Game of Thrones Season 3 Premiere: What Are Your Thoughts? *Spoilers*

[Lord Garnaat]

I just finished watching the premiere of the new season of Game of Thrones, and I have to say I'm extremely happy! It was a great start, there's no doubt about that: the scenes with Daenerys were awesome, everything in Kings Landing from Tyrion and Tywin to Maegary and Joffrey were great to watch, and finally seeing the King Beyond the Wall was fantastic.

On the other hand, I have to say, they absolutely butchered the section with Stannis and Davos. I mean, in the books it's played a lot better - Davos is captured by guards as soon as he reaches Dragonstone because he plotted to kill Melisandre, and when he finally meets Stannis the king is overjoyed to see him. But in the show... God, having Stannis just let Melisandre talk him down like that was completely out of character. And speaking of her, they're really playing up how awful she is, which makes me wonder how they're going to reconcile that with what will happen in the future. As a lover of Stannis (the one true king!), I found that very disappointing.

Also, Tormund isn't nearly loud and boisterous enough. He didn't even mention his member!

So, fellow Brothers Without Banners here on the Escapist, what do you think of Season 3 so far?

 

[Camaranth]

I loved it. Watched it twice in a row because HBO Canada is odd and I could.
I think the thing with Stannis is that he is very cold and portraying him this way really underlines that especially if you haven't read the books.
The scene between Tyrion and Tywin gave me chills, and Cersie vs Margery was entertaining

I'm going to have to re-read the books again. I'm too impatient to wait for next week.

Captcha: drummer boy
In which army my lord captcha ?

 

[Comrade Richard]

Things seem pretty consistent in my opinion though that is just my opinion. I am greatly enjoying the scenes focused on Daenerys and Jorah, also the twist at the end made me excited to see what's going to happen next. Melisandre is the mutant priest of a Lovecraftian abomination so it's totally in-character for her to be a giant jerk, preying on Stannis' broken spirit after losing the battle, and really I don't understand why it is that people stick up for her - when you give birth to a shadowy abomination for the expressed purpose of murdering someone you're pretty well in the 'monster' department. I also find myself already rooting for Mance Rayder - the Seven Kingdoms are run by a bunch of pompous idiots too wrapped up in their own personal baggage to care how they effect the majority of people. It'd be nice if the Wildlings came out on top, IMO, but we all know that's not going to happen.

Anyways; Joffrey is learning to be subtle, apparently, instead of being an obviously vicious idiotic coward - I have no doubt he still is but he seems to be trying to not let it show. Tyrion got the shaft, no ifs ands or buts. And I wanted to cave Tywin's head in. Cersei is...Cersei and I never liked her.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Well... Missandei certainly isn't supposed to be nine years old in this version...

In all fairness I have only 3 gripes with episode one:

- Only showing the aftermath of the fight on the Fist of the First Men (and even then not much of that)? Major let-down.

- Tormund was nowhere near Tormund enough, though I'm hoping we'll see him be more boisterous once Jon is more settled in with the Wildlings.

- The whole Harrenhal scene was confusing, and the last time we saw Robb he was at The Crag, which is a long way away from Harrenhal. How did they get there so fast? Why did the Mountain run? Where did he run to? Where did he find 200 Northmen to execute? Why is Quyburn there?

Other than that though, thought it was a solid start to the series. Loved Tyrion and Tywin, The Unsullied, and Barristan's reveal (although I'll be a little disappointed if Strong Belwas never turns up in the show.

 

[DugMachine]

Did not enjoy the first scene with Sam. The events that took place on the Fist were pretty significant and they pretty much chopped it all out.

The Tywin/Tyrion scene was perfect in every way. Almost word for word from the book, mi gusta.

And I quite enjoyed the Unsullied and seeing Daenerys again. MOAR TYRION AND DAENERYS

...I just finished A Dance with Dragons and I don't know what to do with my life anymore. 6th book needs to hurry the hell up.

 

[The Funslinger]

Melisandre is the mutant priest of a Lovecraftian abomination so it's totally in-character for her to be a giant jerk, preying on Stannis' broken spirit after losing the battle, and really I don't understand why it is that people stick up for her

I won't spoil anything, but if they're staying loyal, she does convince Stannis and others to do a couple of fairly good things later on.

