Recently two loyal Winter Is Coming readers, The Rabbit and ipopic, had the chance to screen the first two episodes of Game of Thrones. This came about thanks to some initiative by The Rabbit and… well, I’ll just let her tell the story.
The Rabbit: Some months ago I found out that our own regional www.hbo.hr had organized a screening for the press of first few episodes of The Pacific before it premiered on the channel.
Immediately, I started to plot how to get among the press if HBO Adria would decide to do the same with the Thrones. So, I sent two nice and polite letters. One to our very own WiC-team and another to HBO Adria. I got the answers from both sides very quickly. Winter and guys promised to give me some support (to..hm..my bottom) if it would be needed, and HBO Adria with the permission to enter to their press room.
Exactly a week ago, I came home from the office, checked my mailbox and found the invitation for the exclusive screenings of Game Of Thrones at a cinema in Zagreb. You can imagine my joy and hilarious smiling which lasted about five minutes. I did it!
Of course, there was a catch…I had to accomplish my part of the agreement with Lords of the House Gatewatch and send them a report of the premiere. As I am still very convinced that my English sucks and I do not consider myself a good writer, I figured out a way to do the job without working much.
HBO Adria gave me the possibility to take one more person with me to the screening and as my own Mr. Rabbit was busy, I decided to invite another super fan of Game of Thrones from Twitter-Land, ipopic, whom I asked nicely to write some words afterwords…
Ivan did it, sent it to me, it was very well written I decided to put it in here as a official report and review from Zagreb screenings. So, here you are, the report from Zagreb screenings held at Cinestar on Thursday, 14th April 2011. Enjoy:
Winter Has Arrived!
With those words a director of HBO Adria ended his speech and the first episode of Game of Thrones rolled on the screen. Like many of you I was impatiently counting the days until the series premiere and was pleasantly surprised when Rabbit sent me a message that said she had an extra ticket for the advance screening. My countdown to the premiere suddenly dropped by 4 days and even while I was sitting in the movie theatre I was afraid I would wake up and still have to wait until Monday to see it. The Movie Theatre was patrolled by men dressed up in medieval armor and ladies in medieval garb were handing out precious leather bracelets which served as a tickets to the screening. Just seeing the Game of Thrones was great but seeing it on a movie screen was mind-blowingly great. Added bonus was that the audience was packed by fans of the books who managed to get their hands on tickets and I was fortunate enough to meet some of them I knew over Twitter who were seated directly behind me and Rabbit.
And now goes as spoiler-free review as it gets – even though it is hard to wait until Monday to comment on every little detail of the episodes we saw.
HBO did a great job. I have read and reread the books and I’m a big fan of Martin’s work but I understood from the start the books would be different to the adaptation and didn’t expect a word-for-word transliteration of Game of Thrones. There are changes, some parts are cut out and there are some new scenes but all in all production team did its best to be as faithful to the novels as possible. Every character was as I imagined them when I was reading the books, even if they still had their ears attached. Acting is really superb and in some examples (Peter Dinklage and Maise Williams) acting is so good I was under the impression casting process included some dark ritual which allowed Nina Gold to summon Tyrion and Arya from the books – they are THAT good. The only actor was a bit of a dissapointment was Roger Allam as Illyrio Mopatis but maybe he just didn’t have time to shine in 2 scenes he had.
Direwolves are great – cute and playful but when there is need for some throat-ripping action they do it realistically. CGI has been seamlessly woven into actual scenes and I love how every region has its own colours pallet. Pacing of the episodes was good, scenes connect fluidly and it doesn’t feel awkward that the action moved from Winterfell to across the Narrow Sea. The ending of the first episode came in a blink of an eye and second one went by fast as well. A lot of scenes were already shown in the trailers and previews but some rather enjoyable ones were great to see in their full length.
After the screening was over I asked an acquaintance who I knew hasn’t read the books of his opinion. He said even though he is everything but a fan of the fantasy genre he gave it a chance and he really liked it. He did say he was struggling to keep up with all the connections between characters a bit but not too much to make it a nuisance.
I think producers did a good job with presenting the character background to those who haven’t read the novels as they didn’t swarm them with too much information all at once. For example, a fact that Jamie is a Kingslayer is mentioned only in a second episode and in first two episodes Nymeria and Lady are the only direwolves which are named.
And now a bit of a warning for parents who are thinking about letting their children watch the series. I am not a parent and my youngest sibling is teenager so the decision is up to you but I wouldn’t let children under the age of 13 to watch this. It isn’t just because of the nudity, sex and violence – it is because of the nature of these scenes. Daenerys sex scenes can easily be categorized as a rape and are a bit hard to swallow. If you watched other HBO series this is much more violent and gruesome then anything you have seen in Rome or True Blood – maybe because it feels so realistic. It isn’t something that would drive me away from watching the series and every violent scene has a reason to be there for character or plot development.
