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[Cornballer]

Brief announcement: This is the "no book spoilers" version of the Game of Thrones thread. If you want to talk about what happens in the books, please use the other GoT thread (mark your spoilers) or the Dance with Dragons thread (spoilers unmarked). Let's keep this thread spoiler free for the viewers that haven't read the books yet. Spoiler rules are listed in the second post of this thread - please read them. Thank you.

MOD UPDATE

WE WILL NOW PRETEND THE BOOK DOES NOT EXIST.

If you mention the book in any capacity, it is a 3 day ban. Recurring occasions of this will result in more severe bans until eventually you'll be removed from all Song of Ice and Fire discussion.

This is literal in interpretation. that means the only thing allowed to be mentioned about the book is the fact that they share a title, GAME OF THRONES.

This will remain in effect for any future No book spoiler Game of Thrones TV thread.

Good luck for those of you wanting to discover the back story 'cause it just got a lot more dangerous.

Game of Thrones is an upcoming television series on HBO based on the best selling A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. Game of Thrones is an epic, high fantasy series about the fight for control of Westeros which was inspired by The War of the Roses in medieval Europe. Though it's been labeled as fantasy, Game of Thrones is more about the struggle for power and family dynamics than it is about typical fantasy tropes like magic and elves. As co-producer and writer David Benioff put it: “If you have to just pick one word to describe it, it’s the word ‘power’ and how it affects those who are pursuing it, and how those who already have it try to retain it, and how those who are caught in the crossfire between the two are mutilated in the process.” In addition to complex characters living in a well thought out and developed world, the story boasts plenty of violence, sex, and other adult oriented content.

The series premieres Sunday, April 17th at 9pm on HBO. The 10 episode Season 1 will cover the events of "A Game of Thrones", the first book in the ASoIaF series. HBO is planning to shoot a season for each book in the series. At the moment, GRRM is working on the fifth book in a projected seven book series. The budget for the series was estimated at somewhere around $60 million.

HBO's Press Release on Game of Thrones:

In a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime, trouble is brewing. From the scheming south and the savage eastern lands, to the frozen north and the ancient Wall that protects the realm from the darkness beyond, two powerful families are engaged in a deadly cat-and-mouse game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.

As betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdoms, their bloody struggle for the Iron Throne will have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences.

Cast: The cast of Season 1 will have at least one hundred named characters. These are the eighteen actors and actresses labeled recurring cast members by HBO listed in alphabetical order. There are a lot of other important characters, but I didn't think it was worth it to include the other 80+ here. If you'd like to dig into who's playing what roles, check out WiC.net's full cast list & photos. Also, HBO have a cast page with pictures and bios of the main players.

Crew: HBO has assembled a considerable amount of talent to put together Game of Thrones. David Benioff (The 25th Hour) and D.B. Weiss (Lucky Wander Boy) head up the writing staff. Other episode writers include Jane Espenson, Bryan Cogman, and George RR Martin. Brian Kirk (Boardwalk Empire) is serving as the series director along with a number of other experienced directors like Timothy Van Patten (The Wire, Rome), Daniel Minahan, and Alan Taylor. Check out WiC's crew page for details on other crew members.

HBO have released an astonishing number of videos relating to the series. This includes trailers, sneak peek scenes, and introductions to the characters. There are a few spoilers within these videos, so watch at your own risk. Please use spoiler tags if you'd like to discuss the content. WiC.net also has a video gallery.

15-minute Sneak Peek at the series

- HBO put up a 720p copy of the first 15-minutes of the show on youtube

30-minute Making Game of Thrones feature from HBO

- 720p copy on youtube

Promos and Trailers:

- "Power"

- "Fear and Blood"

- "The Game Begins"

- "Iron Throne"

- "Iron Throne" (extended)

Scenes from the upcoming series from Maester's Path rewards:

- Jon, Arya

- Catelyn, Rodrik, Tyrion

- Maester Aemon, Tyrion, Mormont

- Dany, Jorah

- Robert, Ned

The Houses:

