Charisma is generally not why Lords follow Kings.

Can we get this as a banner or motto over in the show sub-forum? It would seriously help settle a lot of the petty arguments that happen over there, and would possibly make us all more of a happy family.

I would also like to add it's not just which characters we 'connect' with, but also how we interpret each character, their personality, motivations and storyline.

For example, for me, Dany in the show Season 2 had a lot of similarities to book Dany. In that she was learning she can't just demand anything or expect help from anyone, she has to take it by force. While the storyline was different because spoiler alert, the show sequences would have been boring in a 1:1 translation of her chapters (except for the House of the Undying) and would have reduced Dany to a supporting character for the season, which they could never do after the first season.

Another example is that I'm sure mine and Ashley's interpretations of the Hound's character are different, and so naturally one of us would be less bothered about how he was being represented. Everyone is allowed their own interpretation and take on the series, and not Mimi, nor Ashley, nor even any member of these boards should have to feel bad about their opinions or which characters they love/hate/want to ravish

Otherwise I'd be super depressed about my love for all things Roose Bolton and my allegiance to House Trollton...

I hate to say this but I found Mimi very, very negative this episode...almost to the point of being slightly offended myself by her Chaseisms. Were you wearing sweat pants Mimi? I think we all have to understand that there is no way the books could ever be directly translated to screen without losing some of the little things. At the end of the podcast I could see the light of some positivity shining through the negative clouds but man, that first half of the show had me grinding my teeth more than Stannis watching Renly eat his peach!

The books are just too big in both environment and characters for both casting all of those roles and understanding by the general public. The average fan (who the show is made for) would not be able to follow the differences between The Bloody Mummers, The Brotherhood, the Boltons and the Mountain's men...not in 10 hours. Just wait until season 5 when you will have Aegon, Connington, Victarion, Euron, Damphair, The Faceless Men, all of the Vale lords, and the Dornish...Gods help the sweet summer children of HBO!

I am a huge fan of Watchmen and when Zack Snyder basically shot it page to screen I thought it would be awesome...it wasn't. It was a mess. Enjoy the show for being top notch in production, acting, and budget. Compare it to the crap that is on TV nowadays...not even close. This show is not the books and never will be...it can't be for it to be successful. Season 1 was so close to the books because you only had a small core group of characters...the Starks, the Lannisters/ Baratheons, and the Kings Landing council members...that's it. To satisfy actors and egos and to include ALL characters from the books you would need at least double the budget and episodes....and would lose half the fan base. That's the price to be paid...the Iron price for success.

That depends on the time period. In medieval Europe charisma and/or personal battle prowess was a lot more important in the time of Charlemagne than it was in the time of Henry XVIII. But in those Tudor years, in peacetime, when the succession is not an open question? You're right: generally not.

In a situation where the rule of law is faltering and legitimacy is up for grabs (Wars of the Roses), it can be very relevant.

Not to mention it's a relevant question even from the books. Think about it: Stannis is leading an army of men mostly made up of those who would not follow him because he lacked Renly's charisma. Even if it's not the general reason why lords follow kings, it seems to be acutely relevant in this scenario. It seems the most logical way to earn the loyalty of the men -- the fighting men -- that were once Renly's in a way Renly never could.



NICE!

Nice episode, guys. So great to have Mimi back!

I'm going to put this forward, then I'll head back to Lurkerville: I don't find Mimi being critical of the show to be a turn-off from listening. I think its pretty great, actually, because I'm pretty sure its what I would think if I watched the show. Further, what she says seems to come from a place of honest feeling. I prefer it to the artificial enthusiasm I think I detect from others in the fandom.

Not trying to start shit, mind you. Just giving the Queen her due props.

I am hoping that as the series goes deeper into the books that we may get some quick flashbacks as either Bran's "dreams" or "visions" of Dany's to explain the back stories and history alluded to so far. Bran sharing a green dream with Jojen of the Tower of Joy (Sean Bean cameo!!) ending with "Promise me Ned" will open the door for any future development that may require that integral piece of knowledge.
Same goes with Rhaegar and the "3 heads of the dragon" vision from the House of the Undying...that can easily be moved to a waking dream of Dany's for season 5 to help establish Connington's group.

You have to remember, there were no guarantees of a season 2 when Game of Thrones premiered and adding in such exposition and history would have been risky since there is no immediate payback. Even the season 2 visions and prophecies were risky since there was no confirmation of a season 3 until after the S2 premiere.

Now that everyone agrees that Game of Thrones is here to stay I think the writers might become more agreeable to adding that history back in...hence even the new deal for GRRM for a possible "prequel" series.

this was a good episode, the best since the boiled leather episode in my opinion. i have to say that i find it hilarious that some people are so put off by others opinions about the show. its an adaptation of a book series we love and we all react to it differently. i feel that the podcast is at its best when all the hosts are present.

and to beat a favorite dead horse of mine i really think you guys should get chase back. just for one episode, to give the podcast's fanbase a proper dose of nerdrage. i mean come on he was fucking hilarious

Loved this episode. Was just sorry when it was over. Why no Mimi rant at the end?

Even when I don't agree with Mimi or I think she's too harsh, I still understand where she's coming from and it doesn't turn me off. Anyway she's fuckin hilarious and I love her.

And Larry too! I disagree with a lot of what he says but it's entertaining. Looking forward to when he'll be on again.

I feel the need to post even though I usually just watch....

Mimi being on the podcast makes it better. The podcast is at it's best when the four mainstays are all playing off each other. Nerd Rage or not you listen to a podcast for entertainment and if you just want a bunch of yes men go watch Leno. If you want hard hitting dick jokes and Nerd Rage listen to a podcast of ice and fire.

