SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I didn't read the books, but watched all the TV episodes and found them to be some of the best TV entertainment ever. Great actors, great sets, great costumes. However, prepare yourself for a lot of pretty graphic violence and sex, with lots of nudity (male and female).

One advice: don't try to compare in detail the books and the TV series, as they don't match up completely. Many readers keep mouthing out about this or that episode not following the books and, in my opinion, they are just ruining the fun of the show for me. Since G.R. Martin is still not finished writing his books, the series is now anyway close to the point when the story it shows will not be covered anymore by the books. My advice is to watch the show, enjoy it and relax (between beheadings/killings/dismemberings) while not trying to tie the episodes with specific parts of the books.

I read the first 3 books, watched the first 4 seasons. I had planned on waiting until the end of the series to read the rest of the books, but I can't wait. At the end of season 4, I found myself desperately wanting to find out what happens next in the series. So... It's a Feast for Crows for me.

I listen to the audiobooks, BTW, and they are magnificent!

About my favorite/least favorite characters/episodes:

Favorite characters (meaning that I like, may be actually bad guys/girls):
- Tyrion Lannister (excellent actor, likeable character)
- Arya Stark (great little actress, compelling character)
- The Hound = Ser Sandor Clegane (great actor, big brute but has a heart deep down under that armor)
- Jame Lannister (great actor, a bad guy turning progressively into a likeable character)
- Brienne of Tartre (great actress, knows how to beat up mysoginistic men)
- Littlefinger (great actor, complete scumbag character but he does it with such style)
- King Geoffrey (excellent actor, utterly despicable character that you love to hate)
- Tywin Lannister (excellent actor, a master of intrigue and powerplays)
- Prince Oberin Martell (excellent actor, very charismatic role, but got killed too quickly in my mind)

Least favorite characters (meaning least compelling/interesting in my opinion, may be good/bad):
- Ramsay Snow/Bolton (good actor, but character is an utterly despicable sadist and his storyline brings little to overall story in my mind)
- John Snow (I find his acting rather so-so and his story arc is quite slow)
- Theon Greyjoy (good actor, but his story arc up to now is slow and the character is not very likeable)
- Stannis Baratheon (good actor, but character is too cold)
- The Mountain = Ser Gregor Clegane (embodies essence of a murdering psychopath)

There are tons of other actors in the show that are good to excellent, but that I wouldn't rate as favorites or least favorites: Daeneris Targarian, Bronn, Varis, Sansa Stark, Sersei Lannister, Drago, Ned Stark, Davos, etc.

My favorite episodes:
- THE BATTLE OF BLACKWATER (impressive battle scenes)
- THE RED WEDDING (big shock factor)
- THE CHILDREN (many things lining up, battle between Brienne and The Hound)
- The one with the fight between The Mountain and Prince Oberin Martell (can't remember the name, Season 4)

My least favorite episodes:
- Most episodes dealing with The Wall and The North.
- Episodes where Theon Greyjoy is being tortured by Ramsay Snow.

I like Jon Snow, the actor and the character. I like him based on the novel, though. I don't know if I'd just seen the show what my opinion might have been. And, of course, it doesn't hurt that he's a good-looking guy IMO. (lol)

I don't think that you can compare the books and the TV show at all. They have change a LOT of things. I like Jon Snow's character in the books and they completely changed how he took command at the Wall and showed his leadership in the books to where he was just another participant at the Wall. This was essential to the books as far as I'm concerned and I don't know how they are going to move forward on this.
The scene with Brienne and the Hound was not a favorite of mine either since it was a made for TV one and I just didn't find it realistic, even though the Hound was injured.
Having said that, I do enjoy watching it. I guess when you read the books you tend to be more critical. I know if I didn't read them, the only thing I would criticize is that each season is way too short!!
I think that the scene with Tyrion when he was on the stand and he gave that speech where he told his father he wanted to confess was one of the best scenes I've ever seen on TV. He puts so much passion and energy in everything he does and if by far and away the best character in the show. Arya is a close 2nd. She is one bad ass little girl. I can't wait to see her part when she get to Bravos. Daenerys is another favorite of mine. I love her sense of right and wrong and how committed she is to helping her "people".
Overall, this is one of the best series ever on TV and it will be interesting to see how it plays out going forward as Michel pointed out as the books have not been completed yet, but the show is catching up.

I got hooked on this series about a year after it started. I watched the first season on OnDemand in a self-made marathon over several nights. Now I am totally addicted. My favorite character is Daeneris Targarian. First, she is the mother of dragons. (Need I say more?) Second, the actress is quite good. Third, I like how the character has believably grown from a timid girl traded to the leader of a barbarous tribe for political advantage into a major force for change in her world.