- House of Stark Feature

- Jon Snow

- Sansa Stark

- Bran Stark

- Catelyn Stark

- Arya Stark

- Ned Stark

- Robb Stark

- House of Lannister Feature

- Extended Houses Lannister and Baratheon feature (9 min)

- Robert Baratheon

- Cersei Lannister

- Tyrion Lannister

- Jaime Lannister

- House of Baratheon Feature

- House of Targaryen Feature

- Viserys Targaryen

- Daenerys Targaryen

- Khal Drogo

- Other Characters

- Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish

Additional Behind the Scenes Videos:

- Craft: Weapons

- Invitation To Westeros

- Game of Thrones: On Location (Invitation to Westeros extended)

- Inside Game Of Thrones

- Game Of Thrones: In Production

The Artisans: (The crew and cast discuss their role in the series)

- Costumes feature *longer version*

- The Props: Gordon Fitzgerald

- Game of Thrones Craft: Set, Costumes, Hair, and Makeup

- Supervising art director Paul Inglis

- Maisie Williams (Arya)

- Fight coordinator Buster Reeves

- Costume Armor Supervisor Simon Brindle

- GOT's weapons master Tommy Dunne

- Set decorator Richard Roberts

- Costume designer Michele Clapton

- Production designer Gemma Jackson #2

- Production designer Gemma Jackson #2

 

[Cornballer]

- Sunday, April 17th @ 9PM ET - Series Premiere/Episode 1: Winter Is Coming (65min timeslot, two reruns immediately after)

Spoiler

A Night's Watch deserter is tracked down; Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark learns that his mentor has died; Viserys Targaryen plots to win back the throne; Robert arrives at Winterfell with his family; Ned prepares to leave for King's Landing.

Additional episode titles and tentative dates:

4/24 - Episode 102: The Kingsroad

5/1 - Episode 103: Lord Snow

5/8 - Episode 104: Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things

5/15 - Episode 105: The Wolf and the Lion

5/22 - Episode 106: A Golden Crown

5/29 - Episode 107: You Win or You Die

6/5 - Episode 108: The Pointy End

6/12 - Episode 109: Baelor

6/19 - Episode 110: Fire and Blood

- Winter-is-Coming.net (aka WiC, the most up-to-date source for news about the series.)

- WiC's Cast page

- WiC's Crew page

- WiC's FAQ page

- Tower of the Hand (Chapter summaries, news, forums, and other information)

- Tower of the Hand Locations Gallery

- Westeros.org (Fan site with forums, discussion, and lots of other information

- HBO's official site for Game of Thrones

- Making Game of Thrones (HBO's official production blog)

- HBO's Twitter account for GoT

- Wikipedia entry for A Song of Ice and Fire *spoilers*

- Official pronunciation guide

- LA Times "Cheat Sheet" introduction to the show

- Maps of the kingdom

This is the no book spoilers thread for Game of Thrones. Usual television thread guidelines apply here:
1) Spoiler tag any information that hasn't aired yet. This includes discussion of promos, online articles, and other videos.
2) Once something airs in the US on the East Coast, it's fair game. Feel free to discuss anything that has aired without using spoiler tags.

In addition, please do not spoil anything based on what you know from the books, even if you plan on using spoiler tags. This includes hinting at and alluding to things. Those of us that have read the books have a lot of other threads where we can post. Let's be respectful and keep this thread spoiler free for those that haven't read the series.

- HBO to make A Song of Ice and Fire series!!! (The original HBO thread charting the progress of the series from when it was announced in January 2007.)

- "Dance with Dragons" publication date revealed!!! [aSoIaF unmarked spoilers] (Discussion of the upcoming 5th book in the series. Lots of spoilers!)

- Game of Thrones Reread thread (GAF rereads A Game of Thrones together.)

- OK nerds, you win. Song of Ice and Fire is gud. (A general thread for discussing the series. Some spoilers are marked, some aren't.)

Promo Images:
Here are a few promo images of the recurring cast. Click 'em for the bigger version. Head over to WiC's full gallery for a whole lot more.

