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Jun. 5th, 2012 10:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat1. Reading a rather interesting historical romance at the moment, entitled The Madness of Lord Ian McKenszie by Jennifer Ashely - it's a gothic romance, the old style (no paranormal stuff). Takes place in the 1880s. The Hero has undiagnosed Ausperger's syndrom, which they didn't know existed back then. People with Autism or Ausperger's were treated as if they were mad and tortured. The Hero's brother let him out of the asylum some time ago. The heroine is a Vicar's Widow, who has come into some money via being a paid lady's companion, and came from the workhouse. Not your standard run-of-the-mill historical, plus detailed sex scenes...which are okay. Sex scenes are admittedly difficult to write. I found the character's thoughts about having sex with each other, and their profound desire for each other...far more erotic actually. UST always is. It is rather unconventional actually.
At any rate, the books are doing a very good job of relaxing me...
2. Watched the Season Final of Game of Thrones - which in some respects I actually liked better than S1, I may be in the minority on that score. As much as I adore Scean Bean as an actor, and I truly do, I do not find Ned Stark interesting. He's likable enough, but somewhat dull as a character.
It was, granted, far more scattered. At times you felt like you were watching eight different medieval fantasy series at the same time. But that worked for me.
The finale worked for me too...better than I expected. They changed a few things from the books, which I was relieved by.
*Was rather relieved that they chose not to slice off Tyrion's nose. It is sliced off in the books. George RR Martin as you will soon discover, likes to cut off his characters appendages, and maim them in various ways. Have to admit - it would be a bit difficult to do a convincing makeup job, plus poor Peter Dinklage has to be able to breath. Slicing off a major character's nose is all well and good in a novel but on tv it can be a bit on the dicey side of the fence. From a personal standpoint? I'm just happy I don't have to watch a noseless character on screen, because eww.
*Dany's arc was less confusing on-screen. We had a prophecy in the book. Here they handled that with images...the choice she makes, the Iron Throne, the child and Khal Drago, or her dragons...she chooses her dragons and her power. Note - both the Iron Throne and Khal Drago and her child are in Winter, one in the lands beyond the gate, and the other in a snow drenched King's Landing. The undying...like like minature nostefretus...just saying.
Anyhow...I rather liked that sequence, completely forgot most of it. King of Quarth and her traitorous handmaiden being sealed inside the Quarth King's empty safe...was a nice touch.
* Varys discussions with Roz and Tyrion were interesting. Tyrion should have taken off with Shae. But he chose power or the potential for power over love and safety. Tyrion is not a coward. He has been tossed aside however. And Varys...makes it clear to both Roz and Tyrion that he makes a good ally.
* Not to be outdone...LittleFinger is going after Sansa, who has been tossed aside by
Joffrey or rather Joffrey's advisors - to Sansa's considerable relief. Well considerable relief until the ever helpful Little Finger decides to commiserate with her and informs her that now, instead of Joffrey's bride, she'll be considered his plaything (which is admittedly much worse.). Joffrey has decided to marry Margarey Tyrell...who is a Cersei in training. Remember all Margarey wants is to be The Queen.
* Meanwhile...Tywin is made hand of the king. No surprise there. Did feel sorry for Tyrion though. And Shae. Rather like Shae in the tv series, she annoyed the heck out of me in the books. And to show his gratitude, Tywin lets his house defecate on the doorstep to the throne room.
* Jon Snow proves his worth by killing one of his brothers (which if I remember correctly was a bigger deal in the books?) Jon Snow and Jamie Lannister's stories worked better in the books. Here they feel a bit muddled as if the writers don't quite have a handle on either character...? Anyhow, I adore Igritte and Jon's relationship quite a bit.
* Osha...was different in the books too. They've made her a wildling in the series, in the books she was one of the green tree people of the swamplands. At any rate...she had to kill Master LLuweylin...who tells them that Theon's group burned Winterfell to the ground.
The poor Master tried to save Theon...but as Theon stated it was far too late for that.
* Odd, here I actually feel sorry for Theon...I didn't in the books. He was whinier in the books. The actor is quite good in this role. He's countrymen, the Iron Born, clearly don't like him much. He should have gone home with his sister.
