TV Game of Thrones Season 3

[Raven]

Some excellent acting throughout, Jamie Lannister especially. Charles Dance is still excellent too.

 

[ileks]

This one was my favorite of the season so far.

 

[DaGaffer]

This one was my favorite of the season so far.

Well, its easily the best of the books as well, so its not that surprising.

 

[Hawkwind]

I stopped reading the books so as not to spoil the show. Just the best thing on TV, epic

 

[Raven]

You should certainly read them afterwards as there is so much missed out in the show. There is quite a lack of motive for a lot of the scenes in the show that are fleshed out in the book. It barely touched on the Karstarks in the show (for example) and also a lot of the Arya story is missing.

 

[DaGaffer]

You should certainly read them afterwards as there is so much missed out in the show. There is quite a lack of motive for a lot of the scenes in the show that are fleshed out in the book. It barely touched on the Karstarks in the show (for example) and also a lot of the Arya story is missing.

All true, but I'm increasingly of the opinion that a lot of the stuff in the books is just bloat*. If ever an author needed a strong editor, its George R.R. Martin, and its a rare skill, but the TV writers are in many ways doing a better job than the original; look at the Varys scene last week, or Jaime's bath scene this week - both far better exposition than the books. So yes some characters aren't getting enough backstory, but the key characters seem to be getting better characterisation if anything.

*You mention the missing bits of the Arya story; let's be honest, in the books that's several hundred pages of wandering around the Riverlands. The one scene with Tywin at Harrenhall in the last series was worth most of that, and I'm sure we're still going to get all the key Arya stuff.

 

[eksdee]

I'm really enjoying watching the TV show and then reading the books afterwards. I'm currently reading the second book and it's great finding out the little parts the show misses out, while being able to skim read through the bloatier bits (couldn't agree more with that DaGaffer).

 

[Turamber]

It was a good episode, very good even. But one thing did rankle.

Spoiler

Robb has every reason to return North via the Twins but instead the writers want him to continue his war with the Lannisters. Makes him look very dim indeed

 

[eksdee]

Spoiler

Robb has every reason to return North via the Twins but instead the writers want him to continue his war with the Lannisters. Makes him look very dim indeed

Is that part diverging from the book then? Didn't think they were doing that. :/

 

[Raven]

They are diverging a massive amount in this series, all over. Not necessarily a bad thing.

The way he meets his wife is completely different too and makes his decision to piss of the Freys seem even stupider.

 

[eksdee]

Derp. I'm reading through the second book right now and it seemed pretty much dead on to what the series portrayed, I guess I'm in for more of a surprise when I get on to book three then. ;p

 

[Turamber]

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/04/robb-stark/ This is a pretty good explanation of what's wrong with the tactics employed The Young Wolf in the series, and compares it to his actions in the book. Spoilers there, though, so be warned.

 

[eksdee]

Thanks!

 

[DaGaffer]

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/04/robb-stark/ This is a pretty good explanation of what's wrong with the tactics employed The Young Wolf in the series, and compares it to his actions in the book. Spoilers there, though, so be warned.

The analysis misses a key fact about medieval warfare, which Rob actually mentions in the last episode:

Spoiler

If he retreats to the north he'll lose his army anyway. Its not a "standing" army, its raised. When they get back in sight of their farms, holding the army together to wait for the Lannisters would be next to impossible, assuming they booted the Iron Born out fairly speedily. All the other stuff about running backwards and forwards across the Riverlands I agree with though, especially when you remember the sheer size of Westeros; it would be like traversing from France to eastern Poland and back again for each major battle

 

[Cerb]

I think the show is going from strength to strength this season. I totally agree that the characterization of characters like Jamie and Margarie Tyrell is benefitting a lot for the writers.

Also: Yeah Jon Snow!

 

[leggy]

Also: Yeah Jon Snow!

Yeah the title of this episode should have been:

Spoiler

Jon Snow gets Laid

Loved it (the episode that is).

 

[leggy]

Can I also add: passwords are getting annoying

 

[Cerb]

Yeah the title of this episode should have been:

Spoiler

Jon Snow gets Laid and will hopefully finally lighten up but let's face it, probably not.

Loved it (the episode that is).

FTFY

 

[Rulke]

Is that part diverging from the book then? Didn't think they were doing that. :/

I think at this point Moat Caitlin (the only way north by land) is held against them by the Iron Islanders

I'm really looking forward to the non-reader reactions for the rest of this season, gonna be good

 

[Gwadien]

John Snow, is in the Snow, he likes the Snow.

 

[Lamp]

Really enjoyed Episode 5.

Charles Dance should be on TV more. Great actor.
Who's the American version of Charles Dance? Christopher Walken?

 

[Raven]

Book Spoiler - DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE READ ALL THE BOOKS - warned

Spoiler

Unless they really fuck with the books, Charles Dance will not make series 5!

 

[Gray]

That bastard Joffrey!

 

[Turamber]

Some more diverging from the books, but some of the added scenes were good -- provided some character exposition, reveals their inner workings. Also some changes were necessary due to other characters not being included in the tv show. One thing was very interesting and presumably comes from the tv writers briefing by George Martin.

Spoiler

Melisandre is going to meet Arya again.... Of course taking Gendry when Arya is of even higher rank and not bastard born didn't make a whole heap of sense.

 

[DaGaffer]

Spoiler

Melisandre is going to meet Arya again.... Of course taking Gendry when Arya is of even higher rank and not bastard born didn't make a whole heap of sense.

Spoiler

She needed Baratheon blood, not Stark blood

 

[Gwadien]

I thought that ep was a bit dull tbh.

 

[DaGaffer]

Really enjoyed Episode 5.

Charles Dance should be on TV more. Great actor.
Who's the American version of Charles Dance? Christopher Walken?

I think Charles Dance has been pretty well employed by character actor standards over the last few years. Take a look at his IMDB profile, he's been in a lot.

 

[Himse]

I thought that ep was a bit dull tbh.

Completely agree, was almost just like one giant filler episode.

 

[DaGaffer]

Completely agree, was almost just like one giant filler episode.

It was hardly filler. Quite a lot of important stuff happened, its just it was a rather more talky episode than usual.

 

[Raven]

It was a bit of a tidy up and set up episode but that's just the way they have had to do it to give it some chronological meaning.