Watching Game of Thrones

[nancylebov]

I need to have watched the whole first season for a Hugo nominee discussion Friday night, and the first two shows made it seem like quite a chore.

The third show seems much better, and I'm wondering whether there's a consensus that there was an improvement at that point. It's possible that I was simply in a foul mood yesterday, but the writing seems better. Tyrion's dialogue is intelligent rather than merely snarky.

It's kind of neat that Tyrion is a relatively modern person who frequently has better sense than the average noble (admittedly not difficult)-- except that he doesn't believe in the White Walkers, and the lands beyond the wall really are infested with evil ice elf zombies.

It's also possible that I'm more used to the style of the show. For the first two, I was thinking that the acting was toned down compared to the way I think of the characters from the books. If there was ever a series where a little scenery-chewing was called for, this is it.

The actor who plays Jon Snow still seems kind of doe-eyed and boring, though.

Other than that, the sets (for all three shows) are gorgeous. The clothing could stand to be somewhat prettier, considering the tech and cultural level. I also find it hard to believe that the Dothraki would be going around in unfinished skins (I don't mean untanned, I mean that the edges aren't shaped), but that might be my ignorance.

The theme music seemed more beautiful in the Simpsons parody-- I'm not sure whether it was the same version used in the show, or perhaps it just sounds better by contrast with the excellently silly animation.

Is it really possible to chop someone's head off with a single sword stroke, or does it take a guillotine?

Comments

[kmusser]

I don't recall any change in quality as it goes on, the first season follows the book extremely closely and so has the books pro and cons as far as the story goes. Jon Snow was boring in the first book too. But anyway, I'm a fan and have enjoyed the whole series.

[pickledginger.livejournal.com]

It is possible to chop off a head in one go; a heavy sword, heavy muscles, and lots of practice helped. The guillotine made it a lot easier. Industrialization, joys of.

[lysystratae.livejournal.com]

There's even a special kind of long knife/short sword for it; i think it's a kukri, but my spelling could be way off.

[pickledginger.livejournal.com]

Unshaped hides? Doesn't sound at all like their culture as described in the books.

[elektra-h.livejournal.com]

We've seen some of Kings Landing (for the first season they used Mdina and parts of Malta)--it's even prettier in person. The series grows on you . . .

[paulshandy.livejournal.com]

If the sword is sharp enough, yes. When a samurai tested out a new sword, they ordered a peasant to lean over so they could cut off the peasant's head. If it only took one swipe, it was a good sword.

I think the rougher clothing is a good idea. They have to separate themselves from "Lord of the Rings," and the rougher clothing is a good way to do that, considering how rougher the characters in "Ice and Fire" series are compared to in the LotR.