[Terez]

Last year I started the season 5 thread right after season 4 was done, since that's usually when they begin casting announcements. This year I was inspired to start the season 6 thread because we finally have something close to proof (after several less-decisive clues) that Jon Snow will be back in season 6, as he was caught on set in costume:

http://www.dailymail...social-facebook

Not that book-readers are surprised. Huffington Post noted that he's not wearing black, which is interesting, though they went a little far when they implied that his clothes suggest he is the new King of the North. It's not implausible, but it's a wobbly theory.

Casting highlights:

This audition video is very revealing. Apparently Dany will be taken to Vaes Dothrak. That in itself is very unsurprising, though there were other options for what the Dothraki might have done with her. It's interesting because the new character in question is a relatively young dosh khaleen, and there are hints that Dany will do her revolutionary magic from within Vaes Dothrak.

Another audition video (since removed, but the commentary remains) gives insight into what we can expect from the Mereen plot.

The Tarly family has been cast. Character names and actors (confirmed by HBO) at the link.

Danish actor Pilou Asbæk cast as Euron Greyjoy.

More casting bits here.

Finally, B&W have confirmed that the show will run for at least 8 seasons. Of course, that was also unsurprising after it became clear that they were casting Greyjoys for season 6. Without confirmed casting for Victarion, though, it seems the kingsmoot will be boring, if they don't skip it altogether.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

It was always going to be a big ask to cover all the remaining story (at least two novels) in seven seasons I think. The Dothraki/Dosh Khaleen plot looks pretty interesting!

[Itwæs Nom]

I dont like the fact that TV series overtakes books. Thats just wrong.

[flea]

Charlie Nom, on 27 September 2015 - 02:19 PM, said:

I dont like the fact that TV series overtakes books. Thats just wrong.

We all wish Martin had written faster. I can't think of any other instance where the filmed version moves ahead of the book. I basically agree with you, but I'm also interested in how it will feel when I go to the next volume. I am not one who cares all that much about plots -- it's the execution of them (double-meaning intended) that move me.

Thank you, Terez, for your detective work.

[Terez]

Charlie Nom, on 27 September 2015 - 02:19 PM, said:

I dont like the fact that TV series overtakes books. Thats just wrong.

Well GRRM should have thought of that before he signed the deal when he did.

[worry]

I'm not sure he cares. Who on earth wouldn't make a multi-million dollar deal with HBO? It's the smartest move in the world.

[LinearPhilosopher]

Charlie Nom, on 27 September 2015 - 02:19 PM, said:

I dont like the fact that TV series overtakes books. Thats just wrong.

in anime its a frequent occurence for the seires to catch up to an on going manga. You know what happens when the anime catches up to the manga? I'll tell you.

Fillers. An ENTIRE YEAR'S worth of fillers in some cases.

So yeah it beat the alternative

[Traveller]

I still think that he'd got to a point where he was unsure where to take it next, and when he found himself being offered a team of writers willing to finish it, and pay him for doing so, he went for it. This way the threads he's started get continued and untangled for him, and he can then follow what they've done, but refine it and continue the plots that have been omitted from the show, without the stress of trying to bring it all together somehow.

[End of Disc One]

I had planned to go into the idea of "the show will finish first" with an open mind. But last season I just felt dirty watching shit that hasn't happened yet in the books. And the fact that the show is getting more inconsistent quality-wise, I don't even want to watch the next season. But I know I will. I'll just feel dirty doing so.

[Esa1996]

Traveller, on 29 September 2015 - 07:00 AM, said:

I still think that he'd got to a point where he was unsure where to take it next, and when he found himself being offered a team of writers willing to finish it, and pay him for doing so, he went for it. This way the threads he's started get continued and untangled for him, and he can then follow what they've done, but refine it and continue the plots that have been omitted from the show, without the stress of trying to bring it all together somehow.

Sneaky bastard!

