# Game of Thrones, Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things, 5/8/11 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 8, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163 "2011-05-08T16:38:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/81 "2011-05-11T04:50:30Z")
> [@quixotic78](#): > > (And I must be the only person on the planet who thinks Dinklage is hamming it up too much as Tyrion. Or maybe it’s because I think his accent is silly. But I’m underwhelmed, but willing to forgive because the Tyrion of the books is one of the greatest all time literary characters; no one on the screen could live up to that.) I don’t know if hammy is the right word, but I think I see your point. Tyrion – not just Dinklage – is a scene-stealer, possibly to make up for his stature. Plus, he’s a Lannister, so he’s gonna be a bit louder than he needs to be, even overbearing. He exudes confidence (even if he doesn’t really have any), and maybe that comes across as hammy. ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/82 "2011-05-11T05:12:46Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I said requested in the past. So what? You didn’t link to any threads where you made these requests. I, too, can pull arbitrary rules from other unlinked threads, and they’ll have exactly the same relevance that your unlinked rules have. If you wanted to not have the books even mentioned, then you should have said so in this thread, rather than requiring “your” readers to have a mental inventory of every past rule you’ve ever made that may or may not be relevant. > [@](#): > > **Frank** reminds the posters in this thread how it was decided these should go. No, **Frank** expressed his wish to have the show stand on its own merit, rather than being compared to the books. I get it – the “The book did it better” refrain can get annoying – but I disagree, as is my right (so long as I’m not spoiling anything). He never mentioned your Holy Unspoken Rule about how the books cannot be mentioned. > [@](#): > > **quixotic78** snarkily replies. I point out the precedence and get more snark. I’m sorry I hurt your feefees with my snark, **Snarky\_Kong**. Look, I didn’t spoil anything, and you didn’t put _in this thread_ that you wanted us to pretend the books didn’t exist. (And actually, if you could link to the post where you said such, I’d appreciate it, because my recollection is that you yourself posted a monster of a spoiler in your own thread where you asked for no spoilers. But what I don’t recall is this policy of not even mentioning the books’ existence.) So you have no leg to stand on. Back to the matter at hand, I thought this episode went by very quickly. Dinklage didn’t bug me as much in this episode, but what did bug me was how everyone in the crowd at the joust – even drunken Robert – just sort of sat there quietly while Littlefinger told the Hound’s story to Sansa. It was awkward and kind of staged. But all in all, I’m excited about where the show is going. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/83 "2011-05-11T06:49:12Z")
> [@quixotic78](#): > > (And actually, if you could link to the post where you said such, I’d appreciate it, because my recollection is that you yourself posted a monster of a spoiler in your own thread where you asked for no spoilers. But what I don’t recall is this policy of not even mentioning the books’ existence.) So you have no leg to stand on. From the previous episode thread “Lord Snow” 5/1/11: > [@Game of Thrones, Lord Snow, 5/1/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-lord-snow-5-1-11/580390/1): > > Here’s this week’s episode. > > NO SPOILERS. Don’t hint at them, no segues. If new readers request a spoiler… PM them? Not sure how that’s going to work. Thoughts on that? > [@Game of Thrones, Lord Snow, 5/1/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-lord-snow-5-1-11/580390/3): > > For the purposes of this thread, the books do not exists. > > I don’t think what you said spoils anything, but there were still complaints last thread. Trying to nip this in the bud. > [@Game of Thrones, Lord Snow, 5/1/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-lord-snow-5-1-11/580390/39): > > People, please remember that these threads are for people watching the TV show, many of whom have not read the books. _Please use spoiler boxes for information from the books that have not been revealed yet on the show._ > > Thanks > > **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator > [@Game of Thrones, Lord Snow, 5/1/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-lord-snow-5-1-11/580390/102): > > If it’s from the books, not the TV show, it’s a spoiler. Please respect the fact that not everyone watching the show has read the books. > > Thanks, > > **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator. From the thread on “The Kingsroad” 4/24/11: > [@Game of Thrones, The Kingsroad, 4/24/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-the-kingsroad-4-24-11/579563/1): > > Alright, the first week had some discussion about how the format of the threads should go. This week we’re going to go for **NO SPOILERS**! Boxed or otherwise. This thread is only for discussion of what happens in the episode or the [premier](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=605110). If you want to talk about spoilers, and I know you do, see the [spoiler thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=605757). Shall I continue, or do you now realize that if you’ve been following the threads on previous episodes, the policy of not talking about the books has been clearly stated by both **Snarky\_Kong** and mods? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/84 "2011-05-11T11:00:51Z")
