Anyone watch the first episode? Anyone read all of Martin's books? What're your thoughts?

Watched the first ep. Read all the books so far. Loved the books. Love the show so far. I'm so happy to see HBO get it so it doesn't have to be dumbed down or sanitized for network television.

First episode got me hooked. My friends talked up the books, so I picked up Game to read last week, which was awesome. Gonna pick up the other three so I can finish those before the next one comes out.

I agree about HBO getting it. The only thing lost, so far imo, in the translation is the POV perspective the book offers where HBO has to take the overhead top-down approach.

Read the Song of Ice and Fire books three times, and as it looks like the HBO series is as aptly adapted as it possibly could be, I'm already pretty hooked.

Unlike other fantasy works I've been initiated to, GRR Martin's books are gritty, tragic, his characters are driven by ambitions, motives and goals, not stereotypical archetypes or black and white good vs evil concepts... and the "fantasy" elements are seldom used as plot shortcuts or deus ex machinas.

What I'd like to know is how a person who didn't read the books sees the series so far. These first two episodes sees a plethora of characters being introduced, sometimes only as glorified extras atm, so I was wondering if it wasn't all too overwhelming and confusing for the uninitiated.

I mean, we'll end up following many simultaneous storylines and the characters that drive them...
I'd also have a hard time believing the viewer will have as strong an emotional connection to most characters as the reader does for the same characters in book form. That's probably Martin's forte.

That said, I think little Margot Berner is a great fit as Arya, so I suppose viewers will empathize a lot with her character, and there couldn't possibly be a better Tyrion than Peter Dinklage, and several other great casting decisions should give an end result that looks like The Sopranos mixed with the King Arthur...

Read the first three books and stopped. Haven't watched the series, though I don't have HBO. The series is epic in scope, but it's so damn depressing to read. I'm not a big tragedy fan and the books are unrelenting in making all of the characters miserable and tortured.

Boobies!

I'm also liking Sean Bean as Ned Stark and Lena Headey, but I've really got my eyes out for Iain Glen, who's a brilliant actor, IMO. Took me a while to figure out who's who, but nothing IMDB and Wikipedia can't help without revealing too much.

I'll get to the books if I have the time.

Hmmmm. I've been looking for a new series of books to read now that I have every word of every Dune book memorized.

JTF is as good a place as any to get book reviews. See you soon, Barnes and Nobles.

I've wondered how people who haven't read the books are taking the series. I'll be really curious to see how some of the plot twists register on those not familiar with the books.

I've been really enjoying the HBO series, though I find the biggest effect its having on me is making me dust off the books and read them again.

My wife never read the books despite my insistence. She's loving the series so far - absolutely hooked.

It's funny to hear her react during some of the scenes - the closing scene of Ep 1 for instance.

It's also difficult because she wants to know backstories and details that haven't been presented yet.

"Did the Lannisters really send that guy with the dagger?"

"You're asking for an answer to a question that doesn't get answered for three books."

But on the whole, she's really enjoying the series and can't wait for the next episode.

Of course, she seemed worried when I remarked last night, "I think I'd like a direwolf as a pet." I was referring to the dog they're using! But... well, having an actual direwolf around might be okay too.

Am I the only one who found the series far too depressing to keep reading? Every time I found a character I liked, they were either killed, tortured, or emotionally crippled.

(though to be fair, they did that to every character, not just the ones I liked)

I think that's part of what I like about them. Not the depressing aspect but the "anything can happen" aspect.

Although, it's my biggest wonder about the TV series. What happens at the end of the season when you start lopping off major characters that the show has been built around? Will the fans still come back?

And if the show lasts long enough for them to ever get to the Red Wedding? Whew boy. Katie bar the door for that one.

From what I hear its a common complaint. May be the one things that's kept me from reading the series...

But I think it's the emotionally crippled bit that makes it fairly compelling TV, especially for a HBO series.

I watched the first episode and then read the book. What the TV shows lacks is the POV from different characters and has to use the overworld view. This causes the viewer to lose character motivation. I think HBO is doing a damn good job of putting in scenes to try to make up for this, such as the conversation between John and Ned where John asks about his mother. I don't remember seeing that in the book, but it's a build to the future.

Yeah, the book is depressing and tragic as hell. I spent a few chapters with, "Look, I know x is going to happen. Let's get this over with so I can finished being pissed off already."

I love Tyrion Lannister. To me, he's the anti-hero of the whole thing. With HBO using direct quotes from the book, they're nailing it for the viewer who hasn't read. Tyrion's "A sword needs a whetstone and a mind needs a book to stay sharp."

I like John Snow and having to deal with being a bastard, but being raised as a Lord's son all the same and then going to the Night's WAtch to find honor and glory which he feels befits him.

Ned Stark, well... gonna have to come back and say my thoughts on this so I don't ruin anything.

Pick them up, Doran!