Game of Thrones begins....

[Josquius]

Funny how they're ahead of the books in one or two story lines and far behind in others.

[spoiler]I wonder if Sam Tarwell and co. are gonna take that boat ride to the Free Cities.[/spoiler]

Indeed.
Part of me is saying its because much of 5 happened at the same time as 4 but with different people. But....it does seem some stories are out of synch...

It was interesting they showed the scene with young Cersei. Have they ever done this kind of flashback thing before? Usually people just tell stories about past events.
Fingers crossed we get to see the Trident and Tower of Joy sometime. I guess the prediction that we would need Bran as a vehicle for this is a bit awry.

[crazy canuck]

Funny how they're ahead of the books in one or two story lines and far behind in others.

[spoiler]I wonder if Sam Tarwell and co. are gonna take that boat ride to the Free Cities.[/spoiler]

The books became incoherent in terms of chronology because of Martin's notion of writing two books which overlapped eachother.    The TV writers have to splice the story lines back together.  Judging from the first episode they are going to do a good job.     

[grumbler]

What I am most interested in this season is the indications of how close they are to wrapping up the story.  If HBO types are smart, they are looking at this season and one more.

[Martinus]

Funny how they're ahead of the books in one or two story lines and far behind in others.

[spoiler]I wonder if Sam Tarwell and co. are gonna take that boat ride to the Free Cities.[/spoiler]

Indeed.
Part of me is saying its because much of 5 happened at the same time as 4 but with different people. But....it does seem some stories are out of synch...

It was interesting they showed the scene with young Cersei. Have they ever done this kind of flashback thing before? Usually people just tell stories about past events.
Fingers crossed we get to see the Trident and Tower of Joy sometime. I guess the prediction that we would need Bran as a vehicle for this is a bit awry.

No, it is the first flashback ever.

[Valmy]

What I am most interested in this season is the indications of how close they are to wrapping up the story.  If HBO types are smart, they are looking at this season and one more.

Why would that be smart? The series makes money.

[LaCroix]

i think grumbler was right that D&D have a better grasp on the story than GRRM at this point. i've only seen the first two episodes of this season, but the simplified/consolidated/killed/ storylines seem to work much better.

episode two kinda-spoiler!
[spoiler]i half wished they had changed arya's storyline so she didn't join the faceless.[/spoiler]

[viper37]

If HBO types are smart, they are looking at this season and one more.

Two more, actually.  The plan is to end it by the 7th season.  The writers want 7 seasons, HBO leans toward 8.
http://www.ew.com/article/2014/03/11/game-of-thrones-7-seasons

[grumbler]

What I am most interested in this season is the indications of how close they are to wrapping up the story.  If HBO types are smart, they are looking at this season and one more.

Why would that be smart? The series makes money.

Because HBO has "lost money" on almost every season seven and beyond that they have done, even when they "made money" in earlier seasons.  Quotes because these series don't generally make money directly except via DVD sales.

[grumbler]

If HBO types are smart, they are looking at this season and one more.

Two more, actually.  The plan is to end it by the 7th season.  The writers want 7 seasons, HBO leans toward 8.
http://www.ew.com/article/2014/03/11/game-of-thrones-7-seasons

I don't think that there is a plan.  There are some different hopes by different parties.

[grumbler]

i think grumbler was right that D&D have a better grasp on the story than GRRM at this point. i've only seen the first two episodes of this season, but the simplified/consolidated/killed/ storylines seem to work much better.

episode two kinda-spoiler!
[spoiler]i half wished they had changed arya's storyline so she didn't join the faceless.[/spoiler]

I think that this development might be essential to the final resolution of the story.

[Siege]

Fuck it. Lets do 20 seasons.

[crazy canuck]

i think grumbler was right that D&D have a better grasp on the story than GRRM at this point. i've only seen the first two episodes of this season, but the simplified/consolidated/killed/ storylines seem to work much better.

episode two kinda-spoiler!
[spoiler]i half wished they had changed arya's storyline so she didn't join the faceless.[/spoiler]

I think that this development might be essential to the final resolution of the story.

I agree.  I think it is one of the core lines that will converge when the story comes to an end.  I also think it is one of most interesting story lines.

[Eddie Teach]

Fuck it. Lets do 20 seasons.

[Valmy]

What I am most interested in this season is the indications of how close they are to wrapping up the story.  If HBO types are smart, they are looking at this season and one more.

Why would that be smart? The series makes money.

Because HBO has "lost money" on almost every season seven and beyond that they have done, even when they "made money" in earlier seasons.  Quotes because these series don't generally make money directly except via DVD sales.

I "see".

[Valmy]

Fuck it. Lets do 20 seasons.

It worked for Law and Order.