I'm in the party tent as far as the show is concerned. I'm generally annoyed at the majority of book readers criticisms of the show. (Does anyone give a really a fuck about Loras getting some strange in the show? Or are you just trying to point out some hardly memorable detail from the book? Just cuzzz.)

Like most things in life, it's the singer not the song.

I like Linda A. when she discusses the books. I really do. (I'd love that this comment doesn't turn this into a Linda hate zone.) But, she is just not interesting to me when she comments on the show. She has ISSUES with the show. It seems personal. It's not entertaining to listen to her reach for every possible 'fault' of the adaptation. It's kinda disturbing.

That being said....

Mimi's comments about the show are honest, funny, light hearted, and ENTERTAINING. She isn't whining. She isn't bringing up book minutia just for an attention grab. Her approach is great. I love that she watched Season 2 and is participating in the current show reviews. She can run it down all day and I will listen. (Flipping Tables > Character Assassination)

The show (then the books) brought me here. The (current) hosts are why I stay.

I never really noticed the lack of bowing, but I'm starting to notice lots of characters just barging into other characters' rooms, without knocking. Like, Tyrion just bursting into Varys' room (the wizard-in-a-box scene) unannounced. I'm pretty sure there have been other recent examples too. It's weird!

Oh man, thank you. You just summed up my EXACT thought about Dany in Season 2, and the House of the Undying in particular. I actually really, really liked the scene in the show. Obviously it's been scaled down from the books, and isn't nearly as surreal. I would also have liked more warlocks. But I just loved the snowy throne room, and Drogo's tent, contrasted with the cries of her baby dragons. I have a few quibbles about some of the Qarth scenes, but overall I really have no major problem with Dany's arc in Season 2.

Random point - but have they even mentioned the name of Dany's dragons in the show? Or are they just nameless?

"OMG did you see how awesome Dracarys was when he set the slave master on fire?"

Gahh no! I could see why tv viewers would think that though! They should at least have mentioned Drogon's name since apparently no one cares about the other 2

Hopefully Dany doesn't use a booby trapped saddle for her dragon riding

Like this?

Bravo sir. Bravo.

I feel this we should use this picture for whenever a thread is becoming critically derailed

(I enjoy off-topic chats but not when it gets out of hand!)

Both of these.

Given that D&D know the ending to the books, does this change the HOTU for anyone?

As I posted on the main page:

I gotta speak up and defend Mimi on this episode. In the past I've said the podcast was too negative towards the show, but after reading the comments I was expecting a LOT worse. In fact, I thought Mimi was generally positive. Even her general thoughts on Season 2 sounded pretty positive overall. Just my two cents. Good episode!

thanks, lex. honestly, i listened to this episode a few times after publication to see what all the drama was about. i really don't think i was being that negative, and i feel like i made a lot of laudatory points in regards to things i enjoyed.

it's ridiculous how butthurt people have been about my presence on the podcast in regards to the episode recaps. i have been on literally one episode recap episode in the past year, and i get this:



like, fucking really? i don't know the most diplomatic way to suggest that this person eat a bag of dicks.

There is no possible good intention behind this. It's not constructive, it's not at all fair, and it seems the only purpose is to bring you down and discourage you from podcasting. Well I say to hell with that. I was really surprised that some listeners not enjoying your contributions kept you away before. I missed you and I'm sure a lot of fans did. You're charisma an humor enhance the show, and although I love all the hosts it's at it's best when you are there too.

How you are that much worse than the other hosts anyway. You gave it a 3 for fucks sakes. Not exactly a Bowl of brown. I love the show and look forward to it every week, but it's not perfect. The show runners aren't infallible. What's wrong with commenting on the changes that you don't understand. And you did talk about the things you liked too!

Show whoever spewed that hate-filled dribble at you what's up. Come on the show as often as you can in all your glory. Forget the haters. Your fans love you.

Agreed. Stay for us! And for you! Cause it's your goddamn baby and these asshats can shove it

In this podcast episode, Mimi said that Theon/Alfie was awesome, Brienne was perfect, Stannis and Melisandre were awesome, Blackwater was good and the lack of chain understandable, etc. I don't even remember any major complaints, except that Dany was annoying in Season 2 (I disagree, but it's a common complaint) and that the 'Dracarys' scene last week didn't quite live up to the version in her head. Honestly, it was quite surprising after reading these comments, because it was really quite tame criticism. In fact, I'd say the most critical person this episode was Ashley by far (but Ashley is so laid back that it doesn't even come across as very negative to me).

I think some of these commenters were having a sort of knee-jerk reaction to Mimi's return. She has been pretty critical in the past, which is why she took the break from the TV-based podcast episodes. I respected that decision, but I also respect her decision to get caught up and make an effort to be involved again. And it sounded to me like she is actually enjoying some elements of the show quite a bit.

So, coming from someone who leans toward the fanboy side of things as far as the show is concerned, I'd actually enjoy hearing Mimi on more episode recaps (maybe towards the end of the season when she gets back). And another thing I did notice is that the episodes are funnier when Mimi's around. Not just for her own jokes, but the way she seems to bring out the funnier side in the other hosts as well.

THIS! x1000

I respectfully disagree, even Amin said several times that the comments will be interesting after the podcast based on Mimi's points. Nothing against her, hey she is a superfan of the books, but not everything can, or should be translated straight to screen. I happen to love the show and I love the books, although I have only read them once so I'm not in the same universe as you guys obviously.

actually, amin's comments were in reference to things i said that were cut out of the final episode.

A mimi does not concern itself with the opinions of sheep. you rocked it mimi, as always