The Official Game of Thrones [A Song of Ice and Fire] Thread (includes spoilers)

[Sebastian]

Where did you read this? There is no way the show would miss out on one of the few fan-pleasing events in the entire book series. Just too big of an opportunity, and it gives them an excuse to use some screen time to catch up with Osha and Rickon. Sure, probably not this season, but I don't see how they could cut out that entire plot line.

I would be very displeased if they did cut that. It is kind of a crucial plot-point in the Northern Campaign.

 

[kosis]

Really, the North aside, the only bannerman I can see turning on his lord is Tarly, and even then I don't think it will happen until Young Griff sacks King's Landing, kills Margaery/Tommen, and takes the throne (which I think happens in the next book).

I was initially in accordance with you on this, but how do you explain Young Griff not even being cast on the show? If there ever was a time, it would be now with Tyrion on the boat like it was in the books... he needs travel companions after all. I just feel that this is one of those occasions where the show ultimately spoils the relevance of a
character by not including him.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Where did you read this? There is no way the show would miss out on one of the few fan-pleasing events in the entire book series. Just too big of an opportunity, and it gives them an excuse to use some screen time to catch up with Osha and Rickon. Sure, probably not this season, but I don't see how they could cut out that entire plot line.

Wyman Manderly -- like most of the Greyjoys -- has not yet been cast, and it's really too late now. Given that Stannis is already in the North, I'd think the White Harbor scenes would have to happen in this upcoming season. I don't think they'll eliminate the northern conspiracy plotline completely, but I think they'll have the Umbers take the Manderly role.

Too bad, because part of the appeal was how Manderly was mocked by some many people for being so fat, but turned out to be pretty shrewd. And, the whole "pork" pie scene at Winterfell won't be the same without the fat guy.

 

[Jack Brickman]

I was initially in accordance with you on this, but how do you explain Young Griff not even being cast on the show? If there ever was a time, it would be now with Tyrion on the boat like it was in the books... he needs travel companions after all. I just feel that this is one of those occasions where the show ultimately spoils the relevance of a
character by not including him.

Well, the show also isn't casting Manderly (at least thus far), and he plays a huge role in Davos' story arc along with the plot line in the North. They've also seemingly cut out the Greyjoys, who look to be playing a massive role in the books in both bringing Dany to Westeros and possibly stealing a dragon and fighting for the throne. Oh, and they appear to have cut out Lady Stoneheart as well, with Jamie ending up in Dorne this season and whatnot.

I can't imagine that the Young Griff, Manderly, Stoneheart, and Greyjoy plot lines all amount to nothing in the books, so I think we just have to assume that the show decided to streamline everything, probably to its detriment.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I can't imagine that the Young Griff, Manderly, Stoneheart, and Greyjoy plot lines all amount to nothing in the books, so I think we just have to assume that the show decided to streamline everything, probably to its detriment.

Arianne as well.

I'm going into this season pretty open minded about accepting most changes. I think GRRM is much better at creating cool subplots than resolving them. For example, the whole "who tried to kill Bran" subplot had an incredibly anticlimactic resolution. It was the tool he used to get Ned to go to KL, but I think that could have been done with something else that wasn't such a letdown.

I think the Brotherhood without Banners (and Stoneheart) may likewise end up being one of those ideas that seemed very cool at the time, but whose resolution ultimately is immaterial. I personally found the Greyjoys pretty boring, and it ultimately seems to me that it's just going to be a tool to give Danys a fleet. So again, maybe another route to that same goal will work. And if Young Griff turns out to be a fraud, the same thing there as well. Maybe they're just avoiding subplots that are doomed to just peter out.

I loved the Manderly scenes, but I suppose you could essentially just pass that plot role to the Umbers.

There's been some obvious differences with the books, but I thought this last season was handled extraordinarily well. I was sufficiently disenchanted with ADWD and especially AFFC to be willing to see them vary from the books.

 

[Chris]

One book released in the time it takes to film and air five seasons. And that doesn't even count as it had been worked on for many years prior to the airing of season one already.

Just incredible.

I want to engage in discussion about this storyline, but I'm finding it hard to be passionate about it anymore.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

One book released in the time it takes to film and air five seasons. And that doesn't even count as it had been worked on for many years prior to the airing of season one already.

Just incredible.

