Author Topic: Game of Thrones  (Read 59360 times)

0 Members and 7 Guests are viewing this topic.

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
Game of Thrones
« on: March 22, 2012, 09:28:03 AM »
I refuse to pay for HBO because of the piece of dung Bill Maher. But the Mrs and I were very conflicted when their series "Game of Thrones" began its first season last year. We both read and thoroughly enjoyed the book series "A Song of Fire and Ice" by George R.R. Martin, upon which GoT is based.

"Based" is not accurate. We just finished watching season one on Blue-Ray, and I believe GoT is the most accurate literary adaptation to screen I've ever seen. Very little creative license is taken - although the couple instances that it is taken seem pointless, gratuitous, and agenda-driven. All the major and minor characters are included, and well cast. Sean Bean (Boromir from LotR) plays Lord Eddard Stark, a main character in season one. All major and most minor events in the book are replayed on the screen in chronological order. The uniqueness of the landscapes and architecture described in the books is faithfully recreated. It was quite pleasing to see the story I read actually unfold on the screen. From what I understand, Martin himself had a strong hand in consultation for the series.

In short, the story takes place in a mythical land and time of swords, mysticism, cruelty, and ancient lore. The "civilized" kingdom is separated from a mysterious wild Northern land by an ice-wall, hundreds of feet tall, guarded by a rag-tag ancient order. The Wall is AWESOME. In the South, seven families with their own realms and bannermen jockey for the Iron Throne. It is a harsh world; a harsh tale. When Winter comes, its end is not definite, and can last for generations. There is little joy, and much sorrow, as the political machinations of the seven families take their toll on any who find themselves lacking at the "Game of Thrones". I'll tell you right now, Martin is an author who has no compunctions about killing characters he works hard to develop, and the series stays true to it.

One thing about the books is Martin's unapologetic use of sex and rape as primary aspects of the story. Kings and Lords and their bastard sons, whores, incest, etc, are part of the world he created, so if that kind of thing is too much to be of entertainment, don't watch, because the program doesn't shy away from that aspect of the books. There is gratuitous sex and full frontal nudity of a softcore pornographic nature. But it is most definitely in context. Without that aspect, the program would not be what the books portrayed, and without that aspect in the books, the story could not have been told.

The area of creative license I mentioned earlier involved taking one character who was effeminate in the books, and pairing him in a homosexual tryst with another character from the books who was definitely NOT a homosexual. That change adds nothing of value to the story or the episode in which it occurred, so it is clear that it is a case of an HBO program doing the obligatory legwork for homosexual radicals.

If you like the genre similar to LotR, and can handle a far grittier world than Tolkien's, I'd definitely give this one a shot. We swallowed-up ten episodes in three evenings, and can hardly stand it that we have to wait a year for season two.

I would also highly recommend the books.
« Last Edit: March 22, 2012, 09:34:36 AM by IronDioPriest »
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2012, 09:38:06 AM »
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Online ToddF

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 5812
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2012, 09:48:37 AM »
You can buy the BluRays for just the cost of 2 months of HBO anyway...if you just have a little patience to wait the few months.

Online ToddF

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 5812
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2012, 07:26:50 AM »
Another one added to the my list.

Nice knowing you, George.  Too bad you put your name on this product now advocating political violence in the real world.

Hollywood trash just couldn't help themselves, having to f*** up something that doesn't even happen in this world.

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2012, 09:58:43 AM »
Such piss-poor decision making. If you need head-on-a-pike props, and what you have laying around the prop department happens to look like George Bush, dressing it in a wig and using it is one thing. Advertising that you did so in the comments of the DVD is another. That shows complete ignorance in a "What? Doesn't EVERYONE hate George Bush and think he should die?" kind of way.

Idiot.
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Offline Libertas

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 63653
  • Alea iacta est! Libertatem aut mori!
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2012, 11:09:20 AM »
If "Game of Ho's" then for sure Obama would have found himself in a starring role...
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.

Online ToddF

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 5812
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2012, 11:57:54 AM »
If "Game of Ho's" then for sure Obama would have found himself in a starring role...

I won't link as it's beyond any 'warning for content' warnings but IOTW has a very graphic take on that very idea.

Offline Libertas

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 63653
  • Alea iacta est! Libertatem aut mori!
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2012, 05:21:46 PM »
If "Game of Ho's" then for sure Obama would have found himself in a starring role...

I won't link as it's beyond any 'warning for content' warnings but IOTW has a very graphic take on that very idea.

Some of their stuff is gross and graphic, but a lot is funny as all heck.
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2013, 02:50:44 PM »
I don't know if anybody else watches this show... I ate my words at the outset of this thread. Never say never. We buckled and ordered HBO after watching Season 2 of GoT on BlueRay. Didn't want to wait the full year until season 3 release, and the mrs. really wanted it, so, we got it.

Season 3 is just as excellent, although now three seasons into it, they've begun diverting from the literary work more. Main storylines are in tact, but events than never happened in the books are added, and some that did aren't happening.