* Robb's story is also different from the books. He's actually more sympathetic in the books, as is the love story...he falls in love with one of the Lannister's bondsmen's daughter's who is his captive in a Castle they capture. He was wounded. She nurses him back to health. In a weak moment they exchange bodily fluids or boink. Honorable man that he is, he marries her. Here? He falls for a captive nurse...and marries her. Probably doesn't matter, Catelynne is correct - he's dishonored the Frey's by his actions.
Robb counters that his father, the ever honorable and wise Ned is gone, and he's left with a reckless parent. (As if Ned wasn't reckless? Honestly. Why do you think you are fighting a war, your sisters are prisoners, your brother's dead, Jon Snow on the Night's Watch and Winterfell burned to the ground? Oh that's right, because Ned was wise and stable. Got it.)
Oh, not to worry Robb, apparently you are more like good old Ned than you think. Which considering how Ned ended up isn't exactly a good thing.
I feel sorry for Catelynne. More so here than the books.
*Ayra's scenes were interesting. I'd forgotten that bit..It's a really important scene by the way. Will come up again later, around the end of the fourth season, I suspect.
Arya...talks to the Faceless Man from Bravos, who tells her she should go with him to Bravos and become part of his order. But she declines...to find her family, to be reunited with them.
*Sam...against the rock, while the wights and walking dead from the North attack the wall.
It was a creepier scene in the first chapter of Storm of Swords...and you didn't find out what happened until 250 pages later. SoS is a very long book. That is the problem with the books...Martin switches pov. Often to one where nothing is happening. It's highly annoying.
* Jamie and Brienne - a scene that tells Jamie and the audience quite a bit about Brienne, enough to root for her. OR as I told the tv, Brienne has managed to impress Jamie - he's rendered speechless. She also makes it clear that she isn't on anyone's side but Lady Catelynn's and her family. She and Catelynn bonded in that tent where they saw Renly killed by the shadowman.
*Stannis finally demonstrates regret for killing his brother, Renly, and obtains my sympathy as a result. Not a likable or sympathetic character in the books - but is one here. Which is a testament to Stephen Dilliane's acting skills. (Say the same about Charles Dance's excellent portrayal of Tywin Lannister). Melissandre is also more likable here than in the books. And creepier.
I love this series. Now do you want to explain to me why GoT was able to hold my attention but the first episode of S2 Sherlock wasn't? I keep trying to watch it, and every time my attention wanders elsewhere.
At any rate, the books are doing a very good job of relaxing me...
2. Watched the Season Final of Game of Thrones - which in some respects I actually liked better than S1, I may be in the minority on that score. As much as I adore Scean Bean as an actor, and I truly do, I do not find Ned Stark interesting. He's likable enough, but somewhat dull as a character.
It was, granted, far more scattered. At times you felt like you were watching eight different medieval fantasy series at the same time. But that worked for me.
The finale worked for me too...better than I expected. They changed a few things from the books, which I was relieved by.
*Was rather relieved that they chose not to slice off Tyrion's nose. It is sliced off in the books. George RR Martin as you will soon discover, likes to cut off his characters appendages, and maim them in various ways. Have to admit - it would be a bit difficult to do a convincing makeup job, plus poor Peter Dinklage has to be able to breath. Slicing off a major character's nose is all well and good in a novel but on tv it can be a bit on the dicey side of the fence. From a personal standpoint? I'm just happy I don't have to watch a noseless character on screen, because eww.
*Dany's arc was less confusing on-screen. We had a prophecy in the book. Here they handled that with images...the choice she makes, the Iron Throne, the child and Khal Drago, or her dragons...she chooses her dragons and her power. Note - both the Iron Throne and Khal Drago and her child are in Winter, one in the lands beyond the gate, and the other in a snow drenched King's Landing. The undying...like like minature nostefretus...just saying.
Anyhow...I rather liked that sequence, completely forgot most of it. King of Quarth and her traitorous handmaiden being sealed inside the Quarth King's empty safe...was a nice touch.
* Varys discussions with Roz and Tyrion were interesting. Tyrion should have taken off with Shae. But he chose power or the potential for power over love and safety. Tyrion is not a coward. He has been tossed aside however. And Varys...makes it clear to both Roz and Tyrion that he makes a good ally.
