Ahem...about the Spike comics...

Well, I caved. Want the long story or the short one? Short one? Too bad, you are getting the long one. It was a beautiful day. Crystal clear. Perfect temp. I took a walk on the promenade, then decided to pop into my local comic book store one last time and check to see if they had the Brian Lynch final Spike series comics in stock - I'm missing the last three issues of the final run. And since no one on my flist has been kind enough to recap them for me, I don't know what happened in the story. Guessing people lost interest? I'm admittedly weird about stories, doesn't matter how bad it is - I have to know the ending. Why do you think I stuck with Buffy s8 as long as I did? (As an aside, the Spike comics are admittedly much more entertaining and satisfying than the Buffy ones - ending wise. It probably helps that I actually agree with the final message and like it as opposed to feeling incredibly offended by it. No bigger turn-off than being offended by the story.) While I was there, a guy came in with his mom to ask what he should do with his 250 comic books. Being in a somewhat similar boat myself, this perked my interest.

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Game of Thrones - Episode 4 -Quick Impressions

I continue to be blown away by the intricacy of this adaptation. And how well they are compressing the detailed multiple narratives of the books. But I feel an overwhelming desire to warn people that if you have serious issues with violent character deaths? You might want to stop now. George RR Martin makes Joss Whedon, JJ Abrahams and Kevin Williamson look like wimps when it comes to torturing and killing characters. I'm guessing from interviews and from reading the books, as well as watching the series - that Martin was a bit fed up with the romanticization and glamorization of the medieval period in fantasy novels. Knight's were chivarlous. Jousting cool. Etc. When in reality this time period as it exists both in fantasy novels and in reality - was brutal. They didn't call it the dark ages for nothing. Men ruled, women fought for survival. Because power was based purely on physical prowess and cunning. Martin also commented very heavily on the "code of honor" or the concept of honor found in Arthurian legends. The whole idea that killing in any form was honorable. The story is a fascinating depiction of what power is and what it does to people...and how one's sense of honor and moral code can get corrupted. Particularly those who believe they are right. I see things here that I didn't realize in the books...maybe because the books are so dense.

It is hard talking about this, because I am so spoiled - and part of me really wishes I wasn't. Trust me when I tell you that every single character in this story has a completely amazing and unpredictable arc. This is the most character driven fantasy novel series that I've ever read.

( spoilers for the TV Series only )

[There may be Book spoilers in the comments but we are being incredibly vague.]