> [@quixotic78](#): > > So what? You didn’t link to any threads where you made these requests. I, too, can pull arbitrary rules from other unlinked threads, and they’ll have exactly the same relevance that your unlinked rules have. If you wanted to not have the books even mentioned, then you should have said so in this thread, rather than requiring “your” readers to have a mental inventory of every past rule you’ve ever made that may or may not be relevant. I should probably post them at least once a page too! > [@](#): > > No, **Frank** expressed his wish to have the show stand on its own merit, rather than being compared to the books. I get it – the “The book did it better” refrain can get annoying – but I disagree, as is my right (so long as I’m not spoiling anything). He never mentioned your Holy Unspoken Rule about how the books cannot be mentioned. I never said anything about my rules being holy or anything of the sort. I was just pointing out the precedence. > [@](#): > > I’m sorry I hurt your feefees with my snark, **Snarky\_Kong**. Should I find you a link to the “don’t be a douchebag” rule too? I mean, it’s not in every thread, you could hardly be expected to remember it. > [@](#): > > because my recollection is that you yourself posted a monster of a spoiler in your own thread where you asked for no spoilers. But what I don’t recall is this policy of not even mentioning the books’ existence.) So you have no leg to stand on. Your recollection is false and would be irrelevant anyway. “I don’t remember the rule so it doesn’t matter.” Nice. I’ll be sure to babysit you next week. I can make a nice flowchart for you to following along too! Reading comprehension and playing nice with others, it’ll be like doing kindergarten for the third time! ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/85 "2011-05-11T12:32:22Z")
> [@quixotic78](#): > > …Look, I didn’t spoil anything, and you didn’t put _in this thread_ that you wanted us to pretend the books didn’t exist. (And actually, if you could link to the post where you said such, I’d appreciate it, because my recollection is that you yourself posted a monster of a spoiler in your own thread where you asked for no spoilers. But what I don’t recall is this policy of not even mentioning the books’ existence.) So you have no leg to stand on… I remember that monster spoiler & am one of many who reported it. A quick review of earlier threads seemed to indicate it was deleted. If so, good. That review also showed that Our OP hasn’t always been so pure about avoiding spoilers–marked & unmarked. He’s reformed now! ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/86 "2011-05-11T12:43:27Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I should probably post them at least once a page too! If you’d like. Failing that, posting your rules for the thread in the OP should suffice. Maintaining that rules you’ve previously posted in other, unlinked threads also apply to this thread is silly. > [@](#): > > Should I find you a link to the “don’t be a douchebag” rule too? I mean, it’s not in every thread, you could hardly be expected to remember it. What’s with the namecalling? > [@](#): > > Your recollection is false and would be irrelevant anyway. **Bridget Burke** seems to remember your giant _faux pas_. Which is good, because I was only ~75% sure that you were the one who posted the monster spoiler, so confirmation is nice. > [@](#): > > I’ll be sure to babysit you next week. I can make a nice flowchart for you to following along too! Reading comprehension and playing nice with others, it’ll be like doing kindergarten for the third time! Heh, you’re just like a lot of characters I’ve read about in this book I shan’t mention – a petty lordling. I hope it’s fun for you. > [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > That review also showed that Our OP hasn’t always been so pure about avoiding spoilers–marked & unmarked. > > He’s reformed now! The zealotry of the recently converted, I guess. Thanks for your quotes, **Eyebrows 0f Doom**. I see that I did indeed miss the policy of “Don’t even mention the books” from previous threads. I’m not sure those rules should even apply to this new thread with nary a mention – after all, I missed them, and someone posting for the first time about the series in this thread would have missed them too. Maybe the self-proclaimed King of All Threads Games of Throney could put all his rules in the OP for the next thread? (Or – ooh, and this is again relevant to some story I read once that I don’t remember – maybe someone will usurp His Grace and start a thread about next week’s episode and allow boxed spoilers? Oh the chaos!) ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/87 "2011-05-11T12:51:10Z")
Can either of you pm me what the spoiler was? I think you’re mistaken. She says it was deleted. Do mods do that? Seems they’d just add a spoiler box. The only complaint t I recall is about something I did have in a spoiler box. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/88 "2011-05-11T13:02:04Z")
Also, can you explain how pointing out that it has been requested by the OP, posters, and mods that book discussion is equivalent to crowning myself King of GoT threads? You complained about a request for no book discussion. All I did was point out that that was the understanding in the thread and that the request was not anal nitpicking. So can you drop that “your grace” shit? ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/89 "2011-05-11T13:06:28Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Also, can you explain how pointing out that it has been requested by the OP, posters, and mods that book discussion is equivalent to crowning myself King of GoT threads? It’s some snark. I thought you’d appreciate it, given your name. It was meant tongue-in-cheek; I really don’t want to pick a fight about it, so I’ll drop it since it clearly bugs you. > [@](#): > > You complained about a request for no book discussion. All I did was point out that that was the understanding in the thread and that the request was not anal nitpicking. So can you drop that “your grace” shit? And all I did was point out that, no matter how many times you made the request in other threads that the books not be mentioned, _you did not do so in this thread_. So to expect me to play by your elsewhere written rules that I had not read is silly. I’ll look for that monster spoiler, but **BB** says it might have been deleted. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/90 "2011-05-11T13:10:54Z")