* Not to be outdone...LittleFinger is going after Sansa, who has been tossed aside by
Joffrey or rather Joffrey's advisors - to Sansa's considerable relief. Well considerable relief until the ever helpful Little Finger decides to commiserate with her and informs her that now, instead of Joffrey's bride, she'll be considered his plaything (which is admittedly much worse.). Joffrey has decided to marry Margarey Tyrell...who is a Cersei in training. Remember all Margarey wants is to be The Queen.
* Meanwhile...Tywin is made hand of the king. No surprise there. Did feel sorry for Tyrion though. And Shae. Rather like Shae in the tv series, she annoyed the heck out of me in the books. And to show his gratitude, Tywin lets his house defecate on the doorstep to the throne room.
* Jon Snow proves his worth by killing one of his brothers (which if I remember correctly was a bigger deal in the books?) Jon Snow and Jamie Lannister's stories worked better in the books. Here they feel a bit muddled as if the writers don't quite have a handle on either character...? Anyhow, I adore Igritte and Jon's relationship quite a bit.
* Osha...was different in the books too. They've made her a wildling in the series, in the books she was one of the green tree people of the swamplands. At any rate...she had to kill Master LLuweylin...who tells them that Theon's group burned Winterfell to the ground.
The poor Master tried to save Theon...but as Theon stated it was far too late for that.
* Odd, here I actually feel sorry for Theon...I didn't in the books. He was whinier in the books. The actor is quite good in this role. He's countrymen, the Iron Born, clearly don't like him much. He should have gone home with his sister.
* Robb's story is also different from the books. He's actually more sympathetic in the books, as is the love story...he falls in love with one of the Lannister's bondsmen's daughter's who is his captive in a Castle they capture. He was wounded. She nurses him back to health. In a weak moment they exchange bodily fluids or boink. Honorable man that he is, he marries her. Here? He falls for a captive nurse...and marries her. Probably doesn't matter, Catelynne is correct - he's dishonored the Frey's by his actions.
Robb counters that his father, the ever honorable and wise Ned is gone, and he's left with a reckless parent. (As if Ned wasn't reckless? Honestly. Why do you think you are fighting a war, your sisters are prisoners, your brother's dead, Jon Snow on the Night's Watch and Winterfell burned to the ground? Oh that's right, because Ned was wise and stable. Got it.)
Oh, not to worry Robb, apparently you are more like good old Ned than you think. Which considering how Ned ended up isn't exactly a good thing.
I feel sorry for Catelynne. More so here than the books.
*Ayra's scenes were interesting. I'd forgotten that bit..It's a really important scene by the way. Will come up again later, around the end of the fourth season, I suspect.
Arya...talks to the Faceless Man from Bravos, who tells her she should go with him to Bravos and become part of his order. But she declines...to find her family, to be reunited with them.
*Sam...against the rock, while the wights and walking dead from the North attack the wall.
It was a creepier scene in the first chapter of Storm of Swords...and you didn't find out what happened until 250 pages later. SoS is a very long book. That is the problem with the books...Martin switches pov. Often to one where nothing is happening. It's highly annoying.
* Jamie and Brienne - a scene that tells Jamie and the audience quite a bit about Brienne, enough to root for her. OR as I told the tv, Brienne has managed to impress Jamie - he's rendered speechless. She also makes it clear that she isn't on anyone's side but Lady Catelynn's and her family. She and Catelynn bonded in that tent where they saw Renly killed by the shadowman.
*Stannis finally demonstrates regret for killing his brother, Renly, and obtains my sympathy as a result. Not a likable or sympathetic character in the books - but is one here. Which is a testament to Stephen Dilliane's acting skills. (Say the same about Charles Dance's excellent portrayal of Tywin Lannister). Melissandre is also more likable here than in the books. And creepier.
I love this series. Now do you want to explain to me why GoT was able to hold my attention but the first episode of S2 Sherlock wasn't? I keep trying to watch it, and every time my attention wanders elsewhere.
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Date: 2012-06-07 09:42 pm (UTC)Not sure I can read that.
The Madness of Lord Ian - is rather interesting. It's a gothic, with a hero who has Asperger's syndrom in the 1800s. He's not mad, but people back then looked at autism and Asperger's as a type of Madness. Humans are rather sadistic in how they treat madness - particularly the behavorists. Ugh. But all of this is thankfully told in flashbacks, so we, the reader, don't have to live through his time in the aslym, that's over ten years in the past. He's 27, and was released from it at the age of 17.