The Littlefinger/Varys scene was one of my favorites of the series. Two schemers trying to figure out what the other knows without giving away what they have already figured out. Tommy Carcetti is doing an incredible job with that character.

I know the Renly/Loras thing was hinted at in the books, but it seemed a little unnecessary and over the top. While I did also enjoy the added scene between Robert and Cersei, I hope HBO didn't add too much else into the show that wasn't in the books.

I don't think they are really added much. Renly/Loras was more than hinted at; it was all but spelled out. Pretty much every other character knew, or suspected, it and would mention asides about the two of them. As for the Robert/Cersei scene, a lot of the things they discussed were discussed between Cersei and others in bits and pieces in the book, which would have been hard to show in the series. Making it a direct conversation between the two also really added a lot of impact to the situation between the two. It made their failed relation ship much more tragic, as you realize how different things could have been if Robert had been able to get over Lyanna, or Cersei had a little less pride. It also served to show Robert as more intelligent htan previously portrayed, and it gave his character a lot of depth. GRRM should have written that scene for the book.

I am only through a book and a half and unless I glossed over it the Renly gayness was not hinted at all. In fact renly is barely in the first book. That is why I was surprised by it. It may be spelled out later on, but definitely not in the first one.

deleting

[This message has been edited by G Martin 87 (edited 5/18/2011 7:40a).]

These posts are starting to contain book information rather than TV.

Watched 5 shows in 4 days to get caught up. Wow is all I have to say! Excellent show that seems more like historical fiction than fantasy for the most part. I'm constantly doing research to find out who the heck everyone is & how they are all connected.

One question- who attacked Lady Stark's party after she captured Imp Lannister?

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One question- who attacked Lady Stark's party after she captured Imp Lannister?

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The road to The Eyrie is dangerous because of all the mountain clans that attack travelers. Tyrion mentioned them when he asked to be untied, reminding Lady Stark that the hill people would have him before he made it very far should he try to escape.

I like how there really aren't any pure villains in this show. Everyone has their own motivations and lots of behind the scenes maneuvering but every character is still sympathetic in some ways. Take the most clear cut 'bad guys' Cersei and Jaime Lannister.

Cersei is cold and calculating but after learning of how long and terrible her marriage has been and the loss of her child, you can understand her mentality and, with little other options for a queen to cheat in that situation, even her eventual incestual affair with her brother Jaime.

Jaime is a snake who stabbed his old king in the back and sleeps with his sister, but you see his pain and contempt at the way his sister has been treated by Robert over the years. While most dismiss Tyrian, even Cersei, Jaime has always stood up for him and seems to be a true friend and brother to him. You definitely get an 'Us vs. the World' mentality with the Lannisters like they feel they are either better or outcasts among those around them. Which further explains their loyalty to one another to an extreme and sometimes gross degree.

I haven't watched this show very intently, so I'm confused on a few things. Who is the hot blonde chick's brother, and what the hell is he trying to claim to be the king of?

They're the son and daughter of the man who was king before Robert. The brother (son) is plotting to take back the throne that was taken from his family.

Was that the "mad king"?

Yes

Why was Starks dad killed? Or is that what we are supposed to be slowly finding out?

I think they'll cover it in the show to a certain degree so I'm hesitant to answer that question on this thread.

I would ask the question on the non-readers looking for background thread.

If I'm not supposed to know yet, then I'm fine. I figured they mentioned it and I wasn't paying attention.

I don't even remember why exactly even from reading the first book. I just know the king was a crazy mofo and strangled Ned's father and brother.

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strangled

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not exactly

whoops yeah i see how they died now, read the wiki, there was some strangling though just not by the kings hands

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If I'm not supposed to know yet, then I'm fine. I figured they mentioned it and I wasn't paying attention.

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No reason not to know -- their execution at the hands of King Aerys II is the event that sparked Robert's Rebellion. I don't think the reason for their execution has been revealed in the TV series yet.

Jaime kind of mentions what happens in the episode where Ned reaches Kings Landing but not why. They have talked about Ned's father a lot earlier in the show then they did in the books.

[This message has been edited by cainer (edited 5/18/2011 7:10p).]

Great show.
For my fellow 1st timers who haven't read the books, the viewer's guide is a great way to orient yourself on all things GoT.

http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/#!/guide/houses/

SIAP.

i won't be able to watch tonight's episode cause i won't have cable or internet til next weekend

Gonna miss tonight too - will have to catch up tomorrow night. Drat! Tonight's episode is going to be a real whopper, too.

uni, email me. I have a friend who puts them online for me so I can watch them on the computer Monday morning.

He said he has no internet! Tonight we get to watch two episodes on HBOgo right?!

I see that, yes. Just offering it out there in case he needs a reliable (free) source if he hits a Starbucks or something.

rho, i've been "acquiring" all the episodes so far anyway. and we still won't have cable all week but we are currently borrowing someone else's internet (and i my phone can act as a wifi hotspot too) so i'll be able to get it

i won't be able to do the episode 7 thing though, which i would've been able to do if we'd gotten our internet/cable when i requested it (yesterday)

but thank you though

anyone know how late that hbogo offer is going to be for tonight? i'm gonna catch the dvr of the first ep at 9 and then try to get on hbogo to see the next one but unsure how late they'll let me log on and do that

I don't know but they are sure getting overloaded with people...I'm struggling to connect to the main home page.

I'll try back in an hour or so.

Welp, so much for watching the next episode tonight. Looks like their servers or down or way overloaded because it's not working right now. Pretty bad planning for them not to be ready for this.

My bet is not bad planning but a drastic underestimation of the following.

Episode 7 was AWESOME!!!!!

Thank the gods for DirecTv and HBO Go....

Hes no dragon. Fire can not kill a dragon.

That S was ice cold and awesome. She quickly turned into a bad ass. I was hoping that it wouldnt kill him and he would be forced to live the rest of his life as a freak.

I hope ep 7 is still available tomorrow night!

Hbo Go doesn't seem to work very well.