Well, Littlefinger didn't tell her everything, so perhaps there will be another later scene where he fills her in a little more. Some changes are necessary though for time issues, and because of the perspective. There's a lot of information that can't be conveyed the same way it was in the books.

 

Got the books, and hopefully I'll have some time to start reading. I've only watched up to ep 3 but so far it is excellent.

 

Another very solid episode IMHO. LOL'd at the ending.

 

Yep, a bit of snipping  

As for the bit about Catelyn being too old..well this Ned isn't in his 30's either.  
I would allow a bit of aging for the times..folks didn't have the skin care products nor the easier life of today..they did look older than their years I'm sure. She's a good actress, plus as the mother of grown sons in this series, she looks about right..so does he. Life was tough, harsh and cold, it aged people.

I'm one episode behind but I love what I've seen so far  

 

I wasn't happy about Littlefinger telling the Hound's story either. Hopefully the Hound's interaction with Sansa isn't completely removed from the series. Also wished they would have shown some more jousting. Hopefully we'll get to see some of the secondary characters appear like Thoros and Beric Dondarion. Also, there has been no mention of the Mêlée, I wonder if they are taking that entire part with Robert wanting to fight in it out.

This week's episode was nice, I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the actor they got to play Sam yet. I like Pyp and Grenn, they're pretty much exactly how I'd pictured them. Also, the speech from Ser Alliser to Jon and Sam was a little weird, I would have thought he wouldn't bother even talking to them. Also hoping more Wall characters start appearing like Donal Noye and Ed Tollet.

Some other parts I liked about the episode was the interaction between Jaime and Jory, as well as shedding a little light on why Theon is in Winterfell.

 

The jousting they showed thus far was only lightly touched upon in the books, and the joust that was shown was the only one of note on the first day. There is still the second day of jousting, which is in the next episode with the introduction of the knight of flowers. I'm fairly certain Robert's outburst about the melee wasn't until the feast after the first day, so it too could very well be in the next episode.

 

Well, HBO definately deviated with that episode. A lot I liked, and a lot I did not. Some wasted scenes too that completely lost the point (Robert wanting to compete and the baby in the brothel).

 

Yeah, I'm still pretty disappointed in the lack of exposure the Hand's Tourney gets. We didn't even get to see some of the major characters joust like Ser Barristan, The Hound and Jaime. I guess they need to cut things out though...

There was some interesting added scenes that I liked, specifically the conversations between Littlefinger and Varys and the one between Robert and Cersei. We never would have gotten to see those happen in the book because none of the POVs would have been there, but it makes sense that they would have happened. Also, I guess all the speculation about who the two characters that Arya was eavesdropping on are verified now.

It's also interesting to see them setting the groundwork for things that might not happen until the end of the Season or Season 2. Theon's getting a lot more screen time than I would have expected in Season 1. Renly and Loras' relationship wasn't exactly treated with the subtlety that it gets in the books. Definitely changing things up though, Renly was never considered "poor" seeing as how he's Lord of Storm's End.

Also, my biggest disappointment with this episode was no Blackfish!

 

Finished watching ep 5, and it seems like the ante keeping rising after each episode. Looks like the House of Stark & Lannister will be in a full battle mode soon, which is something I didn't think would happen so soon in the series (since I haven't finished reading yet). I'm thinking about reading book 1 quickly, and see what's coming up next in ep 6, although that might mean not getting enough sleep & I have to work the next day.

 

Wow, ep 6 was amazing! This show keeps getting better and better.

 

Can't say I was unhappy when in this week's episode, the blonde mean-a** brother got his crown of gold  

 

Yeah, that was choice! Just got done with episode 7 and without getting spoilerish I'll just say: Shit just got real.

 

Yep..things are definitely heating up!!  

 

I don't have HBO Go so I can't see it, but from the preview it looks unbelievably intense. Right now every episode seems like it could be used as the season finale or something...it's getting crazier by the episode. I've started to read the book because the story is just too good, and I can't really wait to find out what's next.

 

I think I'm going to wait on the books until they get done with the show. Usually I have read the book before I see the movie/tv show and it's always a let down because there is no way to get a book's depth in a motion picture(LOTR films came closest to my ideal book movie experience). So for once I'm able to just enjoy the show without comparing it to the source material.

And does anyone else catch themselves humming the theme tune? It's been stuck in my head recently.

 

Title edited - I think we're a bit beyond greenlit now.

Been meaning to check this out - glad to see the crown of gold made it in.

 

That tense sound you're hearing in these episodes? That is simply the fuse on a powder keg of shit that will go down. Winter is coming.

 

OK, seriously, why haven't they shown the Blackfish yet? If he's cut out of the series I'm going to be very disappointed. The fight between Bronn and Ser Vardis was pretty badass, that was a ridiculous amount of blood that poured out of him at the end.

Glad they included the scene with Ned sending Lord Beric after Gregor, still no sign of Thoros though, I'm beginning to think that we won't be getting a chance to see his flamming sword. Nice to see more of Arya's training with Syrio.

The scene with Bran, Robb and Theon against the Wildlings was good, wished they would have included the Direwolves getting into the action though. The scene where Robert and Cersei visit Ned after he wakes up was almost word for word from the books. Still no Ned flashbacks though.

Can't wait for things to get really crazy. I'm pretty sure I know how next week's episode will end, then shit's really gonna hit the fan. Also, hope they get back to the Wall, haven't seen Jon and Company for two episodes now. The Golden Crown scene was awesome.

 

Yes, Jon is in next weeks episode, including the vows, and the episode does end where I suspect you suspect it does. Still a ton to do in the last 3 episodes.

I don't mind the absence of the Blackfish, it's not like we're really missing out on any vital story stuff with him not being there at this point.

 

I'm a bit worried Drogo's character arc's going to be left out. We never are going to see him go from angry savage, to kind of a caring husband. Oh well, not too big a deal. Everything else has been great. I'm about halfway through Book II and cannot wait to see how they handle some of the stuff that goes on there.