- Link to WiC image gallery

Landscape photos:

Posters: (click to embiggen)




Maps:
Here are a few different maps of Westeros. They all have a slightly different flavor (topographic, political, general.)

- Tim Goodman @ The Hollywood Reporter

It’s difficult to single out the most accomplished parts of Thrones. The ambition is immense, the fantasy world exceptionally well-conceived, the writing and acting elevating the entire series beyond contemporaries like The Borgias and Camelot, and the visual appeal continues to surprise with each episode. What we have here is the successful pairing of an acclaimed collection of fantasy books with a television series that illuminates and expands what’s on the page. Worth the wait? Absolutely. And even if you have no idea what all the fuss is about, you should get in from the start to absorb Martin’s fantastical tale.

- Televisionary: Where Wolves Prey: An Advance Review of HBO's Unforgettable Game of Thrones *spoilers*

I'm anxious to watch them again and again, to fall once more under their spell, to get caught up in the deft plotting and lose myself in the staggering and beautifully realized world that the production team has brought to life. This is the type of series that comes around but once in a lifetime, a groundbreaking and absorbing drama that is utterly unlike anything else on television today. Miss this impressive and stirring drama at your own peril.

- Variety's Brian Lowry:

Although "Mad Men's" Don Draper partially scratched the itch, premium TV has been actively seeking its next Tony Soprano. While Showtime's medieval "The Borgias" directly promoted that analogy, HBO comes much closer with "Game of Thrones," which reaches even farther afield -- to Westeros, a mythical land of seven kingdoms where dragons once lived -- to deliver a mob boss (OK, king) beset by plotting, intrigue and fractious families on all sides. Massive in scope and cinematic in detail, this dense piece of storytelling should resonate beyond just fans of George R.R. Martin's novels, providing HBO its own formidable seat of power.

- Memles: A Televisual Love Letter: Reveling in HBO’s Game of Thrones *spoilers*

I had a hell of a great time watching the first six episodes of Game of Thrones. There were cheers, there were jeers, and there was a sense of anticipation which almost made me forget that I knew what I was anticipating. It is not a perfect show, but the convergence of great television and great source material made for a truly spectacular viewing experience that I think everyone should consider engaging with in two weeks.

- Den of Geek Review

The opening episode provides a confident, gripping entry point to what could have been a bewilderingly expansive saga. Game Of Thrones' canvas is enormous and continent spanning, but the superb cast keep the human element of the story front and centre. If Game Of Thrones can continue along at a pace as brisk and exciting as this, then the series has a bright future ahead of it.

- Winter is Coming: First impressions of Game of Thrones *spoilers*

My first thought, as I tweeted, was they actually did it. They made A Song of Ice and Fire into a TV series. I was literally smiling throughout much of the episode, because it was so amazing to see the books come to life on screen. I’ve waited two and half years for this moment, hoping the show would be as good as I know it could be. And it is!

- Metacritic page for the show

1) Game of Thrones is an upcoming television show based on George RR Martin's epic, high fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire.
2) It premieres on Sunday, April 17th at 9pm on HBO.
3) Watch this trailer.


Thanks:

- WiC.net for their help

- Westeros.org for the heraldry

Please let me know if there are any errors or bad links in the OP, and I'll be happy to correct them.

 

[Hot Coldman]

It's also on Sky Atlantic the next day in the UK, I believe.

 

[Cornballer]

It's also on Sky Atlantic the next day in the UK, I believe.

Winter Is Coming put up a full list of international air dates here.

 

[Hot Coldman]

Winter Is Coming put up a full list of international air dates here.

Yep, April 18 on Sky Atlantic in UK/Ireland. Can't wait, that 15-minute preview sold me 10 times over.

 

[calza]

This looks amazing, never read the books but I have been wanting to for a while now because of gaf.

In terms of lore is this similar to LOTR? I am getting that kind of feeling, is there a lot of detail into what has already happening in the world before this takes place?

 

[bengraven]

This looks amazing, never read the books but I have been wanting to for a while now because of gaf.

In terms of lore is this similar to LOTR? I am getting that kind of feeling, is there a lot of detail into what has already happening in the world before this takes place?

