Game of Thrones - HBO part 2 - Part 2

[Thundercrack85]

Have to say in regards to episode 2

Spoiler

I wasn't very impressed with the iron islands. Really just looks like a fishing village. Though the castle is kind of cool. Overall, I'd say the series needs to be more "grand" with its settings.

 

[Sith Scotti]

Have to say in regards to episode 2

Spoiler

I wasn't very impressed with the iron islands. Really just looks like a fishing village. Though the castle is kind of cool. Overall, I'd say the series needs to be more "grand" with its settings.

There is only so much a tv busget can do .

 

[conan69]

True, Rome had a 2 year contract but it was expected to go longer, up to a possible 5 seasons.

HBO was trying to cut spending and Rome and Deadwood together were costing the company well over 100+mil a season.

HBO has alot of newer shows coming out. Most of them are lowkey and inexpensive, but costs add up.

 

[DACrowe]

Rome was never intended to be more than it was. It only had a two-year production contract because it was originally pitched as a mini-series that they just decided to make longer. I'm pretty sure that's why they were willing to put so much money into it to begin with.

It's impossible for GoT to get "Rome-d" because it was envisioned as a long-running series from the start.

Rome was always intended as a series. It was originally planned to be at least 3 seasons, but the showrunner had up to 5 potential seasons planned. Sadly, HBO looked at the viewership for the first season, which cost $100 million because they built a 5-acre set of ancient Rome and it was filmed on 35mm plus all the extra costs that go with period settings, and HBO said you had to condense what was going to be 2-3 seasons into one final Season 2. It worked for the most part, but the last three episodes rushed through ten years of history and brushed over things (like Antony and Cleopatra and Pullo's failed second marriage) that could have easily had a season devoted to them. It's sad too, because ratings went way up in S2 and the show became their highest selling DVD series at the time, after The Sopranos.

Oh well.

 

[Raiden]

Rome was always intended as a series. It was originally planned to be at least 3 seasons, but the showrunner had up to 5 potential seasons planned. Sadly, HBO looked at the viewership for the first season, which cost $100 million because they built a 5-acre set of ancient Rome and it was filmed on 35mm plus all the extra costs that go with period settings, and HBO said you had to condense what was going to be 2-3 seasons into one final Season 2. It worked for the most part, but the last three episodes rushed through ten years of history and brushed over things (like Antony and Cleopatra and Pullo's failed second marriage) that could have easily had a season devoted to them. It's sad too, because ratings went way up in S2 and the show became their highest selling DVD series at the time, after The Sopranos.

Oh well.

I was very disappointed to see Rome cancelled only after two seasons, but it looks like HBO used the lessons learnt from Rome and applied them to GOT. While I like Rome alot, I think GOT is a superior series so I'm glad to see HBO giving it their tremendous support.

 

[Drizzle]

Rome also didn't have the rabid fanbase that GoT has.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Have to say in regards to episode 2

Spoiler

I wasn't very impressed with the iron islands. Really just looks like a fishing village. Though the castle is kind of cool. Overall, I'd say the series needs to be more "grand" with its settings.

[blackout]You may be pleased with Harrenhal[/blackout]

 

[Boom]

Still haven't been able to find a place to watch this.

 

[conan69]

Have to say in regards to episode 2

Spoiler

I wasn't very impressed with the iron islands. Really just looks like a fishing village. Though the castle is kind of cool. Overall, I'd say the series needs to be more "grand" with its settings.

Spoiler

Really? We only saw the dock where Theon arrived and Balons castle. I thought the scenary was pretty spectacular. The rocky coast as they rode by and the castle on the cliffs. I thought it was very nice visually.

Unlike the chapter in the book, we didnt spend alot of time with Theon arriving, which would have called for alot more of the Iron Island being shown. They really just went with the few important themes of that chapter - Theons disappointment of the Prince arriving home, Asha/Yara and his conversation with Balon. I really enjoyed this scene.

 

[Marvolo]

Rome was never intended to be more than it was. It only had a two-year production contract because it was originally pitched as a mini-series that they just decided to make longer. I'm pretty sure that's why they were willing to put so much money into it to begin with.

It's impossible for GoT to get "Rome-d" because it was envisioned as a long-running series from the start.

Rome was always intended as a series. It was originally planned to be at least 3 seasons, but the showrunner had up to 5 potential seasons planned. Sadly, HBO looked at the viewership for the first season, which cost $100 million because they built a 5-acre set of ancient Rome and it was filmed on 35mm plus all the extra costs that go with period settings, and HBO said you had to condense what was going to be 2-3 seasons into one final Season 2. It worked for the most part, but the last three episodes rushed through ten years of history and brushed over things (like Antony and Cleopatra and Pullo's failed second marriage) that could have easily had a season devoted to them. It's sad too, because ratings went way up in S2 and the show became their highest selling DVD series at the time, after The Sopranos.

