Game of Thrones: spoilers discussion.

[Fast Learner]

My favorite parts of all of the books are the opportunities you have to learn the nuanced motivation of characters, often initially classifying them as heroic, evil, weak, selfish, etc. based on their introduction and even their actions spanning several books, only to eventually discover things are more complicated that you ever thought.

Mind you, some of the evil nasty dudes remain that way, at least so far, and the same is true of some of the heroic characters. Martin definitely keeps you guessing.

 

[mac1504]

Intro

I took the whole "toy like" intro as a play on the title: A Game... It looked like the board for a medieval Risk like game. In taking it that way....I liked it.

I liked the opening as well. This review by a Times writer also notes that the locations shown in the intro will be specific to the episode, lending a little more information to the uninitiated fans.

 

[mac1504]

Foreshadowing

I really liked some of the foreshadowing elements that were perhaps unintentional, but seemed like they were omens of things to come.

The two that I caught:

1. Arya doing needlepoint in her first scene of the episode.
2. The dead stag (sigil of House Baratheon) in the woods having an antler stuck in it (and then removed by Ned Stark).

Anyone else catch other hidden "clues" to future happenings?

 

[Fast Learner]

I really liked some of the foreshadowing elements that were perhaps unintentional, but seemed like they were omens of things to come.

The stag is certainly intentional foreshadowing, as it was in the book. Arya's needlepoint is sort of anteshadowing, but that connection is intentional in the book, too.

 

[Truth Seeker]

You jest, no?

Give it time, and you might change your mind.

 

[jonesy]

You jest, no?

Things change.

Martin is very good at creating likable characters, and turning unlikable into likable. Or at least, more likable.

 

[Steel_Wind]

You jest, no?

No, he wasn't jesting. He was serious. And with good reason, too.

Jaime Lannister is a complex character, but he pushed Bran out the window for a very good reason. It's very hard to discount Jaime's motives for that defenestration, to be honest.

I probably would have made the same choice were I placed in similar circumstances. So might you. So might many here, too -- after all the information is in.

 

[Kzach]

I probably would have made the same choice were I placed in similar circumstances. So might you. So might many here, too -- after all the information is in.

I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have. In real-life I'm very conscientious and honest, even to my own detriment; I also wouldn't be screwing my sister

 

[Starman]

I also wouldn't be screwing my sister

But, is she hot? That's the real question.


Wait, what?

 

[Kzach]

But, is she hot? That's the real question.


Wait, what?

Which one? The 46 year old hippy who eats nothing but eggs and toast and has difficulty adding 1 + 1 and lives in the hills smoking weed or the 49 year old social worker with two kids, a divorce and a bitter demeanour?