Allen’s Comments (group member since Nov 17, 2007)

Allen’s comments from the A Song of Ice & Fire Fans group.

Ampoliros wrote: "I too find it interesting that they are making other characters likable, in one since some of them do have more depth to them and the reader might change their mind, on the other hand the two characters that NEVER do that are CERSEI and JOFFREY. I can't wait to see Tyrion laying the smack down on Joff."

I think I am one of the few that hated the Cersei-Robert scene a couple eps back. I saw a behind the scenes explanation of how they have to fill in other view points and what not that weren't in the book. But Cersei's disdain for Robert is so big in my eyes, that she would never be so frank with him.

I think it's highly likely that we will never find out Jon's true paternity, and that it won't have an overt impact on the end of the story.

Clark wrote: "Not sure what they are doing with Ros, though. Think that was just to give Theon some screen time?"

I think it's that, and I have an inkling that they may merge Shae into her also, for consolidation's sake.

So the trial by combat was good, as was Visyres' crowning. I'm still wondering when the crow is going to start talking tho...

EP106: A Golden Crown
Reinstated as the Hand, Ned sits for the King while Robert is on a hunt, and issues a decree that could have long-term consequences throughout the Seven Kingdoms. At the Eyrie, Tyrion confesses to his “crimes,” and demands that Lysa give him a trial by combat. Joffrey apologizes to Sansa; Viserys receives his final payment for Daenerys from Drogo.

Game Of Thrones: Episode 6 Preview

I just found this neat little relationship infograpic. It's 'spoiler free', and based off everything from the show and HBO.com, no book stuff.


Click image for a full screen version.

Rodrigo wrote: "They also told us who was the spy with the Targaryens, but didn't we only discover that at the 3rd book? Just checking because I don't remember them saying his name as a spy to the crown before."

The Varys and Ilyrio scene was accurate, I knew it was them the first time through. The Jorah Mormont mention was also accurate.

Ryan wrote: "As desired by GRRM.. lets hope the series goes on this far!
Book 1 - Season 1 (10 episodes)
Book 2 - Seasons 2 & 3 (20 episodes)
Books 3-4 - Seasons 4, 5, & 6 (30 episodes)
Book 5 - Season 7
..."

Actually GRRM said he'd like/could keep up with:

Book 1 - Season 1 (10 episodes)
Book 2 - Season 2 (He'd like to see 12, as CoK is 100pgs longer)
Book 3 - Seasons 3 & 4 (~20 episodes)
Book 4 & 5 - Seasons 5-7 (~30 episodes)
Book 6 & 7 - TBD

I personally have a hard time picturing it going that long. Not that I don't want it to, just logistically it seems like a nightmare. Sopranos only went 7, and that was with an 18month break...

I also just read in an interview a small spoiler, (view spoiler)[apparently someone is going to die, that doesn't die till Storm in the books (hide spoiler)]...

Ryan wrote: "Maybe he wanted Renlys and Loras relationship to be more obvious.. if it's important to the story. Getting sick of everybody complaining about every little thing that has changed from the books. The changes are fantastic! I love the added scenes that set things up for later.. like fleshing out Theons character more (he's really not in the books much until book 2)."

Here's the thing... We know the story, and well, I always thought of Renly as a tertiary character, and now a non-character/part of Stanis' story. Him being gay, which I did not catch in the books(rainbows are only gay in our modern era, so that is a bit of a sad allusion), is a funny quirk, but in the end inconsequential to the overall story.

And I understand changes are to be expected, and at times unavoidable. I just don't care for it when they are done lazily that doesn't add to the story, and could easily have been done right. One example of this is in Rome, where they started mucking with history(albeit in the second season after knowing they weren't going to get much longer). They moved battles around that didn't do anything for the story, and coulda/shoulda left it in the proper order. And when it's actual history they are revising it makes me angry. In GoT, merely a little disappointed.

I don't care for the majority of the casting. The Lysa scene was also oddly changed. I understand leaving out the trek up, but making the conversation public was weird.

Machavelli wrote: "Am i the only one that feels the show does not quite live up to the expectations?
I feel like they haven't quite grapped the essence of the books, and i am at times very bored."

I'm right there with you. My opinion seems to be wanning as we move forward. At this rate I don't think the show will be in my top ten in the end.

I try to look at it in a different light than the books, but it's hard. I see most of the changes as lazy that don't add and could easily be fixed.

So, Renly and Loras? Quite the change, unless I totally misread. And the fight scene change was odd. I also didn't care for the Hound background change in the previous episode.

Episode 1 - "Winter is Coming"
The Starks of Winterfell receive the visit of the royal family. Across the sea, the exiled Targaryen prince forges a new alliance to regain the Iron Throne.


Ok, so no spoilers yet. But I'd figure I'd make an official thread preemptively. Lets try not to go too crazy until you've watched the premiere. T-minus 14 hours...

Shoulda known this would've been here. Saw it on the GoT FB discussion. She's just a literary snob who hates all fantasy. Probably doesn't think comics/graphic novels are worthy of entrance of her 'hallowed halls of literature' either.

HBO's subscriber base is pretty consistent. Most people that can subscribe already do, I would be surprised of GoT attracted a significant number of new subscribers on its own(close to or over six digits). They already make plenty of money with their base to make such a show as GoT. The ratings will then tell them if their subscribers like the show or not, and if they do they make more. The whole point of making the show in the first place is to entertain their current base(with sure some new avid fans, but again probably not significant) to keep them paying their subscriptions.

Not sure its much of a gage, but evidently "only" 720k watched the preview. Now I'll take it with considerably salt as I didn't watch, and several I talked to also did not, and subscriber access wouldn't change that in anyway(as I already have easy access). I think the idea of a quarter length preview just doesn't interest most people(especially only a week in advance), and I don't know where HBO got the idea to do it.

Except it's already paid for. Being a subscription service, people pay, then HBO produces content for them(although it started out people paid for movies HBO did not produce). Now ratings will dictate whether HBO will produce another season, cause if their subscribers tune in, it means they like it and want more of it(or that's how studios choose to interpret it). The only way for it to really 'fail' other than not drawing the expected numbers(which would only result in no CoK) would be if it somehow stirred people to cancel their current subs.

In the end it doesn't matter how you watch it unless you have a Nielsen box really. And I've never even met someone who's had one, let alone seen one.

I'll be watching via the wonderful world of Bit Torrent.

What? The closest to free mentioned here is when I mentioned pirating in passing. And that has nothing to do with the discussion which was about HBO's current pricing being too expensive and the hope that HBO GO leads to an independent streaming option.

Ok, like I said, a small regional one(most people have a big name Comcast/ATT/TW/Dish provider). But your paying $15, in addition to your standard package, which I am guessing is $30 a month. So you basically have the Comcast setup(with out the second year ramp-up). Even if you magically pay $15 for your base, $30 a month is still too much. I want to be able to pay and support just the HBO productions. I could care less about the movies they air, or the Hallmark Channel that are included.

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I pay 15.00 a month with my package."

I find this impossible unless your on a limited offer, or some extremely limited/small regional service. On Comcast's website the lowest package they offer [for Seattle] is $30(for 12mo with 2yr agreement), and only includes HBO for 6mo, after which it adds $10 making the total $40. Then after the first year it goes to $56 minimum, non including HBO(additional $10-24('depending on area')).

I will never pay such an exorbitant amount. Hell even the $30 is too much in my book, as there are dozens of channels I will never view included. The absolute most I would ever pay is $10 a month, but the realistic amount for me to actually pay is more like $5.