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Thread: Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire: A Generational Analysis - Page 2







Post#26 at 04-07-2014 12:53 AM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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The idea that TV should only be made available to those who pay big fees, is one of the reasons our culture is dead. I will never see Games of Thrones to know whether it's any good or not. Nor will lots of other folks.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#27 at 04-07-2014 03:12 AM by annla899 [at joined Sep 2008 #posts 2,860]
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Quote Originally Posted by Eric the Green View Post
The idea that TV should only be made available to those who pay big fees, is one of the reasons our culture is dead. I will never see Games of Thrones to know whether it's any good or not. Nor will lots of other folks.
But you can read the books, if you choose.







Post#28 at 04-09-2014 12:40 AM by Chas'88 [at In between Pennsylvania & Pennsyltucky joined Nov 2008 #posts 9,432]
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Quote Originally Posted by Bad Dog View Post
I found the preparation for my colonoscopy more fun than either the books or the television series.

And the endings for Blake's 7 and the new Battlestar Galactica were more upbeat.
It is decidedly 3T entertainment as the writer has been writing the series since 1991 (finally got the first book published in 1996) so he's going at a turtle's pace, and the books keep getting bigger and larger with each passing book.

And Boomers can completely claim it for their own as part of their Boomer legacy, as it is indeed written by a core Boomer. Though as I've pointed out above it seems to portray Idealist archetype types as either insane, selfish, petty, or just downright ineffective, while the Nomads, Artists, and even a few Civics come out looking far better.

Another factor to consider it is essentially the Dystopian version of what a Fantasy Novel is like. Honor gets you killed, Twu Luv doesn't conquer all, and Vengeance is an all-consuming monster. That's just to begin with, of course.

Northrop Frye would categorize it as a Stage Six form of Satire actually, and I'd agree wholeheartedly:

Stage Six: World of shock and horror: Presents human life in terms of largely unrelieved bondage and social tyranny.

And another pertinent note that Northrop Frye would add: "Irony and satire parody romance by applying romantic mythical forms to a more realistic content, which fits them in unexpected ways. It presents an image where reality rather than ideology is dominant."

Which is why all the Idealist archetypes in the story all fall flat IMO--because reality is dominant over ideology.

~Chas'88

P.S. Eric, there's this thing called the internet that those of us who don't purchase HBO use.
"There have always been people who say: "The war will be over someday." I say there's no guarantee the war will ever be over. Naturally a brief intermission is conceivable. Maybe the war needs a breather, a war can even break its neck, so to speak. But the kings and emperors, not to mention the pope, will always come to its help in adversity. ON the whole, I'd say this war has very little to worry about, it'll live to a ripe old age."







Post#29 at 04-09-2014 10:03 PM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Quote Originally Posted by annla899 View Post
But you can read the books, if you choose.
Indeed, Anna. I'm addicted to Regency-era historical stuff...







Post#30 at 04-09-2014 10:05 PM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Quote Originally Posted by Chas'88 View Post
It is decidedly 3T entertainment as the writer has been writing the series since 1991 (finally got the first book published in 1996) so he's going at a turtle's pace, and the books keep getting bigger and larger with each passing book.

And Boomers can completely claim it for their own as part of their Boomer legacy, as it is indeed written by a core Boomer. Though as I've pointed out above it seems to portray Idealist archetype types as either insane, selfish, petty, or just downright ineffective, while the Nomads, Artists, and even a few Civics come out looking far better.

Another factor to consider it is essentially the Dystopian version of what a Fantasy Novel is like. Honor gets you killed, Twu Luv doesn't conquer all, and Vengeance is an all-consuming monster. That's just to begin with, of course.

Northrop Frye would categorize it as a Stage Six form of Satire actually, and I'd agree wholeheartedly:

Stage Six: World of shock and horror: Presents human life in terms of largely unrelieved bondage and social tyranny.

And another pertinent note that Northrop Frye would add: "Irony and satire parody romance by applying romantic mythical forms to a more realistic content, which fits them in unexpected ways. It presents an image where reality rather than ideology is dominant."

Which is why all the Idealist archetypes in the story all fall flat IMO--because reality is dominant over ideology.

~Chas'88

P.S. Eric, there's this thing called the internet that those of us who don't purchase HBO use.
The old joke at conventions was the "RR" stood for "railroading", as no one would wish to keep playing a campaign in his world.







Post#31 at 04-09-2014 11:16 PM by JordanGoodspeed [at joined Mar 2013 #posts 3,587]
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Quote Originally Posted by Bad Dog View Post
The old joke at conventions was the "RR" stood for "railroading", as no one would wish to keep playing a campaign in his world.
God, even in fantasy scenarios you're still a whiner.