I like Tyrion as well. The actor is great, and the character is drawn in fine details of empathy and cynicism. But what guaranteed my loyalty to this show was that I get to see Diana Rigg act again, even if hers is not a very prominent part.

Because I foresee this being something some of us would like to discuss, I'm resurrecting a GoT thread! Please come and talk about the FINAL SEASON! But use spoiler tags because a lot of folks are in different time zones and can't see it at the exact same time as others. Thanks for being considerate!

Thank you. I've been binge watching it on HBO all week.

That was amazing. (view spoiler)[And that look between Bran and Jamie at the end: unforgettable. (hide spoiler)]

Overall I liked it, but it was kinda slow:

(view spoiler)[
The romantic flying scene on dragons was a direct rip off of the Avatar romantic flying scene and way too long
Previews show Jaime on trial which should be interesting
Loved the reappearance of Joffrey's crossbow (gift from Tyrion)
The creepy symbol with the Umber kid inside was truly horrifying
Cersei was acting more like the book version of her character in inviting Euron into her bed. This was missing in the rest of the TV series with the exception of her bit with Lancel
(hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I don't know if I'd call it slutty as it's more like using sex as a weapon and a way to manipulate men and women. The Margaery storyline is really different in the books (hide spoiler)]

Travis wrote: "That was amazing. [spoilers removed]"

Best part of the episode.

I just found this thread and thought I'd give my thoughts

(view spoiler)[My favorite part was Bran being everywhere when something was about to happen. It was creepy, but it really showcases how he's the 3 Eyed Raven now.

I was glad to see Jon knows that he's the heir now, and I can't wait to see how that develops. (hide spoiler)]

I loved it! I'm not sure how I want it to end (HBO):
A thought about dragons :) (view spoiler)[maybe the dragons melting the iron throne with someone in it. (hide spoiler)]

The April 14 opener was good and long-awaited. It was odd though seeing so many people: (view spoiler)[ Smile at each other and look happy for a change. (hide spoiler)]

A thought about heirs apparent: (view spoiler)[Sam had a good point: would she have given up the crown to save her people as Jon did. (hide spoiler)]

When revenge might not be a good idea: (view spoiler)[ Danaerys should not take revenge on Jaimie. They need all the help they can get. (hide spoiler)]

Looking for in S8/E2: (view spoiler)[ Sansa glaring at Danaerys. Danaerys's reaction when she finds out about Jon. (hide spoiler)]

And what if and would like to see: (view spoiler)[Cersei wasting time trying to get even with her brothers. They are not the enemy. (hide spoiler)]

Overall: (view spoiler)[It was not action-oriented but high drama, which much of the series has been -- which means E2 should kick butt. Better. (hide spoiler)]

Travis wrote: "That was amazing. [spoilers removed]"

I know, right?? Can't wait to see where THAT goes lol

Corinne wrote: "They are all like rock stars to us now and seeing them all in one place is fun and odd. "

Yes! It's like your favorite band getting back together XD

(view spoiler)[can't wait to see what appears to be a trial for Jaime (previews) (hide spoiler)]

CBRetriever wrote: "can't wait to see what appears to be a trial for Jaime (previews)"

Yeah, that looks intriguing Who? On what charges? Why?

(view spoiler)[my guess is for what he did in the first season plus being a Lannister or maybe even for killing the last Targarion (sp?) king (hide spoiler)]

CBRetriever wrote: "can't wait to see what appears to be a trial for Jaime (previews)"

Just rewatched 8:1 and the end included a teaser for 8:2. I'm guessing it's the Starks, for causing their father's death:

Arya: "When Iwas a child my brother would tell me a bedtime story about the man who murdered our father, and all the things we would do to that man..."

(view spoiler)[Michele wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "can't wait to see what appears to be a trial for Jaime (previews)"

Just rewatched 8:1 and the end included a teaser for 8:2. I'm guessing it's the Starks, for causing their fat..."

It's Dany who says that sentence, not Arya. (hide spoiler)]

Please remember to use spoiler tags! I know it's tempting to talk about everything, but some people aren't caught up!

Anna wrote: "Please remember to use spoiler tags! I know it's tempting to talk about everything, but some people aren't caught up!"

Anna, it's the preview which has already aired multiple times, so it's more like speculation

I know that. For what it's worth, I never watch the previews, because HBO Nordic doesn't show them. I'd have to go look for them to see them, and I never do, because I want to watch the episode without knowing what's coming. I'd stay out of this thread until the season is finished, but since Allison hasn't even seen season 5 (I think?), I can't ask her to keep an eye on things here.

But that wasn't my point. Some people might open this thread, start at the top, and not realize there are open spoilers for any episode. Allison did revive the thread and ask for spoiler tags. I know they require a little bit of extra work, but please try to use them anyway, so that no one is accidentally spoiled for anything. Thank you!

ah, I did not know that - the Canal Plus that had GoT in France always showed the previews.