If you mean several different species, a deep rich history, unique languages: no, not really.

Really the only sometimes confusing detail is the genealogies of the different houses. Other than that, George just makes it up as he goes along. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of history, but it's not as in depth: George doesn't have a massive bible like Tolkien. It's been said that Middle-Earth itself is a character in the LOTR movies. That doesn't apply here.

It's more about the characters and their struggles than the world.



However, if you are looking for depth and lore, it's there. There are probably three major moments of history in the timeline: 15 years before the series, 100 years before the series and a thousand or so years before the story. If you care about history, it's fairly easy to get into them because most of the past events take place in one of those three time periods.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

Spoiler

SO EXCITED!

I am happy my mother, who has ignored my requests to read this series for years, finally has an avenue to enjoy the series. She loves almost everything HBO.

 

[dekjo]

Aren't the Hedge Knight books before the series? And what about the Dunk stories? Not quiet the same level of lore from LOTR, but gives some insight into the world outside of the main storyline.

 

[CF_Fighter]

Does HBO put the episodes up on iTunes after they air, or will I have to wait for the entire season release?

I'm reading "A Game of Thrones" right now and am very excited to see it realized.

 

[dekjo]

They seem to wait until the entire season is over. And even then, it seems to take a while to get to iTunes/Amazon. Boardwalk Empire ended months ago (maybe last year even) and it still isn't up on either service last I checked.

 

[Discotheque]

Spoiler

SO EXCITED!

I am happy my mother, who has ignored my requests to read this series for years, finally has an avenue to enjoy the series. She loves almost everything HBO.

I once saw an episode of Boardwalk Empire with my 'ma. Dem titties....I was embarassed and subsequently watched the rest of them on my own time.

I did the same for Spartacus (again...titties)

and Sopranos (this wasn't too bad, but then when we entered a stripclub)

I'm not gonna take my chances anymore. I'll watch this downstairs...

 

[xxracerxx]

I once saw an episode of Boardwalk Empire with my 'ma. Dem titties....I was embarassed and subsequently watched the rest of them on my own time.

I did the same for Spartacus (again...titties)

and Sopranos (this wasn't too bad, but then when we entered a stripclub)

I'm not gonna take my chances anymore. I'll watch this downstairs...

May I ask how old you are? Why are you embarrassed? I mean I would understand if you are under the age of 16 but not older.

 

[dekjo]

May I ask how old you are? Why are you embarrassed? I mean I would understand if you are under the age of 16 but not older.

Probably because it's his mom. I don't like watching sex scenes even if they have no explicit nudity with my parents around. And I'm old!

Spoiler

But the family is extremely Mormon, so that may be part of it.

 

[Amir0x]

Thank you Cornballer.

So from here on out, no more people are allowed to bitch about the spoilers in the other topic. If you do, it's tantamount to topic bitching and will warrant a ban.

Enjoy the show, Song of Ice and Fire newbies. Also, read the goddamn book you illiterate fucks.

 

[Discotheque]

May I ask how old you are? Why are you embarrassed? I mean I would understand if you are under the age of 16 but not older.

Nah my parents aren't super conservative or religious or anything like that. It just feels pretty weird watching stuff like Spartacus with them.

 

[Hot Coldman]

Enjoy the show, Song of Ice and Fire newbies. Also, read the goddamn book you illiterate fucks.

I would if I could FUCKING FIND THE FUCKING THINGS. Seriously. Both my local WHSmiths and library are lacking them.

Spoiler

Screw online ordering

 

[Amir0x]

Nah my parents aren't super conservative or religious or anything like that. It just feels pretty weird watching stuff like Spartacus with them.

Yeah Spartacus is basically softcore porn. No way would I watch that shit with my parents and I'm 26. They are religious though.

 

[Subitai]

I won't post much in this thread, but I'll definitely be lurking a bunch to see what non-readers think.

 

[sprsk]

I've started reading the book, and I kind of almost wish I hadn't as now I'm starting to see spoilers everywhere I look.

Loving the book though, either way, can't wait for this to start.