Post#32 at 04-10-2014 12:24 AM by Kepi [at Northern, VA joined Nov 2012 #posts 3,664]
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I'm going through the books. I had life get in the way my first go through. Getting started on the second tonight. So far I agree with the analysis overall. However I would point out that I'm not sure there are artists as of yet. It's too early to tell where I'm at in the books. As for it being super satire, I don't know about that either. I see a lot of parallels between this and Dune, and I think these stories don't necessarily have the same view of death as other story telling formats. Like... there's nothing Ironic about cloning thousands of Duncan Idaho's, there's nothing farcical about Leto II becoming God Emperor, nor was it necessarily tragic when Paul came back and he certainly didn't suffer either way. There's just a different regard for life in these kinds of stories that most people aren't used to. Like... Take the great tragedy Julius Caesar. You know who are the best characters to play in that? Lucius and Titinius. You get to be window dressing, you have relatively few lines, and you get a free monologue for pretty much nothing and a death scene. For fictional characters death is pretty glorious.







Post#33 at 04-12-2014 12:17 AM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Quote Originally Posted by Kepi View Post
I'm going through the books. I had life get in the way my first go through. Getting started on the second tonight. So far I agree with the analysis overall. However I would point out that I'm not sure there are artists as of yet. It's too early to tell where I'm at in the books. As for it being super satire, I don't know about that either. I see a lot of parallels between this and Dune, and I think these stories don't necessarily have the same view of death as other story telling formats. Like... there's nothing Ironic about cloning thousands of Duncan Idaho's, there's nothing farcical about Leto II becoming God Emperor, nor was it necessarily tragic when Paul came back and he certainly didn't suffer either way. There's just a different regard for life in these kinds of stories that most people aren't used to. Like... Take the great tragedy Julius Caesar. You know who are the best characters to play in that? Lucius and Titinius. You get to be window dressing, you have relatively few lines, and you get a free monologue for pretty much nothing and a death scene. For fictional characters death is pretty glorious.
Remember the movie about the two minor characters in Hamlet? It was a downer ending for them. Not so glorious.

I think I would rather be Isis the dog on Downton Abbey.







Post#34 at 04-12-2014 12:20 AM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Dune and Game of Thrones are both essentially palace intrigues, written large.

Can't wait for Kyle McLachlan to show up as guest villain.







Post#35 at 04-12-2014 12:22 AM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Or, they could go big, and get Sir Patrick Stewart. The crossover satires alone would be worth it.







Post#36 at 04-12-2014 12:35 AM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Post#37 at 04-12-2014 12:38 AM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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How Game Of Thrones should wind up:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KillEmAll







Post#38 at 04-12-2014 12:41 AM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Post#39 at 04-13-2014 12:13 AM by Kepi [at Northern, VA joined Nov 2012 #posts 3,664]
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Quote Originally Posted by Bad Dog View Post
Dune and Game of Thrones are both essentially palace intrigues, written large.

Can't wait for Kyle McLachlan to show up as guest villain.
They should pay the extra cash for Sting. Or Malcolm McDowell.







Post#40 at 04-13-2014 06:19 AM by Chas'88 [at In between Pennsylvania & Pennsyltucky joined Nov 2008 #posts 9,432]
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Quote Originally Posted by Bad Dog View Post
How Game Of Thrones should wind up:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KillEmAll
He's already joked about the last scene in the books being an empty graveyard.
"There have always been people who say: "The war will be over someday." I say there's no guarantee the war will ever be over. Naturally a brief intermission is conceivable. Maybe the war needs a breather, a war can even break its neck, so to speak. But the kings and emperors, not to mention the pope, will always come to its help in adversity. ON the whole, I'd say this war has very little to worry about, it'll live to a ripe old age."







Post#41 at 04-13-2014 10:41 AM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Quote Originally Posted by Kepi View Post
They should pay the extra cash for Sting. Or Malcolm McDowell.
Mal would take the money...







Post#42 at 04-13-2014 10:42 AM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Or, get Ian McDiarmid.

Really, execute Order 66- on the fanboy network that keeps the show alive. STFU already, the books should have clued everyone years ago. I got no time to waste on downer entertainment, when Real Life sucks badly enough as it is.

Compare the endings of Breaking Bad, and the Soprano's. Win to Breaking Bad.
Last edited by Bad Dog; 04-13-2014 at 10:49 AM.







Post#43 at 04-13-2014 12:02 PM by Chas'88 [at In between Pennsylvania & Pennsyltucky joined Nov 2008 #posts 9,432]
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Quote Originally Posted by Bad Dog View Post
Or, get Ian McDiarmid.

Really, execute Order 66- on the fanboy network that keeps the show alive. STFU already, the books should have clued everyone years ago. I got no time to waste on downer entertainment, when Real Life sucks badly enough as it is.