Oh well.

Here is how it was planned to go down:

Of the storyline, co-creator Heller said:

"I discovered halfway through writing the second season the show was going to end. The second was going to end with the death of Brutus. Third and fourth season would be set in Egypt. Fifth was going to be the rise of the messiah in Palestine. But because we got the heads-up that the second season would be it, I telescoped the third and fourth season into the second one, which accounts for the blazing speed we go through history near the end. There's certainly more than enough history to go around."

A movie was pitched around, but hasn't made it out of the idea stage.

 

[DACrowe]

I was very disappointed to see Rome cancelled only after two seasons, but it looks like HBO used the lessons learnt from Rome and applied them to GOT. While I like Rome alot, I think GOT is a superior series so I'm glad to see HBO giving it their tremendous support.

Fair points. I think the writing in GOT is superior overall. Though, due to GRRM's very methodical style and form of storytelling it is harder to emotionally connect with so many. Another way to put it is, I had much more of a visceral reaction to Vorenus's wife's suicide--not to mention Caesar's assassination--at the end of S1 than to Ned's execution...

But GOT is much more rewarding overall. It's denser, less inclined to shock value (though all HBO shows are guilty of that) and has a larger scope. I hope we get seven seasons for GOT (ASOS needs to be two seasons, I think AFFC and ADWD can be one by itself). If for nothing more than to see [blackout]the awesome arc that is Jaime Lannister.[/blackout] Love that guy.

 

[Marvolo]

Fair points. I think the writing in GOT is superior overall. Though, due to GRRM's very methodical style and form of storytelling it is harder to emotionally connect with so many. Another way to put it is, I had much more of a visceral reaction to Vorenus's wife's suicide--not to mention Caesar's assassination--at the end of S1 than to Ned's execution...

But GOT is much more rewarding overall. It's denser, less inclined to shock value (though all HBO shows are guilty of that) and has a larger scope. I hope we get seven seasons for GOT (ASOS needs to be two seasons, I think AFFC and ADWD can be one by itself). If for nothing more than to see [blackout]the awesome arc that is Jaime Lannister.[/blackout] Love that guy.

Caesar's Assassination was hard to watch. Ciaran Hinds pulled off that perfect look of fear and confusion. He looked like a man who had moments before thought the world was his but who in the blink of an eye was grasping at the last moments of his life wondering why? Possibly one of the most affecting death scenes I've ever seen. Afterwards I just set there shocked at the performance.

 

[Drizzle]

I hope we get seven seasons for GOT (ASOS needs to be two seasons, I think AFFC and ADWD can be one by itself).

While I do think that they will combine the events of AFFC and ADWD so that they intertwine with each other, I don't think they can fit all of that into one season. I think it could go down like this:

Season 1 - 2011 - A Game of Thrones
Season 2 - 2012 - A Clash of Kings
Season 3 - 2013 - A Storm of Swords Part I
Season 4 - 2014 - A Storm of Swords Part II
Season 5 - 2015 - A Feast for Crows/A Dance With Dragons Part I
Season 6 - 2016 - A Feast for Crows/A Dance With Dragons Part II

After that, maybe 2 or 3 seasons left for books 6 and 7, depending on how long they are. The only problem in the long run is that the child actors aren't getting any younger. For characters like Tommen and Robert Arryn, a recast wouldn't be that jarring since their characters haven't been prominent much, but they'd have a very hard time recasting Arya or Bran.

 

[Marvolo]

While I do think that they will combine the events of AFFC and ADWD so that they intertwine with each other, I don't think they can fit all of that into one season. I think it could go down like this:

Season 1 - 2011 - A Game of Thrones
Season 2 - 2012 - A Clash of Kings
Season 3 - 2013 - A Storm of Swords Part I
Season 4 - 2014 - A Storm of Swords Part II
Season 5 - 2015 - A Feast for Crows/A Dance With Dragons Part I
Season 6 - 2016 - A Feast for Crows/A Dance With Dragons Part II

After that, maybe 2 or 3 seasons left for books 6 and 7, depending on how long they are. The only problem in the long run is that the child actors aren't getting any younger. For characters like Tommen and Robert Arryn, a recast wouldn't be that jarring since their characters haven't been prominent much, but they'd have a very hard time recasting Arya or Bran.

I agree. Hell no to a recast of Arya or Bran. They have struck gold with most of the child actors, and they know it. I say let the kids age with the show and be done with it. They have already changed their ages anyways so I don't see a problem.

 

[smashmode]

A little ot but the actor that plays Monroe on Grimm is a total got fan:

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/grimm-star-on-shows-surprise-success/

I watched three episodes of ‘Game of Thrones’ and decided, ‘I wanna read this,’” he said. “I just started the fourth book in the series and I love it. People eat and drink and screw and die, and there are these mythological elements all around them, forces beyond their control [not unlike 'Grimm'], and I find that quite compelling.”

