Corona | Coming Attractions

And no, I don't care about your "TV" forum.

:-(

THIS SOUNDS GRATE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat posted an article about it on the main page. You could discuss it there.

I discuss it here. I do give Pat props, though, in that the series is difficult to summarize, and his summary is one of the better, more accurate ones I've seen (especially in articles discussing the TV adaptation, where the writer is usually just going off of someone else's summary, who also probably had the information secondhand, to the point where it doesn't even resemble the books. I almost wonder if Pat has read the books himself (probably not, though, or he would've been even more specific). One thing he messed up, and which many of these summaries do, is he wrote the seasons can last generations (or something to that effect). In the world of the books, seasons can and do last years; as the books starts, they've had an especially long summer that has lasted something like nine years, but is now coming to an end, and they expect an especially long and brutal winter to follow. Many people take this to mean that the seasons in the books last ten years, but it is specifically emphasized several times that the nine-year summer has been a particularly long one, and most are much shorter. In the ancient history of the land, wintery creatures called the Others came from the far north at one point, and brought with them a night (and, one would guess, winter) that lasted a generation, but even that was just ONE generation! Not generations! Get it right, people!

Several TV critics have read the books in the past year in anticipation of the possible series. James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter (whose articule I linked in the OP) is one; another is Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune. Her article is here:
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of...
Their write-ups tend to be a bit better than most of the AP blurbs about the show. Some guy from Time Magazine also read the books, and has written several articles/blog posts about it; I'm anticipating he'll have something about the new developments very soon.

Sounds cool but I don't read a whole bunch. I mostly just watch moovies!!!!!

The last story I read was about a sock puppet!

Thanks for the tip Jack. I am now on Amazon ordering the first book, even though these sorts of things usually have me running 1000mph in the opposite direction.

I read the first couple of books, but as the series went on it got more and more convoluted and I finally stopped reading it. Might have to watch it and see how they adapt it.

Here's James Poniewozik of Time on the series pickup.

http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/03/03/hbo-picks-up-thrones-places-bet...

I thought I'd include some cool illustrations done of some of the colorful characters in the books, but I'm having trouble because of the filters here at work. Here is Ser Gregor Clegane, aka The Mountain that Rides, an eight-foot-tall psycopath of a knight, who is basically a serial rapist/murderer. Unfortunately, I could only get the thumbnail (edit: I replaced the thumbnail with the larger version).

This image is from part of the background/history in the books: it shows Lord Robert Baratheon (apparently) about to deliver the killing blow to crown prince Rhaegar Targaryen as they dueled during the final battle of Robert's Rebellion.
http://saij.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/robert-vs-rhaegar-a-song-of-ice-...

This last one is also from the not so distant history in the books, with Prince Rhaegar (some year and a half prior to having a warhammer driven into his chest), committing a somewhat scandalous act (one of the seeds that eventually leads to revolution) by giving a crown of winter roses to Lyanna Stark, despite Lyanna being betrothed to Robert Baratheon and Rhaegar being married.

Jack is going to spoo during the season premiere. This is all he ever talks about.
Alternately, if the show sucks, expect a lot of executions at the hands of one Mr. Sparrow.

Would the correct past tense of "greenlight" be "greenlit?" This is the sort of question that keeps me up at night.

Daltons chin dimple wrote:

The last story I read was about a sock puppet!

I used a sock for a puppet once. I ended up getting it stuck up my butt. I don't like to talk about it.

Mal Shot First wrote:

Would the correct past tense of "greenlight" be "greenlit?" This is the sort of question that keeps me up at night.

Since "lighted" and "lit" are both acceptable, I think "greenlighted" and "greenlit" are both acceptable. It's a matter of personal preference.

Jakester wrote:

Jack is going to spoo during the season premiere.

I just might; I'll spoo even harder if GRRM ever finishes the fifth book.

Jakester wrote:

This is all he ever talks about.

You've been reading my Facebook page! But yes, I am quite obsessed with these books, and the possible show. I am what you might call a "nerd."

