Just watched Game of Thrones episode 1

[Brian G Turner]

Sky sent a press kit that arrived this afternoon - includes a DVD of episodes 1 & 2, and just watched the first.

Am going to do a write-up for the front end, but in the meantime, a few observations (don't worry - no spoilers):

- first 25 mins feels a plod - wall and Winterfell - a little flat and laboured. Had difficulty telling Robb and Jon apart, for some reason

- then we see a short Kings Landing scene, which breaks it up and starts a pace that carries through the rest of the episode

- There is a lot of nudity in this!! But I guess in our own history we're unnnaturally priggish by comparison, and after a while it's not so much of a shocker and not glorified

- Daenerys is brilliantly played

- I can appreciate more of the story juxtapostions - for example, one scene we see Sansa excited about marriage to Joffrey - then cut to Daenerys and her trepidation of marrying Khal Drogo

- it's an epic book, but the sets don't provide the same epic vision your imagination can deliver, but are still done very very well

- I noted a few times when TV adpated scenes and lines came into play, but they helped connect everything very well

Overall, it's the first episode of a new series with a helluvalot lot expected of it.

It sets the scene and then starts the pace, and no doubt as it grows, so will our associations with the on-screen characters.

There are obviously changes and abridgements for TV, but otherwise very faithful to the story in spirit where not in letter.

I don't think GRRM fans will be disappointed with the episode by itself - but obviously we have a lot of promise yet to come.

Looking forward to the rest of the series now that the level of expectation has been brought to the right level - that's probably the most difficult part if the story has already lived free in your imagination.

 

[chopper]

i saw the 15-min preview and agree with the Robb/Jon similarity interface. equally difficult in that none of them are actually introduced in that segment - including Theon, who I think is also there lurking.

 

[Brian G Turner]

The 15 minute preview didn't include the fact that the intro credits roll in after the prologue, which otherwise breaks things up nicely between that the intro of the Stark's coming to punish the deserter from the Wall.

 

[TK-421]

Just watched episode 1 on HBO.

Holly crap!!!!!!!!!!!

It was incredible. Outstanding. Awesome. Gwehdcgikhviowl..ojgtkbncsoikikhr...

I'm out of breath...Cannot speak details. Need a drink!

 

[The Imp]

I'll give the pilot a B+ and add that I expect it to get better. I think my wife would have been lost if I hadn't been there to tell her certain key things during our viewing of it. Obviously, when the material becomes more familiar and the story actually picks up steam, it will improve. I think I'd give it an A- if I wasn't thinking about people that are new to the story.

Dinklage is going to be a GREAT Tyrion. I loved Dany, Catelyn not so much, but I didn't hate her. Bean and Addy were fine. Overall I liked the acting. The wolf puppies were so cute

There were changes from the book that I thought were fine. For instance, the scene with Tyrion and the whore, and then Jaime bringing in lots of whores, clearly wasn't in the book but established Tyrion's "appetites' and to a certain extent Jaime and his relationship. The scene with Arya hitting the bullseye (after botching her sewing0 firmly established her character. I'm not sure why they chose not to have it be Cat who ultimately pushes Ned to be Hand.

I'm excited though. Can't wait until next SUnday.

 

[Daezarkian]

Thanks for the reviews -- I'll be checking it out shortly!

 

[Conor]

I'll give the pilot a B+ and add that I expect it to get better. I think my wife would have been lost if I hadn't been there to tell her certain key things during our viewing of it. Obviously, when the material becomes more familiar and the story actually picks up steam, it will improve. I think I'd give it an A- if I wasn't thinking about people that are new to the story.

Dinklage is going to be a GREAT Tyrion. I loved Dany, Catelyn not so much, but I didn't hate her. Bean and Addy were fine. Overall I liked the acting. The wolf puppies were so cute

There were changes from the book that I thought were fine. For instance, the scene with Tyrion and the whore, and then Jaime bringing in lots of whores, clearly wasn't in the book but established Tyrion's "appetites' and to a certain extent Jaime and his relationship. The scene with Arya hitting the bullseye (after botching her sewing0 firmly established her character. I'm not sure why they chose not to have it be Cat who ultimately pushes Ned to be Hand.

I'm excited though. Can't wait until next SUnday.

Imp, you took the words out of my mouth!!

I was very satisfied with the first show and was telling my wife who was who to try and help her understand.
I would have liked it if they would have shown the white walkers more clearly and I believe that first guy actually fought with the one for a few moments.
I hope to see some flashbacks regarding the back story of the mad King years before and Roberts rebellion.
Viscerys was well cast as everyone was.
Again very well done and I will watch it again tomorrow night most likely.

 

[Wiggum]

It was fan friggin' tastic.

I spent about four years following this since HBO picked up the rights.

It was worth it.

 

[Gamblor]

Wow, I really enjoyed it - set the scene and characters up nicely. Especially liked Jon and Tyrion - great acting. Laughed out loud at some of Tyrions comments which is promising. Dinklage looks as though he is really enjoying the role. Can't wait for ep 2.

Looking forward to reading what everyone else thought!

 

[Lenny]

The opening sequence is impressive (and I like the music)! I half wonder if the cogs and gears in action and meant to symbolise the political machinations.

