Poll: Winter Is Coming - HBO's A Game of Thrones [READ WARNING]

[Raymond Lin]

You get one epic moment per series, because that's the budget limit.

The pacing problem is down to two things:

1) Yes, Martin's books are way too long. And much of that is padding which simply doesn't go onto screen. But then I think the whole Danearys and Wall arcs are completely padding, and only the War of the Five Kings is worth following. But even if you like all the arcs, the padding is most of the books.

2) By putting the Red Wedding (which takes place about two-thirds of the way through book three) at the end of series three, they left a whole series to be filled with a third of a book, plus a bit of book four. But there's very little from book four that they can put in this series, because a large amount of books four and five (they take place simultaneously for a while) is just starting various sections of the overall arc that will not be completed until at least series five. That leaves a LOT of time to fill in. Hence the stupid Craster's Keep section, which is just an expensive shaggy dog (not Shaggydog) story.

It get worse, because there is at least one big moment that they will probably put in the second last episode, as is usual way. Which means even less of book four and five can be put in. Hence even more padding.

Whatever happened to "oh there are so much material in the book that they can't fit it all it, it's like 800,000 pages and we only got 10 episodes".

Padding? WTF it sounds like nothing actually happened in the books at all and that they are making up stuff to fill the time.

Wait, that's what I said last year! Lol

That's how I felt when they show scenes that didn't move the story along. How they keep repeating some scenes. I'm glad you guys finally see it now!

Btw, epic moment doesn't need to be fights with a billion soldiers, the red wedding was done with like 100 or so casts, Joffery's death was about the same and no fighting, stark's head on a block, these are epic moments. I merely like things happen on screen for a reason, filler scenes or filler episodes in a show that has only 10 shows in a season as opposed to 22-24 is a joke. Why not just cut it down to 6, more budget then for the rest and make it more epic? You cut out the crap, make the good ones even better. (Yes I know that's not going to happen, but those that constantly tells me there are so much of the books being left out when they keep doing these fillers).

 

[Pighardia]

Whatever happened to "oh there are so much material in the book that they can't fit it all it, it's like 800,000 pages and we only got 10 episodes".

Padding? WTF it sounds like nothing actually happened in the books at all and that they are making up stuff to fill the time.

Plenty happens in the books. The problem imo is that they don't know how to adapt it. For example, Imo Arya should have had a whole season at Harrenhal for a start, where plenty happens in the books with many more characters than appear in the show. They should have actually shown Robb's campaign(I know they don't show the battles in the books, but TV is a different medium!), and Jon's exploits beyond the wall needed more too(oh, and don't even start with Stannis!). Instead of all this, we get a load of boring talking heads half of the time, and made-up rapes/sex scenes to fill a nudity quota.

Also, I read an interview with GRRM a while back where he says about how different the adaptation will have to be because a lot of the stuff that happens in the books is with small characters, that he would love to be in it, but it probably won't be possible. To fit all of the book content in, the cast would have to be too big.

Bran is a unique problem though really, as a main character who doesn't have much book time/is gone for long periods.

 

[blitzwing85]

I enjoy the show (mostly) but I'm not into it like many others but I'm always a little surprised they have so few episodes, or that the budget isn't that massive - I thought the show was very popular?

Other shows I enjoy have 20+ episodes and only have 1-2 hours of filler overall.

I think, as I've said before I'm just going to read the books and not worry too much about parts I don't enjoy so much in the TV show.

I prefer sshows like Arrow, and Falling Skies anyway as they are just more my sort of thing.
Going to start soon and try to get an hour per day in on work and slowly make my way through them.



I have to agree that for only having 10 episodes, there are too many scenes that add very little. 10 episodes I'd expect every single scene to be vital plot or character development.
Saying that, I've still enjoyed it for the production value, overall story and character interactions. I guess it's mostly frustrating because it couldd be so much more - even if it's already pretty good.

That's a point people often miss with me when I scomplain about things. Most of the time, my complaints are aimed at a missed opportunity or because of the huge potential I see in something that is never reached.
I complain about Transformers more than anything else, yet it's my favorite thing ever

 

[Destination]

The scenes actually contain quite a lot, and a progression in each, we learn more about certain things or certain characters at each stage, even if it seems like we do not.
I feel they can't translate his writing well, as his writing are very verbose.