OT: I loved it, but Robb's scene confused the hell out of me.

Also

Spoiler: Fist of the First Men spoilers for non-book readers

I thought Lord Commander Mormont was meant to be dead by that point, killed at Craster's. Have I misplaced that?

although I'll be a little disappointed if Strong Belwas never turns up in the show.

Agreed. Strong Belwas is awesome. Especially when he owns that guy on a horse.

Edit: Figures I'd mess up that spoiler. Apologies to the top guy I quoted, if he hasn't read the books...

 

[anthony87]

Melisandre is the mutant priest of a Lovecraftian abomination so it's totally in-character for her to be a giant jerk, preying on Stannis' broken spirit after losing the battle, and really I don't understand why it is that people stick up for her

I won't spoil anything, but if they're staying loyal, she does convince Stannis and others to do a couple of fairly good things later on.

OT: I loved it, but Robb's scene confused the hell out of me.

Also

Spoiler: Fist of the First Men spoilers for non-book readers

I thought Lord Commander Mormont was meant to be dead by that point, killed at Craster's. Have I misplaced that?

although I'll be a little disappointed if Strong Belwas never turns up in the show.

Agreed. Strong Belwas is awesome. Especially when he owns that guy on a horse.

With regards to the spoiler, yeah you've misplaced it. That happens on the return journey.

 

[flarty]

i enjoyed it. certainly better than the walking dead finale. Man was that weak.

 

[The Funslinger]

Melisandre is the mutant priest of a Lovecraftian abomination so it's totally in-character for her to be a giant jerk, preying on Stannis' broken spirit after losing the battle, and really I don't understand why it is that people stick up for her

I won't spoil anything, but if they're staying loyal, she does convince Stannis and others to do a couple of fairly good things later on.

OT: I loved it, but Robb's scene confused the hell out of me.

Also

Spoiler: Fist of the First Men spoilers for non-book readers

I thought Lord Commander Mormont was meant to be dead by that point, killed at Craster's. Have I misplaced that?

although I'll be a little disappointed if Strong Belwas never turns up in the show.

Agreed. Strong Belwas is awesome. Especially when he owns that guy on a horse.

With regards to the spoiler, yeah you've misplaced it. That happens on the return journey.

Thank God. It would have been so stupid for them to change that, of all things. I suppose it's a good thing, too. I really like how the actor plays the aforementioned individual in the show.

 

[Xeorm]

I have no idea what happened at Harrenhall, don't even remember it from the books (though that's not surprising). Was surprised though that Barristan doesn't spend any time as an unknown squire, and skips straight to the reveal. Probably harder to do with a visual medium than a textual one, but still. I will be especially angry if it means no Strong Belwas.

I love Tywin and Tyrion's scene together. Can't wait to see more of Tyrion, especially knowing what comes ahead.

Spoiler: Fist of the First Men spoilers for non-book readers

I thought Lord Commander Mormont was meant to be dead by that point, killed at Craster's. Have I misplaced that?

Spoiler: answer

You did, that occurs on the trip back, when they decide to lodge at Craster's again.

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

It was awesome. They didn't beat about the bush with the whole 'Whitebeard' schtick which made the reveal slightly less awesome, but looking back maybe I was just being really slow and it was obvious the whole time. I dunno.

Also if Strong Belwas isn't in it I'll be mighty upset. Aside from that it was really really really good. Next one comes out on my birthday, too (here in the uk). Sweet lil present.

 

[rdaleric]

It was awesome. They didn't beat about the bush with the whole 'Whitebeard' schtick which made the reveal slightly less awesome, but looking back maybe I was just being really slow and it was obvious the whole time. I dunno.

Also if Strong Belwas isn't in it I'll be mighty upset. Aside from that it was really really really good. Next one comes out on my birthday, too (here in the uk). Sweet lil present.

We had a discussion at work last week about the "whitebeard" situation. I put my money on exactly what happened, while Danny and Jorah Didn't recognise him in the book the viewers would be in on it.

 

[Ciartan]

Im pretty dissapointed, the changes made to Sam was stupid, the reason Jon gives Mance was changed to something completely retarded, Robb is at Harrenhall now? wtf?, no Strong Belwas, Stannis/Davos scene changed for the worse.

