[Ceda Cicero]

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 06 September 2014 - 05:00 AM, said:

So, guess no flashbacks, even through weirwood.net?

This seems fairly old news at this point but I didn't see it posted here, so thought I'd float it to anyone who hasn't caught wind of it yet: http://mashable.com/...backs-season-5/

[Werthead]

Yes, Season 5 will have some pretty big flashbacks. Young Cersei and Maggy the Frog have been cast, and others are expected. Whether they're actual flashbacks or through the weirwoods is unclear at the moment.

And at the moment it looks like the Greyjoy storyline is out or much reduced and the Martell storyline will be changed and given much more prominence.

There's also apparently a big change to the Meereen storyline:

Spoiler

There have been shots of Tyrion sitting next to Dany at the scenes in the gladatorial arena. It's been suggested it's a behind the scenes shot - water bottles and crew are visible - so it might just be from a break in filming the scene where Tyrion is in the pit and Dany is watching, but it could be they are changing up the Tyrion/Dany storyline and having them meet much earlier than they did in the books.

[Gothos]

Sad Panda. Loved the whole Greyjoy thing. And where's Euron?

This post has been edited by Gothos: 27 October 2014 - 12:03 PM

[Werthead]

The show is probably only going to be 7 seasons long, so they've taken a long hard look at the story from hereon out and made the decision to focus on 1) existing storylines and characters rather than de-emphasising or losing them for long periods, and 2) storylines that will get them to the endgame of the story faster. It's not the case that stories from the books are irrelevant or filler, just that the TV producers simply can't spend the time servicing them that they'd need so will ruthlessly cut them and join up the dots some other way.

On this basis it appears that:

Spoiler

The Greyjoy storyline will be probably cut down. It's possible that Balon will still die - that's still foreshadowed by the leeches scene in S3 - but that Yara/Asha will simply succeed him, or will have to go rescue Theon to do so and then run into her book storyline and ally with Stannis that way. Euron and Victarion either won't show up at all or it will be a massively reduced storyline. There will be no mission to go and dragonnap Dany with a magic horn - it appears that Season 5 will end where Dany's ADWD story ends anyway and Victarion will need to be on his way right now for that to make any sense.

The Martell storyline is also being cut down. Arianne and Quentyn appear to be out, and the new story is focusing on the Sand Snakes trying to kidnap or crown Myrcella. Darkstar is out, Arys Oakhart will probably just remain an extra and it looks like Jaime and Bronn will be involved in that storyline as well. On that basis, it looks like the whole Siege of Riverrun storyline and Jaime ending up meeting Brienne and Stoneheart is also out, and confirms producer suggests that Stoneheart is gone. What exactly Brienne and Pod will be doing in S5 therefore remains highly unclear; some rumours speak of them hooking up with Sansa and reluctantly getting involved in supporting Littlefinger's schemes in the Vale. That could work.

Aegon and Jon Connington also appear to be out. Some fans are theorising that Trystane Martell may be changed to an icognito Aegon which could be a cleverer way around the problem. The Golden Company being mentioned in S4 suggests they may still roll with this story, but if so it's going to be different to the novels. Or they may have been hedging their bets and have now decided to drop it altogether.

The "Sam in Braavos" story also looks like it's been eliminated, or if it does happen Sam will just go to Braavos and not to Oldtown, and be back at the Wall in time for the betrayal of Jon.

[Traveller]

They've obviously picked out the story threads which end fairly.. abruptly, like Quentins, and decided they're not worth starting in the first place.

Which may mean that certain other characters like Euron end up the same way; it's not appeared in the books yet but if Grrm has hinted at their fate to b+w, and their stories don't make much of an impact on the 'regular' characters it seems unlikely they'll be included. It's all the cut material that will keep people buying the books after the series is over. If and when they appear.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 28 October 2014 - 05:26 PM

[Ceda Cicero]

Guessing the first real trailer for season 5 will drop tonight since it's premiering with the IMAX screenings--stoked for this!

[Ceda Cicero]

And here it is:

http://winteriscomin...ason-5-trailer/

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Ceda Cicero, on 30 January 2015 - 03:01 PM, said:

And here it is:

http://winteriscomin...ason-5-trailer/

From Varys' dialogue in that, it would appear to confirm

Spoiler

Aegon

is indeed out for good - unless the theory above about Trystane comes into play.

