Game of Thrones begins....

[Josephus]

Game of Thrones is now the most popular HBO show ever, even more so than the Sopranos.

http://winteriscoming.net/2014/05/07/game-thrones-mid-season-game-numbers/

Grumber would argue that by saying "the most popular HBO show ever, " the rest of your statement is redundant.

I, on the other hand, appreciate the emphasis that the qualitative end makes.

[KRonn]

GOT is a great show, HBO did a great job with the story line and cast. But given the complex story, the many characters and individual story plots, and so much going on I'm also a bit surprised that it's so popular. The story is pretty easy to follow even given how many different parts to it there are. So I think it's a tribute to how well done HBO's writers have made it while being faithful enough to the books.

[grumbler]

Grumber would argue that by saying "the most popular HBO show ever, " the rest of your statement is redundant.

I would make that as a statement, not an argument.  It is redundent to say that a show is the most popular ever, and then say that it is also more popular than a show that is not as popular.

I, on the other hand, appreciate the emphasis that the qualitative end makes.

There is no qualitative end here.  What the author meant to say was that it overtook The Sopranos.  That is sufficiently obvious that I would never have mentioned the slight distortion in wording.  You obviously want to call attention to it.  However, i have not a clue as to why you thought it important to hypothesize about what I might say.  You are your own person, and don't need to reference my ideas to affirm your own ideas.

[crazy canuck]

GOT is a great show, HBO did a great job with the story line and cast. But given the complex story, the many characters and individual story plots, and so much going on I'm also a bit surprised that it's so popular. The story is pretty easy to follow even given how many different parts to it there are. So I think it's a tribute to how well done HBO's writers have made it while being faithful enough to the books.

I am pretty sure all the gratuitous nudity, sex and dumbing down the plot lines have a lot to do with it too.

[Grinning_Colossus]

Theon's never been very receptive to interventions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lki-nBllz78

[grumbler]

I am pretty sure all the gratuitous nudity, sex and dumbing down the plot lines have a lot to do with it too.

I disagree that the plot has been "dumbed down."  It has been simplified, certainly, but a lot of what has been cut was itself dumb and the rest was not worth pursuing in a time-limited medium.

[The Brain]

In a cunning move they dumbed down the audience instead.

[crazy canuck]

I am pretty sure all the gratuitous nudity, sex and dumbing down the plot lines have a lot to do with it too.

I disagree that the plot has been "dumbed down."  It has been simplified, certainly, but a lot of what has been cut was itself dumb and the rest was not worth pursuing in a time-limited medium.

This point in the books is a period of intense emotional turmoil for the Imp related to his first love and his conflict with his brother and father over the issue.  All of that has been dumbed down to the Imp being upset that Shae has taken the stand against him.

[grumbler]

This point in the books is a period of intense emotional turmoil for the Imp related to his first love and his conflict with his brother and father over the issue.  All of that has been dumbed down to the Imp being upset that Shae has taken the stand against him.

Tyrion's first marriage was discussed in the show, pretty much exactly as it was in the books.  I imagine it will be again, in the next episode.  It didn't play a role in the trial in the books that I can remember (and it wouldn't make sense for it to play any role in the trial).

[crazy canuck]

This point in the books is a period of intense emotional turmoil for the Imp related to his first love and his conflict with his brother and father over the issue.  All of that has been dumbed down to the Imp being upset that Shae has taken the stand against him.

Tyrion's first marriage was discussed in the show, pretty much exactly as it was in the books.  I imagine it will be again, in the next episode.  It didn't play a role in the trial in the books that I can remember (and it wouldn't make sense for it to play any role in the trial).

It doesnt.  Thats the point.  The Imps anguish comes out at the trial in the show. ie the dumbing down.

[Grallon]

Very good episode that confirms HBO has found the proper way to translate Martin's books.  No matter the shortcuts and omissions they took compared to the source material - the essence of the narrative and the characters' personalities have been preserved IMO.  Perhaps it is easier with a completely fictional setting - as opposed to say ROME which personally I detested since it took far too many liberties in ascribing XXIst century motives to 1st century historical figures.



G.

[grumbler]

It doesnt.  Thats the point.  The Imps anguish comes out at the trial in the show. ie the dumbing down.

You've lost me.  What is the point, and how is Tyrion's anguish different ("dumbed down") in the show?  The show demonstrated his anguish over the fate of his first wife, and his subsequent distrust of love.  it did it in one conversation rather than two, but that's the nature of the medium.

[Josquius]

People who think university was the best time of their life probably grew up with too much money.  Or into a decent country like Sweden.

Why do you think that?

For me I t was a crappy time of grinding poverty and exams.
The wealthy who had no worries about life after school or what they were going to eat that night seemed to like it though

[crazy canuck]

It doesnt.  Thats the point.  The Imps anguish comes out at the trial in the show. ie the dumbing down.

You've lost me. 

Thats only because you pretend not to understand something unless the person communicating with you connects all the dots.   And even then sometimes you pretend not to understand.  At least I hope you are just pretending.

[grumbler]

Thats only because you pretend not to understand something unless the person communicating with you connects all the dots.   And even then sometimes you pretend not to understand.  At least I hope you are just pretending.

I take it that you have responded with a pathetically obvious ad hom because you have no intellectual argument to make to support your assertion that the plot of the TV show has been "dumbed down."  I didn't think you did, because your earlier arguments were gibberish, but I wanted to be sure.  Thanks for not disappointing me.