MentalMaden

From what I understand, there is a pretty hard and fast number of 10 episodes per season and due to budget no wiggle room even though they'd like to increase to 12 or so.

A little book-spoiler TV discussion:

Let's take the ridiculous HBO "seems to be required" sexity sex sex content out of the equation and get to the heart of the matter. Is it wise or hurtful (for future storylines) in showing Margery's deft hand at court so early?

I like that they are giving more dimensions to the Renly story, and while it induced and eye roll or two, I "get why" they are doing it. But I kind of worry that it won't pay off as well when she does end up in King's Landing. The books do such a good job of slowly revealing she isn't the "maiden in a tower" that she seems to be and I wonder if HBO hasn't made a bit of an error here.

Thoughts?

Brienne!!!!! Absolutely perfect. There may be one actress on the planet that could do her justice and I think they found her. Can't wait to see more from the Maid of Tarth.

The scenes on the Iron Islands are playing out to be the best of the season. (And oddly were probably my least favorite reading....good job Dave and Dan) Theon's struggle with loyalties (while a bit different from the books) was very well done.

Tyrion's plan was played out wonderfully. Pycell losing the beard was one of my favorite in the books and now the show.

The season is ramping up! Is it Sunday yet????

OR

Quentyn 2: Ghost Protocol

I believe the kid is a fake, and Varys is fully aware of this. I think he was pretty much Varys' backup plan if all else failed. I also don't think he'll last very long into the next book. I think he's going to die a pretty horrible death.

And there is the difference between Varys and Littlefinger. Varys wants what he thinks is best "for the realm". Littlefinger just wants what is best for him.

Ok, todays topic: Melisandre.

Agent for good? Agent for evil? Strong magically? Weak magically? Fraud? Semi-fraud? Truely loyal to Stannis? Or using Stannis for some grand scheme? Will she turn on him? Are her motivations real or does she have a hidden agenda? Is it her actual appearance or is she really a dried up crone?

Discuss..............

There is a difference between characters behaving randomly and a writer writing randomly. He always knew Ned would die and I'd argue he knew who's hands were ultimately responsible.

Ok, was going to argue with Chyll a bit until the new edit. Which was essentially what I was going to say. Martin knows where the story is going with the overall arc of things, he just lets the writing get from point A to B. Which I think works in some great (and some bad ways). Let's take the famous Myrenese Knot from Book 5. He knew that Dany, Tyrion, Quenten, Jorah and Victarion all needed to be in Myrene but he didn't have a concrete way originally planned out. When he got to writing DwD he got bogged down due to lack of having a finite plan and it slowed to book. But that doesn't mean he didn't know who would be there and why.

He knows who is what. Who will die. Who will win and who will lose. Maybe some of the minor characters fates are fuzzy, but don't fool yourself into thinking he's writing all of this on the fly. I think a lot of people feel this way because 1. he's going against so many established cliches in fantasy that many fantasy readers see it as random 2. it's a good way to explain his slow writing production (Oh he's bogged down because he doesn't know what will happen). He knows fully well what's going to happen.

The theory of Jon Snows parentage being Rheagar and Lyanna is a very common and overly explored theory. And one I believe is true. I'll post my arguments here at some point in the thread.

I'd also disagree that randomness is a cornerstone to Martins writing. Quite the contrary. Every word and passage has meaning and is leading to something. A character mentioned in passing at a feast in Book 1 becomes a major player in Book 3. Family lines, motivations, poems, prophecies, songs, even some of the food eaten is significant (I'm looking at you Lord Manderly). I think some peoples problems with Martin is he's taken fantasy tropes and cliches and thrown them out the window. Honor isn't rewarded and evil isn't punished all the time in this world, many times it quite the opposite but for fairly clear reasons.

Superman says.....

I see your point, but would argue with the Bran "just doesn't care" line. He knows what he's doing is wrong and feels guilty everytime he does it.

Yeah, my post was half joke/half theory. I do think he's the key to Dany getting a fleet out of Essos. Whether or not he's alive when it happens is up to him. I just don't see a bright future for the poor guy.

Dany does like the badboys. She has a certain weakness for them. Then I think she'll take one look at how the Ironborn treat women and likely roast him where he's standing. Then take his ships to Westeros.

Subject: Victarion

Where do you see him in the grand scheme of things? Is he an important player, destined for some greatness? Will he eventually claim the Seastone Chair? Is he a big ole red herring soon to die a horrible death? Is he actually going to sweep Dany off her feet?

I find him an interesting character, but find it hard to picture where his thread is going. On one hand he's as sympathetic a character that an ironborn can be, but his over confidence makes me wonder if he isn't going to die horribly. Possible from a dragon.

Thoughts?