Game of Thrones - Book Readers' Thread - - - - - - - Part 24

[Infinity9999x]

I think not only has Jaime's arc and progression gone backwards, it's also made him less interesting to watch. When he's playing second fiddle to Cersei the character seems to be much less active and engaging. I'm really not sure what was going through their heads when they thought that it would be on par with his great arc in seasons 3/4, but I suspect it was a case of servicing Cersei's character.

The thing with Varys, and this might be just me, but in the books he did seem to like Tyrion, but he was far more willing to throw him to the wolves if need be. Jaime had to basically threaten him into free Tyrion the night before his execution. The show got some great scenes out of their interactions in King's Landing, but I think it got to the point where they figured they had a sure fire thing and decided to just continue on with that. It doesn't help that Varys in the books is basically the one running the Blackfyre/Golden Company faction and with their removal it kind of makes his existence weirdly out of place. So he's in a weird area.

I honestly don't know why they've decided to go with the direction they have for Jamie. I don't really see how it has served Cerise's character, since they're continuing to give her essentially the same arc she had in the books...and if anything, it would have given Lena more to chew on as an actress to have to deal with Jamie ignoring her the way he did in the books.

And yeah Varys in the show does seem to be much less duplicitous than book Varys. I'm still trying to figure out what book Varys' angle is with the Golden Co. (It's also why I don't buy that Young Griff is who he thinks he is). But who knows, maybe we'll find out Varys really is doing what he thinks is right for the realm in the books.

 

[Victarion]

I think it's pretty clear that the Lannister siblings are their favourite characters, given that they tend to remove most of the negative traits those characters are afflicted with. Cersei got this the most, pretty much by way of them removing her sociopathy. Varys is another character that they seem to enjoy, making him into a pretty positive figure and stalwart supporter of Tyrion in the show. In the books I've no doubt he's just as bad as Littlefinger and purely serving his own agenda.

I'm pretty sure book Tyrion had someone that crossed him served up in a bowl of brown down in Flea Bottom.

Its funny they'd go and make up a Night's King when a potential one had been on page for about...ten years to the day they first showed us the Night's King on the show.

 

[godisawesome]

I think they probably didn't see much length or depth in the Riverlands plot; it's easy to see them deciding the Bracken and Blacktree plot (which is actually some great character work showing Jaime growing into his potential) was unnecessary and fell to what some particular podcasters call Martin's Razor. Some of the book character arcs and plots have taken up every single second of the TV time, while others have had filler added in to keep them in the audience's viewpoint.

Jaime got stuck with subpar filler for an entire season, then got stuck in counter-character-growth filler for the early part of this season because it seemed to follow up naturally from the Dorne subplot they'd mishandled.

 

[Victarion]

Going to the Riverlands last season would've felt more organic. After an event like the Red Wedding, you expect some serious fallout. And given how Cersei and Jaime were concerned about their enemies attempting to tear them apart after Tywin's death, consolidating the Frey rule and recalling the Lannister armies feels more natural than what actually happened.

 

[Roose Bolton]

And yeah Varys in the show does seem to be much less duplicitous than book Varys. I'm still trying to figure out what book Varys' angle is with the Golden Co. (It's also why I don't buy that Young Griff is who he thinks he is). But who knows, maybe we'll find out Varys really is doing what he thinks is right for the realm in the books.

You don't think he was the brother to Illyrio's dead wife-mother of Young Griff and a Blackfyre descendant? That always seemed the most logical answer to me. His whole thing is basically to get the Blackfyres back into power again after the failed rebellions and Ser Barristan killed Maelys.

 

[Roose Bolton]

This has a great analysis on the Varys/Illyrio/FAegon scheme: https://warsandpoliticsoficeandfire...nqueror-part-2-the-mummers-folly-2/#more-2421

 

[Reek]

Well, my friend sent me spoilers regarding the last 3 episodes... all seem to be true.

 

[Roose Bolton]

We can finally put that one thing to bed after all the madness

 

[Reek]

Ill put you to bed if you keep flirting with me.

 

[Marvolo]

Well, my friend send me spoilers regarding the last 3 episodes... all seem to be true.

Care to share with the class?

 

[Roose Bolton]

Ill put you to bed if you keep flirting with me.

Reek,

I’m glad you’re back at the Lounge, I don’t like the idea of you rattling around Winterfell by yourself. We all need family. The Hype are yours, maybe more so than mine. I’ve been on my own since I was 18. I never really fit in anywhere – even in the Season 5 discussion threads. My faith is in the source material, I guess. Books. And I’m happy to say for the most part, they haven’t let me down. Which is why I can’t let them down either. Characters can be replaced, but – maybe they shouldn’t. I know I hurt you Reek. I guess I thought – by not telling you about Lady Stoneheart I was sparing you, but… I can see now I was really sparing myself. I’m sorry. Hopefully one day you can understand. I wish we agreed on the adaptation process, I really do. I know you were only doing what you believe in, and that’s all any of us can do, it’s all any of us should. So no matter what, I promise if you — if you need us. If you need me,



I’ll be there.

 

[Reek]

 

[Victarion]

Reek I'm no rat.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Well, my friend sent me spoilers regarding the last 3 episodes... all seem to be true.

Nice cliff hanger Reek.

 

[Reek]

I won't post them in here to avoid snails seeing them.

 

[Roose Bolton]

Here's a clue.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I refuse to believe it. I have got my hopes up way, way too many times about that. Though a part of me got a little hopeful considering what happened this past episode...

 

[Reek]

 

[Roose Bolton]

I refuse to believe it. I have got my hopes up way, way too many times about that. Though a part of me got a little hopeful considering what happened this past episode...

You mistake my intention. That gif is what the fandom will be doing

 

[DarthSkywalker]

 

[Reek]

 

[TheFuture]

Bollox anyway!

 

[Victarion]

I want to hug the wolf in your avatar. Just saiyan.

 

[TheFuture]

She'll be back.

 

[Roose Bolton]

"Brienne meets a friend turned foe."