The Fireside

I've often spoken on how the final two seasons of Game of Thrones were cramped - they tried to squeeze too much story into too few episodes, when HBO would have surely let them take their time. In this post, I propose how I would have liked to seen the ending of the show. Of course, anyone unhappy with how the story itself unfolded, well, I'm not re-writing anything - just restructuring the final seasons. In my scenario, Season 9, the final season, would be happening this year. So, let's start. Season 7: The Army of the Dead and The Night King Season 7 should have been a full 10 episodes, with each episode having a 60 min+ runtime. The pace and story of my season 7 would be adjusted. Reflecting back on the real Season 8, it's clear that the Army of the Dead and the Night King aren't the antagonists - after they'yre dealt with, it would be Cersie, and then Dany. While it would be tricky to break down my story episode by episode, with a re-stru...

Since the show ended, I've been thinking and re-thinking about the series on the whole, the final season, and the final episode. The final season has left the internet in an uproar. Most people seemed to have enjoyed it, however those that did not were very vocal about it. Our ‘current’ Ssn 7 and 8 were good - problem was, they were too ‘crammed.’ HBO offered more episodes / seasons, D&D should have taken and followed that plan. Or, at the very least, make Ssn 7 and 8 10 episodes each, each at least 70 min. Here’s how it should have been structured: Season 7: 10 episodes, about the Night King Season 8: 10 episodes, about ‘The Last War’ against Cersei Season 9 (final season): 10 episodes (each being 70 min at least) about the rebellion against the Queen of the Ashes. The final two episodes alone had enough potential for two seasons . Of course, that would probably be another three years; however I'm speaking strictly of formatting of the story that was told,...

It's not Book 6.....but it's the next-best thing. Before I provide links, here's the relevant really important info: "No, winter is not coming… not in 2018, at least. You’re going to have to keep waiting for THE WINDS OF WINTER." "This first volume covers all the Targaryen kings from Aegon I (the Conquerer) to the regency of Aegon III (the Dragonbane), along with their wives, wars, siblings, children, friends, rivals, laws, travels, and sundry other matters. For those not up on your Westerosi history, that’s Aegon I, Aenys, Maegor the Cruel, Jaehaerys I (the Conciliator), Viserys I, Aegon II (and Rhaenyra), and Aegon III (the regency). Oh, and there are dragons too." "Portions of the book have previously appeared here and there. The chapter about Aegon’s Conquest was published, pretty much as written, in THE WORLD OF ICE & FIRE. The section about the reigns of Aegon’s sons Aenys and Maegor came out last year as “Sons of the Dragon,” in Gardner...

Well, it's now official - Game of Thrones: Season 8  will be coming in 2019. I had been hoping for later this year (2018) but alas.... I admit to being curious for what that will mean for the publication of Book 6, if anything. Will we get it before or after Season 8 (which will be the final season) in 2019? Oh - I'd love  to get Book 6 sometime this year....but I'm not sure that's likely. It's pretty much a garuntee it should be out next year. Of course, there's always the wait between Book 6 and Book 7, the final one..... As I stated previously, regardless of when Book 6 will be published, I am going to re-read the books the day after the final episode of Thrones . If Book 6 is not out by that point, it is my hopes that it will be very close to when I finish reading Book 5 of that re-read.   

The day is finally here - Game of Thrones: Season 4 is now out on blu-ray! Most of the fans have most likely seen these episodes when they aired on HBO, or through other means, but now you can officially own all the episodes of season 4, plus lost of  extra goodies. So for those that buy the show on blu-ray, your pre-orders should be coming in anytime. You can buy the set pretty much anywhere that sells blu-rays. I also suspect that the season is on itunes by now, too. Makes waiting for season 5 a bit better (if you will be watching it 'this year'. If not, the blu-ray should be out around this time next year), and for the book readers, it will kill a little bit of time until Book Six. 

Judging from the preview for Game of Thrones: Season 5 , it looks this will be the final season of the show that is based on books that are already published. Which, basically means that the show 'will pass the books'. The book series, called A Song of Ice and Fire , began in 1996 with A Game of Thrones . A Clash of Kings  followed in 199, then A Storm of Swords  in 2000, followed by A Feast For Crows  in 2005, and most recently with A Dance With Dragons  in 2011. The books are quire large. 3 and 5 are the largest to date, with signs of the final two (at this moment, The Winds of Winter  and A Dream of Spring) being as large . They are so large, inf act that some of the bigger ones are about equal to two or three of another author's book. Plus, they are detailed. Lots going on. Anyway, the author is currently working on The Winds of Winter . He is, thanks mostly to the show, a celebrity author. So he's busy with that kind of thing. He's a person, too, that...

