A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones Spoiler-Filled Discussion

[DarthTom]

Great disappointment that she didn't sit on the Iron Throne.

This was absolutely priceless;

 

[137th Gebirg]

Man, it is weird seeing Varys (Conleth Hill) with hair (the guy in the blue-gray suit standing between Lena Headey and Kit Harrington)! I didn't realize it was him until one of the comments on that page pointed it out. I just thought he was one of the directors or producers initially.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

^^^
I didn't recognize him either until you pointed that out!

 

[Allyn Gibson]

When you refer to "writing style," you're talking about the way Martin structures his thoughts and assembles his sentences.

No, I'm talking about his style of operating. The terms has more than one meaning.

Not to be obtuse, but you're using a term -- "writing style" -- that has a specific literary meaning. When you talk about "writing style," those words refer to the way that a writer constructs his words. The meaning that you're trying to ascribe to "writing style" is incorrect.

For what it's worth, I agree with you that that Martin's working style of heavy rewriting wouldn't work with a cowriter. But I don't expect that anyone would expect or want Martin to use a cowriter just to get a book out sooner.

 

[CaptainCanada]

For what it's worth, I agree with you that that Martin's working style of heavy rewriting wouldn't work with a cowriter.

I would say the bigger issue is less his rewriting (the co-writer could create a skeleton which he could revise, which would still probably speed things a lot) than his emphatic refusal to outline his work in detail, which he says he can't do.

Not to be obtuse, but you're using a term -- "writing style" -- that has a specific literary meaning. When you talk about "writing style," those words refer to the way that a writer constructs his words. The meaning that you're trying to ascribe to "writing style" is incorrect.

Language belongs to the users.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

I would say the bigger issue is less his rewriting (the co-writer could create a skeleton which he could revise, which would still probably speed things a lot) than his emphatic refusal to outline his work in detail, which he says he can't do.

His refusal to write anywhere apart from his home office is also a factor. His editor has tried to convince him to get a laptop and do some writing when he's travelling, but no dice.

 

[137th Gebirg]

^^^ From what I recall, he still writes everything on an old pre-Windows 3.11 DOS computer and transfers the files via floppy disks . You can actually see it in action on the most recent John Oliver show on HBO, where he proudly proclaims he's just killed off 3 of John's favorite characters.

Hope he never suffers a permanent crash on that old abacus of his.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

^^^ From what I recall, he still writes everything on an old pre-Windows 3.11 DOS computer and transfers the files via floppy disks . You can actually see it in action on the most recent John Oliver show on HBO, where he proudly proclaims he's just killed off 3 of John's favorite characters.

Hope he never suffers a permanent crash on that old abacus of his.

Wasn't that great, I laughed so hard.

 

[-Brett-]

Will Jaime ever get visited by his Aunt Genna and be told some curious things about his pedigree?

Spoiler: Jaime

Jaime, sweetling, I have known you since you were a babe at Joanna's breast. You smile like Gerion and fight like Tyg and there's some of Kevan in you, else you would not wear that cloak...but Tyrion is Tywin's son, not you. I said so once to your father's face, and he would not speak to me for half a year.

Given that show-Jaime brutally murdered her son, Aunt Genna probably wouldn't say anything that kind to him anyway.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Will Jaime ever get visited by his Aunt Genna and be told some curious things about his pedigree?

Spoiler: Jaime

Jaime, sweetling, I have known you since you were a babe at Joanna's breast. You smile like Gerion and fight like Tyg and there's some of Kevan in you, else you would not wear that cloak...but Tyrion is Tywin's son, not you. I said so once to your father's face, and he would not speak to me for half a year.

That's not curious. That's figurative, as should be obvious from the context.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

James Hibberd interviewed Michelle Fairley about her role in 24 and also asked about Lady Stoneheart:

You couldn’t have missed the online furor over the lack of Lady Stoneheart in the Thrones finale. Were you surprised by that attention?

I actually haven’t seen any of that. I don’t look that stuff up. I avoid it like the plague. I was totally unaware.

There was a lot of online conversation. I heard third-hand that you were basically told that it’s not likely to ever happen. Is that accurate?

Yeah, the character’s dead. She’s dead.

Do you have a preference at all—do you think Catelyn’s arc should end where it ended, or would you be into the resurrection idea?

