Image Credit: HBO Game of Thrones
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What about the reaction of viewers to the show so far has surprised you?
DAVID BENIOFF: I don’t go onto the message boards to see what people like or don’t like, that wouldn’t be helpful for me personally. We’re writing scripts and we have to do that based on what we think is best for the show, and if you start having too many voices screaming at you inside your skull it gets a little schizophrenic. So ultimately you have to rely on your own judgement about what’s going to work or what’s not going to work.
DAN WEISS: Also, if you read 50 comments and it’s 49 positive comments and one troll, the guy who bounces around your head like a ping pong ball for the next day is the troll. I already got my own trolls inside my head, I don’t need any others.
There seemed to be more outrage early in the season for killing Sansa’s direwolf than pushing Bran out the window.
DB: Some people have questionable priorities. I love dogs. But I love my kids more than I love my dogs.
Another strong response was over changing the physical relationship between Dany and Drogo, making it less consensual in the first two episodes.
DB: That first encounter between Daenerys and Drogo, originally we scripted it pretty much exactly as the book and we shot it that way for the pilot. But there was something to us, that while it worked in the book, seeing it on screen, here’s a girl who is absolutely terrified of this barbarian warlord she’s being married off to, it’s the last thing in the world she wants, yet somehow by the end of this wedding night she seems to be in a complete joyful sexual relationship with him. It didn’t entirely work for us.
DW: Also in the second episode she has to go back to the less consensual rougher relationship, which in the book works, but we just don’t have that amount of time and access to the character’s mind, it turns too quickly. It was something the actors themselves felt wasn’t gelling, they weren’t able to find an emotional hand-hold.
DB: We listen to our actors. When Emilia Clarke or Jason Momoa comes to us with something like this, we give it a lot of thought. It doesn’t always mean we change it, but Emilia mentioned the wedding night and the issues she was having it meshed with issues we were having ourselves.
The scene from Episode 5 between King Robert and Cersei was one of the best so far. Was that added from the book?
DW: One of the great things about the show is George has created this world that’s so fully fleshed out and dimensional that you think about what the people in this story are doing when they’re not in the main line of the plot. There’s lots of scenes over the season that came from that ‘what if’ process. Robert and Cersei may hate each other, but they can’t avoid each other 100 percent of the time, every once in a while they will find themselves alone together, and what will they say?
DB: You also got these fantastic actors and you want to play them off each other. For instance, the scene with Varys and Littlefinger. We so fell in love with Aiden Gillen’s performance as Littlefinger and Conleith Hill playing Varys we wanted to give them some time together. You have these two master connivers, and perhaps with the exception of Tyrion, the two smartest guys in the story, you know they talk from time to time, so what do they talk about? It’s like the head of the KGB and the head of CIA getting together for a coffee break.
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The show is very slow a real drag,
so little action or magic.
I’m giving it up
We don’t need you anyways, dude. Go watch children’s television or something.
It’s a well crafted show to be sure, but…Vince is right, it is slow, and not very captivating. To me, the best part of the show is it’s title sequence. I am having trouble keeping up with it because I have to force myself to watch…not a good sign. I’ll continue to watch until the end of the season and then decide if it’s a keeper.
Vince is right, it’s well-crafted but uncompelling television. If the episodes pile up on my DVR, that’s not a good sign. Oh and Phineas and Ferb FTW!!!
It seems that the adult form of adhd has hit this comments board. whats is up with this instant gratification B.S.?
To Keith: The episodes are piling up on my DVR… but I am watching it every week. The problem is that modern viewers have ADD and are to distracted to actually get into the story. They have no patience! That is why crappy reality shows are all the rage these days. We are lucky to have a show like this and not another “Real Idiots in Unreal Situations”.
Great point Sal!!
umm… I’m not sure what some of you guys are talking about. I didn’t get to Game of Thrones until the series ended. and i finished the entire series in 1 day. Then run to my kindle and download the books and finished the massive 2nd book in 4 days (while working fulltime). So yeah… “not captivating” indeed… >_>
Stop watching and turn to your attention to whatever media outlet that lets Kieth Oberman rant on and on and on and on…. Winter is coming!!
This episode had little action? Lemme see… Horse decapitation, two huge guys fighting, a Hill Tribe attacking a dwarf, hooker getting choked, 7-year old getting breast fed, and Jamie vs Ned?
I don’t know what you’re watching but that’s alot of action packed in 1 hour. I’m guessing you’re one of those guys who love watching NCIS, where they try to find a killer than in the last 10 minutes they arrest him. Rinse, cycle, and repeat.
LOL. I agree with you, but 7-year old getting breast fed counts as action? It was certainly memorable, but I don’t think it was an action scene, exactly.
Ot’s the quickest 52 minutes on TV!!