 

[AshenEdge]

You get one epic moment per series, because that's the budget limit.

snip

It get worse, because there is at least one big moment that they will probably put in the second last episode, as is usual way. Which means even less of book four and five can be put in. Hence even more padding.

They certainly know how to build up the tension
I think the sense of disappointment comes from the number of story threads. If you really want to see what happens to a certain character sometimes you have to wait a few weeks to find out what's next but I think if you've been following the story from the beginning you know it will be worth the wait

I guess we have no choice but to:

 

[AGD]

I haven't found this season boring at all. The characters are developing and we're learning more about them. LOTS has happened already this season and we're only halfway through!

If you just want mindless action, watch 24 or something.

 

[RoboCod]

No one is asking for mindless action. If we take arya and hound, what has happened with them since the last series? I'm struggling to say where they have been, what they are doing and what the point of their story is.

The point people are moaning for is, they have spent a lot of time and effort not telling anything at all. It feels like wasted precious episode time.

 

[Uncle Petey]

I'd argue that we've had some of the best moments with Arya and The Hound. I certainly don't feel like their scenes are wasted time.

I think a lot of this is a case of it's more about the journey than the destination. I guess it's hard to please everyone, and that includes me. I'm not saying it's flawless or anything and it does suffer from poor pacing at times, although you can easily say the same for the source material

 

[Meridian]

No one is asking for mindless action. If we take arya and hound, what has happened with them since the last series?

This is one of the time-lines which has at least partly changed from the books. That does mean a little more interest from the people who have read the books, because now that arc is less predictable. But such arcs only work if either a) they advance the plot (not yet) and/or b) they advance the characters (most of that has already happened). However, I'm one of those who agree that Clegane has been made too nice.

 

[No1newts]

You get one epic moment per series, because that's the budget limit.

The pacing problem is down to two things:

1) Yes, Martin's books are way too long. And much of that is padding which simply doesn't go onto screen. But then I think the whole Danearys and Wall arcs are completely padding, and only the War of the Five Kings is worth following. But even if you like all the arcs, the padding is most of the books.

2) By putting the Red Wedding (which takes place about two-thirds of the way through book three) at the end of series three, they left a whole series to be filled with a third of a book, plus a bit of book four. But there's very little from book four that they can put in this series, because a large amount of books four and five (they take place simultaneously for a while) is just starting various sections of the overall arc that will not be completed until at least series five. That leaves a LOT of time to fill in. Hence the stupid Craster's Keep section, which is just an expensive shaggy dog (not Shaggydog) story.

It get worse, because there is at least one big moment that they will probably put in the second last episode, as is usual way. Which means even less of book four and five can be put in. Hence even more padding.

The kingdom war is the sideshow, it is repeatedly stated (most recently by the maester at the wall) that the war is distracting from the real threat if the walkers and approaching winter. That's how the whole show started!

Danny's war is also a key part of the kingdom struggle as that is ultimately what she wants, the 7 kingdoms so you can't ignore her and then introduce a huge army at a later date. Plus it's obvious the dragons will be a key part of any war against the winter.

 

[Pighardia]

However, I'm one of those who agree that Clegane has been made too nice.

Me too. Though also, as well as being made too nice, he is all over the place. Nice one minute, **** the next, like a lot of characters....The Hound being made too nice is nothing compared to Tyrion though!

Someone on another forum said that it is almost like their roles have been reversed, and The Hound is following her...She certainly seems a bit too happy, with the Red Wedding hardly bothering her any more.

The kingdom war is the sideshow, it is repeatedly stated (most recently by the maester at the wall) that the war is distracting from the real threat if the walkers and approaching winter. That's how the whole show started!

Danny's war is also a key part of the kingdom struggle as that is ultimately what she wants, the 7 kingdoms so you can't ignore her and then introduce a huge army at a later date. Plus it's obvious the dragons will be a key part of any war against the winter.

I agree with all of that.

 

[Richdog]

Me too. Though also, as well as being made too nice, he is all over the place. Nice one minute, **** the next, like a lot of characters....The Hound being made too nice is nothing compared to Tyrion though!.