Compare the endings of Breaking Bad, and the Soprano's. Win to Breaking Bad.
And if you don't like the party no one's forcing you to come and jam.
"There have always been people who say: "The war will be over someday." I say there's no guarantee the war will ever be over. Naturally a brief intermission is conceivable. Maybe the war needs a breather, a war can even break its neck, so to speak. But the kings and emperors, not to mention the pope, will always come to its help in adversity. ON the whole, I'd say this war has very little to worry about, it'll live to a ripe old age."







Post#44 at 04-13-2014 12:36 PM by Kepi [at Northern, VA joined Nov 2012 #posts 3,664]
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Quote Originally Posted by Bad Dog View Post
Or, get Ian McDiarmid.

Really, execute Order 66- on the fanboy network that keeps the show alive. STFU already, the books should have clued everyone years ago. I got no time to waste on downer entertainment, when Real Life sucks badly enough as it is.

Compare the endings of Breaking Bad, and the Soprano's. Win to Breaking Bad.
What makes it downer entertainment? So done characters die? What else are they supposed to do?







Post#45 at 04-13-2014 02:45 PM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Quote Originally Posted by Chas'88 View Post
And if you don't like the party no one's forcing you to come and jam.
I don't watch. I just don't like having it be so damn popular. My problem, yes. It's fandom. Enjoy the Götterdämmerung. I've got better things to do. Out.







Post#46 at 04-13-2014 02:49 PM by Bad Dog [at joined Dec 2012 #posts 2,156]
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Quote Originally Posted by Kepi View Post
What makes it downer entertainment? So done characters die? What else are they supposed to do?
Collect a paycheck, and move on.

Ana Maxwell Martin just did that with The Bletchley Circle.

OK, I'm done. Have fun watching everyone die in the Götterdämmerung.







Post#47 at 04-13-2014 03:40 PM by JordanGoodspeed [at joined Mar 2013 #posts 3,587]
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Apparently Bad Dog is one of these guys.







Post#48 at 04-13-2014 05:02 PM by Ragnarök_62 [at Oklahoma joined Nov 2006 #posts 5,511]
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Quote Originally Posted by Bad Dog View Post
Or, get Ian McDiarmid.

Really, execute Order 66- on the fanboy network that keeps the show alive. STFU already, the books should have clued everyone years ago. I got no time to waste on downer entertainment, when Real Life sucks badly enough as it is.

Compare the endings of Breaking Bad, and the Soprano's. Win to Breaking Bad.
Heh. Bad pizza seems to be making for "bad attitude" for bad dog. Chas'88 is correct of course, if you don't like the party, bail.
In any event, reality has its own agenda 21 which I think will result in a Götterdämmerung in a Logan's Run sort of way.
MBTI step II type : Expressive INTP

There's an annual contest at Bond University, Australia, calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term:
The winning student wrote:

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end."







Post#49 at 04-14-2014 12:00 AM by Chas'88 [at In between Pennsylvania & Pennsyltucky joined Nov 2008 #posts 9,432]
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Quote Originally Posted by JordanGoodspeed View Post
Apparently Bad Dog is one of these guys.
Hey now, no need to start throwing labels around, the punch hasn't even been spiked yet.

~Chas'88
"There have always been people who say: "The war will be over someday." I say there's no guarantee the war will ever be over. Naturally a brief intermission is conceivable. Maybe the war needs a breather, a war can even break its neck, so to speak. But the kings and emperors, not to mention the pope, will always come to its help in adversity. ON the whole, I'd say this war has very little to worry about, it'll live to a ripe old age."







Post#50 at 04-14-2014 12:04 AM by Chas'88 [at In between Pennsylvania & Pennsyltucky joined Nov 2008 #posts 9,432]
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And as for why I like GOT/ASOIAF... I like all the historical jokes it makes and winks to Shakespearean History plays that come out of it. Like the latest chapter released on GRRM's website contains one gigantic parody of Richard III within it.

I like Shakespearean history plays and the winks GRRM makes to actual history (and believe it or not he's tamer than the actual history in a lot of cases--much tamer--imagine our own ancestors were WORSE than the people portrayed on GOT Bad Dog... much worse in a lot of cases). I generally like a Medieval/Fantasy setting. So when those two things collide, melikes--even if it'll end in Gotterdamrung.
"There have always been people who say: "The war will be over someday." I say there's no guarantee the war will ever be over. Naturally a brief intermission is conceivable. Maybe the war needs a breather, a war can even break its neck, so to speak. But the kings and emperors, not to mention the pope, will always come to its help in adversity. ON the whole, I'd say this war has very little to worry about, it'll live to a ripe old age."
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