Is it possible for you to go in and put spoiler tags on some of the earlier posts? Some of the people from 2014 might not be around any more. I'll fix my posts

ETA: that doesn't seem to affect posts that replied to me

No, unfortunately mods can't edit others' posts. But there's no harm done, let's just make sure to use spoiler tags from now on! :)

Whoops. Sorry. Didn't think about that. I've edited my message to include spoiler tags just to be safe.

Good point! I edited mine too. If someone hasn't been watching the series, mentioning someone doing something says that person is still 'alive,' which is never a given.

The only other option, and I don't know if mods can, but change discussion title and add *Spoilers* in all caps. :)

Yes I thought about making it clear in the title that there's open spoilers, but it's always better to hide the spoilers so that more people dare to join!

Thanks everyone! :)

M.L. wrote: "If someone hasn't been watching the series, mentioning someone doing something says that person is still 'alive,' which is never a given."

Exactly! Although this is how I was *not* spoiled for the season one big death, because I kept seeing the memes with that person, and thought they'd still be around for a long time! I still don't understand how I managed to only know one spoiler about the whole show when season 7 was about to start! That's when I watched seasons 1-6, because I thought my luck would surely run out.

Less than an hour til the next episode :)

a bit less than 2.5 hours for me

♥ ♥ ♥ OMG awesome episode ♥ ♥ ♥

Big emotions, even without a big battle yet. Those are no cardboard characters in GoT.

I was not surprised by (view spoiler)[by Dany's reaction to the news from Jon. All she cared is that he has more of a claim to the throne (hide spoiler)]. I have my own ideas about how it will all play out.

Stunning, absolutely stunning. As if the ante couldn't go any higher. Everything that happens next will be even more meaningful because of this episode.

I feel like these first two episodes, the second one in particular are (view spoiler)[ just to give us time to say goodbye to everyone. I expect episode three, and all the ones after that, will be epic bloodbaths. I'm prepared to see all of these people die, but if Lyanna Mormont dies, I'm going to be devastated! (hide spoiler)]

I really loved this episode too. There was so much humor in it. Though omg so bittersweet, because as Anna says (view spoiler)[it just seems so likely that the deaths are going to start stacking up. (hide spoiler)]

I also really liked this episode. (view spoiler)[Even though it was more setup, it was nice to see these characters in a relatively happy state for the last time. I'm assuming 1 or 2 will survive, but I'm expecting at least 90% of them are going to die. I still can't wait to see how it happens though. (hide spoiler)]

Bobby wrote: "I also really liked this episode. [spoilers removed]"

I'm hoping (view spoiler)[ more than two people survive episode three! :D Otherwise it'll just be a show about Cersei and Euron. Yuck. Well Yara is still out there, I'd watch three episodes of her badassery. (hide spoiler)]

Anna wrote: "Bobby wrote: "I also really liked this episode. [spoilers removed]"

I'm hoping [spoilers removed]" Lol (view spoiler)[I meant by the end of the season. We just went 2 whole episodes with barely any action and no major deaths, so next week is probably going to start killing off all of our favorites. I know I'm being pessimistic, but it's easier for me to just expect everyone to die instead of hoping they will live and being disappointed. (hide spoiler)]

Anna wrote: "I feel like these first two episodes, the second one in particular are [spoilers removed]"

Yes! to everything on your spoiler. I loved (view spoiler)[the little scene with her and Jorah (hide spoiler)]

Bobby, agreed!

Jennifer, she is the True Queen, I love every scene she is in. I want her to have her own show!

Number of times (view spoiler)[ people mentioned how safe the crypts are: 6

Guys I don't think the crypts are that safe (hide spoiler)]

Anna wrote: "Bobby, agreed!

Jennifer, she is the True Queen, I love every scene she is in. I want her to have her own show!"

I see you have drunk the koolaide of Danerys...... ;P

I completely agree!

Jennifer, please hide your second post in spoiler tags, thanks!

But yeah, I also agree with Izzy!

Jennifer wrote: "I see you have drunk the koolaide of Danerys...... ;P"

I assume that's missing a "not", otherwise I'll feel deeply insulted :P

Least favorite (living) character top 3 in (TV) series: (view spoiler)[ Cersei, Euron, Dany (hide spoiler)]
Most fave top 3: (view spoiler)[ Lyanna Mormont, Lyanna Mormont, Ser Brienne of Tarth :') (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Dany in your list is surprising, ever since I first read the books I couldn't care less about her but everyone I've spoken to adore her!
I don't care who dies as long as Cleganebowl happens and Tormund gets his happily ever after with Ser Brienne. (hide spoiler)]