More than I can say! My biggest sorrow at this moment: George R.R. Martin writes as if his hand were propelled by snails. I know, we just had
Dragons last summer, but I want more NOW, NOW, NOW.
ahhh yes, Im looking forward to it, although Im still upset way back from season one that Ned is Dead
You know, as many people as we've believed dead . . . who turned out NOT to be dead . . . I wouldn't be overly surprised to see dear old Ned show up again! Okay, not seriously. I mean, beheaded is beheaded, but how many characters have we
believed dead who weren't really dead? If you're reading the books (not just watching the movies), I believe we're somewhere around ten -- every one of them a main character.
Spoilers ahead:
Bran and Rickon, Theon who turned up as Reek, Catlyn, Brienne (I'm assuming when they hung her we were supposed to assume she was dead), everyone believes Arya to be dead, The Lightning Lord (and several others of his band), Sandor Clegane, The Mountain Who Rides (I don't know whose head they sent to Dorn, but I think we all know who Sir Robert who doesn't speak really is), Cold Hands (though I have doubts about his true identity), Prince Aegeon, and I'm sure Jon Snow isn't dead. I'm sure I left out someone. The point: In Game of Thrones, dead doesn't always mean dead!
I'm excited!! Hard to pick a favorite, but I like Sansa and Brienne of Tarth a lot for females, both in the books and on-screen. I think they are very realistic and sympathetic characters. I like Dany on the show. In the books I think she's spoiled and almost as bad as her brother with that "I am the dragon" stuff.
I've always liked Robb and the actor they chose really exudes the kind of charisma Robb would need to pull off the King in the North.
Theon is um.. not my fave, but he's probably one of the most compelling characters and Alfie Allen is fantastic in that role.
I guess my top favorite would be Tyrion. He is definitely the smartest and the funniest. I also think he has better intentions than many of the characters.
I love ALL the characters, but I have to say that Dani is my least favorite. I agree that she has quite the 'tude about her birthline, BUT she does seem to pull it off pretty well -- and she's growing more mature. Remember, she was only 14 when she married Khal Drogar (spelling?) and became his Khalessi, a title which means as much to her as her dragons. Also, she did sit in a fire all night and give birth to three dragons.
One could argue that it's not braggin' if you can back it up.
LOVED Robb -- so his father's son, and the actor who plays him portrays him so well: Too young to do the job he's doing, but trying so hard and succeeding against all odds.
Theon -- I agree that the actor is really bringing life to Theon, who didn't really grab me in the books. I can't wait to see how they handle the things that come for him in the later books. I do not like his sister; I know she's not supposed to be a likeable girl, but I liked her better in the books.
Tyrion -- Oh, yes! I alternated between loving and hating him in the books, but in the movie he absolutely steals the show! The actor Peter _____? is superb. Tyrion is the best and the worst of the Lanisters! He's absolutely the smartest, and he can be so cruel -- but he's also a victim and such a sympathetic character. I loved the scenes between him and Bron.
Must mention Jamie and Jon. Wonderful, both of them!
I have to say, though, I don't love the female actors as much. The one who plays Cersie . . . I liked her -- or, loved to hate her -- more in the book. I do not care for Marjorie either -- 'specially when she wears that dress that makes her shoulders look weird. The female character I like best is Arya. The actress was very well chosen, and it's hard to believe such a young girl is playing this part so well! And I do love Catlyn; she looks exactly as I pictured her, and she is so single-mindedly a mother. Oh, another female actor whom I really like: Osha. I suspect she's going to feature more importantly when the next book comes out; I mean, we have a hint that Lord Manderly knows where Osha and Rickon are hiding.
We haven't read the books yet. I might wait b/c I don't want to have any "spoilers" given away.
So, what takes does everyone have on who they think will sit upon the throne? I personally cannot stand Joffrey and am so looking forward to the day he is dethroned! So I would like to see King Robert's son (the one in hiding with Arya) and Khalisee. For some reason I can see those two as ruling together compared to anyone else.
Joffrey is absolutely a butt-nugget, but look who raised him! How could he be otherwise? The actor who plays him is amazing. It's hard to remember that he's only a child himself!
Who's going to sit on the throne at the end? My opinion, spoilers ahead:
The dragon has three heads -- that's been emphasized over and over and over. Somehow three people will rule together: Dani, her not-really-dead nephew Aegeon (spelling?) and Jon Snow. How does Jon fit in with the Targaryens? He's not really Ned Stark's son; rather, he's the son of Ned's deceased sister Lyanna and Prince Aegeon. Yes, I know this is a big assumption, and I won't ask you to swallot it without evidence: He promised something BIG, something life-altering to his sister /it was connected to a bed of blood and blue winter roses (Prince A. gave winter roses to her when he crowned her queen of love and beauty at the tourney at Harrenhall). We know that Prince A. kidnapped Lyanna for a while, but I don't think she minded being his captive. I'm sure she died giving birth to Jon. It was very difficult for Ned to keep the promise because of Catlyn (who hated Jon because he was a constant reminder that her husband had cheated on her). Robert B. was crazy about Lyanna . . . but we have no evidence that she wanted him in the least. I'm SURE about Jon!
Actually the show hasn't taken much in the way of liberties with the story. Only a little here and there.
I must disagree! So many differences -- characters left out, plot points completely invented or changed. What makes a good book doesn't always make a good movie. It's just a fact.