Game of Thrones

[prophetic_joe]

Anyone watching this? I really enjoy the books and have watched the first two episodes. I don't think some of the motives transfer over very well to the small screen because there is a lot of things in the books going on in the characters heads that really drive the story and the intrigue but overall it has proven to be a pretty good show.

[heftysmokes]

It's waiting on the DVR. As soon as the wife and I get some time together, we'll watch it...so hopefully before the next Superbowl!

[cinda]

I am watching it. I like it better then the Tudor the Bougies, and Camolot. I can't wait to see the queen get hers....

[Shadykaricta]

Yeah I am heavily invested in this. Great show so far! I didn't read the books but I like what HBO is doing right now. This is also on the horizon which looks good...
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni9625521/

[CptnBlues63]

I'm about 90% of the way through book two of the series. My wife just finished the last one and is itching for the release of the next one in June or July (not sure when exactly but I think it's June).

We watched the first two episodes together and I enjoyed them a lot. If you're read the books, you'll get a lot more out of the show I think. As was said, more background info on the characters.

But all in all, I'm liking it and so is my wife!

[prophetic_joe]

Just finished the Storm of Swords last night and am about to start A Feast of Crows. Really a big fan of the Jon Snow story line and I am liking the Tyrion and Daenerys lines as well. I love the interweave of characters and when he shows you who they really are and not just actions it makes for a really intriguing read.

I'm liking the show quite a bit at this point and am really excited for tonight's episode.

[cinda]

How great was last night show!

[CptnBlues63]

It was good except for one small detail.

In the books, Lord Renly (the kings little brother) and Ser Laris (the flower night) are not, and never were, gay lovers.

I could have done without that little addition

Not that I'm homophobic or anything like that. I would object to any unwarranted, and unneccessary major plot changes of any kind.

How great was last night show!

[insight]

I am really enjoying this show so far. Is i t worth picking up the books as well?

[CptnBlues63]

I am really enjoying this show so far. Is i t worth picking up the books as well?

That's a definite YES

As with any movie, if it's based on a book, the book will always be more in-depth as far as character developement goes.

In this particular case, the show is excellent, the books are much better! I just finished the last one (A Feast of Crows) and am now waiting for the next one which I believe is out in July. Both the wife and I are eager to read it........lol

[prophetic_joe]

It was good except for one small detail.

In the books, Lord Renly (the kings little brother) and Ser Laris (the flower night) are not, and never were, gay lovers.

I could have done without that little addition

Not that I'm homophobic or anything like that. I would object to any unwarranted, and unneccessary major plot changes of any kind.

That's what I thought too however I did some reading and I found some things in A Clash of Kings as well that point to the possibility of Renly being homosexual. Martin makes comment at one point that while he from time to time kiss his wife and feed her that it was Ser Loras that shared his jokes and his confidences. And Stannis Comments on Renly's wife being likely to stay a maiden since she is sharing Renly's bed.

Edit. Did some more looking and here is what I found

"From time to time, king Renly would feed his wife some choice morsel off the point of his dagger, or lean over to plant the LIGHTEST of kisses on her CHEEK, but it was Ser Loras who shared most of his jests and confidences."

Cersai in a Feast For Crows about the father of Renly's wife. "claimed his daughter was still virgin, but Cersei had her doubts... she had been wed to Renly first... *A man may prefer the taste of hippocras, yet if you set a tankard of ale before him, he will quaff it quick enough.*" (indicating Renly liked men but Cersei believed if you put a woman in front of him he may take her as well)

Comment from Jaime to Loras in A Storm of Swords “Now sheathe your bloody sword, or I’ll take it from you and shove it up some place even Renly never found.”

These were things that hinted at it in the books but the real proof is that Martin has now just come right out and said it.

There are plenty of gay characters in A Song of Fire and Ice, a series of fantasy novels currently being adapted by HBO for television, the first season of which will be called A Game of Thrones. But what was a little more subtle in the books will be much more apparent in the series.

The same-sex relationship between the characters of Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones) and Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) will be very apparent by the third episode in the ten-episode first season, which bows April 17th.

Executive producer and series writer D.B. Weiss tells AfterElton.com, “I think there will be a scene mid-season that will make you very happy.”

Renly is “gay in the books, too,” says George R.R. Martin, the author of the bestselling novels. But online chatter suggests that not every reader picked that fact up.