They have a TV channel for people who aren’t interested in story and character development. It’s called Nickelodeon.
I thought it was MTV!!!
I thought that was Syfy’s new aspiration; perhaps if they could put wrestling on every night then they could reach the pinnacle of mouth breathing.
Nickelodeon brought us Avatar- The Last Airbender at least, which had very well developed characters along with a well written story (and among the highest rated shows on ranked lists such as tv.com because of how outstanding it was). The person who said MTV is more accurate here.
Agreed with Anon re Avatar: The Last Airbender (the show, not to be confused with the awful M. Night movie).
Am LOVING Game of Thrones. I look forward to every Sunday night. Action doesn’t have to mean huge battles and blood spilling (though that’s fun to watch as well) — it can be political intrigue, which is what Game of Thrones delivers in droves.
If you’re looking for magic, Game of Thrones is not for you. It’s a political drama…at least, four books into the written series, it is. There is a tiny squeak of what you might call “magic” here and there, but not much. There won’t be any orc-fighting or patronus-expelling.
If you want lots of magic, you should indeed stop watching. There is never lots. Its presence does increase, but you will never see wizards shooting lightening bolts at each other. This is not adolescent fantasy.
Something to remember guys, they’re making season one off of ONE book. Most books take a couple chapters to get going, right? Same thing applies here.
There won’t be MASSIVE battle sequences every episode, this series is character-driven. No Gandolf denying demons passage across a tiny bridge in an ancient dwarven stronghold either. On the up side though, the Wall is made completely of enspelled ice, for all neglect over the past thousand years has eroded the wards placed within it.
Chin up, there’s an awesome dwarf and direwolves.
I’m not sure why you thought there would be a bunch of magic in this series, but that isn’t what it’s about. As many people have aptly described it, this is the Sopranos in medieval times, with a few fantasy elements sprinkled in. You came in with the wrong expectations, bud. It’s like tuning into the Real World expecting to see someone smart.
The action does have to speed up for me. Also, no offense, I’m sure there are trolls but whenever I see show creators say this, especially when the notion is 49 comments are positive and 1 negative, I more think they just don’t want to hear any less than positive feedback. Seriously, there’s only one bad comment and you can’t bother to hear it? Talk about needing some constructive criticism.
I didn’t see it as them saying they can’t “bear” to hear it but rather that, usually, the negative feedback we get tends to stick with us more than the positive. Even if they’re in the minority.
They’re taking the show down the road they think is best and if they allow themselves to be swayed by those who disagree, then this is no longer their show.
It is not just one bad comment. Once you get in the cycle of reading comments it will slowly eat at you. It is better to stay away from it. Trolls will mess with you head!
Oh, geeze, get a clue. The point is that most writer DO NOT read general internet feedback. People in general are way too stupid, mean, ignorant, or just plain wrong to bother. Writers are generally self-critical enough without random idiocy messing with their work. Not reading is the best idea. And, BTW, they get plenty of feedback from professionals and via ratings.
Writers hire editors.
Editors return stories to writers on toilet paper (with corrections).
You think they need MORE abuse?
Rofl.
in other news, some editors ARE trolls. They’re just better than Joe at fixing what’s wrong.
No truer words were ever written.
I think the action is just fine, especially if you view the character conflicts as action like I do – swords isn’t the only thing that can kill.
Why do we dismiss the negative comments as trolls? That is too easy. Some very thoughtfull comments will be negative and to just refer to them as trolls is ridiculous.
This is a very common problem.. ‘Troll’ is a word many people have heard, so they use it to try and sound “internet-savvy”, except they completely miss the point and use it to describe anyone being negative or mean.
making a negative comment does not make you a troll. A troll is someone who rips apart something with the express intention of getting a rise out of the fans.
I think troll is tossed around when the comment is negative for the sake of being negative ….. if you don’t like the show and can support your view without resorting to the classic tropes of it’s boring, not enough magic, or it’s too slow then you are not a troll.
Ted, I’m a classical musician. When I read reviews of our concerts, the critic can say glowing things about you that you quickly forget, but even the smallest most insignificant amount of criticism can stick with you and haunt you for ages. It’s a human thing.
There just isn’t much reason for them to read viewer comments. For one thing, there’s way too many of them. For another, how likely do you really think it is that they would change the direction of the show based on a comment on one of these boards? If your answer was not very likely at all, then you understand why they don’t bother.
I agree Vince. Alittle more action tonight but it’s not that good a show. No fantasy at all since the first scene in the pilot. And the characters stink.
Why do you think that the fact it isn’t heavy on fantasy brings it down? I’ve seen high fantasy, when magic is everywhere, and people can do incredible things. It becomes an instant mess, with the writer being given a free pass to do whatever he wants. High fantasy gets you crappy movies like Dungeons and Dragons, and Dungeon Siege. Is that really what you want?