Jakester wrote:

Alternately, if the show sucks, expect a lot of executions at the hands of one Mr. Sparrow.

There is no Mr. Sparrow; he is dead. I haven't gone by the name of Sparrow since, oh, long before this site was born.

Note: one of the more knowledgeable and dedicated fans has put together a pretty comprehensive FAQ for the series:
http://ow.ly/1dJV0

Jack S. Pharaoh wrote:

There is no Mr. Sparrow; he is dead. I haven't gone by the name of Sparrow since, oh, long before this site was born.

Sparrow. Now that's a name I've not heard in a long time... a long time.

* * *

Mr. Sparrow is dead. Long live Mr. Sparrow!

Jack S. Pharaoh wrote:

Note: one of the more knowledgeable and dedicated fans has put together a pretty comprehensive FAQ for the series:
http://ow.ly/1dJV0

There's someone more knowledgeable and dedicated to Ice and Fire THAN YOU?? I don't believe you!

Just cause I'm so excited, and can't stop reading up on anything related to 'Game of Thrones', I thought I'd post the summary of the history of the continent of Westeros, as collected at Wikipedia. These are all events leading up to the start of the novels, which information is parsed out throughout the books. And yes, I know, this is looong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westeros#History

Wikipedia wrote:

The rough timeline here is given in relation to Aegon's Landing, using negative numbers for events before Aegon's Landing.

