Irish Readers discussion

I thought it was good but not great. The production was ace but the acting was a bit wooden. Any I was a little put off by the fact that all the non-con/prostitution/incest. Not so much that it's there, but that the was no counter-point of good people having good sex, as there is in the books.

Only the first episode though, I'll withhold judgement until the end of the season.

Vicki wrote: "Anyone watch the first episode on Sky Atlantic and what did you think of it? I was well impressed."

I thought it was really ggod has the makings of a great series

Yeah I was impressed. I'm a huge fan of the books and I'm still apprehensive about the series, but so far so good.

Kate I agree. I know theres a lot of sex in the books but wow I didn't think there was that much. Gotta have a hook to pull people in I suppose.

Looking forward to seeing more! :)

Well the first episode was only the tip of a very huge iceberg. It's a huge story with lots of twists and turns.

GGeorge R.R. Martin has done a lot of work as a scriptwriter in the past and I've always thought that the Song of Fire and Ice series (Game of Thrones being the first book) reflected that. It's a perfect story for television. I'm really glad that it was HBO that decided to make it too, they're probably the best in the business.

i havent read the books either, but the series looks good, im not normally into series like this, but it got me hooked from the start

I wish!!! My husband refuses to get Sky! He will not give Mr. Murdock a cent. In the meantime I am missing all these great shows and my tennis games. UPC will not show the grand slams. On the good side, I spend more time reading.

Mae, since you have the internet you can always stream it online for free. Or download if you don't have the time to sit and watch.

I've just watched the 3rd episode and I'm really enjoying it so far...but then again...I'm a fan-boy. What do the rest of you guys think?

I have to say that notwithstanding my earlier reservations I freaking loved episode 3.

Yeah I noticed a few scenes that I don't remember from the book (the scene with Cersei and Joffrey for instance.) but I think the series is really capturing the atmosphere of the books.

Oh and the casting so far has been spot on. Both Mormont Snr. and Jnr. are exactly as I imagined them.

I've reallu enjoyed the first 3 episodes so far. Glad to see the lil blonde one developing, poor mite. The best character so far has to be Tyrion Lannister.

Yup thats the Dwarf...best character in the whole series of books imo! :)

I completely agree with Keith. I didn't know that George R.R. Martin has done any scriptwriting work in the past, but I really should have guessed from reading the Song of Ice and Fire. I resisted starting it for a long time since I kind of love/but-hate-more reading series of books which are not yet finished but when I found out that HBO was doing A Game of Thrones I decided to read what's available anyway before it airs.

And all the way through reading the first book (and after) I kept thinking - this is made to be a TV series, proper, epic TV show, the kind that HBO can do so well (Wire anyone?), it's perfectly paced for that, the characters are begging to be put on screen, some of the dialogues don't even need editing.

After watching the three episodes I'm hopelessly hooked. I will probably make no friends among true fans of the books if I say *very quietly, barely whispering* that I actually prefer the TV series to the book. Well, so far anyway. So far A Clash of Kings (book) is at 4 stars, the TV show - at 5 for me.

As to sex and incest, oh come on! Half of the plot rides on Cersei's and Jaime's incestuous relations and their consequences, how was HBO not going to pounce on that? Plus nothing wrong with some naked eye-candy, is there?

And Imp is absolutely superb. My absolutely favorite character from the books continues to be my favorite in the TV series.

Joanna wrote: "I kept thinking - this is made to be a TV series, proper, epic TV show, the kind that HBO can do so well (Wire anyone?), it's perfectly paced for that, the characters are begging to be put on screen, some of the dialogues don't even need editing. "

Yeah I've noticed a lot of the dialog is taken directly from the books. I love that. Don't know if I would say I prefer the TV series yet though...early days.

I haven't watched the show or read the books, but i'd still say wait till you've finished watching the season. Otherwise you'll be comparing. But meh. If you're one of those people who have to know how things are going to turn out before the episode airs sure go for it.

Who wouldn't be hooked?! They had me at the opening credits with that music and map animation... Having good plots was just an added bonus. Yeah the younger characters are a bit annoying but I've had to sit through Harry Potter movies so I'm not complaining

@ Daragh - :) Right?! The credits are stunning! I fell in love instantly and the first thing going through my head was: if I study them very carefully, can I possibly build a moving model myself?