Dude, Dungeon Siege was hilarious.
What makes for more compelling characters? And what sort of “fantasy” would you like to see?
The characters stink? Really? I’d say these are some of the deepest, most well-conceived characters you’ll find anywhere. Maybe you just need to give them a bit more time to develop. I’m telling you, it will be worth the wait. Hope the ADD doesn’t get ya.
Shorty Lanister is George R.R. Martin’s self portrait in his awesome series. I met him once with my one-time friend “The Bald Knob” Dereck Ashcraft, for a book signing years ago. Whats up load examiner? Melissa still loves you man! Anyway, “Thrones” is as good or better than “Tudors”, not convinced that it is better than “Spartacus”, but I am getting there. “Thrones” is one of my favorite book series ever, and I have read many over the years as a drone in the Airforce as a 22 year C-130 / C141 Loadmaster with over 7000 hours of inflight duties. Stay on the subject? G.R.R.M.is a wickedly smart man that knows how to keep a reader and a fan, who wants a signed book enthralled. G.M. promised only four books in the series, [No tree killing like the "Wheel of time"]. The only reason there were dragons in this series was because of his “WIFES” insistence. I enjoy the show every sunday night and expect great things from the Starks and from Lord Tyrion! Winter is definitely coming!
Lighten up you fools! This just a series on T.V. ! read the books and watch other “stuff” on the slave box. “THRONES” rules over most of the rest.
“LITTLE” G.R.R.Martin is totally who we all are, a little bit of good and bad, but more cunning than most. He just wants to make his way in the world and protect his family’s honor. We shall see that eventually what the H.B.O. people do with the series, but I am sure thst I will like it, while many of you supposed critics will downplay it all. Winter is coming!
Sorry about the last postings. My typing and grammar are definitely suspect. My Excuse? I have definitely been drinking. Winter is coming!
Okay, how did you ask them the exact questions I wanted answers for?! Anyway, lovvvvvveee the books, and LOVING the show – Littlefinger is juuusst sexy enough, I’ve always had a crush on him in the books, so I’m happy to see him cast with sex appeal in mind! And Sir Barrister! So perfect! It’s like wonderful to know that fellow Song of Ice and Fire fanatics are at the helm of the show, they seem to know what to not mess with (Tyrion! Sexy too! Thank goodness!). Now does anyone think the series finally happening with speed Mister Martin up with the rest of the series at all, or (HORRORS), slow him down? I need MORE!
I agree with you for the most part, especially about LF and Barristan and the producers being ASOIAF fanatics.
BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT
TYRION IS SUPPOSED TO BE ASS UGLY.
Like, different colored eyes and a bent nose and just…misshapen. But they went Hollywood ugly and thats ok I like Dinklage, but they definitely “messed with” that part of it.
Yeah, he’s supposed to be very ugly in the books. But Dinklage is so spot on IMHO that I really don’t care one bit. They couldn’t get everything exactly like it was in the books.
THE KID WAS ABOUT YEARS OLD. Did we have to SEE that? Maybe a verbal mention of it, then a scene with the kid in her lap and he wipes his mouth. The idea is plenty “rated R” and graphic. The actual scene is disturbing. I question the director/producers/actors standards. YUCK!!!
That’s the entire point of the scene, you’re supposed to see that Lysa is utterly deranged and there’s no better way to do that than showing her breastfeeding an 6-7 year old.
I agree with you and the whole time I could not help but think arent there some child laws that would prevent such a thing to be put on television and to the parent of the boy who plays the role of liza’s son, who would allow their child to be cast in a role where this kind of thing was involved…. very disturbing!
I don’t think the breast was real, Mandy. I’m fairly certain the child was sucking on a prosthetic.
oh lord, you must be a conservative “christian” from down south. Stupid doesn’t quite cover it
I’d have done it.
… after the incest, you’re upset about this?
Yes you did.. it was a great scene. Madness isn’t usually something you gaze at comfortably (nor should it be).
Yes, very disturbing. However, it was in the book. Lysa is pretty unhinged by the time Catelyn visits her after a long absence.
You’re SUPPOSED to be utterly creeped out. I mean, just look at the look on Catelyn’s face. She’s horrified, which is what you’re intended to feel too.
Oh, please! Yeah, it’s a little weird to still be breastfeeding a seven-year-old, but it’s A KID EATING. The only thing weird is freaks like you who can’t disconnect a breast’s sexual connotations from its biological function as a kid-feeder. Grow up. There’s nothing R-rated about breastfeeding.
Disturbing you was the point.
Great episode. Loved the scene with Baelish and Varys, followed closely by the scene with Robert and Cersei.
