I wonder if not reading the book ahead of time made for a better viewing experience.
I wondered that myself. But then I pretty much preferred the novels to the show so I was torn really. It's been interesting to see what they've changed, edited out etc. I think one of the very best things was their handling of Ned's death which was a remarkable bit of television. I knew what was going to happen and I still ended up with sweating palms and butterflies!
I think the inconsistency of quality was what bugged me the most. There were probably three eps in all that I thought were really excellent, some of the rest were instantly forgettable and others had excellent scenes intermingled with shite ones. It was an all but impossible task that they set themselves (a task that's certainly not going to get any easier!) and for the most part I do think that they pulled it off. It's just one of those shows that I admire but don't love if that makes sense. It leaves me cold emotionally (conversely, I found the books much more involving) and I don't find myself thinking about it after the credits have rolled. But I'll be there for S2.
The other thing that's been interesting is the fandom fall-out, particularly over Ned. I can't think of another show that's wrong-footed its viewers so very well about who are the actual stars. The novels were never really about the adults and one thing I have loved about the show is how subtly it managed to shift the balance towards the characters who will become more central throughout the coming seasons.
Lena Headey was the whole reason I even gave this show a watch, but I really don't have much opinion about Cersei yet either.
Me too, obviously *g* They actually gave her more to do than she had in the books (which didn't surprise me with her being one of the bigger names) but she didn't make much of an impact on me really. Be nice if S2 gave her more to do than sit in the background and raise her eyebrow!
no subject
I wondered that myself. But then I pretty much preferred the novels to the show so I was torn really. It's been interesting to see what they've changed, edited out etc. I think one of the very best things was their handling of Ned's death which was a remarkable bit of television. I knew what was going to happen and I still ended up with sweating palms and butterflies!
I think the inconsistency of quality was what bugged me the most. There were probably three eps in all that I thought were really excellent, some of the rest were instantly forgettable and others had excellent scenes intermingled with shite ones. It was an all but impossible task that they set themselves (a task that's certainly not going to get any easier!) and for the most part I do think that they pulled it off. It's just one of those shows that I admire but don't love if that makes sense. It leaves me cold emotionally (conversely, I found the books much more involving) and I don't find myself thinking about it after the credits have rolled. But I'll be there for S2.
The other thing that's been interesting is the fandom fall-out, particularly over Ned. I can't think of another show that's wrong-footed its viewers so very well about who are the actual stars. The novels were never really about the adults and one thing I have loved about the show is how subtly it managed to shift the balance towards the characters who will become more central throughout the coming seasons.
Lena Headey was the whole reason I even gave this show a watch, but I really don't have much opinion about Cersei yet either.
Me too, obviously *g* They actually gave her more to do than she had in the books (which didn't surprise me with her being one of the bigger names) but she didn't make much of an impact on me really. Be nice if S2 gave her more to do than sit in the background and raise her eyebrow!