The next Game of Thrones  beer by Ommegang has been announced! The next one in the series is called 'Three-Eyed Raven', and it is a dark saison ale, and will be 7.2% alc./vol. I am still awaiting Valar Morgulis to arrive here in Canada. Meanwhile, Three-Eyed Raven will be available in the U.S. spring 2015. 

So Game of Thrones  will get a season seven. Which is great news, because I want this show to end on a story note, not it being canceled or not renewed or any of that.  It is my hopes that Game of Thrones Season Seven is split into two parts, with each part containing seven episodes each .  If you want the details, head over to The Hollywood Reporter:  http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314

GAME OF THRONES®: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON Nominated for 19 Emmy Awards® Including Outstanding Drama Series Available February 17, 2015 on Blu-rayTM with Digital Copy, DVD & Digital HD Loaded with Exclusive Bonus Content Including Comprehensive Guides & Illustrated Histories “The most epic, ambitious show on television” (Chicago Sun-Times) is back and bigger than ever when Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season hits stores this winter. Season 4 of the hit HBO series, which broke ratings records and topped The Sopranos® to become the most popular show in the network’s history, was nominated for 19 Emmy® awards including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Lena Headey). One of the best-selling TV on BD/DVD titles in each of its years of release, Game of Thrones follows the noble families of Westeros as they battle for control of the Seven K...

The GAME OF THRONES panel in Hall H at 1:40 p.m. will be moderated by Craig Ferguson . The panel will include: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss , executive producers, writers and showrunners of GAME OF THRONES , and George R.R. Martin , co-executive producer and author of the bestselling fantasy book series “ A Song of Ice and Fire ,” on which the HBO drama is based. Cast members scheduled to attend (in alphabetical order): John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Rose Leslie (Ygritte), Rory McCann (Sandor “The Hound” Clegane), Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) and Maisie Williams (Arya Stark). Autograph signing is at the WB booth at 3:30 p.m. See that? George R.R. Martin...wonder if he will announce the next book [crosses fingers]. If you do meet and talk with George, please be nice. I just mean bear in mind t...

Here is the track listing for the fourth Game of Thrones soundtrack release.   The soundtrack includes a version of “The Rains of Castamere” as performed by acclaimed Icelandic post-rock artists Sigur Ros in a mid-season cameo appearance. The song, written by Djawadi and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, has appeared sporadically over the course of the series (most famously during the Season 3 episode which featured the fabled Red Wedding), and celebrates the heritage and power of House Lannister. The soundtrack is already out on itunes (June 10) but the CD for all you dinosaurs out there will be coming out July 1.  Track Listing: 1. Main Titles 2. The Rains of Castamere 3. Breaker Of Chains 4. Watchers On The Wall 5. I’m Sorry For Today 6. Thenns 7. Mereen 8. First Of His Name 9. The Biggest Fire The North Has Ever Seen 10. Three Eyed Raven 11. Two Swords 12. Oathkeeper 13. You Are No Son Of Mine 14. The North Remembers 15. Let’s Kill ...

So now you've watched all of this year's episodes of Game of Thrones ...now what? Well, I have some suggestions for you.  First up, since we're talking about TV, I'm going to recommend another show to help pass the time. That show is Vikings . currently, it has about two seasons under it's belt and is also on hiatus, making catching up on that quick and easy. The first season is readily available to buy on blu-ray...but sadly not Netflix (Canada) yet.  The show is 'doing' well, but was overshadowed by Game of Thrones , or perhaps lack of word of mouth.  There is also the mini-series, Pillars of the Earth, as well as its sequel (also a mini series) , World Without End.    Covering similar interests, yet for a younger audience, is How to Train Your Dragon 2. It is also being very well recieved, and I look forward to seeing it this weekend.  Now, onto another medium - books. Yes, many of these may have appeared be...