I say give it a bash, surely it can't be that difficult, a cog here, unfolding origami tree there. I usually avoid books I've seen a movie/ series of but I bought the book last week and will dig into it at the end of the season as suggested

Vicki wrote: "HELPPPP ... A friend of mine has offered to loan A Game of Thronesbook to me. Should i take it? I know I wont be able to stop myself from reading and Im REALLY enjoying the TV Series. ..."

I reckon you should read it Vicki. I've read the book and I'm still really enjoying the series. In fact, it will probably give you a better insight into the minds of the characters and the politics that can't be fit into the show.

Ahhh so you're the one that made me suffer through that damn thing!! ;p

Maybe i'll try watching it soon.

I'm devastated now Brothers and Sisters has finished airing. And Smallville's pretty much finished too. Omg. sad times..

Bar Fringe scifi shows don't seem to be longlived... Sanctuary I guess is doing well. And all those stargate yokes but yeah. x:

Fringe has gone a lil bit toooo far in the last few episodes, I'm waiting until the season of Smallville is over them in gonna d/l the lot.

I got a bit lost in places in last nights ep. Trying to follow the whole story with all the diff names was kinda hard but I think I managed it.

Omg. I found out Smallville was ending so I threw myself into watching a season a week and gave up on reading. I'm on the last ep of s5 now and I'm devastated I know it'll all just stop. :(

I didn't like Fringe. Then I did. Then I didn't. Iuno. Some eps it's amazing and I have to keep going. Then it gets shoddy and I'm like i'll leave it a few weeks.

Do you not feel that Smallville should have ended a few years ago? Seems to me it dragged on far too long.

NO. NO. NO. Omg. It just gets better and better so far. And I can't wait for the newest episodes where like. Lana is gone. And Lex is gone. And Chloe is married. And Clark's da is dead and gone. And he's finally off the farm, i think... And like. There's all other superheroes. And wtf is going on. I CANNOT WAIT.

Wait till you get to season 10, it does drag. It's officially over in the states since the last ep. aired 3 days ago, wanna know what happened?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ;_;

I'm still upset about Lost ending. Even if the ending was completely shit.

The heart eating didn't bother me too much but the whole breast feeding thing freaked me out alright. The book is on a shelf ready to be read sometime so am hoping that particular part isn't given too much detail in the text.

On a separate note, the older daughter is really starting to annoy me with her new found love for the incest child

Another brilliant ep.
I found this one a little bit easier to follow that previous ones, maybe I'm getting the hang of all the names and characters.

The golden crown bit at the end was narly, and yes the older daughter has to go, the younger tomboy is much cooler.

I hope the big wolf things come back in too.

havent read the books, but love it so far, tonight was v.good!

yes, the breastfeeding freaked me out big time, think that was the worst so far, im not too bad with the rest so far

I thought last nights episode was pretty poor. Too many stilited monologues.

Vicki wrote: "It wasnt too shocking this week, i was unnerved by the breastfeeding 10 year old and the horses heart in the last two weeks but it wasnt so bad tonight. "

Although the lesbian sex scene was pretty awesome!!!!

yah! man

Vicki wrote: "I partly guessed the men would like that scene! Ha."

Paul Reisner's comment on why men enjoy lesbian sex was, "it's naked, it's fun, and I agree with both of them."

Craig wrote: Paul Reisner's comment on why men enjoy lesbian sex was, "it's naked, it's fun, and I agree with both of them.""

Win

Yeah think it's repeated on Sunday Nights Vicki...you'll love the awesome ripping out of some guys tongue!

Yup...I must say, they don't hold back on the sex and violence :D

Tongues ripped out? Sounds like Anthony Hopkins in Titus.

Vicki wrote: "Can someone put me out of my misery and tell me does stark live?
"

I told you to read the book, didn't I? You're going to have to when the series ends anyway. It's probably going to be another 18 months before the second season.

I heard they are still looking for extras for season two in Belfast! Ooooooh applications for useless knowledge. LOVE IT!

We should all apply! That'd be a pretty cool Group meetup! :)

OK...so I'm not giving anything away BUT...in the next two episodes..the Sh*t will hit the fan! :D

Last night's episode was EPIC. I mean...what? Like seriously, WHAT just happened?!

Not giving it away, but wowza!

Yeah...don't be surprised with this series....ANYTHING can happen.