They have a lot of work to do to screenwrite the second book. More direwolves, please.
Agree with you completely, but I have faith that the H.BO. dudes will make it happen.
I like the episode, but them killing that horse took me off guard. They need to slow it down with the animal violence. That’s not cool.
What is it with people who have no problem seeing human beings dieing all over the place but can’t stand to see and animal hurt?
Do you feel the same way about the bodyguard who got stabbed through the freaking eye?
Yeah, I totally get you guys… but you gotta admit, that horse beheading was totally brutal and out of absolutely nowhere.
To be fair, you are talking about the Mountain who BURNED his little brother’s face (the Hound) because he was playing with the Mountain’s toy. Man is not exactly playing with 52 cards.
Ok, we get it, there are those of you out there who care way more about animals than humans. Do you really need to share that crazy with everyone? “I didn’t mind the decapitations much, at least when they were doing it to people.” Sick.
When considering direwolves I’m very interested to see what way they take that. So far it looks like the wolves have just been some huskies but we saw their full grown mother in the piolet and the thing looked as big as My Ford focus. R these things gona be cgi at some point or what’s the deal.
Good question, guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I want them to be huge and imposing, but I worry CGI will look cheesy.
It’s all good kiddies, it just part of the sickness that all of our cultures exhibit. Sam J, The next time you read/watch the news blogs or slave box, you’ll see much worse, so why can’t you see mental disease in a supposedly fantasy series? Mz. A, Tyrion is the man! I would love to have gone sniffing around the professional courtesans with the little “WH”E” monger when I used to partake in those. particular activities in my early days as “LOADMASTER”. He reminds me of me, except he has the money to back up his whims. Life can be good! Party on little dude! Winter is coming!
All That I can say is read the books before you see the series. They are not quite the same but you will enjoy watching much more if you have already digested the verbage of “LITTLE SHORTY’S masterpiece. Winter is coming!
do they not know the power of fandoms LOL. that is why supernatural has been on the air forever. do not bit the hand that feeds you producers we love the show and you should read our comments bc a lot of us say positive things about the good work you are all doing
The second that producers and writers starting following the whims and “input” of the fans you end up with a mess like, well, anything that Ryan Murphy has produced. Fandoms are great and should be able to voice their opinion via forums, cons, and social media. They should NOT however, write, dictate, or demand that certain aspects/scenes be included any show (especially one with such rich source material) — too many cooks and all. As long as there are good show runners (and this show has some of the best) at the helm, let them do their job without your interference.
I’m a biased fan, but I can’t believe people think this show is boring.
LOL at not enough fantasy. That’s not what it’s about at all.
This show is for the sexless and the slow-witted. It’s ordure, pure and simple. Another HBO stinker. It’s breathless defenders are walking jokes.
Its, you meant. But your [sic] right. “Game of Thrones” lazily takes on water like my hundred-year-old beechwood canoe.
“You’re” you meant.
Ahh nm i see it was a joke lol
Really? You might want to learn proper grammar before trying to correct someone. It’s is a contraction for it is, which is exactly what the poster was saying. Just wow. GOT is awesome, btw.
Rome was an amazing HBO show. they was just to cheap to continue making it
Well, at least they have admitted that when they cancelled Rome, they acted prematurely and did not account for the DVD sales and such.
How very pointed of you.
Any actual criticisms or did you watch more than 5 minutes?
We may be walking jokes, but at least we outnumber you.
Yes, the rest of the world has terrible taste and you’re the only one who can see it. Save us please.
You don’t like it, so those of us who do are walking jokes? Heh, that’s rich. How old are you?
I like the changes they’re making. The Daenerys/ Drogo relationship[ in the book felt absurd. She feels raped on her wedding night and for weeks afterward, but digs the sex after that. The whole thing felt like a crappy Lifetime movie.
The Cersei/ Robert scene in Ep 5 may be the most effective scene of the series so far. There was not a trace of this in the books, but this conversation served a critical purpose— It bridged the logical gaps in their character’s behavior. Gaps Martin left standing wide open, by the way.
The added scenes with Theon Greyjoy are an improvement as well. His character gets very little face time in book 1, then becomes a major player in book 2. His storyline in the book seemed to come out of nowhere, a layer of improvisation on top of another layer, with very little forethought put into it or its purpose. By planting the seeds early, the writers are avoiding that.
Good job, guys. Lots of people whine when TV or movie productions deviate from the source material too much. In this case, the writers are clearly learning from the mistakes made by George R. R. Martin.
I also loved the scene between Cersei/Robert. When she asked him if it had ever been possible for them and he looked her straight in the eye and said “no” I couldn’t help thinking “you just signed your death warrant Robert”. Exciting stuff!