So basically what you're saying is any intimate conversation/things that aren't said in front of a group of people that we see in the show just isn't in the book?
essentially, yes It was “written” by an archmaester who died during King Robert’s reign. He used accounts from a maester, a septon, and a court jester from the the time of the civil war Only conversations directly heard by either of those sources are in the book. Anything private, or anything a character does on their own is not there. Here’s an example of how the book is not a reliable narrator between any of them
The book is written like a history book so none of that stuff is in there. It’s why the show is fun for people who read the book. There’s a lot in the show that wasn’t in the book that answers a lot of theories and questions.
Well they get to go to Martin get told what was actually true. Basically like the segment posted above is all the people the author used for sources we see which account was actually right and we get the secret dialogues between characters that those sources never knew about
I rewatched it last and this is mostly where I'm at. Other than the end montage it did not feel like a finale and I was definitely expecting a battle – especially since the writers alluded to it – and was somewhat disappointed that we didn't get that. That being said, I thought the Rhaenyra/Alicent and Rhaenyra/Daemon scenes were both outstanding. I disagree with the notion that we're in the exact same place we were at the end of season one. Yeah the main war has yet to really take off but the players and dragon math are drastically different than where we had been before. If shit doesn't really get moving quickly at the start of season three then that will be concerning.
So is it fair to say the next two episodes were probably originally slated to be the real last two episodes of S2? Because that would make this “finale” make a lot more sense.
We probably won't ever know for sure, but that's what makes the most sense. The finale was a great episode 8 of a 10 episode season, it just was a dog shit finale and I just can't see a way that the writers didn't realize that.
I don’t want to let them off the hook that easy. Even if you had to move a big battle to s3 you could’ve actually progressed the storyline much more throughout s2.
My non-book reader opinion is that the story progressed plenty. Yes the war is still looming, but virtually every character is in a much different place than where they were 8 episodes ago.
They spent a lot of time setting up Daemon’s conversion from self-serving to believer in the SOIAF and sworn supporter of the Queen. It turned out to be interesting and obviously is important to how the storyline will progress. The flip side is that the time could have been spent accelerating the pace.
Spoiler: Book stuff The daemon stuff was necessary since they are cutting nettles. They needed a way to fill that nettles plot of getting him to fight. Alys and the visions took that. Rhaena will fill the other nettles plot points with him
The speculation was that the final two episodes were gonna be bangers. And most are reporting that S3 had it's budget cut as well so who knows what will happen.
They keep trying to shoe horn in the long night the prince who was promised and danerys and everything which reminds me every time of how they messed it up in the end so I dunno if its a good strategy Other than that I like the Queen of the north redux scene part 3. Also liked the armies marching the banners and the houses specific songs playing. Showed you the massive scale
I read it, I think GRRM's concerns are overblow (of course) If you're a TV Show only person do not read George's critique
He's spot on about Helaena tho. Plus seems like he warning us of future changes. The show is slowly going the way of GoT. He's criticizing more and so are some of the fans. I realize changes have to be made and GRRM realizes it too. We'll see if the people making decisions keep insisting on the changes and ruin their cash cow again.
I'm a show only watcher so only read the first part about the sophies choice thing and it makes absolutely no sense to change that. It makes her seem like a weaker character and I definitely agree makes the scene less impactful. Really don't understand the show runners decision making there which inspires less confidence in other decisions. The nonsense secret meetings between Alicent and Rhaenerya show that even moreso. Seems like George is getting the shit end of the stick when it comes to the people adapating his show. Shoulda asked for full creative control
I’m sure his agent getting notified of potential breach of contract consequences had much to do with this.