The news of the Game of Thrones pick up announcement continues to spread. Here is a quick round-up of some of the reactions from TV critics and prominent blogs:
Critics
Maureen Ryan – The Chicago-Tribune
James Poniewozik – TIME Magazine
David Itzkoff – New York Times
Alan Sepinwall – The Star-Ledger
Eric Goldman – IGN TV
Blogs
EW.com PopWatch
TV Squad
Ain’t It Cool News
Airlock Alpha
SciFi Wire
And, of course, GRRM immediately posted this in response to the news. He later followed up with a slightly wordier post.
Thanks, everyone. The outpouring of enthusiasm has been amazing. The comments are piling up here faster than Ty can unscreen ‘em, my phone is ringing off the hook, and my email is exploding. And of course the story is all over the internet. Quite a day.
For the six of you who may not have seen it elsewhere, here’s a production still from the pilot sent out by HBO.
Lots, lots more to come in the days and weeks and months ahead. I will probably not be the best source for most of it, however. I’ll be here writing, while David and Dan will be out in the center of the storm, writing the scripts and supervising pre-production.
UPDATE: GRRM updated the News section of his official website to include the Game of Thrones news. Much of it is a rehash of what we already know, but he does add that his feeling is that the show will likely air in April/May 2011. He also refers to Morrocco as only a ‘possible’ location to return to, stirring some fan discussion.
You guys and your dirty thoughts 
))) I even do...
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79 Comments
It seems that I'm waiting for this sinces years, and it's only greenlit. The wait will be hard ! J.S.Quote Reply
I like the 10 episode thing. One of my all time favourite HBO productions, 'Band of Brothers', was 10 episodes long and, granted that was a mini-series, it still felt right.
Also, I can perfectly understand people worrying about how fake the snow looks as you guys are very proctective about this and quite rightly you want every detail to be perfect. All I can say is, you don't have to worry.
On my first day on this production (see what I did there!!) I remember that, during a break in filming, I decided to stand right in the middle of the winterfell courtyard and do a complete 360 to try to take it all in and I remember being knocked back by the scale & quality of the place. The detail in the buildings; the costumes; the props; all fantastic. I then looked to my right and saw GRRM standing a few feet away taking photos. 'Can you believe you are standing here?', I said to him. 'Great isn't it?' he replied.
As I said before, you guys are in for such a ride in the next year!
Enjoy it…You have earned it.
oh…and Spring is coming! Rimshot44Quote Reply
All and all, the reaction is pretty positive!
@ WiC
Just a suggestion, but if no big news come our way and you would like to encourage a healthy (er) discussion, you could make a post summarizing all the bits of news or interesting points that have been dug out/made since the announcement to give a chance to everyone who might have missed it in the conversation to comment on it.
For example, the budget discussion, the presence of a tent and pole tent at the bottom left corner of the image released, Shane’s castle, NCW’s short interview in Danish, the Google search and news trend, the actors’ reactions on Twitter, the Irish minister declaration and the BBC news video… am I missing something?
NymeriaQuote Reply
I've always wondered why people felt the 12 episodes were "necessary". I want them to do as complete a version of this as they can, but I spent a few weeks going through the book and trying to divide the chapters into "episodes", basing it on how many chapters (and their general length) went into the pilot, plus allowing space for any additional scenes/subplots they want to add, and I decided that the only way they could stretch this book to make a full 12 episodes would be to add numerous scenes/subplots to the point where it could have derailed the main narrative. 10 episodes will be better. Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Thanks Rimshot!
That was very nice of you to share this recollection.
I've asked it before but I'm guessing you weren't around to answer me.
What are your qualifications as a rider or swordman? Did you consider taking combat, sword handling or horse riding lessons to improve your chances of being picked for a figuring role (or a more proeminent figuring role)? But of course, I understand that being an extra is your second job and that training can be expensive… NymeriaQuote Reply
^Personally I "know" that 10 episodes is enough, but I just want as many as possible, to indulge myself as long as possible.