Dawn Age (before -12,000)
In the Dawn Age, Westeros is inhabited by the fairy-like Children of the Forest, and possibly by Giants in the far North.
ca. -12,000
The First Men come to Westeros from the eastern continent, via a land bridge then connecting the two land masses. The First Men introduce bronze, leather shields, and horses. After initial fights, which include the destruction of the land bridge, they reconcile with the Children and sign the Pact on the Isle of Faces, which brings about a four thousand year peace in Westeros. The First Men adopt the gods of the Children, the nameless gods of the forest. The fortress of Moat Cailin is built circa 10,000 years ago.
The Long Night (Age of Heroes, ca. -8000)
At the time of a terrible winter that seems to last for a generation, a demonic race called the Others invade from the north and nearly destroy all men in Westeros. The Others are finally defeated at the War for the Dawn by an alliance of men wielding fire and obsidian weapons led by a great hero, who in an eastern tradition is named 'Azor Ahai', and wields a great sword of fire, Lightbringer. This is the time when the Wall is built, a giant fortification in the north of the continent protecting the races of men from the menaces of the north. The Sworn Brotherhood of the Night's Watch is created to man and guard it. According to other legends, this is also the time when the castle of Storm's End is built in the south, and the designer of the Wall, Bran the Builder, also constructs Winterfell and becomes the first King in the North.
After ca. -8,000
The thirteenth Lord Commander of the Night's Watch is seduced by a wildling woman from beyond the Wall and becomes the Night's King, with the Watch as his personal army. The Starks in Winterfell and the King-beyond-the-Wall, Joramun, join forces to defeat the Night's King and restore honour to the Watch. This may be the same Joramun who also finds the Horn of Winter, which it is said he uses to awaken giants from the earth.
ca. -6,000
Seven holy beings appear in the Hills of Andalos on the eastern continent, apparently avatars of a supreme god. The people of the hills become their worshippers. The Andals, as they become known, invade Westeros with steel weapons and the new religion of the "Faith of the Seven." They fight both the First Men and the Children of the Forest, finally extinguishing the latter everywhere south of the Wall. After centuries of fighting, the Andals establish six kingdoms in the south, while the north remains in the hands of the First Men, due in large part to the strategically located fortress of Moat Cailin resisting multiple attempts to take it and thereafter serving as the door between North and South.
ca. -5,000
The shepherds of the lands of Valyria on the eastern continent discover dragons lairing in the Fourteen Fires, a great ring of volcanoes across the neck of the Valyrian Peninsula. They tame the dragons and use them to forge a great empire, throwing down the eastern rival of Ghis in warfare five times before it finally capitulates. The Valyrian Freehold is forged.
ca. -1,700
A warrior of Dorne forges a great and powerful sword from a fallen meteorite. The sword, Dawn, becomes the greatest heirloom of House Dayne. The castle of Starfall is named for this occasion.
ca. -1,100
Four Valyrian candles are brought to the Citadel in Oldtown.
ca. -700
The Valyrian Freehold's slow westward expansion brings it to the lands watered by the great River Rhoyne, a vast waterway near the west coast of the eastern landmass. They destroy the city of Arnar when it refuses to surrender. Nymeria, warrior-queen of the Rhoynar city-states, evacuates her people in ten thousand ships that cross the Narrow Sea and land in Dorne. Winning an alliance with Lord Mors Martell, the Rhoynar unify the fractious land under the rule of Sunspear and establish House Martell as the ruling house of Dorne. Mors adopts the Rhoynish title 'Prince' rather than 'King'. The Rhoynar bring no greater political turmoil, though the southernmost kingdoms are heavily influenced by their customs, including equal primogeniture.
ca. -500
The Valyrian Freehold conquers much of what is now the area of the southern Free Cities. A religious sect, the Moonsingers, lead many thousands of refugees north to a remote northern lagoon protected by encircling mountains and mists, and there found the Secret City of Braavos. They later build the Titan of Braavos, a great statue which also serves as defensive fortification.
ca. -300
The Quill and Tankard tavern opens in Oldtown.
ca. -200
The Valyrian Freehold annexes the island of Dragonstone in the narrow sea between the western cities and Westeros. A Valyrian noble family, the Targaryens, take control of the island.
ca. -100