On the plus side, the Joffrey/Margaery and Tyrion/Tywin scenes was excellent.
And the unsullied scene was alright.

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

It was awesome. They didn't beat about the bush with the whole 'Whitebeard' schtick which made the reveal slightly less awesome, but looking back maybe I was just being really slow and it was obvious the whole time. I dunno.

Also if Strong Belwas isn't in it I'll be mighty upset. Aside from that it was really really really good. Next one comes out on my birthday, too (here in the uk). Sweet lil present.

We had a discussion at work last week about the "whitebeard" situation. I put my money on exactly what happened, while Danny and Jorah Didn't recognise him in the book the viewers would be in on it.

Your lights out won't stop me from posting escapist! YOU CAN'T STOP THE PEOPLE! (I really hope this is an april fools and not just me)

Aside from that, yeah. I realised pretty much straight after posting that as soon as anyone (or anyone who knows what they're talking about) saw him they'd be all 'Hey, isn't that Selmy?'

Makes sense. After some googling it looks like Belwas isn't in it, which is gut-wrenchingly disappointing, but I didn't turn up anything official so it could still all be idle speculation.

EDIT: How embarrassing, it's fine now. Was it a joke or not?

 

[mokes310]

I'm going to need to rewatch the first two seasons again...I'm having a hard time remembering anyone who isn't a PRIMARY character...

But, all things being equal, there were boobs within the first 20min, so I'm happy so far

 

[Tumedus]

Did not enjoy the first scene with Sam. The events that took place on the Fist were pretty significant and they pretty much chopped it all out.

To be fair, the battle on the Fist was not technically in the book either. What we know of it was all told through recollection as Sam trudges through the snow. And I imagine that the show just couldn't afford the kind of effects needed to bring that battle to life.

What annoyed me about that scene was that Sam actually did send the Ravens in the book. Sam's ability to succeed even through his cowardice is one of the hallmarks of his character and I feel that does a disservice to him. Also, I didn't see the value, or the logic, in having Ghost there.

Margaery just doesn't work for me, but I enjoyed the scenes with her in spite of that. I loved the scenes with Tyrion and Tywin. Was disappointed at, but understood how it wouldn't work on TV, the instant reveal of Barristan. Agree we need more Strong Belwas. I didn't really have an issue with Robb and Davos, even including the alterations, although I still wish Bolton would wear some pink.


@Binnsysboy

Spoiler

In the book we first see Sam with just a few other Crows, separated from the main group. This is when he kills the wight with dragonglass. Later they meet the rest of the survivers at Craster's and this is when Mormont gets killed

 

[Daveman]

Also, Tormund isn't nearly loud and boisterous enough. He didn't even mention his member!

That was really the only bit I found disappointing. They've got to trim a lot out due to it being TV rather than a book so I can forgive the Davos bit being changed a bit to hurry things along. But there is no excuse for no shlong mentioning from Tormund. It's a huge (*wink*) part of his character. Also It was cool to see Ser Barristan being so awesome, and I kind of like that they cut all the Whitebeard stuff.

 

[Psykoma]

- Only showing the aftermath of the fight on the Fist of the First Men (and even then not much of that)? Major let-down.

Correct me if I'm wrong (I might be entirely wrong), but in the books, didn't most of the details of the fist of the first men fight come from flashbacks?

 

[newwiseman]

The premier was ok,

They completely cut the fight the whitewalkers, BS but they're spending thier CG budget on the city backdrops and dragons (I can respect that).

What I really wanted was some continuation of Arya, Brandon and Rickon. If Arya's been heading North how did she miss Robb's army (and what the hell has her dire wolf been up to).

I'd probably know if I read the books but I'm lazy.


Speaking of the walking dead finale:

Spoiler

I would be really looking forward to the next season if the episode had ended with the Governor shooting his own people. As it is meh.

 

[mattttherman3]

i enjoyed it. certainly better than the walking dead finale. Man was that weak.

Agreed, I expected soo many people to go out, but my thinking on this is, Robert Kirkman is doing things in a "What If?" sense from the comics.

Now as for the GoT episode, I liked it, as I like all the episodes. I really hate that Peter Dalish though.