Game of Thrones Season 4 Give the Starks a break.

So I'm a big fan of the books and show. Very stoked about tonight's episode and the entire season in general. From what I've heard from the sneak peaks and of course from what I have read, This should be the best all around season IMO. I won't even touch this with any spoilers, you have my word. One of my greatest curiosities is how much of the 4th book will be in the 4th season considering how much of the 3rd book is still in play and how the timeline of season to book will play out. I think the directors might want to slow down or they will be waiting on Martin before they know it.

So Gamespot, who is your favorite house and character? Why?

Book: Asha; just her attitude and I really like the Iron Island way.

Show: Tyrion: Almost the perfect antihero.

House: Stark: I hate to be predictable but they always strike up the most curiosity for me. The wolves, their words, their purpose, everything is interesting about them. Every time I was reading or watching the show I would think I wonder what's going on with Bran or Jon or Arya Or Robb :(. I could care less about Sansa.

Here is a cool little video with a bunch of actor and director tidbits and insights.

Link

Here is the trailer which most have seen probably.

Link

House: Probably Stark. Characters: Davos & Brienne

House Bolton

At this rate George RR Martin is going to drop dead of old age before finishing the series.

I hope fame doesn't corrupt him or make him cave to popular pressure.

house

books: targaryen. who doesn't love inbred, genetically deformed, crazy, pyromancing leaders? also, they're mysterious.

show: starks. early parts of the story are very stark and lannister centric to begin with. then making robb more of a well rounded character tips the odds in favor of the starks.

character:

i might end up getting redundant here because a lot of great characters are great in both versions of the story. i'll just mention characters that i think were better in that particular medium.

books: littlefinger. the show keeps track of his schemes in pretty good detail. in the books, you hardly have any idea what he's up to until he's already gotten what he wanted.

show: brienne of tarth. it's hard to know too much about her in the books. like you know she loved renly and why, but other than that she's just duty, duty, duty, and a touch of dumb luck. in the show, gwendoline christie's performance does a lot for her. she adds more vulnerability. you get the feeling that being in a man's world and playing their own game is really getting to her.

ah shit it starts tonight, good looking. i still need to finish the last three episodes of season 3.

I'm so happy Game of Thrones is back in our lives. Can't wait for the opening of the 4th season. I do think that Martin should hurry a little on finishing the books, don't want him dying of old age before we get some solid conclusion lol.

Favorite House? The Starks probably. They have the blood of the first men and understand who the true enemy is, unlike the Lannisters, Baratheons and Targaryens who in general simply aim to rule the kingdom oblivious to the real danger. Winter IS coming.

Can't really pick one favorite character. This series has an abundance of really interesting ones. Jon, Tyrion, Davos, Theon are among my all time favorites.

Starks getting a break? What books have you been reading? :P

Books: Arya and Davos

Show: Arya and The Hound

House: The Starks

The Season 4 premiere was pretty dope. I want some ale and all the fucking chickens.

Slow start to the season, but that was expected. Just a brief set up for all the characters. After the next episode is when things really go crazy.

Arya's bit at the end was fairly badass though. The group I was with was cheering.

What did everyone think of the premiere? I really liked it as a whole. We got a good footing on where maybe half the cast are, maybe a little less.

Most of it was really accurate book wise too. I don't recalling anything in the book about Oberyn Martell being bi and a swinger but it has been a while since I've read the third book.

They nailed Oberyn's personality though. Really arrogant and proud but a very wild spirit and unpredictable.

Arya's scene was awesome as well. Some good old justice that she deserved after everything she's been through.

"you better make that two chickens" lol. The tension in that inn was intense.

That scene was almost entirely like the books as well but I thought the hound got hurt after that fight? He looked fine as they rode off.

We weren't even 10 minutes into the episode before HBO decided to insert a pointless nude scene that wasn't in the book. I'm surprised they don't just set the entire show in Littlefinger's brothel.

Err..she's on the path to becoming a pyschopath.

Oh, you have no idea....sir.

Yeah I thought the Hound would be injured in the fight but it seems he got out of it just fine, he did get that chicken. The Hound's pretty badass.

Joffrey was once again a dick, mocking Jamie like that lol.

Also, I noticed that they changed the actor playing Daario Naharis. I like the new one better though it'd be great if they portrayed him exactly like in the books.

Idk remember anything about the Knight of Flowers being gay, though it was obviously hinted at his indifference to women.

Good God, I'm already forgetting shit about the books.

George "snail-writer" Martin started these books in the MID 90's!!!!!!! It's inexcusable that he hasn't finished them.

I noticed that about Daario as well. It actually threw me for a loop because I wasn't sure who he was just because I didn't recognize the actor.

Another memorable line.

" I was commander of the city watch bastard!"

"Well if you're here then you weren't so good at your job now were you?"

My favourite characters are the same in both the books and the TV show, Jon, Arya, Tyrion.

As for house, just to mix things up I'll go Lannister. Jaime becomes more likeable the more you find out about him, Tyrion has the best lines in the show, and both Cersei and Tywin are moustache twirlingly evil.

Regarding Boddicker's point, the relationship between Renly/Loras is way less obvious in the books, to the point of being easily missed. Pretty sure as explicit as it gets is Renly inviting him back to his tent to help him out of his armour.

