I have no idea how people who are so into the show have not absolutely devoured the books. I watched episode one of the first season about 16 months ago and was so hooked I blew through the entire series of books (released to this point) in about six or eight months.
I agree. For me it's just too hard to avoid spoilers. Luckily I did read the books because I've stumbled upon GoT spoilers completely by accident, and still do. Luckily I can't be spoiled because I've read all there is to this story. It sucks...but the internet is full of trolls so the best way to avoid spoilers is to read the books.
I' had that urge to read the books after season 1 as well. But I don't want to get spoiled in the show. So I have to just wait and let it unfold. Like right now, I'm tempted to just read everything now. But that would suck somewhat knowing what happens next. I do enjoy the "history" and "GoT for dummies up to this point" videos on YouTube.
I know what you mean, but I have deliberately not read them to keep the show new and exciting and then to have them to read when it's over. I considered last year reading up to where we were at end of season 2, and am thinking about it again now that we near the end of this season, but I know if I start I won't stop where the show is.
THIS! I've read the first 4 books back in 05 and book 5 the moment in came out last year... but if i could, I'd rather enjoy the shows without knowledge of the books and read them after each season. In my experience its been more rewarding this way versus reading the source material then watching it as the source material is usually superior, more detailed and expansive. Having read the books its tough for me to truly appreciate each episode of the show... as I'm often comparing it to my expectations or assumptions. Having said all that, im not sure i could resist not reading ahead. lol :grin:
I waited until the end of Season 2 to watch both season 1 and 2 because i wanted to read the books first. The show doesn't compare to the books. I would much rather good stuff first than watch the watered down show. I would have a hard time finishing the books if I watched the show first.
Best Twitter Reactions... http://io9.com/the-100-best-tweets-about-last-nights-game-of-thrones-511003444
Some reviews I've have been watching on YouTube say that Bran used his uber-fantastic warg powers to not only posses his Direwolf, but also posses John Snow. I didn't get that the first time I watched or the second time either. The reviewers are a non book reader and a book reader; The non book reader seemed to pick on this right away. It would make more sense to me the reason he just up and left ygritte, but I didn't see any change in his face when/if Bran was in John snow. Did Bran jump into John snow too? Is that why he bolted with out his girl? Did I watch a terrible review that has obviously led me astray?
Reading those makes me wonder if there's really going to be a dip in the ratings next week. I'm pretty sure it's mostly emotional reactions and people will still watch but who knows.
ratings went up for the season finale of season 1 after Ned Stark's death. I believe you are correct. Bran just warged into the direwolves and Hodor. Maybe these people mistook the dialog after about 'nobody can warg into people' to mean Jon Snow instead of Hodor
Yeah but twice? It's gotta wear on people. Even the vid reactions had a couple of people say they weren't watching anymore. This is risky on Martin's part. I'm liking the "no one is safe" atmosphere of this show
Not risky on Martin's part. He wrote that scene over 13 years ago. He probably wasn't worrying about the reactions of TV viewers of a show that didn't yet exist back then. Well, he has said that he's been written to by people who burned their books after reading those chapters. Then they went out and bought the book again a week later because they really couldn't let the series go. I don't know what else could've been done. It happens in the book. You just can't let everybody live in the show. There are some minor differences between the book and show, but that would be a MAJOR change and would fundamentally alter the story going forward. When the producers started with this series, they were hoping it would last at least 3 seasons specifically so they could get to that moment. After that, it was just gravy. This is what the producers have been waiting to do since they started working on the show. They weren't going to change it.