 

[bengraven]

Aren't the Hedge Knight books before the series? And what about the Dunk stories? Not quiet the same level of lore from LOTR, but gives some insight into the world outside of the main storyline.

Like I said, there are a few events in the past that are important, but not the long timelines that Tolkien wrote. We can talk about them in the Dance thread if you want.

 

[Liquid Helium]

I have been abstaining from reading the books because of this TV series, although if the first season is good I doubt I will have the strength to just read them all while waiting for seaon 2.

 

[jett]

I just finished reading the book for the first time, so I've been watching all the video features to see how the show compares to my imagination.

Other than pretty much everyone being way too fucking old, it looks about right.

I'd suggest to anyone interested in the series to read the book ASAP. It's an amazing read.

 

[KingK]

Also, read the goddamn book you illiterate fucks.

Started reading A Game of Thrones tonight
I also don't have HBO, so maybe by the time I finish the books, it will be out on Blu-ray lol

 

[Mashing]

The books are one of the first books I'm going to purchase when I get a Kindle (assuming of course that they are available).

 

[CF_Fighter]

The books are one of the first books I'm going to purchase when I get a Kindle (assuming of course that they are available).

They are available, that's what I'm reading the book on. Reviews on Amazon say it is horribly edited, but I'm not coming across anything. I'm only like 6 chapters in though.

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Would it be a spoiler if i told everyone The Wizard did it. People who haven't read the books need to know or none of the show would make any sense.

 

[Cornballer]

A couple news items from yesterday:

- New trailer "Poison"

- Variety's Brian Lowry reviews the show: *some minor spoilers*

Although "Mad Men's" Don Draper partially scratched the itch, premium TV has been actively seeking its next Tony Soprano. While Showtime's medieval "The Borgias" directly promoted that analogy, HBO comes much closer with "Game of Thrones," which reaches even farther afield -- to Westeros, a mythical land of seven kingdoms where dragons once lived -- to deliver a mob boss (OK, king) beset by plotting, intrigue and fractious families on all sides. Massive in scope and cinematic in detail, this dense piece of storytelling should resonate beyond just fans of George R.R. Martin's novels, providing HBO its own formidable seat of power.

 

[Chesskid1]

OK to watch with my dad & sister?

 

[jett]

OK to watch with my dad & sister?

Knowing HBO, they're gonna play up all the sex scenes from the book. Maybe that's okay for you to watch with your family, I don't know.

 

[Scribble]

Yeah, I don't mind watching sex scenes with my mother. The first time is a bit awkward, but then you get used to it.

 

[Snake]

Subscribed!

I didn't complain in the other topic, but I'm very glad for the non-spoiler alternative.

 

[Cornballer]

A few reviews from some of usual critics. Some *minor spoilers* in all of these, so read at your own risk:

- Sepinwall Review: HBO's 'Game of Thrones' an epic, mature, well-crafted fantasy series

It's far too early to say whether "Game of Thrones" will ultimately belong in the HBO pantheon, but it has so many things in common with those shows.

Like the best of the HBO dramas, "Game of Thrones" has more on its mind than telling a good story within its chosen genre. In its alternate take on English history, it has a lot to say about the appeal and danger of power, about the never-ending tensions between economic and military forces, and the similarly eternal clash between idealism and pragmatism.

There's so much going on in this series - so many people and places and rules to learn - that I feared I would be completely lost without the books as a roadmap. But as with the cream of the HBO crop, "Game of Thrones" deposits me in a world I never expected to visit and doesn't leave me feeling stranded and adrift, but eager to immerse myself in the local culture.

- Maureen Ryan's Review: With 'Game of Thrones,' HBO Attempts to Live the Fantasy

At this point, if you've gotten this far, you're probably wondering whether you should watch this show or not. Yes, you should watch it. You'll know within the first few episodes whether it's for you, and if you stick with the drama through the middle of the season, you may find the tale growing on you.

At this stage, 'Game of Thrones' is not everything it could be, and if there are future seasons, the producers will have to be much more bold if they don't want their version of Martin's ever-expanding tale to become unwieldy, but there are several things to recommend HBO's rendition of the story, most notably the cast and many of the visuals. If nothing else, it's going to look great in HDTV.

