Game of Thrones

[Sunstroke]

I know we have more than a few GoT fans on this board, so wanted to get a thread up to chat about it. One of the biggest developments so far are the "leaked episodes." Apparently, HBO let some media types have copis of the first four episodes in advance, so they could write reviews, etc... Well, as could be expected, someone leaked those first four episodes to some streaming sites, making it possible for us fans to get a little headstart.

After marathon watching episodes 2-4 yesterday, all I can say is that Season 5 is shaping up to be as good as any of the preceding seasons, if not better. Episode 1 was a little slow, as it sort of set the table, but the action comes hot and heavy in the next 3.

The downside of watching the leaked episodes...now I have to wait a full month before I get to see a fresh GoT episode.

[Cathal]

I couldn't do that to myself. I heard about the leaks but I refuse to actually know what happens in them. Waiting a week is too long as is, I couldn't wait an entire month. You're a mad man.   

[Sunstroke]

I couldn't do that to myself. I heard about the leaks but I refuse to actually know what happens in them. Waiting a week is too long as is, I couldn't wait an entire month. You're a mad man.  

It's like a crack pipe. Sure, one hit can get ya high, but if you take that first hit, and the pipe is still there with the rock smoldering, you take another hit, and then another and another...and then you call for pizza.

[Rich]

I've read the books, so I have to wait for the show to catch up to me.

[Phishfan]

It's like a crack pipe. Sure, one hit can get ya high, but if you take that first hit, and the pipe is still there with the rock smoldering, you take another hit, and then another and another...and then you call for pizza.

I think you have your types of pipes confused.

I also haven't even tried to look for the leaked episodes. I don't want to wait a month either.

As for episode 1, I really wanted to start a thread myself but I agree it was a bit slow so I didn't take the time.

[Dave Gray]

I have decided not to watch the leaked episodes so that I can enjoy the slow burn.  I enjoyed the first episode fine.  I think I'm OK with a "no surprises" episode here, because I needed a refresher on WTF was going on.  Noticeably absent: the kid who can sees through animal eyes (Warg?)

[Sunstroke]

^^^ Bran Stark, technically the "real" first in line for the Lord of Winterfell position. I am surprised he wasn't involved in teh opener, as his meeting The Children and the three-eyed raven dude under the tree was a pretty intriguing storyline at the end of last season.

[Dave Gray]

Funny you say that: That storyline is probably my most WTF of everything going on. 

[Spider-Dan]

I have heard that Bran will not play a part in Season 5, as the book storyline for him has stalled at roughly the same point that the TV show is at.

That being said, after watching the first 4 episodes, they are already making some rather significant departures from the books.  I had read that GRRM said that the TV show and the books will be diverging, but I didn't know it would be this serious.

[Sunstroke]

I think you have your types of pipes confused.

I have to admit that my experience smoking crack cocaine (1 time) is far less than my experience smoking pot (11,326,473 times). Don't crack smokers get the munchies?

I've read the books, so I have to wait for the show to catch up to me.

I've got the first five books, but they sit on my shelf, unread. I bought the first 4 halfway through season 2, and got the 5th about a year ago. I decided that I would wait and watch the HBO version all the way through, and then take on the books afterward.

I have heard that Bran will not play a part in Season 5, as the book storyline for him has stalled at roughly the same point that the TV show is at.

The Bran storyline seems like the type that could come in as part of some big "this is what's been happening behind the scenes whilst the petty Kings & Queens were squabbling" plot line in either book 6 or 7. I hope so anyway, as I consider those evil white walking bastards to be an even bigger threat than anything going on right now.  Magic, imo, is much scarier than swords...

[mecadonzilla]

I tried not to watch the leaks, but I'm weak.  It's like putting your Xmas presents out on December 1st and trying not to open them for another 24 days.  I couldn't make it that long.  I am trying to space them a little tiny bit by only watching one every other day or so.    I'll probably do ep.3 after SHIELD tonight because daddy needs another hit.  I figure I'll just dive head first into Daredevil to fill the rest of that empty space.

It's going to be a tough season without Hodor, though.  I hope he's not freezing his Hodors off north of the wall waiting for next season.

[Cathal]

I've read the books, so I have to wait for the show to catch up to me.

I saw an article a little bit ago that said that the directors are not following the book anymore, not even a little. It said that those who read the books are going to be in the dark just like those people who have never read the books.

[fyo]

One of the main characters, Jaime IIRC, stated in an interview that his character wouldn't be following the book this season. Jaime already diverged in some ways from the book, so that's not really a surprise.

On the other hand, the show has pretty much caught up to the books and there's precious little left for quite a few characters. Bran, Jon Snow, Sansa, Petyr Baelish... they're all pretty much wrapped as far as the book. The King's Landing crowd still has a ways to go, as does Theon, Tyrion, and Daenerys. Arya is probably the character with the most catching up to do. Brienne is hard to judge, since she's done things quite differently than in the book, but it seems like anything left has "passed by", so she'll have to continue doing things just a little differently.

Personally, I doubt there will be that much major divergence from the books. Martin is apparently pretty much done with the books, but hasn't put the manuscript together in final form (which HBO has to be thrilled about). Most of the "new stuff" in the TV show is almost certainly material pulled in from the unpublished parts.

[CF DolFan]

I've only seen the first episode but I have to say the thought of my two favorite characters (Daenerys and Tyrion)  working together is a pretty interesting plot line. I do have to believe that in the end she will sit on the throne with her husband Jon Snow. Fire and Ice baby!! 

I would think Jon actually being a Targareon (the offspring of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark) would dispel that but on this show nothing stops relatives.

[Fau Teixeira]

Targaryans in the books were well known to marry within the family anyways