 

[ChickenScratch]

Ok, a guy on a show I never heard of likes GOT.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

While I do think that they will combine the events of AFFC and ADWD so that they intertwine with each other, I don't think they can fit all of that into one season. I think it could go down like this:

Season 1 - 2011 - A Game of Thrones
Season 2 - 2012 - A Clash of Kings
Season 3 - 2013 - A Storm of Swords Part I
Season 4 - 2014 - A Storm of Swords Part II
Season 5 - 2015 - A Feast for Crows/A Dance With Dragons Part I
Season 6 - 2016 - A Feast for Crows/A Dance With Dragons Part II

They can cut a LOT of AFFC out. [blackout]Like 90% of Brienne's chapters since she goes in a circle having accomplished absolutely nothing[/blackout]

 

[Drizzle]

A little ot but the actor that plays Monroe on Grimm is a total got fan:

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/grimm-star-on-shows-surprise-success/

Heh. I guess that's his subtle way of saying he wants a role on the show.

They can cut a LOT of AFFC out. [blackout]Like 90% of Brienne's chapters since she goes in a circle having accomplished absolutely nothing[/blackout]

I agree. But even so, I don't think they can even condense all of ADWD into a single season, considering it's nearly as long as ASOS.

 

[flickchick85]

Rome was always intended as a series. It was originally planned to be at least 3 seasons, but the showrunner had up to 5 potential seasons planned. Sadly, HBO looked at the viewership for the first season, which cost $100 million because they built a 5-acre set of ancient Rome and it was filmed on 35mm plus all the extra costs that go with period settings, and HBO said you had to condense what was going to be 2-3 seasons into one final Season 2. It worked for the most part, but the last three episodes rushed through ten years of history and brushed over things (like Antony and Cleopatra and Pullo's failed second marriage) that could have easily had a season devoted to them. It's sad too, because ratings went way up in S2 and the show became their highest selling DVD series at the time, after The Sopranos.

Oh well.

No, it was originally intended as a mini-series. This was the producers' original intention, not Bruno Heller. It was only after HBO saw the quality in the first 3 scripts that they expanded it to a full series order with a two-year contract.

AFTER that expansion was made, Bruno Heller made his 5-year plan, which would have never been financially sustainable.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/104955-HBO_To_Sack_Rome_After_Season_2.php

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-romeendingafterseason2,0,5831913.story?coll=zap-news-headlines

Game of Thrones, from the very first discussion (before any financing was thrown about) was envisioned as a long-running series. Not the same thing.

 

[smashmode]

Heh. I guess that's his subtle way of saying he wants a role on the show.

Dude has to campaign!

 

[The Apocalypse]

So, I'm about halfway done with Clash of Kings and [BLACKOUT]I'm really pissed off Renly was killed off. [/BLACKOUT]

 

[Genesis 1.0]

So, I'm about halfway done with Clash of Kings and [BLACKOUT]I'm really pissed off Renly was killed off. [/BLACKOUT]

Whaba?

Spoiler

Why? Of course I'm biased, but Renly was one of the most shallow, disappointing main characters in the entire series. Hell, calling him a main character is a stretch, even as a King he was a side item at best. Highgarden & the Storm Lords made him relevant, his army was of far more consequence than he ever was.

Renly was destined to die the ignoble death he received & I actually enjoyed reading it. The greatest outcome for his death was troop movement. That says it all.

 

[The Apocalypse]

Whaba?

Spoiler

Why? Of course I'm biased, but Renly was one of the most shallow, disappointing main characters in the entire series. Hell, calling him a main character is a stretch, even as a King he was a side item at best. Highgarden & the Storm Lords made him relevant, his army was of far more consequence than he ever was.

Renly was destined to die the ignoble death he received & I actually enjoyed reading it. The greatest outcome for his death was troop movement. That says it all.

Spoiler

I agree with that but I just wanted him to be around longer. I personally don't like Stannis so far and you don't really get much of Robb, only through the other characters. The few parts with him claiming to be King entertained me.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Seems odd that

Spoiler

Renly and his faction haven't been seen yet, 2 episodes in.

 

[Genesis 1.0]

Spoiler

I agree with that but I just wanted him to be around longer. I personally don't like Stannis so far and you don't really get much of Robb, only through the other characters. The few parts with him claiming to be King entertained me.

Spoiler

For the sake of chaos, I would have preferred Renly survived long enough to threaten King's Landing.

We were discussing this on another site due to the fact that many people feel Davos is more popular than he has any right to be, an opinion I share; who makes the cut?

Top 5 characters? (Spoiler tags for anyone beyond the scope of the show currently.)