[champ]

Could be interesting...

Quote

“People are going to die who don’t die in the books, so even the book readers will be unhappy," he said. "Everybody better be on their toes. David and D.B. are even bloodier than I am.”

http://uk.ign.com/ar...-tv-show-deaths

[Ceda Cicero]

2nd trailer released at Apple event today: http://winteriscomin...at-apple-event/

...Where it was also announced that HBO NOW will be available for unbundled, direct-through-HBO subscription in early April, in time for season 5 of GoT.

[Werthead]

Saw the first episode of Season 5 at the world premiere in London. Very cool

Looking at the above, something I can expand on:

Spoiler

Not only are there flashbacks, but the show opens with the Cersei and Maggy the Frog flashback straight off the block. So that's a statement of intent that they are going to change things up.

[Ceda Cicero]

Werthead, on 22 March 2015 - 11:12 PM, said:

Saw the first episode of Season 5 at the world premiere in London. Very cool

Looking at the above, something I can expand on:

Spoiler

Not only are there flashbacks, but the show opens with the Cersei and Maggy the Frog flashback straight off the block. So that's a statement of intent that they are going to change things up.

Potential SE5EP1 spoilers:

Spoiler

Were there continued flashbacks throughout, after the opening sequence with Cersei/Maggy? Been wondering if maybe they just decided to break the flashback rule for dramatic effect in the cold opener before the credits, but otherwise stick to their guns. Also, do we have any indicator whether or not flashbacks are limited to young Cersei? IIRC (could be wrong), young Cersei was the only "flashback" version of a character that was announced.

Thanks for the info, Wert!

This post has been edited by Ceda Cicero: 23 March 2015 - 12:29 PM

[Werthead]

Ceda Cicero, on 23 March 2015 - 12:28 PM, said:

Potential SE5EP1 spoilers:

Spoiler

Were there continued flashbacks throughout, after the opening sequence with Cersei/Maggy? Been wondering if maybe they just decided to break the flashback rule for dramatic effect in the cold opener before the credits, but otherwise stick to their guns. Also, do we have any indicator whether or not flashbacks are limited to young Cersei? IIRC (could be wrong), young Cersei was the only "flashback" version of a character that was announced.

Thanks for the info, Wert!

Spoiler

The opening flashback was the only one. It was also after the credits, there was no cold open. The flashback then segued into Cersei going to Tywin's funeral. As for more flashbacks, I don't think we have any hard evidence there will be more, but Charles Dance and Mark Addy both joked that they could come back now the no-flashback rule has been broken. I think that was more taking the mickey rather than any indication they are coming back

[champ]

First four eps of the season have leaked online... my Sunday watching sorted!

[amphibian]

Be real careful. HBO goes after people hard for these, esp in USA.

[worry]

Yah you've mentioned those conversations before as being really nice. It's gonna be rough for sure. Condolences to you and your whole fam.

[Terez]

Maggy didn't finish the prophecy. I wonder if they cut that bit or if they will show it later.

This post has been edited by Terez: 13 April 2015 - 02:13 AM

[worry]

Mine grows that fast too! I'm really anticipating getting to see the chess game between Cersei and Margaery from both sides. Natalie Dormer is so good.

[Ceda Cicero]

Looks like the show's deviating pretty sharply on the Mance subplot from DANCE. And frankly this doesn't bother me all that much, since the whole Rattleshirt fakeout/Melisandre's illusion thing always smacked of Harry Potter to me. It is a damn shame how little screen time Ciaran Hinds got, though.

Overall thought it was a solid start. Some of Varys and Tyrion's exchanges were absolutely hilarious. Thought the increased effects budget was pretty apparent already.

Biggest gripe of the episode: why the fuck was Brienne sharpening a Valyrian steel sword..?

[Spoilsport Stonny]

amphibian, on 12 April 2015 - 07:51 AM, said:

Be real careful. HBO goes after people hard for these, esp in USA.

That's actually incorrect. While they will most certainly track down the critic that loosed the screeners, they have a fairly laisez faire attitude towards pirating. They'd rather focus their efforts on creating a quality show than worrying about some 14 year old trying to see boobies behind his mom's back.