> [@quixotic78](#): > > And all I did was point out that, no matter how many times you made the request in other threads that the books not be mentioned, _you did not do so in this thread_. So to expect me to play by your elsewhere written rules that I had not read is silly. > > I’ll look for that monster spoiler, but **BB** says it might have been deleted. Well, it’s not quite that. It was the “whatever, I’ll do what I want” attitude. If the posting went like this: A: No book talk! You: Why not? Me: That’s how we’ve been doing it. You: Oh, I didn’t know. Then there wouldn’t have been any hard feelings. I didn’t expect you to play by rules you’re not aware of, just that when they’re pointed out you go along with them. We’ve gotten as far off topic as any of these threads have, so group hug time and moving on. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/91 "2011-05-11T13:36:14Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Shall I continue, or do you now realize that if you’ve been following the threads on previous episodes, the policy of not talking about the books has been clearly stated by both **Snarky\_Kong** and mods? Are we still allowed to ask “Do you think that Ned Stark will look **in the book** for answers?” ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/92 "2011-05-11T13:40:52Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Are we still allowed to ask “Do you think that Ned Stark will look **in the book** for answers?” Tsk, tsk. I hope they throw the book at you. ---
**Author:** ![TheFifthYear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@TheFifthYear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFifthYear)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/93 "2011-05-11T14:25:19Z")
I’m loving this show. I have not read the books, and don’t find it particularly hard to follow, other than I don’t know anyone’s names (other than a select few), but that doesn’t really matter. Shown their pictures, I could give you a synopsis of their story line, relations and such. It’s a really good show, and I’m very eager to see where the season goes. It does seem like they are packing a ton of story into each episode…I agree with the people above who said it could use longer episodes (or more episodes). As to the subject of spoilers, I’d love it each week whoever starts the OP could make it crystal clear that for the purpose of this thread, the books just don’t exist. Each week there have been spoilers and stuff from the books, some big, some very minor, but for me, I want this to be about the show, and only what is shown on the show. If the book adds some more backstory for a character’s actions, well, that’s not for this thread. Here, we only know what is shown on screen and should judge the show and our perceptions of the characters only on that. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/94 "2011-05-11T16:53:14Z")
> [@Feyrat](#): > > Tyrion’s always been my favorite character, and imo the closest thing to a “good” adult character the series has… I disagree. That would be Ned, Lord Eddard Stark, despite his many flaws. And there will be another such person, later, who will remain here nameless in obedience to the no-book-discussion thread rule. PM me if you want to know who. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/95 "2011-05-11T17:32:58Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > And there will be another such person, later, who will remain here nameless in obedience to the no-book-discussion thread rule. PM me if you want to know who. You’ll have to go to the spoiler thread and tell me then, because I damned sure can’t think of one. And if you’re going to say who I think you’re going to say, you’re wrong! -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Feyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/fbc32d/32.png) [@Feyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feyrat)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/96 "2011-05-11T18:32:07Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I disagree. That would be Ned, Lord Eddard Stark, despite his many flaws. > > And there will be another such person, later, who will remain here nameless in obedience to the no-book-discussion thread rule. PM me if you want to know who. But Eddard… yeah, gonna have to go to the other thread. Quick question: was saying that the show was following Dany’s arc in the book a no-no? It didn’t seem like a spoiler to me, but now everyone’s flipping out about the book’s existence and I want to know for future reference. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/97 "2011-05-11T20:15:41Z")
Better to pretend here that the books don’t exist at all. Go to the spoiler-laden other thread otherwise, or PM one of the GoTscenti. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/98 "2011-05-11T20:29:42Z")
I have enjoyed “Game of Thrones” a lot, it’s probably the best sword and sandal series going right now, and I include “Spartacus” and “Camelot” in that. The series has a VERY well-realized culture much like medieval Europe, but it’s clearly NOT medieval Europe, which means there’s plenty of room for surprises. It’s also clearly not Earth, so there are some interesting alien influences possible. “Game of Thrones” reminds me a lot of the Gor novels – very well laid out societies and cultures, LIKE Earth culture, but not EXACTLY Earth cultures, there are alien influences that afford surprises, and it’s an alien world – though “Game of Thrones” is without all the focus on sex slavery found in the Gor novels that many find offensive. So, I’m not surprised I like the series. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2011, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/99 "2011-05-12T05:32:44Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > That’s part of what I love about Tyrion. Moments after a kind gesture towards the little crippled Stark boy, he’s twisting the knife in Theon and mocking him as a prisoner and lackey. Nobody’s either all good or all bad in GoT. I think I have to stick up for the little guy here, Theon clearly started that and Tyrion was giving back as good as he got. Frankly I would have loved to have seen Tyrion give Theon the same treatment that he gave Joffery, only he did it verbally. Declan ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163/100 "2011-05-15T18:34:49Z")
Like the atmosphere of the series so far, but am wondering with 4 of 10 episodes past, when does the plot get truly moving? Mostly, it’s been expositional. AIUI, this first season covers the first of the books (which I haven’t read). Does the pace pick up or is it foreplay for future seasons? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-cripples-bastards-and-broken-things-5-8-11/581163.md?page=6)