A Song of Ice and Fire discussion, spoilers may happen

I was thinking that some of us might want to talk about Season 2, and HBOs effort to put this huge story on the tiny, little TV screens.

I found the first episode of Season 2 a little disappointing to me, and I think it is because I've read all the books, and I can predict what will happen to some of the characters. I need a Attitude Adjustment and find things to enjoy about the program.

What did you like or not about it?

I had to re-post this link - in case anyone missed it:

http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/04/entirety-of-game-of-thrones-season-2-leaked

I saw that and thought it was a hoot!

Very funny. :o)

I liked it, maggie. I think my husband and son were having a little trouble figuring out who was who. Luckily I was there to say, "That's Robert's brother. That's Robert's other brother." etc.

I remember Season 1 being "dark" (not in the content sense, but in the sense of whether the set was well lighted) but I thought this one was really dark. It might be the cataracts on my eyes, but I had a hard time following some of it. I did like the scene where the "king" was overseeing some fighting, and the far off was a beautiful water view! Nice. And I think his acting is pretty darn good, too.

I thought it was a slow start just trying to bring the story up to date and introduce new characters. I hope next week picks up some.

I looked at the Graphic Novel version at the book store yesterday. It bothered me that the characters did not look like the actors.

I thought it was a great episode. Yes, not a lot of action, but then we're trying to bring in new characters and broaden the scope, so I was happy they took their time to set things up for the rest of the season.

And ain't it fun to hate Joffrey.

I don't remember the baby thing in the books. I remember them searching for Gendry but not the killing of the rest of them. Maybe I suppressed it.

No, I think you are right. I don't remember the baby thing, either, but then again, I may not remember every detail.

And yes, Joffrey is quite hate-able!

I think in the book they mentioned the woman at the brothel who's babe was killed, and that a few more of Robert's bastards were 'removed' as a threat, but I don't remember any graphic detail.

That is, of course, one of the differences between reading a good story, and watching a good story. With me, an author can get away with more graphic violence and detail than can a producer of visual entertainment. I really hate graphic violence in movies, especially when accompanied by extra loud music.

As horrible as this is to contemplate (but then it is certainly documented in history over and over again), I thought it made perfect sense. I also thought it was handled quite well. We didn't actually see it, just made clear to us what was happening.

Yes, I think many "moderns" are quite in denial about how brutal life actually has been in other places, and other times.

I thought I'd bump this up as I'm ready to start watching episode 2.

I thought I'd have some TV watcher buddies but everyone flaked out, so the doggies will have to keep me company.

some changes from the books already. Interesting...

Well, I did not find this episode as hard to watch due to the darkness. The candles, and other "natural" lights were better. I really like some of the casting. Arya is perfect. As is Sam.

Maggie, I find this true. I have to turn off my table lamp to prevent the glare on the TV.

SPOILER!!!!

Um... did I have a brain fart was that Stanis & the red wench on the war room table scene NOT in the book? LOL

#17 Nor was Bronn being named as head of the Gold Cloaks. THAT was a surprise.

I think there may have been some hints about Stanis and the Red Witch, but no explicit stuff that I remember. Totally lost my respect for him (as if there was any....)

Yes, I think it's going to be an interesting season.

I just love Peter Dinklage to bits. :o)

His acting is good, too.

It is. Otherwise I might not love him quite so much. :o)

So I watched it tonight with a friend who has never read the books, and who did not see Season 1, and she did fine at keeping up, I think. Fun. I sent her off with Season 1 disks and an invitation to come back next week.

Soup was delish. She brought some interesting cheese, but unhappily I'd scarffed down some left over pizza earlier and was not hungry enough to eat a lot. It was good. Felt very apropro to the show! Bread, soup and cheese. I wish I had some ale, or mead.

What did you think about this episode? I liked the scenes with Arya, thought they were pretty well done.

It's just started here in NZ. Had a 'GoT' night with my friends and we watched the first two episodes. Clam - you well know how I feel about Peter D. /swoon. Hehe. Loving it so far. I also was in the position of saying 'that's so and so, so and so's brother/right hand man' to people who hadn't read the book.

I had some friends over last night, too. It was great. And as I had bought the disks for Season 1 the people who are coming over to watch HBO are passing around the disks and are catching themselves up, that way.

I don't know what HBO was thinking.... how can they get "new" viewers if you are all confused by the on going story, if you've never seen the background. Or read it.

Maybe they imagine people will run out and buy the books!!!

What a great idea. More book sales!

wow, that added scene with Joffrey!

The one with the two women? Definitely cinched the deal that he is EVIL.

yup, that's the one.

#26 & #27 - Yes, shocking! And since I've only read the first three books, and just once at that, I find myself floundering and telling the boys, "I'm pretty sure THAT wasn't in the book!"
And then I find myself wondering if it was a scene that I read late at night and simply forgot. :oD

#24 - Yes, Peter is just... well... he is awesome.

#30, #24 - far better this year than last. I was not impressed last year. This year he has far better scenes

My friend who took home the disks last week to see Season 1 said she was greatly helped and could follow the story better last night.

In any case, I am completely avoiding ever saying , "I don't think that was in the book", because I am totally positive that after having read all 5, there are a lot of scenes I may have forgotten, skimmed, or just plain did not pay attention. I think I might have paid attention to that naughty scene in the King's chambers, and the previous week's sexual encounter on the table, but I don't know. Maybe not.

I am enjoying it. I loved the scene outside of the desert city.... "the greatest city that ever was, or ever will be...."

Saw this on FB last night. Got a big yuck from it.

very funny, and gruesome, too

I feel like there is enough plot to handle. Why do they need to add scenes?I also find myself attracted to Peter Dinklage...Tyrion is definitely the best character in both the novels and the HBO series.

As my friends' best cliche says: "Just like life"

added complications, added spice?

That must be it! Despite his scheming ways (or maybe because of them) I think he is the most interesting hero of the story. By the way, the knight of flowers and Renly didn't have a love affair in the books, did they?

#37 - I am pretty sure it was implied. Weren't there longing gazes behind Marjorie's back?

#37 - it happened 'off-screen' as it were, in the books, but it was definitely there.

must go back and skim that bit, missed it too tearing through in too big a rush! Tyrion definitely one of the best characters in the books and TV series.

I think maybe this is the joy of seeing the HBO production. I enjoyed the stories in all of the books, I enjoyed many of the characters, and now I get to enjoy some more stories (the ones I forgot were there, or the ones which the producers add), and I get some different faces for the characters I liked, hated, or missed altogether. And I get to talk about it all, some more.

Winter is coming (somewhere) and it is a good time for stories.

May I reiterate: Totally Inappropriate for the Whole FAmily (if you have children under about 35).

Absolutely.

my grandkids are 20 and 21 and love it. of course one is a cop and the other soon will be. so it depends!

My kids love it, too. (16 & 20) But my son did groan and squirm when a certain someone figured out who he'd been pawing.

(I was joking (-;} ... )

Only half, I bet ;)

no, really. I don't have kids in my home. I don't think I would let the kids I hang with see it, but even if they did I think most of it would fly over their heads. The nudity... well, they'd see that and I would say something like... ya, that's not something you are all that interested in, is it?

When I was little, I nudity didn't phase me in the slightest. Honestly, I think I learned embarrassment from my parents. The sexuality on the other hand...nobody needs to see that. Move along! Move along!

So... is anyone still watching? I enjoyed last week's episode as did this fellow:

http://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/05/game-of-thrones-blackwater/