The Doom of Valyria takes place. The nature of the Doom is unclear, save that heavy volcanic activity is involved. The Valyrian Peninsula is shattered and the city of Valyria is laid waste, although not completely destroyed. The dragons of Valyria are virtually wiped out. The Valyrian Freehold fractures apart. The western coastal cities become independent, naming themselves the Free Cities. Braavos reveals itself to the other cities, eventually becoming the most powerful of them through their vast fleet and economic power. The cities of Slaver's Bay become independent again, although Ghiscari power begins building again in the south. The warrior-nomads of the vast eastern plains become more emboldened by the fall of Valyria and their dominant tribe, the Dothraki, begins raiding the surrounding lands. The Targaryens remain safe on Dragonstone, the guardians of possibly the last three dragons in the western world. The rulers of the Free City of Volantis, which remains the most Valyrian-like of the former colonies, requests aid from the Targaryens in conquering the other Free Cities in the name of Valyria, but are turned down. This century-long period of collapse after the Doom becomes known as the Bleeding Years.
1 After the Landing - The War of Conquest
One century after the Doom of Valyria, Aegon Targaryen invades, subdues, and unites the majority of Westeros under his banner and constructs a new capital city at King's Landing. He is unable to conquer Dorne and allows it to remain sovereign. With the destruction of the Storm King, Argilac the Arrogant, and the death of the last King of The Reach, control of the castle of Storm's End passes to Aegon's bastard half-brother Orys Baratheon, and of Highgarden to Lord Harlen Tyrell. Edmyn Tully of Riverrun is named Lord of the Riverlands and Vickon Greyjoy of Pyke becomes Lord of the Iron Islands.
37
On Aegon's death, the Faith of the Seven revolts against the Targaryens. King Aenys assigns his brother and heir, Maegor, to deal with the crisis.
48
Death of King Maegor, the Cruel. King Jaehaerys ends the rebellion through diplomacy, promising amnesty if the Faith Militant disbands. They agree. Jaehaerys becomes known as 'The Conciliator'.
129-131
The Dance of Dragons, the first major Westerosi civil war, between Aegon II Targaryen and his half-sister Rhaenyra Targaryen for control of the Iron Throne. Many lesser branches of House Targaryen and most of their dragons are extinguished in the conflict. After Rhaenyra's death, the war continues in the name of her son, Aegon III. When Aegon II dies without issue, the war ends by default with Aegon III being crowned. The last Targaryen dragon dies during Aegon III's reign, earning him the name 'Dragonbane'. The dragon leaves behind three stone eggs, which the Targaryens fail to hatch.
157-161
The reign of King Daeron I, the Boy King, who conquers Dorne, but is unable to hold it. Forty thousand die during the war. Daeron's brother, King Baelor, makes his peace with Dorne by walking the Boneway barefoot and rescuing his cousin Aemon the Dragonknight from a viper pit.
161-171
The reign of Baelor the Blessed, septon and king. Baelor builds the Great Sept in King's Landing, which afterwards is called the Great Sept of Baelor. Baelor locks his sisters in the Maidenvault of the Red Keep so the sight of them will not tempt him to carnal thoughts. Despite this, his sister Daena the Defiant has an affair with her cousin Aegon (later Aegon IV) and gives birth to a bastard son, Daemon Blackfyre.
ca. 170
Prince Daeron, second cousin of King Baelor, and Princess Myriah Martell of Dorne are married and have their first son, Prince Baelor.
172-184
Reign of Aegon IV Targaryen, the Unworthy. On his deathbed Aegon IV legitimises his 'Great Bastards': Daemon Blackfyre, Aegor 'Bittersteel' Rivers, Brynden 'Bloodraven' Rivers and Shiera Seastar. He is succeeded by his son, King Daeron II, but his legitimacy is called into question due to his mother's close relationship with Aemon the Dragonknight.
195-196
The Blackfyre Rebellion is fought, which ends at the Battle of Redgrass Field. Daemon Blackfyre is killed by Bloodraven, but several of his sons escape to the Free Cities with Bittersteel. Bittersteel later forms an elite mercenary army, the Golden Company, which becomes one of the most feared forces in the east.
197
Dorne formally joins the Seven Kingdoms through the marriage of Daeron II's sister to Prince Moran Martell.
ca. 200
Raymun Redbeard, the King-beyond-the-Wall, invades the North thanks to the lax behaviour of the Night's Watch, whose Lord Commander is later nicknamed Sleepy Jack for his failure. Lord Willam Stark of Winterfell and Lord Harmond Umber, the Drunken Giant, catch the wildlings between their forces on the shores of the Long Lake and destroy them. Lord Willam is killed and is succeeded by his brother, Artos the Implacable.
209
The events of The Hedge Knight take place. Prince Baelor 'Breakspear' Targaryen, the heir to the throne, is killed in a tourney mishap. A few months later, King Daeron II and Baelor's two sons die in the Great Spring Sickness. Daeron II's second son, Aerys I, becomes king. Prince Baelor's nephew Aegon becomes squire to a hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, in the hope of improving his mettle.
ca. 211
The events of The Sworn Sword take place. House Webber and House Osgrey of the Reach become allies. Bloodraven has become the King's Hand by this time, angering Prince Maekar, brother to Aerys and the late Baelor.
221-233
