If you do that then this happens:



I am glad that I haven't read the books yet, as I'm not analyzing every scene and comparing it to the books like I usually am with adaptations. I look forward to reading the books when the series is over.

LOL! Yes, you are right, I brought this unto myself.

But actually, normally I'm more tolerant towards changes made from the original (like LOTR, where I think the changes made by Jackson actually make the whole story somewhat better).

In this case, though, many of the changes are just puzzling, as they are truly unnecessary, or going against the character traits established in the books.

Taking some creative license is good, but when one deviates from the original it should make sense and keep witin the "rules" established by the author.

I agree wholeheartedly. The only criticisms of the LOTR movies I have revolve around the things Jackson added. I understand that not everything in a book can make it to the screen, but there is no reason to invent stuff that isn't in the books. I'm still scratching my head about why he had Faramir take Frodo to Osgiliath. It added nothing to the story.

My guess is that Riverrun is out because of the cost of finding another castle and filming in/around it.

Jon's story is my biggest gripe so far. They're really starting to make him look like an idiot.

In the "making of" on the extended version dvds, Fran Walsh or Philippa Boyens said that they included this Osgiliath scene you mention to show the temptation of Faramir. Their point was that the Ring was so dangerous that even Gandalf and Elrond wouldn't have it, so they thought it unlikely that Faramir would be totally immune to its dark power (as in the books). In other words, they chose plausibility over canon.

I was more puzzled by Galdriel's Elven warriors suddenly appearing at Helm's Deep. Even though I understand the reasoning behind it (a new "last alliance") I thought it was contrived and silly, especially since Tolkien made a point that Elves were no longer interested in the fate of Middle Earth as they were about to leave anyway, and that both Rivendell and Lothlorien were under siege by Orcs during the brief war of the ring.

Another thing about Sunday's episode that I found strange was the scene between Cersei and Tyrion, and how Cersei practically admitted her incestuous relationship with Jaime (Jaime did the same thing later on with Cat and Brienne). She always vehemently dismissed these "allegations" in the books, as did Jaime.

I don't mind the series's authors to deviate from the books here and there, but changing the core characteristics of the main characters is going a little too far. Especially since George Martin himself used to be a screenwriter, and the books show this influence; other than that the books could be briefer, they are not that hard to adapt to the screen at all. None of these changes made were really necessary, but I suspect the screenwriters wanted to give the series their own "twist"....to show off in order to get an Emmy.

I'm curious how they write themselves out of their little twists (like when will they introduce Ramsay Snow/Bolton, as this is a pivotal character). Where's the Damphair and Victarion? What about the Mummers? How will Brienne and Jaime escape from Riverrun when they are not even there? And Robb's little affair with that foreign girl (instead of Jeyne Westerling) will make him look even more like a fool, because the Westerlings gave him at least some political benefits.

Maybe some of the writers haven't read the books very thoroughly.....

I want going to voice the exact same frustration as you Jayhawk, but you've really listed all my grudges.

In a way, I almost wish I had discovered the series first and then gone through all the books - that's how it happened during season 1, when we watched the whole season in almost one go! Then I went to the book, and kept thinking "wow, this is so much better in the book!", even though there were less changes in the first book/season (but you get a lot closer to some characters, e.g. Bran, and the general lore of Westeros). I would never have had the discipline to wait though, and besides I think I am book lover first and movie lover second.

It looks like with episode 8 they're finally starting to bring back some arcs back in convergence with the books. Some changes will still trigger further changes very far down the line though. I'm curious to see how the Daenerys plot will connect back to what's in the books.

But above all, I'm really anxious to see how well they'll handle the next episode. This one has the potential to make or break the season I reckon...

Yep, noticed that too. But that just makes the changes that much weirder.

My guess is they'll pick up the "original" Daenarys story in the House of the Undying, with Drogon setting the mages on fire..or more likely all those Pyatt Pree clones

I did like one change, though. Even though in the books he was "just" Tyrion's bodyguard, making Bronn head of the Gold Cloaks gave him more screen time and more funny dialogue. Bronn is one of my favourite "supporting characters".