I’m trying to get through the books now. I have the first four in trade paperback and am just waiting for Dance With Dragons to be released in that format as well. I’m also thinking of getting copies for my friend Keri and sending them to her so she’ll have something to read on the inside, as I think she’d like them (although it would be easier if she would actually send me a letter and let me know).
I’m on the first one. But since Season 1 covered much of it, hardly anything that happens is going to be a surprise. It will be interesting, though, to see what some of the differences are. Naturally, some scenes had to be either altered or left out for the sake of time and/or budget. But so far, it hews to the book very nicely.
One of the things that struck me the most was the ages of some of the characters. Jon Snow is said to be 14, and Daenerys is 13. But both the actors who play them, Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke, are both in their 20’s and seem to be depicted as such. Now I know some of that is just because some of the things that happen to the characters, particularly Dany, wouldn’t be acceptable to some of today’s audiences (i.e. I don’t think America is ready to see a an older man forcing himself on 13-year-old girl, even if it is something that’s customary in the books’ world and has been done before in actual past history).
It’s also a bit of a problem keeping track of so many of the different characters. There was already an expansive cast in Season 1, but now we have the other Baratheons and Greyjoys, not to mention Melisandre and Davos. I get the feeling I’m going to need a scorecard to keep track of who everyone is as this goes on.
Right now, though, my favorite characters are Jon Snow, Daenerys, Tyrion Lannister and Arya Stark. And that’s in large part due to the actors who play them, as they’re all very good and likeable. I like watching Jon Snow’s journey as he joins the Night’s Watch. I have a feeling he’s going to grow into a great leader, and I’m also enjoying his friendship with Samwell, who’s an interesting character in his own right. Both Kit Harington and John Bradley have a great chemistry that comes across well on screen.
I’m also a big fan of Emilia Clarke as Dany. And not just because she’s great in the role. Have you seen her naked? Rowr! But seriously, I’m also enjoying her journey too as she goes from this meek young woman under the thumb of her brother into a great leader herself. Will she be a hero or a villain, though? And don’t spoil it for me, please!
Maisie Williams as Arya is also a scene-stealer. In some ways, she reminds me of my niece. And I can easily see her being just as spunky and headstrong when she gets to be that age.
And Peter Dinklage as Tyrion… What can I say? The man may be short in stature, but he’s a giant as far as I’m concerned (and a really cool guy to hang with from what I understand). If you can’t get enough of him, check him out in an upcoming movie called The Knights of Badassdom that’ll be coming out this Summer.
My only concern about this series, really, is that George R.R. Martin will be able to stay alive long enough to see it through to completion. He’s one of those authors that, as the story goes on, keeps adding more to it. I’m hoping that the projected next two books in the series will be the last ones as he says. He’s already well into The Winds of Winter, which would leave only A Dream of Spring left. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he had to add more.
I’m thinking that this thread could also double as a sort of talkback for new episodes. So feel free to post away after watching tonight’s.