I can already forsee the misery that will be waiting for Season 2 after just 10 weeks of the first season. shadallionQuote Reply
I'm wondering what Thrones will be paired with (because I'm assuming this is going to be on Sunday nights), have they greenlit a fourth season of True Blood? Maybe it's just too early to speculate on that, but I really hope True Blood is their lead in seeing as that's their most successful show right now. Who knows maybe Boardwalk Empire will be big for them. dizzy34Quote Reply
yea it's all pretty positive except for that douchebag Devin at CHUD. He rags on the books even though he claims to not have made it through the prologue. dizzy34Quote Reply
A positive response so far, indeed. The trend on google trends is fun to see
Marko HladnikQuote Reply
George updated his news section on the official site . The Rabbit Quote Reply
I think they like to play True Blood in the Summer. Maybe one of their other big dramas they have in the pipe, though. Nathan OliverQuote Reply
Thanks for the heads up. I updated the post. Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
In the U.S. with HBO do you also get an HBO On Demand channel? In Canada with our movie channel TMN, we get HBO Canada and TMN On Demand which includes HBO Canada shows… I haven't watched anything live in years, so I wonder how important having a good lead in show is. Also, what if GOT is the lead in for something else, like Boardwalk Empire? You guys are assuming GOT will be their most important (to HBO) show of whatever evening they put it on, but that may not be the case. spacechampionQuote Reply
Well I'm basing the lead in ideas on how they did Sopranos first and Six Feet Under after. Sopranos was obviously the more popular show so I'm not assuming that Thrones would be more popular than True Blood (because you know Vampires rule pop culture at the moment). However lead in shows still play a factor in ratings. dizzy34Quote Reply
wooo hooo!
this is fun! waitingQuote Reply
No qualifications I'm afraid. I do remember someone in the costume department of a film I worked on nearly 2 years ago told me about this coming down the pipe and that I should get some horse training but I don't really like horses so that was out. And I don't even know where I would go to get combat training!
I'm happy to to wander round Winterfell and maybe go watch a Tourney in King's Landing! (that's going to be a busy day!) Rimshot44Quote Reply
I may not have higher ratings than True Blood but it will OWN Tue Blood so hard. The whole "Sookie and Bill" thing is getting VERY tiresome to say the least. In Game of Thrones no characters can get too tiresome because they all die to fast! ROFL. axia777Quote Reply
Here's Devin's article where he bashes "Game of Thrones". I dug it up so I could talk trash about him in his comments, feel free to visit the article and tear him up in the comments.
http://www.chud.com/articles/articles/20200/1/THU... RerQuote Reply
oops that's an older article by him, here is the newer one…
http://chud.com/articles/articles/22763/1/THUD-HB... RerQuote Reply
oops that's an older article by him, here is the newer one…
http://chud.com/articles/articles/22763/1/THUD-HB... RerQuote Reply
Sookie…I am Vampire! Prince BranQuote Reply
Rimshot, I don't know if you answered this in one of the older threads (I can't even find my own question), but I'm curious if you ever finished the first book? About Yea HighQuote Reply
No, Spring took a break – 5cm of fresh snow here during the last few hours. The stuff was almost gone… the new looks kind of fake, though
DunkeltrollQuote Reply
I know the discussion about the production photo (and the snow, and the horse, an the clearing) has moved on (probably a good idea), but I did want to draw attention to the picture link Winter provided in this topic.
If you click on it once it's pulled up, you get a very large, clearer image, so I wanted to comment on a few of the details I was finally able to pick out.
1. Will's cloak. If these are standard issue for the Night's Watch — very cool. A shaggy-looking black cloak with what looks to be hard black leather about the shoulders (to keep the shoulders dry, like a partial raincoat methinks). It's not the sort of cloak we'd see in many of our own history books, I think, and this was something I was actually hoping for; Westeros having medieval-to-Renaissance inspired clothing and technology yet reflecting that this is indeed NOT our world.
2. The blue markings on the faces of the dead wildlings. Celtic-inspired? About Yea HighQuote Reply
I have noticed it, too.
But nobody was eager to talk about it. Everybody was occupied with fake/not fake looking snow
I like, especeally the shaggy-looking cloak. I have pointed out too that it looks more "rich" than I would imagine nightwatchs cloak.
