Game of Thrones

[Troy]

I was just wondering if anyone here watched Game of Thrones? Now... before anyone gets controversial. I understand that there are some adult sexual scenes in the show that many people like to highlight. However I assure you that this surely does not dictate the entire show as a whole. It does however make way for some critical plot development that helps forms certain characters into what they become later on in the show. I personally enjoy the show for it's historical relevance and similarities to how Noble Houses were run back in the Medieval Times. Not to mention the fact that I find it very humorous and suspenseful. What your thoughts on the show?

[Sammy Boy]

As a personal rule, I generally do not watch anything that is rated R18+. Quite a number of my work colleagues do watch it though, and they enjoy it. For me, I just think the amount of violence and explicit content is probably going to make me feel very uncomfortable. Not saying that the show is not entertaining or that it does not have interesting themes, just not my cup of tea.

BTW, this thread should probably go in the General Entertainment section.

[Troy]

As a personal rule, I generally do not watch anything that is rated R18+. Quite a number of my work colleagues do watch it though, and they enjoy it. For me, I just think the amount of violence and explicit content is probably going to make me feel very uncomfortable. Not saying that the show is not entertaining or that it does not have interesting themes, just not my cup of tea.

BTW, this thread should probably go in the General Entertainment section.

Whoops thanks for the pointer. I didn't see that section and that's fair enough. I use to be the same way until boredom struck me then I started making exceptions. LOL
But I can see exactly where you're coming from man.

[shooraijin]

Yes, moving to General Entertainment.

I think Game of Thrones is an impressive show, and I've enjoyed the plot of what I've seen, but George R. R. Martin has never shied away from sex and violence and neither does HBO. Ironically, the show is probably tamer than the books are. It's a compelling story with fascinating characters, but I would have a very hard time making a general recommendation because of the content.

I will say that GRRM's tendency to kill folks off, especially major characters, is simultaneously the most interesting and most aggravating thing about the series.

[yukoxholic]

I actually started watching the show because of all the hype around it and I fell in love. I just adore everything about it and have now started reading the books in the series which are equally awesome! Though, like Shooraijin, pointed out GRRM loves to kill off characters you love, haha.

[shooraijin]

And unexpectedly at that.

[rocklobster]

SPOILER: Highlight text to read: and in before someone admits they were really shocked by the Red Wedding in both the books and the show.

[Troy]

I think Game of Thrones is an impressive show, and I've enjoyed the plot of what I've seen, but George R. R. Martin has never shied away from sex and violence and neither does HBO. Ironically, the show is probably tamer than the books are. It's a compelling story with fascinating characters, but I would have a very hard time making a general recommendation because of the content.

I will say that GRRM's tendency to kill folks off, especially major characters, is simultaneously the most interesting and most aggravating thing about the series.

I actually started watching the show because of all the hype around it and I fell in love. I just adore everything about it and have now started reading the books in the series which are equally awesome! Though, like Shooraijin, pointed out GRRM loves to kill off characters you love, haha.

Yeah I started reading the first book recently too. It's soo good and of course in urked me how GRRM kills off characters and even if you read the series first. The producers still kill off certain characters who didn't die yet in the books and then it just throws people off. I know because I my friends were complaining about it.LOL
I guess you can never assume whose the main character in the series LOL.

[Yuki-Anne]

I watched (and, admittedly, loved) the show, and I started reading the books but I only got halfway through the second before I decided I'd read about enough rape and baby-killing to last me a lifetime.

It's a shame because I love the characters and the story but I CAN ONLY HANDLE SO MUCH RAPE AND BABYKILLING. I don't know if it's my overactive imagination but as a woman and a mother I find that the rape and baby-killing prevents me from fully enjoying the story. Especially when they're paired together. The violence against women and children is altogether too prevalent and shocking for me. I get that he's trying to create a gritty, realistic world, but... I think that's the problem. How much rape do you feel you need to throw into your story for people to get that your world is brutal? Yes. Yes, this is a horrible, horrible war. We get it. You don't need to throw multiple references into your story, show multiple scenes of it, describe a variety of different people and ways in which they were horrifically raped.

I also realized that, while there are some strong female characters, the overall attitude towards women is rather demeaning. Part of it is, yes, the rape, but another huge part is the sheer number of scenes in which women are basically just pornographic wallpaper. I'm really torn because I really did love this show. I love Tyrion, Jon Snow, Danaerys, Arya Stark... the characters and story are really compelling and the production quality is incredible. But I have a real problem with the sexuality and the violence. So much of it is completely unnecessary, and is, frankly, disgusting.