I want to engage in discussion about this storyline, but I'm finding it hard to be passionate about it anymore.

Can't disagree with any of that. That's kind of why I'm perhaps more excited about this upcoming season on HBO -- it should vary enough from the books that it'll be a bit of "new" stuff that we're not getting from the books because of how slow he was.

 

[Jack Brickman]

One book released in the time it takes to film and air five seasons. And that doesn't even count as it had been worked on for many years prior to the airing of season one already.

Just incredible.

I want to engage in discussion about this storyline, but I'm finding it hard to be passionate about it anymore.

If you really want to laugh, look at the list of books fellow fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson has released since 2011:

• Mistborn: The Allow of Law
• Infinity Blade: Awakening (novella)
• The Emperor's Soul (novella)
• Legion
• Infinity Blade: Redemption (novella)
• Steelheart
• The Rithmatist
• The Wheel of Time: A Memory of Light
• Mitosis (short story)
• Legion: Skin Deep
• Words of Radiance
• Firefight

Firefight came out at the beginning of this month and he's got another Mistborn novel coming out in October. So that will be nine novels, three novellas, and a short story in five years while there still isn't even a release date in sight for Winds of Winter.

 

[kosis]

Well, the show also isn't casting Manderly (at least thus far), and he plays a huge role in Davos' story arc along with the plot line in the North. They've also seemingly cut out the Greyjoys, who look to be playing a massive role in the books in both bringing Dany to Westeros and possibly stealing a dragon and fighting for the throne. Oh, and they appear to have cut out Lady Stoneheart as well, with Jamie ending up in Dorne this season and whatnot.

I can't imagine that the Young Griff, Manderly, Stoneheart, and Greyjoy plot lines all amount to nothing in the books, so I think we just have to assume that the show decided to streamline everything, probably to its detriment.

You might be right, but I still take it to mean that Young Griff is a fraud then. If he was really a secret Targ (or if Blackfyres were that important to the resolution) then D&D would absolutely include him. Most other things can be streamlined or rearranged, but I feel like a returning Aegon would be top of the food chain of plot lines.

EDIT: In regards to how prolific he isn't, the worst part is that he has the nerve to be annoyed that the show is catching up with the books. They could begin filming Season One today and they'd still get to the ending before he finished ADOS.

 

[Jack Brickman]

You might be right, but I still take it to mean that Young Griff is a fraud then. If he was really a secret Targ (or if Blackfyres were that important to the resolution) then D&D would absolutely include him. Most other things can be streamlined or rearranged, but I feel like a returning Aegon would be top of the food chain of plot lines.

I think he's probably a fraud too, but I still think he takes King's Landing in book six.

 

[Chris]

That's the best part. He is clearly irritated that the show is catching up, but just continues to sit on his ass. I've come to grips with the fact that the show will be the ultimate version of the story when all is said and done, as it will finish and spoil everything well before the final book releases. The show will be what people remember. The books, an afterthought.

Really a shame. And there's nothing I can do but bitch about it, so bitch I will.

 

[Jack Brickman]

That's the best part. He is clearly irritated that the show is catching up, but just continues to sit on his ass.

To be fair, most people write while sitting on their ass.

 

[Man Called X]

He's gonna die of a heart attack before he ever finishes the next book and we'll all be stuck with a half finished masterpiece. Just like the Wheel of Time.

 

[CardiacCavs]

I'm still holding out hope that HBO execs will pressure D&D to stretch out the show a season or two longer. Its not like they are lacking great material to work with and I trust them wholeheartedly when it comes to adaption. I am actually worried that them trying to cram a shit ton of plot into only a few seasons will have seriously negative effects on the overall integrity of the show. I'm sure people will argue that we would only be getting the "exciting parts" or the highlights but those moments are not as impactful if you are missing the supporting plot lines that made it possible.

It is so rare for me to wish a tv show would slow down and pick up some of these other plot lines that are being thrown to the side, but GOT is one of those rare gems where nearly everything they put out is gold.

 

[Jack Brickman]

He's gonna die of a heart attack before he ever finishes the next book and we'll all be stuck with a half finished masterpiece. Just like the Wheel of Time.

I only made it through about five of the Wheel of Time books before I lost interest. Not sure I would call it a masterpiece. Also, it did get finished, just not by the original author.