You respect the writers’ decision. I knew the arc, and that was it. They can’t stick to the books 100 percent. It’s impossible—they only have 10 hours per season. They have got to keep it dramatic and exciting, and extraneous stuff along the way gets lost in order to maintain the quality of a brilliant show.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Weird. This kind-of leads to an inverse spoiler on the books. As Martin loves throwing a bunch of stuff in between major story arcs that could conceivably have no real goal, and since he's always letting the showrunners know what the most important things are to fit in a 10-hour season, this would imply that Lady Stoneheart has no greater bearing on the storyline. How disappointing...

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

It could turn out that Michelle Fairley is going the extra mile to keep Lady Stoneheart's inclusion in the show a surprise... or she might really be cut altogether. If she doesn't show up in season five she won't show up at all.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Anyone seen casting calls for S5? I think they should either be close to starting filming or have already just started it. I suspect that Stoneheart should be close to the beginning. That should conclusively determine her continued role.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

She's not lying. Catelyn Stark is dead. Lady Stoneheart is not the same person.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Anyone seen casting calls for S5? I think they should either be close to starting filming or have already just started it. I suspect that Stoneheart should be close to the beginning. That should conclusively determine her continued role.

They only put out casting calls if they're going to be doing open auditions. If the role is already cast or they're making a direct offer to a name actor there's no need for a casting call.

 

[Random_Spock]

^^^
I didn't recognize him either until you pointed that out!

Neither did I . With glasses and hair, he pretty much blended right in .

I should have recognized the body language though, it looked rather familiar.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

The casting calls that have leaked so far, as reported by Winter is Coming:

Prince Doran Martell – Doran is described as the major new player this year, appearing in multiple episodes. The fiftysomething prince uses a wheelchair, is reclusive, and rules wisely. It appears the show is looking to continue the trend it started with Pedro Pascal, and cast Latino actors for the Martell clan.

Prince Trystane Martell – Trystane, the handsome fiance of Princess Myrcella, is being aged up to 18.

Areo Hotah - Doran’s personal bodyguard will appear throughout the season, assisting the prince with his duties. The show is particularly looking for a black actor to fill the role.

Obara Sand – The eldest and most athletic Sand Snake will be having a major fight scene with a series regular character—not one who crosses her path in the books. This is an interesting change.

Nymeria Sand – Nymeria is described as “mixed race,” with her father being the fairer Oberyn and her mother being darker skinned. The second oldest of these Sand Snakes, she’s beautiful, emotional, and very strong.

Tyene Sand - The youngest of the Sand Snakes that we meet uses her wits and seductive powers, and is less of a physical fighter than the other Sand Snakes. She is just as deadly as her sisters, however, but her weapon is poison.

High Sparrow - The books’ pious head of a religious movement will be appearing in several episodes in season five.

Septa Unella – The show is looking for a character actress to play the imposing and unrelenting Septa who spends a lot of time with a major series character next year.

Maggy the Frog- A fortune teller in A Feast For Crows, she’ll be in one episode next year.

Lollys Stokeworth – Just last week in “Mockingbird,” Bronn announced his intention to marry Lollys, whom Tyrion considers “dimwitted.” It looks like the sellsword will still be around next year.

Yezzan - A sleazy Meereenese slave owner.

The Waif – The strange child from the books that Arya encounters will likely be played by an older actress, one in her later teens, and we understand the show is specifically looking for a woman of East Asian descent for the part.

Varamyr - Dubbed Varamyr Sixskins in the book series, the wildling skinchanger initially appears in A Storm of Swords when he takes possession of the late Orell’s eagle, and takes on his scout role as well with Mance Rayder’s army. The book describes Varamyr as a small man, bald and grey-faced with round shoulders. The show is supposedly looking to cast an actor in the 35-45 year old age range. It’s unclear what position Varamyr will take on in the fifth season as his introduction point in the books has already passed in the show.

Imogen - A 12 year old blonde girl. It’s speculated that this may actually be the casting call for young Cersei. Given that there is no Imogen in the books, and we’ve heard that Game of Thrones is auditioning girls for the role of young Cersei, this seems likely.

Brunette girl - 12 years old. There’s no additional information about this part. For book-related possibilities, our best guess with regards to the role is probably Melara, a girl involved in young Cersei’s story with the fortuneteller Maggy the Frog.

 

[Venardhi]

They've cut all the actually important flashbacks, why suddenly include them for something as easy to gloss over as Cersei's prophecy?

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

They might start showing more of the flashbacks in general using Bran's greenseer abilities.