The blue markings – yes I saw them too, but i thought I was hallucinated
The_Rabbit01Quote Reply
SOOKAHHHH!
Seriously, though. I only watch that show for Eric Northman. And things are going to get very sexy this season. Stella MarisQuote Reply
OK, I did my share of slapping…
DunkeltrollQuote Reply
running away of the subject just a little…
so many of you are fans of hbo (real fans) and know a lot of series of it…i'm by the other way have no real experience with this series…deadwood, rome… i was wanting to watch them, but i keep wondering if i should after reading so many times that they were not concluded and that hbo have made huge mistakes in that way of doing things…soooo i will ask the ones who know better: you guys think i should or not watch them, and of those made by hbo wich would you suggest??? thanks @JehphgQuote Reply
Rome was finished properly. It was two seasons and that was the end of it. I liked that it new when the end was and did not try to drag it out with more BS the way many shows have a la the X-Files.
I have not watched Deadwood so I have no input on that. But Rome was STELLAR. axia777Quote Reply
I have also watched True Blood and so far it is good but not super great IMHO. It is very adult though so I do appreciate that a lot. It is worth watching and it is heading into it's second season soon. axia777Quote Reply
I'm waiting for Deadwood when the blu-rays come out. But I can vouch for The Wire, The Sopranos, Rome and Oz. I've seen them all on DVD and blu-ray and devoured them. Pure quality productions, and reading all the reviews and reaction here Deadwood is too. Even if they don't all have a good conclusion, the ride is well worth it. KnurkQuote Reply
AHM SAAHKICK! @wabawangaQuote Reply
Deadwood was great as long as it lastet, but sadly had no end whatsoever. Seems like the production team was in full swing and expecting another season or two to end things, and then the plug was pulled.
As Axia already wrote, Rome was short but sweet. Everything got resolved, with the possibility for a new storyline that simply didn't happen. DunkeltrollQuote Reply
They are making a Rome movie. About what? I have NO idea, but there yah have it.
http://www.mania.com/rome-moving-forward_article_... axia777Quote Reply
The problem with Rome wasn't that it didn't finish, but that they knew it was ending and crammed a lot of stuff in near the end, so the pace kind of picks up. That and they changed one of the main actors part way through. But it's extremely good in spite of those things.
I've seen Rome, Deadwood, the Sopranos, and the Wire and would recommend them all strongly. I'd say the Wire is the best and Rome is the second best. I haven't seen anything as good from any other channel, except Firefly which was cut off way too soon. Next best thing is Battlestar Galactica which is also quite good. Planning to watch John Adams next. pualoQuote Reply
ohh thanks all of you guys! you’re the best JehphgQuote Reply
For my part, the only down side to a 10-episode format is that it means less hours of enjoyment to look forward to. Yes, I’m greedy and I want more! more! more!
But greediness aside, I hope they chose the best number of episodes to suit the book and render it a way that they won’t have to cut or condense too much content and that will make a thrilling-paced series. I trust they know what they are doing and will adjust the number of episodes for the (hopefully) consecutive seasons according to each book content.
NymeriaQuote Reply
I believe Rome is the best drama in television history, ever. The Wire and The Sopranos are also top notch HBO dramas.
I watched 1.5 seasons of Deadwood and then stopped. I recognized the billiance of the semi-Shakespearean language and the gritty character development, but I really hated all of the characters and didn't like how dark the show was. I was actively rooting for the main ex-sherrif guy to be killed. I gave up on the show and am not amongst those who were crushed to see it end. shadallionQuote Reply
http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/03/05/rome-movie...
Rome movie and a game of thrones its almost too good to be true. jjsQuote Reply
Rome (own season 1)-I've only watched the first season, but that i've seen is great. The characters/acting is top notch
Deadwood-I've watched the first two season because my brother moved and took his season three with him. I personally like deadwood better than Rome.
