Game of Thrones (spoiler-free zone)

[keg in kc]

A few have suggested it, might as well test the waters. The idea is to give people who haven't read the books a safe place to talk about the show.

A few quick ground rules:

• No Spoilers!!!!! for upcoming episodes.
• Larger Song of Ice and Fire discussion should be limited to the other thread although I think a tiny bit of book delving to fill in holes should be okay (example of this would be talking about Catelyn and her treatment of the wolves in the novel, which was alluded to on TV but never really made clear...)
• Everything that happened that week is fair game once an episode airs. So if you don't watch on Sunday night, I'd stay outta here until you do...

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Political machinations of Deadwood (lots of Swearingen types) with the family based loyalties of Sopranos all set in a low-fantasy medieval realm.

I've never seen Deadwood. I've planned to for a while, though.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I've never seen Deadwood. I've planned to for a while, though.

You're in for a treat with either series. Just watch the first episode of Game of Thrones. After you've watched it and you're going at the end, know that you're just starting to scrape the tip of the iceberg.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by NewChief

You're in for a treat with either series. Just watch the first episode of Game of Thrones. After you've watched it and you're going at the end, know that you're just starting to scrape the tip of the iceberg.

Oh, I'm already caught up in GoT. It's awesome and I plan to read the books when I can. But I might go for Deadwood next if I find the time.

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I've never seen Deadwood. I've planned to for a while, though.

Same here. But like Icarus... I have season one.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I'm rooting for Jon Snow. Although Tyrion is the most interesting character on the show.

Tyrion is one of the most interesting characters in all the books

[KC_Connection]

What's different about GoT compared to most other shows is that there are just so many fascinating characters (and so many narratives that they are involved in). It reminds me a bit of The Wire in that way, but there are perhaps even more in this world.

No scene is also ever a throwaway...everything matters. It never gets boring because of that. The writing, direction, and locations are also fantastic, you can tell the producers put a lot of effort into it.

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

What's different about GoT compared to most other shows is that there are just so many fascinating characters (and so many narratives that they are involved in). It reminds me a bit of The Wire in that way, but there are perhaps even more in this world.

No scene is also ever a throwaway...everything matters. It never gets boring because of that. The writing, direction, and locations are also fantastic, you can tell the producers put a lot of effort into it.

They really have done a fantastic job with it. Amazing casting, directing, writing, and acting.

It's the only "Event TV" for me right now.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

They really have done a fantastic job with it. Amazing casting, directing, writing, and acting.

It's the only "Event TV" for me right now.

Yes, the acting is notably good too. They picked some proven ones, but the child actors, particularly the kid who plays the eminently hateable Joffrey, do a great job (which you rarely see on television). Of course, I don't know how closely they are to how they seem in the book, though.

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Yes, the acting is notably good too. They picked some proven ones, but the child actors, particularly the kid who plays the eminently hateable Joffrey, do a great job (which you rarely see on television). Of course, I don't know how closely they are to how they seem in the book, though.

I've read them. The young actors are perfect, IMO. Doing an amazing job.

That's rare. Young Anakin, for example.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

I've read them. The young actors are perfect, IMO. Doing an amazing job.

That's rare. Young Anakin, for example.

Yeah, that was awful. Or the kid that plays Carl in The Walking Dead (which stands out most recently in my mind).

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Yeah, that was awful. Or the kid that plays Carl in The Walking Dead (which stands out most recently in my mind).

Ugh... exactly.

[lcarus]

I saw the very beginning of the very first episode of Deadwood. Seemed kinda boring. Incredibly small sample size though. I'll give it a chance.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Fairplay

I'm rooting for the midget dude.

Read somewhere from someone in the media who's seen the screeners that they're going to have to come up with something BIGGER than an Emmy for Dinklage this year.


JIMP

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by lcarus

I don't wanna read any of this thread in case it spoils something, but I have season 1 and am contemplating watching it tonight. How good is it? Like on a scale of 1-10? What would you compare it to?

If fantasy puts you off, don't be in this case. It is a fantasy setting, with long past magic and dragons simmering the 'background,' but it is essentially a saga of human nature. It's all about how personalities and personal creeds, ethos, ambitions and appetites seal fates.

The appeal of GoT/SoIaF is investing in people who think like you, or appeal to your better angels, and anguishing through their setbacks or applauding their accomplishments.

Soapish? Maybe. But GRRM has crafted characters so intricate and intimate that you get utterly swept up.

[Baby Lee]

For all those with Deadwood 'in queue' without having seen it, I am . . . jealous.

I would love nothing more than the opportunity to see Deadwood for the first time again.

There were a couple of scenes towards the end of season one, where I whooped and hollered like I hadn't since Montana/Horseface '94.

Milch, with Deadwood, is modern day Shakespeare.