But at the same time WHO ARE JON SNOW'S PARENTS BECAUSE I'M PRETTY SURE NED WAS LYING ABOUT BEING HIS DAD AND IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY! Does anybody else think SPOILER: Highlight text to read: that Jon is the son of Rhygar Targaryen and Ned Stark's dead sister? And that's what drives me crazy about this show because it simultaneously revolts and enthralls me.

[shooraijin]

I haven't read much of the books. What caused you to come to that spoilerized conclusion?

[Yuki-Anne]

Well...

SPOILER: Highlight text to read: First of all, it's simply not in character for Ned to have had an affair in the first place. Second, it's indicated that Ned made a secret promise to his sister on her deathbed. She apparently spent months upon months in captivity. It also makes sense that he would hide the child's existence from Robert Baratheon, because, as I believe is not stated specifically in the series, Robert hated Targaryens SO MUCH that he slaughtered any child of Targaryen descent regardless of age. So it's probable that if Robert knew that Rhaegar had had a child by Lyanna, he would kill that child.

There's more to that theory (and other theories, of course), posited by people who were able to stomach more than a book and a half.
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Jon_Snow/Theories

[Sammy Boy]

I don't know if it's my overactive imagination but as a woman and a mother I find that the rape and baby-killing prevents me from fully enjoying the story. Especially when they're paired together. The violence against women and children is altogether too prevalent and shocking for me.

It could be that you're a woman and mother like you've pointed out, but the fact is, even some men find violence against women and children disgusting.

I feel very disturbed and angry when I see women and children being hurt, but not having watched it, I didn't know the series included this type of content (I only knew it had strong violence and explicit content). Now I will continue to stay away from watching it.

[shooraijin]

Let's be fair: Yuki is discussing the books, which from the portions I've read are actually more explicit than the TV show.

That said, the TV show still has a lot of sex and violence.

[Yuki-Anne]

Well, I am discussing the books but there is still some rape and baby-killing in the series (though markedly less and nowhere near as graphic, especially in the baby-killing department). There is a scene in the previews of the next season showing someone leaving a baby in the snow (probably for White Walkers or something awful like that) that kind of triggers me and makes me REALLY not want to watch the next season.

[shooraijin]

With regard to the baby: SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Yes, it's for the White Walkers (I assume you mean Craster). However, it's an important plot point for Jon Snow; he uses his own horror at the action as his ticket to get in with Mance Rayder.

[Yuki-Anne]

I figured it would be something like that. I hope SPOILER: Highlight text to read: he manages to rescue the child? I really don't want to watch a baby die, even if it's fake... Having a baby has kind of made me really weak when it comes to that kind of stuff...

[shooraijin]

SPOILER: Highlight text to read: No, he doesn't, which is why Mance buys his story. I don't know about the books, but the show strongly implies Mance was aware of the atrocity, being a former crow.

[yukoxholic]

Can I just say that last night's episode: The Lion and The Rose, wasn't as fulfilling as I thought it would be.

[shooraijin]

I've heard that from some other folks. I've still got the DVDs on pre-order anyway ...

Without being spoilerlicious, what was wrong with it? Writing? Character issue?

[yukoxholic]

For me it wasn't that there was anything wrong with it but basically in the way it was portrayed it made you sort of feel a loss rather than complete happiness for this character. The acting was fantastic but I just always pictured with all the hate I had for this character that I would be more ecstatic than thinking, 'Oh my gosh I can't believe this. I thought I wanted this but I didn't' I hope that makes sense!! I tried my best to filter ^_^! It was an amazing episode nonetheless and as always the acting was awesome. I just wish the acting wasn't so awesome that it killed my glee, haha.

[shooraijin]

Well, I actually did end up watching it, and I think I get some of what you're saying, though I'm more concerned about the apparent instigator having a similar fate.

This link agrees with you (warning: spoilers): http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act- ... -westeros/

[Yuki-Anne]

...I couldn't stay away. I know what I said but I seriously could not.

For me it wasn't that there was anything wrong with it but basically in the way it was portrayed it made you sort of feel a loss rather than complete happiness for this character. The acting was fantastic but I just always pictured with all the hate I had for this character that I would be more ecstatic than thinking, 'Oh my gosh I can't believe this. I thought I wanted this but I didn't' I hope that makes sense!! I tried my best to filter ^_^! It was an amazing episode nonetheless and as always the acting was awesome. I just wish the acting wasn't so awesome that it killed my glee, haha.

