "The 900 Days" will recognize the inspiration for a specific scene, (Hint: Beware of well fed men in a famine) but how the characters react to what happens makes the action their own. And what characters!

The two main characters that carry the book deserve to be remembered as a classic pairing. Their interactions, observations and the journey they take on their absurd quest are one that I will remember for a very long time. Lev, the narrator, will remind most adult men of their own awkward youth. Wry, dry, frustrated and a little plodding, he is enormously sympathetic, while seemingly always in the process of doing a "Straight Man's Slow Burn" in a comedy routine. Kolya, an accidental Red Army deserter, is overly confident, irresistably charming and scatologically minded. Imagine a dirty minded Bugs Bunny come to life as a 6ft tall, Blond hair Blue eyed Russian and you're not too far off. By the end of the story, these two have formed a real bond and friendship - one that seems real, rather than forced for the sake of the story. The supporting characters are all given real weight - you feel that this really could have happened, and that these aren't just puppets the author is manipulating, but real people.

Is it serious? Yes.
Is it a war story? Yes.
Is it funny? Yes.
Is it a coming of age story? Yes.
Is it historically accurate? Yes.

It's simply got quite a lot to offer to any reader. I highly recommend it to both the general reading public and to WWII buffs.

Vargo Hoat better be in this. Kingthlayyyyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM (Post 9540913)

Vargo Hoat better be in this. Kingthlayyyyer

No sign of him OR Strong Belwas FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Bastiges already cheated us out of Patchface

Man I will miss Strong Belwas and his big fight scene, but Vargo Hoat really can't be included can he? Can you imagine how dumb his slobbery lispy accent would sound on real TV? That works better in print I think.

Ms. Stormborn rocked some SMOKING outfits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawk (Post 9547337)

I believe we see a sliver of Jaime losing his hand in one of the trailers and I think Hoat is the one that did the deed. They could obviously change that but I hope it's him.

Seems like they are pretending the Brave Companions don't exist. Wonder who will take the hand since it probably won't be Hoat?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM (Post 9548643)

Seems like they are pretending the Brave Companions don't exist. Wonder who will take the hand since it probably won't be Hoat?

Patience.