Ran across this and thought it was funny. If you watch the show, you might think so too. If not, don't bother clicking, cuz it won't make any sense...
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Offline John Florida

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10059
  • IT'S MY FONT AND I'LL USE IT IF I WANT TO!!
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2013, 04:24:55 PM »
  I've been watching it from day one and is the reason I'm not here between 9/10 on Sundays.It's the talk of the day on monday at work.
All men are created equal"
 Filippo Mazzie

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2014, 08:20:51 AM »
Anybody catch the season 4 premier? Great TV. Although, dammit, the books didn't have faggots.

Arya was reunited with Needle. Loved that.
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Offline John Florida

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10059
  • IT'S MY FONT AND I'LL USE IT IF I WANT TO!!
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2014, 08:50:26 AM »
  I'm addicted!! I have a few guys at work that are just as bad as me and we talk about it at work and try to predict the next thing to happen. I have predicted that Dog would take a turn for the better and that the youngest Stark daughter would be a major player,and here it is.

     Now I have to wait till sunday!!!
All men are created equal"
 Filippo Mazzie

Online ToddF

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 5812
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2014, 09:26:10 AM »
Since I haven't heard of any more asshattery, and maybe the producers have learned a lesson, I also ate my words and bought the first season.  I haven't gotten farther than that, nor would I ever pay for any cable, let alone HBO.

They're already running against the wall as Martin is well into the Fat Elvis stage of his career and is getting quite lazy about actually writing further along in the series.  The books have not progressed, since this series started.

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2014, 09:33:25 AM »
I read an article a few days ago that said Martin has met with producers and given them a detailed outline of how the story plays out - who lives, who dies, how they die, who kills who, major events, who ultimately ends up on the Iron Throne, etc.

Apparently he is close to releasing the next book, which would be REALLY smart. Striking while the Iron Throne is hot, pun intended.

Also, the plan is for 7 or 8 seasons, and there is talk of the finale being a feature film.
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Online ToddF

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 5812
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #15 on: April 07, 2014, 09:46:34 AM »
After watching season 1, last month, I looked up some of the actors, to learn more.  One problem with hiring teens to play children is that teens grow...fast.

Arya Stark with a rack that would make Dolly Parton bow in awe.  I just can't wrap my mind around that one.  ::hysterical::

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #16 on: April 07, 2014, 11:01:15 AM »
After watching season 1, last month, I looked up some of the actors, to learn more.  One problem with hiring teens to play children is that teens grow...fast.

Arya Stark with a rack that would make Dolly Parton bow in awe.  I just can't wrap my mind around that one.  ::hysterical::

Yup, Arya and Bran are growing up too fast for the supposed chronology, that's for sure.
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Offline Glock32

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 8747
  • Get some!
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2015, 02:26:56 PM »
Ok, so I have finally gotten into this show.  For some reason I tend to get into the popular shows only after a few seasons have been released.  I sort of like that though, because I can binge watch entire seasons and I don't have to wait a week after those cliffhangers.

I just finished Season 3.  So finally I saw the infamous "Red Wedding" and yeah it was a gut punch alright.  I had already heard so many references to the Red Wedding (South Park even spoofed it) that I knew there was going to be a wedding where a lot of main characters died.  For some reason though, I always imagined it was going to be Joffrey's wedding.  I didn't put two and two together that it was going to be this one until most of the guests had cleared out of the great hall.  I was like "that's a bit odd that it's the Starks and a bunch of Frey's men leering in the back of the hall," then Catelyn seemed spooked by some change in the musical note (or maybe she saw the archers hiding behind the musicians on the balconies).

I suddenly thought back to the exchange between Arya and the Hound earlier in the episode.  She wanted to go to her family right away, and the Hound told her she was full of fear behind her stoic face.  Fear that the closer she got, the greater the chance of something awful happening.  So I kind of knew what was coming, at that point.

Talk about reversals in this show.  I go from hating Jaime Lannister to thinking he might have finally become more humble (possibly even a decent human being?) and I'm sort of thinking even Theon might redeem himself after what he has gone through.

I'll start on Season 4 when it becomes available for streaming next week.
"The Fourth Estate is less honorable than the First Profession."

- Yours Truly

Online IronDioPriest

  • Administrator
  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 10828
  • I refuse to accept my civil servants as my rulers
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2015, 03:52:32 PM »
...I had already heard so many references to the Red Wedding (South Park even spoofed it) that I knew there was going to be a wedding where a lot of main characters died.  For some reason though, I always imagined it was going to be Joffrey's wedding.  I didn't put two and two together that it was going to be this one until most of the guests had cleared out of the great hall.  I was like "that's a bit odd that it's the Starks and a bunch of Frey's men leering in the back of the hall," then Catelyn seemed spooked by some change in the musical note (or maybe she saw the archers hiding behind the musicians on the balconies)...

She recognized the musicians beginning to play the traditional song of House Lannister: "The Rains of Castamere." The song made her aware of the betrayal. I can see the look on her face in my mind even now.

The Rains of Castamere (Red Wedding Edition) (Cover)
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Offline Glock32

  • Conservative Superhero
  • *****
  • Posts: 8747
  • Get some!
Re: Game of Thrones
« Reply #19 on: February 06, 2015, 05:05:49 PM »
Ahh, interesting.  I was wondering if it was something like that -- like that world's version of a funeral requiem or something.  Did you know that from the books, or is it something you read about afterward?
"The Fourth Estate is less honorable than the First Profession."

- Yours Truly