I personally think the Hound isn't portrayed too badly at all. The Hound is an incredibly violent man (as we have seen throughout the show), a tortured soul who still has some traces of humanity. He has his own personal code and sense of honour and I believe privately respects Arya Starks fearlessness, courage and determination in the face of the horrors she has witnessed. Plus, he has his entire lot invested with her, it is in his every interest to keep her safe from harm (though he's not averse to giving her a slap when she pushes the boundaries). In doing this, it is inevitable that he will form some kind of relationship with her.

As for Arya being "too happy", children deal with tragedy very well... and with Arya her focus has moved to the single-minded goal of avenging her family's death by killing each and everyone of the people on her list. In addition, she would certainly be feeling emotional trauma and numbness that would surpress much of what she had experienced.

I really prefer the series overall to the books... 1-3 were great but 4 completely lost it, and 5 was meh. Awesome stuff.

 

[AGD]

Yeah, the interplay between the Hound and Arya is interesting. They both have some grudging respect for each other but ultimately it seems like the Hound may be sucked in to their relationship more than Arya. He certainly didn't expect her to try and stab him in the last episode and seems to have a disconnect between his actions and Arya's reactions to them. Unless he suddenly reforms (unlikely) I fear the relationship might end badly for him...

 

[dl8860]

I can understand people being puzzled at the pacing of the shows. Personally I think it has been a really good season, scenes have played out nicely and the whole thing has been gripping even though I've read all the books.

As people have pointed out, there will always be issues translating from page to screen. Number one being budget, which I'm sure everyone can appreciate.

However the books are more about the slow, drawn-out telling of the story. They do go on and on, but you don't mind as much because it's just more material. Whereas on screen, we seem to want things to happen faster, action to happen and lots of action scenes. It's hard to fabricate this, which is perhaps why some people are complaining a bit.

One thing I will say is just enjoy the story and the in between bits and worry less about where it's going/what will happen next. Perfect example is Hound and Arya, yes you can't say they've gone far this series but some of the scenes and dialogue has been fantastic.

 

[Judgeneo]

GOT is a high budget show, but a lot of that budget is spent on the costumes and filming on location.

Get rid of some of that, and you could have the CG and battles you seem to crave, but personally I prefer the people and location to look the part, and for the actors and script to be good - which it currently is.

We just need less boobage for the sake of boobs to give more screentime to important moments.

 

[Mr Jones]

We just need less boobage for the sake of boobs to give more screentime to important moments.

Plenty of important moments happen during sextiposition!

 

[molinari]

I'm still sort of enjoying the TV series. I don't like some of the changes they've made, and am intrigued by others. I understand that there are budget constraints, but with the increase in audience numbers, I think they should look at increasing the number of episodes for the following seasons. It may help the story and the pacing of it.
With 5 episodes left this season, I'm looking on Wikipedia at the episode titles trying to work out where they will end it in.

I couldn't help but laugh when about 40 minutes in, Jon Snow said "Get some rest, we move at sundown". Instantly thought of this

 

[Fr0dders]

I think more episodes is the opposite of what the TV series needs.

There are already enough episodes where not much happens and they just forward each characters plot. The last thing we need is more episodes to encompass more characters so we can have more episodes where we just forward the characters story arc on a bit.

 

[Pighardia]

Show more action, and it could easily warrant more episodes. It wouldn't seem like there was so much filler then either. Personally, I think more episodes, and characters would improve it, but only with better use of the material. Just realized that 5 episodes in, there seem to be quite a few characters that have been dropped:

Asha
Blackfish/Riverrrun
Mance Rayder(remember him?)

Spoiler

Imo, the Ironborn need to turn up bloody soon as well!

It is still enjoyable in parts, but it's grip on me is quite weak.

 

[Glaucus]

I think more episodes is the opposite of what the TV series needs.

There are already enough episodes where not much happens and they just forward each characters plot. The last thing we need is more episodes to encompass more characters so we can have more episodes where we just forward the characters story arc on a bit.

This is my issue with the series, it's ok, but so over rated. Not enough happens. It's like it's being stretched out for the sake of it. I may well have to read the books, as they sound better.