One of the main things I notice was the timing of Barristan Selmy's appearance (the scene with the girl and the manticore happened in Qarth before they left for Astapor) and that they didn't conceal his identity (he goes by an alias, Arstan Whitebeard, and doesn't reveal who he really is until near the end of Storm of Swords, which will eventually be Season 4). It's probably more streamlined and efficient this way, though it doesn't give Dany the opportunity to be upset at his deception. Strong Belwas hasn't appeared yet. I wonder if they wrote him out of if they'll introduce him later.
So they have written Strong Belwas out of the show correct? What a load of crap. I am sure they wrote him out. After the episode I checked the cast list on WiC. He's not there.
It was a good start to the season. One of my biggest issues is too much is going on in Storm of Swords and it reflects in the show. The 1 hour went very quickly with nothing happening due to covering so much material at once. I hope the show can integrate the multiple storylines w/out confusing those who haven't read the books.
Ah.....that explains things. I've only read half of SoS and I was wondering wth Ser Barristan was doing there. I thought the conversation between Danny and the seller of the unsullied was great....they figured out how to show that scene from the book. Looking forward to watching more of the unsullied if they follow the book it will be very interesting.
As someone who has not read the books, do these stories consolidate or merge eventually? It does seem like one hour episodes covering 4-5 plot lines is too much.
Not really, that's the reason why Martin split up the storylines for books 4 & 5. If he had put all of that content into one book it would've been insanely long and difficult to keep up with. Honestly, they're going to have to merge some storylines in the show to keep it from getting too confusing for people.
That was a weak season premier. I am not one to b**** about deviations from the book but the whole Barreston Selmy introduction and the assassin crap was just set up really r****ded. WHERE IS STRONG BELWAS?!?!??!?!?! They cut Joran and Meerah out from Bran's story line as well. This show is getting too much slack from people, the only people who have done their roles well are Tywin Lannister, Peter Dinkledge, Arya, and Littlefinger.
Spoiler I guess they didn't show it yet maybe but Danny is supposed to understand that what the dude is saying. It makes it that much more awesome, I hope they don't exclude that.
Agreed on the Selmy thing. Rushed and anti-climactic. I know others have gotten upset about the Belwas thing, so I won't argue that too much. That said, I think he's a pretty useless character in the books if you do away with the Arstan deception, which the show has decided to do. Jojen and Meera have been cast for this season. As to that last part, you're tripping. Putting aside the fact that Littlefinger is significantly different in the series than in the book, I'd like to hear what your issues are with the portrayals of Varys, Cersei, Bronn, Sam, or either of the Mormonts. Take your pick. I do hate what they've done with Jon Snow, but that's my only major issue with the cast. I don't think show's not getting a pass, I just think you really love to b**** about flaws in TV series. Which is perfectly fine, but no need to be indignant when others aren't inclined to pile on with you.
Disagree about Selmy. It would of been silly to try and hide who he was as the viewer already knows who he is. They would of had to have him wearing that hood for the whole season. I am glad they didn't try to pull that off. NO they didn't. They are in this season.
They do to a degree, but if two storylines merge, more are added. As mentioned, Martin writes his books from the POV of multiple characters. And normally, no two POV characters are in the same place at the same time. So you have tales being told from all across this world Martin has created. I'm still reading A Dance With Dragons, the 5th book. And though it seems like there's at least a dozen different storylines (and some from the last book that haven't been picked up and continued yet), it does seem like many are starting to merge. There are 3 or 4 that take place in the North that being tied together and becoming very closely related. Dany's story is finally being integrated with characters we meet in Westeros. But the breadth of the story will expand before it begins to contract. There are major factions that have only been touched on or have still yet to be introduced.
Spoiler not sure if this is spoiler worthy but it did kind of seem like Danny could understand what they were saying through her facial emotions. That being said, I probably wouldn't have caught that if I read the book.
Have Joran and Meerah get cut out of the storyline? They definitely got casted though, I saw their interviews. Also what about Strong Belwas? I know that they casted somebody but I've heard that he was cut? And does anybody know if Ramsay Snow will be added to the show? And if the Red Viper from Dorne will be in this season?
cast list for season 3 Strong Belwas = not in show Reeds = in show Ramsay Snow = in show (called 'boy') Red Viper = not this season
One other question: Is Robb's love interest just a completely different person in the show? In the books she seemed to be from a minor coastal Westeros house and in the show she is a foreigner from a slave city, correct?
I don't care about the show following the books exactly. Different medium and a different version of the story. It's always been that way. Movies/TV shows are rarely if ever 'just like the books' and I'm fine with that. This show is only going to continue to make deviations as the books and it continue to expand. If some folks have a hard time with that now it's not going to get 'better'. As such, I thought it was a very good premier. Spoiler Tyrion stuff was of course great, as was seeing Margaery beginning to play the "Game." Dragons are looking solid, especially for TV. This episode was basically getting everyone caught up again and character building for the rest of the season and I think it did a great job at it. Tyrion/Tywin scene was brutal. Giants looked cool, very Elder Scrolls feel going on there.
I think it would be better if they elected to only follow a few character's story lines in each episode. This way people would get the feeling that a story is progressing instead of barely touching a bit on all story lines.
