It’s available now, and the commentary answers some questions and explains some of the changes from the book. There’s a booklet with a map and character guide, and lots of extra features.
So far I’ve only watched the first episode. One of the things that bugged me the most was the change in Dany and Drogo’s wedding night. They said the actors tried doing it the way Martin wrote it, but they (the actors) just couldn’t make it work. They didn’t criticize Martin’s writing though. The implication was that sometimes what’s in the characters’ minds can’t be shown.
Something else that was interesting was learning that the first episode was, basically, filmed over the course of a year. They did the pilot, screened it, got feedback, recast Catelyn, and shot more scenes and deleted scenes to come up with what we finally saw.
They also admit to several continuity errors, none of which I noticed.
I just finished with the DVD set. IIRC 7 of the 10 episodes have commentaries, by a mix of writers, producers, directors, and cast. Every one of them heaps much deserved praise on the opening credits except the commentary done by the child actors who play Sansa, Arya, and Bran…they all just sing along with theme tune. Had me on the floor
Me too, just finished. I won’t watch the “making of” parts though – it takes away from the magic.
Did GRRM’s voice surprise you? I expected something deep and booming.
I wish he would have done commentary for all the episodes. It’s reassuring that he seems to have all the background in his head, and that he can go off on a tangent explaining a character’s history and the background of his family, etc.
They let the kids WATCH the show? :eek: Holy crap, I love the show, but it’s not really kid friendly. I hope it wasn’t one with wangs dangling around or gruesome death scenes or… wait… that’s pretty much all of them