“I never meant to make it a mystery,” Martin says. “I like to handle things subtly. I couldn’t ever actually say, ‘such-and-such is gay,’ because, as I’m sure you know, the word wasn’t invented until the 60s. And I’m talking medieval times, and I’m not going to say, ‘so-and-so is gay.’ But I thought it was pretty clear in context.”

[CptnBlues63]

Nice research Joe!

I recall those passages now that you've found them and posted them.

While I didn't think anything of them at the time I read them, in light of the last episode of the show and this discussion, it certainly does make it seem more likely than not. Of course, having the author come out and say it makes it concrete!

Renly is “gay in the books, too,” says George R.R. Martin, the author of the bestselling novels. But online chatter suggests that not every reader picked that fact up.

Obviously I'm one of the ones that didn't pick up on it! My wife never tires of pointing out to me that while I can spot a deer or moose or elk several miles away through bush in a blizzard, I often miss things right in front of me. She's going to get a chuckle out of telling me again when I show this to her!


I stand corrected (oh if only it were the first time I had to say that.......LOL)

[prophetic_joe]

Nice research Joe!

I recall those passages now that you've found them and posted them.

While I didn't think anything of them at the time I read them, in light of the last episode of the show and this discussion, it certainly does make it seem more likely than not. Of course, having the author come out and say it makes it concrete!

Renly is “gay in the books, too,” says George R.R. Martin, the author of the bestselling novels. But online chatter suggests that not every reader picked that fact up.

Obviously I'm one of the ones that didn't pick up on it! My wife never tires of pointing out to me that while I can spot a deer or moose or elk several miles away through bush in a blizzard, I often miss things right in front of me. She's going to get a chuckle out of telling me again when I show this to her!


I stand corrected (oh if only it were the first time I had to say that.......LOL)

Hey man I didn't pick it up either. I did find it odd that Renly's guard is the Rainbow Guard but didn't assume that meant he was gay. Interestingly enough Martin has said that the fact that his guard was the Rainbow Guard and that the rainbow is a homosexual symbol were actually not connected. Weird.

[CptnBlues63]

LOL

Yeah, I was kind of wondering about the significance of the Rainbow guard myself. Interesting coincidence!

Now that I'm all done Feast of Crows, I can't wait for the next book! The wife and I are both feeling that way about the show too. Now that I know Renly did have something going on with the flower knight I don't feel like the show is straying from the book and will be able to enjoy it that much more.

Hey man I didn't pick it up either. I did find it odd that Renly's guard is the Rainbow Guard but didn't assume that meant he was gay. Interestingly enough Martin has said that the fact that his guard was the Rainbow Guard and that the rainbow is a homosexual symbol were actually not connected. Weird.

[Bad-Yeti]

Awesome series, only seen the first four thus far, but so nice to see a series so gritty, dirty and raw.

Love all the characters, everyone seems to play their part so well, can't wait to see more.

My only criticism is that the North fort near the wall, which seems to be so important seems to be guarded by a few untested soldiers and seems pretty weak, maybe i'm missing something.

[b.read]

Was looking for something to watch last Saturday and started the series...pretty good! I actually ended up having a marathon of it and watched 'em all...

[prophetic_joe]

Awesome series, only seen the first four thus far, but so nice to see a series so gritty, dirty and raw.

Love all the characters, everyone seems to play their part so well, can't wait to see more.

My only criticism is that the North fort near the wall, which seems to be so important seems to be guarded by a few untested soldiers and seems pretty weak, maybe i'm missing something.

No sir you are not missing anything. This plays a huge factor in the stories. The Wall is the most important place in the world with winter coming, however the rest of the southern areas have pretty much forgotten about it. The creatures from the north have been forgotten about for the most part and people believe that the only worry are the bandits beyond the wall. The problem now comes that no man wants to volunteer to give up everything to take the black and guard the wall and so it comes down to men whose lives are already pretty much over due to crimes committed or due to heritage.

So yes the most important guard is also the least funded and least joined. I guess you can see some of the dangers in this.

[Shadykaricta]

Just continues to get batter every week. Can't wait anymore. I might actually start reading the books....

[b.read]

Yep...same here. I haven't read them yet, but may give 'em a go.

[cinda]

after watching tonights episode I cried....and that even in real life is rare.