# Game of Thrones 2.01 "The North Remembers" 4/1 - ZERO SPOILER Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 26, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885 "2012-03-26T22:11:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/41 "2012-03-27T13:32:20Z")
Series hasn’t even started yet and this thread is a train-wreck already. Sometimes the people of the Dope are just a bit too much for me. If you need me, I’ll be in the other threads. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/42 "2012-03-27T15:01:15Z")
So is this going to be thread for open discussion of the episode, but no discussion of the books? I’m really confused. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/43 "2012-03-27T15:06:33Z")
This is the “the books don’t even exist” thread. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/44 "2012-03-27T15:08:55Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > …To everyone else - sorry if I’m coming off as overly hostile, and I’m going to do my best to get things back on track. If you were around for the clusterfucks last year, you’ll understand why I’m trying to lay out iron rules to avoid exactly this sort of thing. Ah, see, that was your mistake. You should have made the rules from Valeryan steel. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/45 "2012-03-27T15:09:57Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > Series hasn’t even started yet and this thread is a train-wreck already. Sometimes the people of the Dope are just a bit too much for me. It’ll settle in once the alternate spoiler-heavy threads start, and the show begins and there’s more to discuss. The last 4 of 5 episodic threads last year worked out pretty well, once we got that all hammered out. And yes, this is the discussion that’s only about the TV show. No information is to be brought from outside the TV show. Not sure how this is confusing. ---
**Author:** ![Cowboy8467](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Cowboy8467](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy8467)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/46 "2012-03-27T16:05:38Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > So when we left off, the Lannisters and Starks were at war. Drogo is dead, and Danyris laid some dragons. Ned was executed. The Lannisters have Sansa, the Starks have Jamie Lanister, and Arya is in hiding. There’s evidence that things are stirring north of the wall, and the Night’s Watch are sending out a party. Differing factions are fighting for the throne - **claimants are Geoffry, Stannis Baratheon, and Robb Stark**. Don’t forget Renly Baratheon. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/47 "2012-03-27T16:31:58Z")
> [@Cowboy8467](#): > > Don’t forget Renly Baratheon. Also, Robb isn’t claiming the Iron Throne. He’s claiming to be King of the North. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/48 "2012-03-27T16:33:13Z")
The North and the Riverlands actually. ---
**Author:** ![Cowboy8467](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Cowboy8467](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy8467)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/49 "2012-03-27T16:51:33Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > The North and the Riverlands actually. Everything north of The Neck I think. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/50 "2012-03-27T16:59:30Z")
I just can’t let this go. Huge rotten spoiler contained below: [spoiler] Ned’s head.[spoiler] It’s been a year now. That thing’s gotta be pretty ripe. You think they’ve put it on ice? Seriously though. Sean Bean is like the Kenny of fantasy series [/spoiler] [/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/51 "2012-03-27T17:02:23Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > I just can’t let this go. Huge rotten spoiler contained below: > > [spoiler] Ned’s head.[spoiler] > > It’s been a year now. That thing’s gotta be pretty ripe. You think they’ve put it on ice?[/spoiler] [/spoiler] No, of course not.No ice, just spike. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/52 "2012-03-27T17:03:47Z")
As a person who loves the show but will never ever pick up one of the books, I greatly appreciate the spoiler rules being laid out ahead of time by SenorBeef. The worst thing last season were the winking little comments like “don’t get too attached to likable characters” and such. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Cowboy8467](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Cowboy8467](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy8467)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/53 "2012-03-27T17:05:23Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > I just can’t let this go. Huge rotten spoiler contained below: > > [spoiler] Ned’s head.[spoiler] > > It’s been a year now. That thing’s gotta be pretty ripe. You think they’ve put it on ice? Seriously though. Sean Bean is like the Kenny of fantasy series [/spoiler] [/spoiler] Wouldn’t really call that a spoiler since the event happened in the first season. Also, they are all dipped in tar to preserve them. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/54 "2012-03-28T01:24:04Z")
Yeah, Ned’s head isn’t a spoiler, since we’re discussing everything that’s happened on the TV show up until now. So anything from season 1 is up for discussion. Anyone heard anything about the budget for season 2? Increased, decreased from the first? Was the first season considered a big success? I know it got critical hype, but that doesn’t necesarily mean much. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/55 "2012-03-28T01:32:16Z")
Season 1 cost 60 mil apparently, which was less than other comparable HBO series (Rome cost 100-120 mil per season, a big factor in its cancellation). Season 2 got a bigger budget because of the massive success of season 1, but i have no idea how much bigger it actually is. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/56 "2012-03-28T01:33:44Z")
They did well with the budget - the set design, costumes, general production values were pretty great. They did have to skimp on certan things, like battle scenes. Hopefully their budget will allow more this season. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/57 "2012-03-28T01:35:36Z")
It seems like HBO is aware that they have a great thing on their hands, they have been promoting the show pretty heavily. I wish they would give it more episodes along with more budget though. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/58 "2012-03-28T02:37:14Z")
**Moderator Note:** I just opened two threads for the other discussion of this thread and will shortly amend the OP to reflect the system we are going for. I would appreciate it if people reread the OP to be clear. As I can see the benefits of having a weekly discussion thread for each episode in the zero spoiler format, I’d also appreciate it if those rules were copy-pasted for each episode. With regards, Gukumatz Game Room & IMHO Moderator Consulting Game of Thrones Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/59 "2012-03-28T02:41:23Z")
In the Entertainment Weekly article I read, they did increase the budget, a lot of which was spent on location. The producers did go back for more money for bigger battles but were turned down. P.S., don’t read the article if you want to be comepletely unspoiled. They give away broad plot points. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885/60 "2012-03-28T02:44:09Z")
This seems like the appropriate place to ask. I read the first two books, but I have not seen any of the shows. I have heard such great things about the show. I would like to watch it, but would rather get the info from the books first. Does the first season only contain plot points for the first book? Or, should I read all of the published books before watching the first season? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-01-the-north-remembers-4-1-zero-spoiler-discussion-thread/616885.md?page=4)