About that, George R.R. Martin, who actually penned this episode, was actually going for that reaction. He said that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: he wanted you to feel sorry for Joffrey because after all, even though he's a nasty bully, he's still really just a kid. He's a nasty kid, but he's still so young, so Martin was going for creating empathy in spite of the fact that Joffrey is seriously the biggest twerp in the history of television.

[shooraijin]

"twerp" seems so ... so ... nice.

[Troy]

...I couldn't stay away. I know what I said but I seriously could not.

For me it wasn't that there was anything wrong with it but basically in the way it was portrayed it made you sort of feel a loss rather than complete happiness for this character. The acting was fantastic but I just always pictured with all the hate I had for this character that I would be more ecstatic than thinking, 'Oh my gosh I can't believe this. I thought I wanted this but I didn't' I hope that makes sense!! I tried my best to filter ^_^! It was an amazing episode nonetheless and as always the acting was awesome. I just wish the acting wasn't so awesome that it killed my glee, haha.

About that, George R.R. Martin, who actually penned this episode, was actually going for that reaction. He said that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: he wanted you to feel sorry for Joffrey because after all, even though he's a nasty bully, he's still really just a kid. He's a nasty kid, but he's still so young, so Martin was going for creating empathy in spite of the fact that Joffrey is seriously the biggest twerp in the history of television.

Yeah I felt that exactly. It felt personal but at the same time I happy he's gone. SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Maybe Tommen, his brother will be a better king.

[Yamamaya]

I watched (and, admittedly, loved) the show, and I started reading the books but I only got halfway through the second before I decided I'd read about enough rape and baby-killing to last me a lifetime.

It's a shame because I love the characters and the story but I CAN ONLY HANDLE SO MUCH RAPE AND BABYKILLING. I don't know if it's my overactive imagination but as a woman and a mother I find that the rape and baby-killing prevents me from fully enjoying the story. Especially when they're paired together. The violence against women and children is altogether too prevalent and shocking for me. I get that he's trying to create a gritty, realistic world, but... I think that's the problem. How much rape do you feel you need to throw into your story for people to get that your world is brutal? Yes. Yes, this is a horrible, horrible war. We get it. You don't need to throw multiple references into your story, show multiple scenes of it, describe a variety of different people and ways in which they were horrifically raped.

Yeah, rape and baby killing bugs me a lot too. I think Martin was trying to remove some of the romanticism Medieval warfare. Many of still think that once upon a time, war was a more honorable affair and he wants to show us otherwise. I think also the book is trying to show how odd the morality of that universe is. For example, today Stannis would probably be regarded as a good general for castrating the men who rape others, not so in Westeros, same concept with Jaime who puts down an insane psychopath but is regarded as an oathbreaker. However, I do agree the rape gets a bit much.

I also realized that, while there are some strong female characters, the overall attitude towards women is rather demeaning. Part of it is, yes, the rape, but another huge part is the sheer number of scenes in which women are basically just pornographic wallpaper. I'm really torn because I really did love this show. I love Tyrion, Jon Snow, Danaerys, Arya Stark... the characters and story are really compelling and the production quality is incredible. But I have a real problem with the sexuality and the violence. So much of it is completely unnecessary, and is, frankly, disgusting.

Yeah, a few people have brought up that when writing from a female perspective, GRR will have the women regularly talk about other women's breasts like a man would. Some of the scenes in his books seem to tread the line between reality and porn.

[radical edward]

My favorite character is Tyrion. I love the scene where he tells Jon "Never forget who you are. Wear it like a badge of honor. It's the one thing they can't take away from you."
Yeah, the guy has his faults, but he's the only Lannister who isn't completely rotten. And I love it when he slaps Joffrey. Joy, pure joy.

[yukoxholic]

Jon is really getting on my nerves and I can't explain why without show/book spoilers but ugh! Obviously, Tommen looks to be the better king as his mind isn't as cruel and mad as Joffrey's but I'm starting to see too much of an underhanded trend with Margaery and the Tyrell family. Though I still adore Margaery and Olenna.

[Yuki-Anne]

Dat finale...

[shooraijin]

(covers ears, hasn't watched much of S4 because he's a Luddite without cable TV)

[Yuki-Anne]

You don't necessarily need cable... But ssshhhh... <.< >.>