Having finished the book only a few days ago, a lot of it is still fresh in my head (but even I must admit to not being able to pick out a couple of characters on first sight), so the changes in scenes stood out. Most of them worked well (particularly the scenes with Arya - hitting the bullseye, climbing on the cart in a helmet as the King arrived), but a couple didn't, namely the scene in King's Landing where Jaime more or less ruins the mystery. I also didn't get why Jon is in the yard talking to Benjen, rather than making a drunken fool of himself (however it does run well into the scene with Tyrion repeatedly referring to him as "The *******"), and why Bran launched himself straight up the abandoned tower rather than starting a distance away (though I suppose we did see his climbing skills juts before the King arrived).

A few people were questioning the actress who plays Catelyn, but I think she pulls it off - a younger woman just wouldn't fit.

It's interesting how, when you go back to the start of a story you know, you see things in a different light. SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK:

Spoiler

The prime example is that the stag Ned et. al. stumbled upon on their way back from the execution was brought down by a direwolf, which in turn was delivered a mortal wound by the stag.

All in all, I rather enjoyed it - the sets are fantastic, the locations are brilliant and the acting is good. That said, I must agree with others who have pointed out that anyone not familiar with the books will be totally lost.

 

[Needle]

I think it was great! I agree with Imp, about a B+. The one thing that bothered me a little was the wedding night rape? of Dany, it did not establish the relationship which should develop between her and Drogo. So far love the actors playing Arya and Tyrion can't wait to see more of them! Oh and the love struck girl in me says Jaime is no where near pretty enough! But that's life! All in all. Love it!

 

[The Imp]

I think it was great! I agree with Imp, about a B+. The one thing that bothered me a little was the wedding night rape? of Dany, it did not establish the relationship which should develop between her and Drogo. So far love the actors playing Arya and Tyrion can't wait to see more of them! Oh and the love struck girl in me says Jaime is no where near pretty enough! But that's life! All in all. Love it!

I personally think Jaime is fine. I'm having a LITTLE problem with Cersei. So far she doesn't come off as snarky enough, but maybe that's me having a well established character in my mind to compare her still developing one to.

My wife asked me why "every has anal sex"? I said it's not clear that they were, and that the directors might have thought it would show less male genitalia that way, although I have no idea why they'd worry. I guess "penetration" is still taboo, even on HBO.

Sorry if I just made an ass of myself

 

[Chel]

I couldn't agree more with what Needle said.

And I really can't wait for the next episode, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the....

 

[hadd]

Don't recall Jaime and Cersei doing it in doggy-style (I have a feeling HBO will use doggy-style for each sex scene now, I hope i'll be proven wrong).
Also I might have something mixed up in my memory but the Dany and Drogo sex scene in my memory was under the stars and wasn't that close to rape or was it?

The wights seemed a bit sketchy too (felt like alien vs predator in the woods for a moment)...Especially that one little girl who looked too much like a doll really.

All in all I think the first episode is a bit hard to live into as usual for me. It has potential though.
And i agree with people who said that the beginning credits scene is awesome.

 

[Wiggum]

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Dany and Drogo scene will be tempered somehow in the next episode, that was too important of an emotional shift in Dany to be left out.

And Jaime sending a bevy of whores into Tyrion's room had me lolin' for reals.

 

[The Imp]

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Dany and Drogo scene will be tempered somehow in the next episode, that was too important of an emotional shift in Dany to be left out.

And Jaime sending a bevy of whores into Tyrion's room had me lolin' for reals.

That Jaime-tyrion scen was really hilarious, and well done. Tyrions charcter is becoming firmly established, although we haven't seen his real power yet.

 

[Chel]

Don't recall Jaime and Cersei doing it in doggy-style (I have a feeling HBO will use doggy-style for each sex scene now, I hope i'll be proven wrong).
Also I might have something mixed up in my memory but the Dany and Drogo sex scene in my memory was under the stars and wasn't that close to rape or was it?

As I remember the Jaime and Cersei sex scene, it didn't go into much detail as to what positions were used. I never saw it as doggy style when reading the book though.

You're right about Dany's and Drogo's wedding night. In the book, Drogo proves to be insistent but patient. He waits for Dany to want it before they do it; at no point does he force her. Of course, one can speculate if she actually wants it or just realises that she really doesn't have much choice... but the romantic in me says she does want it.

 

[Brian G Turner]

re: Dany and Drogo - in the book she is unwilling, even though he does treat her with care and respect. It's only when he penetrates her with a finger that she relents with "Yes", something that wasn't really going to happen on screen. I think next episode (which I refuse to watch until it's aired) will show how her relationship with Drogo is growing more positively.

 

[Mouse]

Ok, turns out I couldn't wait for the DVDs and found it um... somewhere else to watch. I'm about five mins from the end (I'm distracted easily) and it's pretty good!

Do not like the guy who plays Jaime at all though. Completely wrong, too fugly. And while I like Peter Dinklage (sp?) and Tyrion, why is he doing a Richard Wilson impression?! The voice is uncanny, I'm expecting him to say 'I don't belieeeeeeve it!' at any moment. (Richard Wilson played a character called Victor Meldrew in Brit TV show One Foot in the Grave, for anyone who hasn't a clue what I'm on about.)

And how Sansa can call Joffrey handsome is beyond me! He looks about six!

Very much appreciated the half naked fellas getting their hair cut though. Jon = hot.

As for the story, well I don't remember the books too well, but I'm thinking it's pretty good!

Back to watch the end now.

 

[Gry Wnd]

Great episode! Only complaint; the omission (changing) of the line - "I think not, Grayjoy. This one belongs to me."

Other than that, great. Let's hope non-book readers get on bored. There were a couple bad reviews sighting the pacing of episodes and I can see how non readers could think that.