Oz-(own all season)- Love Oz! Which makes some of my friends nervous. JK Simmons is great. It has a good ending too
Six Feet Under (own 2 season) -I like six feet under too but it can be a little pretentious. The ending completely wraps up everything. Last summer I was completely addicted to this show
Phoenix_tornQuote Reply
The Wire: (own 3 seasons)- Because of people on this site i started watching the wire, and its just as good as everyone says. I haven't finished yet but already i would recommend it highly.
Carnival- strange show, and again my brother took his dvds to i haven't finished season one. Weird concept and not everyone's taste, and it was cancelled without answering all the series questions.
True Blood (Own 1 season) True blood is just a fun show. Sex, Violence, southern accents, and vampires. I always tell people "It's not really good, but it's fantastic" It's a show to just watch and enjoy. I can't wait for season 3 to start, and season 2 to come to dvd.
John Adam (Own) it's a mini-series and I'm not american but i really liked it. good watch if you're interested in history or paul giamotti (sp).
my 2 sense. Phoenix_tornQuote Reply
Just wait. Assuming this gets a second season (and it should), we'll be seeing 12 eps for sure. The third season may need 13 or even 14! And let's not even talk about the Crows/Dragons mix… Josh ParkerQuote Reply
God, what an ass. If he hates the books, just don't watch the show and shut the f*ck up.
Hey, Devin, I hated the Sword of Truth series. Guess what? I don't watch Legend of the Seeker. Josh ParkerQuote Reply
The best ever TV drama was Dallas, followed closely by Beauty and the Beast when GRRM was part of the team. Also, the Incredible Hulk & the A Team.
I agree with you about Deadwood. I made it into the 3rd or 4th episode, but the ugly girl was just too sickening to look at. And the accents were gross.
The Wire was too intense and depressing. I made it to the 3rd ep. Intellectually I wanted to see more, but emotionally I was done.
Rome was quite the bore. I watched the whole thing though, because of the brief flashes of violence, nudity, and general debauchery. What I remember most from Rome was the trees, lots of them, and lots of horse riding. And some bickering ladies rumouring and scheming away day and night. And then, men in togas bickering and scheming. Oh yes, Cleopatra, naked. Oh yes.
Sopranos, I made it to the 4th season, but it was too repetitive and it became so dull I became depressed. Even the senseless violence didn't keep me going.
True Blood, the best part of that show is the opening credits and music.. unfortunately the aftertaste doesn't last through an episode. And Lafayette is an amazing character. The rest is mostly blah.
If you ask me, HBO should do more soft porn movies. I have spoken. SteveQuote Reply
Dallas, really? My dad grew up with David Jacobs who created Dallas (and Knots Landing). They were pretty much best friends when they were young. He's still slightly in touch with him. Barry Levinson also went to their high school, but was a couple years younger. My dad only knew him slightly. BrudeQuote Reply
Is your "dad" really you? SteveQuote Reply
Muff, you fail. You show you immense lack of early-80's television knowledge by grouping The A-Team and The Incredible Hulk in the same category, when anyone worth his Member's Only knows The Dukes of Hazzard was a far superior product. Dallas had its moments, though the Bobby Ewing dream excuse remains a blight on the memory of man.
And you mention Cleopatra's occasional and nubile nudity when we all know it paled in comparison to Attia's "giftwrapped surprise."
Come on now. About Yea HighQuote Reply
Another post with tidbits as someone suggested before? Budgeting, NCW interviews (he implies McCarthy will be back), new castle location mentioned? Perhaps … or waiting some more, then making a bigger summary.
From what GRRM writes, one could infer that Morocco might not be as prominent a location in the future, only a possible return is mentioned. I'm okay with that, if it saves the budget and makes the series run longer
I guess they could take establishing and background shots there by a second crew, but do most of the shooting in a cheaper way, i.e. near the base in Belfast. Marko HladnikQuote Reply
Not going back to Morocco – that is logic, they need grass, a lots of grass, not a sand.
Rememebr, Dany would be in Pentos, only in the pilot, they would leave for Dothraki sea now. The_Rabbit01Quote Reply
Could they possibly just do it in Ireland? I don't remember that much about how the Dothraki lands are supposed to look like, other than the big fields. Should be lots of fields in Ireland, but they might not look "exotic" enough. sjweningsQuote Reply