The reign of King Maekar after Aerys dies with no issue. During Maekar's reign his eldest son Daeron dies of the pox and his second son Aerion 'Brightflame' dies after drinking wildfire. His third son, Aemon, journeys to Oldtown to become a maester. Maekar dies battling an outlaw king. Aemon refuses the crown and removes himself to the Wall. Prince Aegon becomes Aegon V, the Unlikely as he is the fourth son of a fourth son. Bloodraven is exiled to the Wall, later becoming Lord Commander.
ca. 255-260
The War of the Ninepenny Kings erupts when the Band of Nine, including Maelys Blackfyre and the Golden Company, conquers the Free City of Tyrosh and the Stepstones before plotting an attack on the Seven Kingdoms. Ser Barristan Selmy kills Maelys. Ser Brynden Tully distinguishes himself in the war. The Golden Company is defeated but not destroyed, and later regroups in the Free Cities.
259-262
The Tragedy of Summerhall. The Targaryen summer palace burns down. King Aegon V and others are killed. Prince Rhaegar Targaryen is born to Aegon's grandson Prince Aerys and his sister-wife Rhaella. Jaehaerys II succeeds Aegon but dies only a few years later. Aerys II becomes king, naming the young Tywin Lannister as his Hand.
ca. 270-280
King Aerys spurns Tywin Lannister's offer of his daughter Cersei for Prince Rhaegar, instead marrying Rhaegar to Princess Elia Martell of Dorne. The Defiance of Duskendale takes place when House Darklyn refuses to pay taxes to the Iron Throne. Aerys, eager to sort out the situation himself, ends up being taken prisoner. Duskendale is besieged for six months before Ser Barristan Selmy manages to free the king. House Darklyn is destroyed and House Rykker takes over the town. It is said that it was the Defiance that began Aerys' descent into madness. Around this time Prince Rhaegar begins corresponding with Aemon Targaryen, maester of Castle Black, and ponders if he is 'The Prince Who Was Promised', who shall be reborn to fight the great darkness when it returns. Later they conclude the prince is actually Rhaegar's baby son, Aegon.
281
The Year of False Spring. Defeat of the Kingswood Brotherhood by a number of knights commanded by a detachment of the Kingsguard. Arthur Dayne kills the leader of the Brotherhood. Jaime Lannister distinguishes himself in the battle and is knighted. Lord Whent holds a great tourney at Harrenhal, where Prince Rhaegar Targaryen distinguishes himself in battle, but names Lyanna Stark of Winterfell (betrothed to Robert Baratheon) Queen of Love and Beauty rather than his own wife. Eddard Stark meets and befriends Howland Reed of Greywater Watch. Jaime becomes a member of the Kingsguard and is disinherited from being his father's heir. Tywin Lannister resigns the Handship in angry protest and returns to Casterly Rock.
282-283 - The War of the Usurper
Rhaegar Targaryen abducts Lyanna Stark from King's Landing. Lyanna's brother, Brandon Stark angrilly rides into the Red Keep with several companions to kill Rhaegar, Aerys has them arrested & summons the fathers to court to answer for their sons treason, the Mad King kills them all but Ethan Glover. Eddard Stark, Robert Baratheon and their mentor, Jon Arryn, raise the standard of rebellion. Robert claims the throne through his descent from his great-grandfather, Aegon V Targaryen. The War of the Usurper, also called Robert's Rebellion, begins. Hoster Tully agrees to join the rebellion as well. The Tyrells remain loyal to the king and besiege Robert's castle of Storm's End, held by his brother Stannis. The Hand of the King, Jon Connington of Griffon's Roost, is defeated in the Battle of the Bells and is sent into exile in the Free Cities. The rebel army defeats the royalists at the Battle of the Trident. Prince Rhaegar is killed. The Lannisters apparently march to the aid of King Aerys, but instead turn against him and sack the city. King Aerys is killed by Jaime Lannister. Princess Elia Martell and her children, Aegon and Rhaenys Targaryen, are brutally murdered by Lannister bannermen, causing a rift between Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon. Ned Stark and Howland Reed defeat the Kingsguard holding Lyanna prisoner, only to find her dying. Ned and Robert are reconciled. Robert becomes King of Westeros, marrying Cersei Lannister. Ned returns home to Winterfell with his bastard son, Jon Snow . Loyal Targaryen retainers carry Aerys' two youngest children, Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys Targaryen, to safety in the Free Cities.
289
The Greyjoy Rebellion. Balon Greyjoy names himself King of the Iron Islands. He is defeated and two of his sons are killed. King Robert accepts his surrender and Balon's remaining son, Theon, becomes a ward and hostage of Eddard Stark.
298
The events of A Song of Ice and Fire begin. The first four novels span a period of two years or more, concluding in the year 300 AL.

You see, reading this stuff now makes me regret my decision to buy the first book to see what it's like.

Good job, Jack! You're turning people OFF from the series!

I'm just like the Browncoats! What have I become?!!

Rebel scum.

want to work on it?
http://grrm.livejournal.com/139602.html

Game of Trons.

Take it to the Tron thread!