- Ken Tucker's review for EW.com

You may find yourself beginning Game of Thrones and getting lost in its thicket of who’s related to whom and remembering what grudge one clan holds against another, but I implore you: Stick with it. Free your eyes to take in the spectacle, and your brain will magically start following the intricate storytelling. And there’s a magical realism to Game of Thrones. A-

 

[Mumei]

Found another really good and really detailed map.

http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Graphics/Gallery/Maps/Westeros_02.jpg

 

[bengraven]

Found another really good and really detailed map.

http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Graphics/Gallery/Maps/Westeros_02.jpg

That's the very best map I've seen so far. Congrats, it has ALL the little settlements on it.

 

[Xamdou]

So this premieres this Sunday 9:00pm Eastern time and it will air three times that night?

 

[Yaweee]

They are available, that's what I'm reading the book on. Reviews on Amazon say it is horribly edited, but I'm not coming across anything. I'm only like 6 chapters in though.

Those reviews were with regards to the kindle version of the box set (viewed as one giant book with a piss poor index), but I believe I read that they fixed that post-release.

 

[Subitai]

I don't know if Corn has linked this already, but I found this was the best reference for total noobs. It covers things besides maps and family trees, but is completely spoiler free.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-04-13/game-of-thrones-for-dummies/

 

[Tapiozona]

Not sure how many cable providers are offering this right now. Maybe it's all, maybe it's just mine but HBO is offering a free weekend meaning you get to watch Game of Thrones first episode tonight even if you don't subscribe.

Would seem this promotion applies to most markets if they're trying to drive up viewership so check your local HBO channel and see if you get the freebie.

Otherwise, Phoenix GAF with cox cable, enjoy.

 

[_Isaac]

Yep. I have Dish Network in Bakersfield, California, and we're getting a free HBO weekend as well.

 

[Arment]

Hadn't seen the episode titles yet. It's going to be a hard wait each week.

 

[Clevinger]

can't wait

 

[How About No]

OMG OMG

Is there a higher-quality version of that terrain map?

 

[GarthVaderUK]

Subscribed.

Really looking forward to this! They filmed some of it down the road from me

 

[-Mikey-]

I was born for this.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

Alright. Tonight is the night. I finally found a decent looking Starfall avatar. Ready to go. Will share thoughts in this thread to get some perspective from new viewers who are avoiding the spoilers thread.

 

[tekumseh]

I have to say, between this, The Borgias, Camelot, and The Killing, not to mention the Dodgers season, I need a few more hours a week to just watch TV...

 

[GarthVaderUK]

I have to say, between this, The Borgias, Camelot, and The Killing, not to mention the Dodgers season, I need a few more hours a week to just watch TV...

I'd ditch Camelot

 

[Jme]

Never heard of the book, or the show. But given HBO's track record for original series, I went ahead and set the DVR. Going in blind other than that first brief PR synopsis - we'll see how this turns out.

 

[Telosfortelos]

OMG OMG

Is there a higher-quality version of that terrain map?

I would also like this. I did patch together a high quality map from one of the HBO websites and even made some HD wallpapers out of it. Links were posted in the other thread, if you're curious:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=27173826&postcount=2435

Full PNG here:
http://sites.google.com/site/telosfortelos/westeros-maps/Westeros.png?attredirects=0&d=1

And I created three 1920x1080 maps for backgrounds, one for North, South, and Central Westeros:
http://sites.google.com/site/telosfortelos/westeros-maps/Westeros-North.png
http://sites.google.com/site/telosfortelos/westeros-maps/Westeros-Central.png
http://sites.google.com/site/telosfortelos/westeros-maps/Westeros-South.png

I haven't used google sites to host before, but it seems to be working fine for now at least.

Edit: One more of the Far North:
http://sites.google.com/site/telosfortelos/westeros-maps/Westeros-FarNorth.png
I couldn't edit at the boat in the bottom right without making it look like crap, but here it is anyway.