Television opinions

[winter]

In brief:

Game of Thrones - I didn't read the books, and I think that might be why I'm so repelled; I don't know who those people are, and instead of making me care (with the exception of small humanising moments for Clan Stark), HBO's going through the predictable checklist of "let's shock people!!!" that made me stop watching True Blood, combined with stock political fantasy material. Unless the second episode presents a dramatic departure, that'll be it for me.

The Borgias - This, on the other hand, I like lots. My kind of murderous priests, and the storytelling is aces ♥ Doesn't hurt that Jeremy Irons is having the time of his life, and Cesare-guy is adorable when he goes all threatening. (And the women - Giulia Farnese in particular, possibly the first time in American television I've seen the other woman done as a sympathetic character.)

Castle - Still watching, still enjoying :) This and Mentalist remain my mostly-mindless entertainment shows. (And White Collar, when it's on.)

Doctor Who - WHY ISN'T IT EASTER YET?

Comments

[reynardine.livejournal.com]

Give GOT a chance to get to the real plot--the first episode seemed a little lackluster, since they had so many characters to introduce--this first episode condensed nine chapters. Give the show four episodes at least. It is honestly one of the best series of books I've ever read. Hands-down.

I've never had a story affect me so much as making me throw a book across the room after a certain scene (which was in book three, although there's no telling when they'll fit it in the series).

As for the characters, just wait. There are a few in there that I loathed at first, but are now my favorites (I won't say which so as not to spoil you). They change, they grow. Readers become heavily invested in them, which can be dangerous since you never know what Martin will do.

HBO threw in more sex than was there (although there is a lot of sex in the books, don't mistake me). Dany's storyline starts off with a LOT of inner dialogue and backstory (she's very much defined by the events of Robert's rebellion), so trying to portray that onscreen was going to be difficult. To be sure, I thought the Dothraki parts of the show a bit weak--but then that whole arc was never a favorite of mine.

[winter]

I think it's the backstory and narration that I'm missing. It just all reads like illustration of a book I haven't read. Definitely hoping for plot improvement, and less "let's shock the viewers!"