I'm not too concerned of the show overtaking the books after seeing Season 5. Before season 5 I was certain that I'd stay out of the internet and hide under a rock until the book was released, but I somehow lost that mentality at some point. Really actually enjoyed S5 as I didn't know what was going to happen next. Somehow I'm now able to accept the show as a completely separate thing from the books, something I never was able to do with Harry Potter, so the changes don't bother me, they actually interest me. Make me think about how it's going to change things and make all new theories.

[Werthead]

LinearPhilosopher, on 29 September 2015 - 02:16 AM, said:

Charlie Nom, on 27 September 2015 - 02:19 PM, said:

I dont like the fact that TV series overtakes books. Thats just wrong.

in anime its a frequent occurence for the seires to catch up to an on going manga. You know what happens when the anime catches up to the manga? I'll tell you.

Fillers. An ENTIRE YEAR'S worth of fillers in some cases.

So yeah it beat the alternative

Not all the time. In fact, it's more frequent for the book and TV show to go off in different directions. IIRC, the author of FULL METAL ALCHEMIST refused to give the TV writers any guidance at all when they caught up and suggested they make their own stuff up. So the story went off in a completely different tangent to what she was doing. Apparently she was quite impressed that they managed to pull her storylines together in a way that still made sense but was completely different.

In this case, GRRM has given the TV producers a roadmap to the ending and they may or may not follow it.

[Terez]

First promo image for season 6:

[Spoilsport Stonny]

I'm ok with there being filler seasons. Esp. if they are Dunk and Egg stories, or Targaryen, First Men, Valyria histories, etc. things like that. But I think the TV show and the books are going to go in two VERY different directions. Maybe its unprecedented, I don't know. But many important characters and scenes have been changed, condensed, tweaked or outright cut from the show and some things just aren't jiving. At least to me. I'm happy with both the show and the books and do not hold GRRm to blame for anything.He can take his time or whatever. I'm cool. Plenty of other shit to do until then anyway.

[Traveller]

With shots from the set being leaked every week it's not much of a secret now anyway.

It will be interesting to see where they take it. Is Jon now free of the Watch if they killed him?

This post has been edited by Traveller: 24 November 2015 - 12:06 PM

[Terez]

Briar King, on 24 November 2015 - 02:44 AM, said:

Well that poster if it's 100% legit...

The image is linked from the HBO Facebook page.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Traveller, on 24 November 2015 - 12:02 PM, said:

It will be interesting to see where they take it. Is Jon now free of the Watch if they killed him?

That's always been my assumption - that and since Martin said that Winds of Winter would go "further North" than the previous books, I can only assume a newly-released Jon is the POV thorugh which we see that.

This post has been edited by TheRetiredBridgeburner: 24 November 2015 - 01:03 PM

[Gorefest]

Don't forget Bran, who can observe all of time through the weirwood trees.

TV show will have a Fire win, books will have an Ice win. That's still my 2p. Also, the tv series will end in a big final stand-off battle between the powers of good/fire and the powers of evil/ice. The books will end without a big war, but instead with some sort of renewed truce between the two factions where the 'ice' side turns out to be the more sensible and Zen side, the Wall being a testament to their desire to keep wars and competing factions at bay. So an ending more like Assail than like the Crippled God. George Martin hates war, really.

[Abyss]

Traveller, on 24 November 2015 - 12:02 PM, said:

... Is Jon now free of the Watch if they killed him?

'ee's just resting!!!!!! [/python]

[QuickTidal]

Abyss, on 24 November 2015 - 05:33 PM, said:

Traveller, on 24 November 2015 - 12:02 PM, said:

... Is Jon now free of the Watch if they killed him?

'ee's just resting!!!!!! [/python]

[Andorion]

My brother just finished watching Season 5 and he and I were discussing Jon. I told him about the Mel resurrection theory and he responded with - "What if he is raised by the Whitewalkers instead?"

I had not thought of that