Wow, what an episode! And what a way to end the Game of thrones Episodes for 2014.  Episodes 31-40 could have easily been the show's best bunch yet. There were strong moments throughout them, and they ended Episode 40 quite well. Also, as a book reader (you know, "Based on A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin during the opening credits and all...) I was immensely pleased. I also noticed that the HBO series is noticably diverging from the book series. Before, these changes were minor. Now, they are noticeable. But they are in good taste and make sense. They don't just change it for the sake of changing it like The Walking Dead . But are they bad? Not for these Episodes. Episodes 11-19 were a tad weak due to change, (well, in part) but this year's Episodes and last year's Episodes solidify the show's greatness.  I have every confidence in George R.R. Martin, but I'd rather read what happens next as opposed to seeing it. that being said, ...

Here we are again. Tonight is the final episode of Game of Thrones for the year, which is Episode 40. Once I've seen it (Monday, I hope) I'll be sure to write up a review, as well as review the season as a whole.  After that, it's waiting until next year for new episodes. For TV, in the mean time I myself will be starting Vikings and encourage others to do so too.  Of course, I always suggest reading the books that Game of Thrones is based on - A Song of Ice and Fire . Y'know, it says it during the opening credits & all..... 

I blogged about this a while ago. But, now I finally got some my self.  I've been checking the LCBO's web site often to see if locations carried Ommegang's "Fire and Blood" Red Ale...which is the third Game of Thrones beer. I haven't tried it yet but am looking forward to it.  I live in Canada, so getting a hold of American craft beer has been a bit tricky, especially since it's Game of Thrones .  Named after the motto of House Targaryen, Fire and Blood is inspired by Daenerys Targaryen and her three dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion. To celebrate the rebirth of dragons, three different labels were created by the Game of Thrones visual effects specialists, each depicting one of Daenerys' feared dragons. If you live in Ontario, check to see if they have it HERE: http://www.lcbo.ca/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=381947 For those who live in Ottawa : Go to 275 Rideau St or 222 Richmond Road . As yo...

From the How to Train Your Dragon facebook page, here are some great Game of Thrones / Dragons crossovers.... This one is a little less obvious. Kit Harrington who plays Jon Snow on the HBO Thrones , does the voice for this character in Dragon 2 , hence this image.     The above poster is a 'spoof' on : http://www.moviedeskback.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/all-men-must-die-game-of-thrones-poster.jpg Lastly, the above image spoofs House Stark's sigil (as seen on HBO posters http://fangirlshub.com/fgh/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/wallpaper-stark-1600-290x290.jpg ). I enjoy both Thrones and Dragons so this neat to see. And after season 4 ends, I'll get my big fantasy fix by seeing the second film in theaters. 

As you may have heard by now, Game of Thrones has gotten renewed. What's surprising, though, is that it was a double renewal. So the show will go on till at least six seasons. Meanwhile, no news yet on Book Six, The Winds of Winter in the book series which it's based upon. Although I have a feeling we'll hear something anytime between now and May 29. May 30th is George's first 'major' appearance since about November and I have a feeling that he'll submit the manuscript for The Winds of Winter prior to departure (maybe sooner), with an announcement. Either way, I hope it's going well for him, and that Six and Seven give him minimal issue. 

Finally, House Martell of Dorne made its appearance on Game of Thrones And this is why I watch and enjoy Game of Thrones . I am first and foremost a fan of the books. They are more enjoyable to me than watching someone's version of it. But that someone has overall been doing  a great job. This episode had it all for me, as well as all the characters advancing, and introducing some new ones....most notably some family members of House Martell, a house we've never seen up until now (looking forward to actually seeing Dorne.) The episode begins with the forging of 'Two Swords', which serves as a nice intro to the season, and episode. From there, we meet the Martells of House Dorne....let's just say that Lannister haters have a new house to support.    All the main characters get re-introduced (and any secondary and tirtiary characters will get caught up with in future episodes.) I've read Blood and Gold, and A Feast for Crows (heck, also Dre...

As you may well know, tonight Season Four of Game of Thrones begins airing. The name of the episode is titled "Two Swords". The season is expected to finish on June 15. Please see my 'Game of Thrones Goodies' post to help pass the time before the season starts, between episodes, and the wait between Season Four and Season Five (and the wait for The Winds of Winter... . I will write a review of that episode after I see it. 

Because next weekend is the season 4 premiere of Game of Thrones, I'd thought I'd get you all excited by recommending some of the merchandise that's come out. This is for mostly the HBO series (because there are simply more items), although I will mention a few book related items listed herein.