As far as I am concerned, the new Daario actor may be a blessing. I HATE the character in the books; he is the epitome of a flamboyant dochebag, which wouldn't be a problem if Dany wasn't so damn infatuated with him. The last actor, although he still didn't have the look, was closer to the personality of the character in the book which I hated. This new actor, although he gets little screen time, seems to actually have a certain bearable charm that could actually justify the show's Dany falling for him.

that's the point

My allegiance lies with House Stark. My favourite characters are Robb Stark, Jon Snow, Arya and Tyrion.

Slow first episode, but I feel it's setting itself up for something better next week, though I found the Arya scene at the end worth the watch. She's was my favorite Stark, and I could care less about the Red Wedding, those characters were just dead weight and there's already still too many characters it was just a bit of house cleaning. I never read the books but read the Game of Thrones wikis so I know what's coming with certain characters, just wondering how long it'll take to get there.

Um, and? Still doesn't make him a good or bearable character. His relationship with Dany in the book is one of the weakest, most boring subplots, especially regarding her. The show will inevitably explore it, and if they are I'd rather he seem like a plausible love interest for the show's adaptation of Dany, i.e. cocky and charming but not a douche-bag.

Have you no heart!?

yes perhaps, but a psychopath who is hellbent on exacting revenge from those who deserve it. And really is it that psychotic to seek revenge on those who have killed your friends and family?

a pyschopath is a pyschopath.

I know I'm in the minority with this, but I thought the original actor was pretty awesome, and was quite disappointed to see him replaced.

spending every waking moment plotting to kill somebody (and sometimes succeeding!) is pretty psychotic in my book.

Are you going to start complaining that Joffrey isn't likeable next? Daario is what he is and Dany is a teenage girl with poor taste in men. What's the big deal?

As for the show's version, I guess we can put him up there with Bronn, Jorah, Tyrion and all the other characters they've whitewashed.

Joffrey's unlike-ability benefits the story. Characters can be unlike-able if they are still interesting. Daario isn't interest, and his character is absolutely pointless. He is nothing more than a dull love interest. How anyone would want a pointless character, that is given so much attention, such as him to be completely unbearable baffles me. And the Dany you are describing is the one from the book. The show's iteration of the character, though still a bit naive, is clearly a more mature individual and NOTHING about how she has been portrayed so far would make anyone believe she'd end up infatuated with the Daario from the book. The show has the benefit of being able to change characters, to either fix faults in their development from the books, or to make them better fit the world the show has created. With Daario they have a chance to actually create an interesting love interest for Dany, which will make her decisions in Meereen all the more impactful to the story, character and for the viewer.

Favorite House: It's between House Targaryen and House Lannister for me.
So much mystery and power surrounds the Targaryen's, even Daenerys, and it's interesting to have a focus on someone outside of Westeros, and I can't wait to see what will happen when she finally gets there.
As for the Lannister's, I've always loved a good villain, and to have a whole family of them is great.

Favorite Characters: My top 5 are Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Tywin Lannister, Arya Stark and Samwell Tarly.

As for the opening for season 4 it was pretty good, loving the team of Arya and The Hound, and mostly it was just nice to touch base with everyone and see stuff start to build up again after season 3.

Also, can someone, anyone, please tell me they'll kill of Sansa at some point soon. I can't stand this girl.

You're right, add her to the list of whitewashed characters. More's the pity. :(

Favourite house: Starks, mainly because Jon Snow and Arya kick ass.

Favourite character: Bronn. Laid back, quick witted and unbeatable sword skills... what's not to like? I could watch The Tyrion and Bronn show all day, everyday.

The first show of season 4 was good but that pub scene was epic, hearing the hound say "**** the king" followed by Arya's smile and then the tension waiting for the coming bloodshed was very well done.

It would, of course, need to be set in Littlefinger's brothel.

the payback for Lommy was the best part so far ..... arya always get the best part in the show

Indeed sir indeed, I was thinking more along the lines of them wandering Westeros and partaking in a slew of foul banter but it'd be more interesting with a backdrop of tits and wine I guess.

The new actor playing Daario was in Treme as a Dutch keyboard player. Its going to be extremely hard for me to disassociate the actor from his previous role.

Jamie seems to have lost some of his swagger. Cersie continues to be just as unlikeable as her son.

Her fate becomes a lot more in depth than some mere psychopath. That's all I will say.

She brought in on herself man. That fool.

If you think the Starks are going to get a break any time soon, you're in for a very sad post-season drinking binge.

Sansa is so unfit for a life in the capital. She's way too innocent and grief-stricken to cope with all the conspiracies and backstabbing that take place in King's Landing as opposed to Margaery, who backed by her grandmother, is ready to play the game of thrones.

If Arya was in Sansa's place she would already have devised a plan to escape on her own and not rely only on the mercy of others.

Best House is obviously Stark. As for favorite characters (based on the books, I haven't watched the show), they are Arya, Tyrion, and Jon Snow.

It's not irrelevant. Everything happening to her now is all leading up to big picture stuff for her.

You said spelt Lannister wrong. They're by far the most interesting characters. Arya and Stansa are compelling but the others were either stupid or way out of their depth.