So much from me, I would like to thank Rabbit for inviting me and of course to Mr. Rabbit for being out of town yesterday.
Ivan Popić
The Rabbit: To add a couple of things – because I have not got indeed much to add, Ivan told it all. Yeah, it was great to finally see the world of GRRM on the screen. And that of indeed the GRRMs world. David and Dan did the JOB. They did everything they could in terms and conditions they had. Yes, one can nitpick because there are changes, but IMO none of these changes really hurts in overall picture.
And of course I am not going to talk about the details because I do not want to spoil, but there are many details which I found absolutely awesome, much more than those which I do not find so great. I want to point out one more thing which strucked me, because I did not notice it in the previews: Emilia Clarke did a great job as Daenerys! Her eyes, her body language, because she has not much to talk in first two episode were fantastic. One can literally feel her pain while she is suffering during the ride across Dothraki sea.
Ladies and Lords of the House Gatewatch you have no reason to be afraid (yes, I know, reading reviews from all over the internet could be nasty thing), Sunday is more close than ever, turn on your TVs, relax and enjoy!
Rabbit
(digger, not writer ;) )
Winter Is Coming: Many thanks to The Rabbit and ipopic for the report! So glad you were able to attend. Consider it a reward for your years of loyal (bottom) support of House Gatewatch!
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60 Comments
congrats guys…the review was wonderful
mike mcgarveyQuote Reply
I’m glad you liked the review, I tried very hard not to post any spoilers in it.
Sorry about crappy photos, we only had my cell phone camera, you can see the other photos in this album (all 10 of them).
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Lucky devils. Thanks for your impressions! When reading so many reviews from critics, it’s easy to forget that the most important reactions are those from fans and general audience members. Many shows with bad critical reaction have large audiences who love them, and some shows with great critical impressions leave audiences cold. Since GoT is already generally well received by critics, let’s hope it’s not in that last category! It sounds like it worked for your group, all signs point to a great critical AND fan reaction!
salukQuote Reply
Thanks Rabbit and ipopic! Always Supporting the Bottom!!
I know there are some countries where HBO is not shown – I wonder if HBO has considered an Internet Only subscription plan, to sell to people who live in a country where there is no access? They could sell access to the hbogo.com site, and still make money and people in places with no HBO on the regular cable could pay to watch it..
purplejillyQuote Reply
*green with envy but will come around in [02] [04] [07][00]*
Mike ChairQuote Reply
Dear Digger and Ipopic,
That sounded like heaven. We will support your bottoms any time!
What part got the biggest reaction from the audience?
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
Hm…It looks like they’ve changed Dany’s wedding night. I wasn’t expecting to dislike Drogo, but it looks I might (at least at first).
Congrats on getting to screen the show. Nicely written review~
sareetaQuote Reply
Fire And Blood, Opening credits (which are amazing btw, completely different to what I expected) left a mark, Tyrion’s one-liners were greeted with salves of laughter and remark that Dothraki wedding without 3 deaths is considered a dull affair also had good response from public.
I wasn’t paying attention to be honest,I was too absorbed with magic on the screen.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
They did, it didn’t feel consentual and she was crying all the time looking very frightened and vulnerable. And there is one in second episode which is even worse…
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Where is the Imp?
just sayin
The RabbitQuote Reply
I ll add more of my highlights on Monday, really do not want to spoil the party.
The RabbitQuote Reply
Ungh, are the sex scenes that bad . . ? I can’t stand to watch rape or violent sex scenes — the only reason I never bothered with Rome and True Blood. Is it actually like, him thrusting violently into her with movement and the likes, and her moaning and crying, and it just drags on a while?
I LOVE the books, but I even found the sheep people raping in book 1 very disturbing. It’s just text though, so that’s okay, but if it gets translated into clear visuals. @_@
Fire And IceQuote Reply
In light of the comments that dany’s initial sex scenes border on (or are perhaps clearly portrayed as) rape, it’s interesting to me that more reviewers have not expressed their discomfort with this, and the “stockholm syndrome-esque” development that she comes to love Drogo relatively quickly.
JRQQuote Reply
Fire And Ice,
Yes, they are pretty tough to watch.
The RabbitQuote Reply
Ivan Popić,
Wow! I didn’t expect this. Thats actually really dissappointing! Why would they do that? And how are they gonna make the transition from this to Dany/Drogo having a good relationship?
sjweningsQuote Reply
Ah, thank you, The Rabbit.
Although it’s not entirely surprising, coming from the creators of Rome, Sex and the City and True Blood, it’s a bit disappointing…
But well, I can’t watch it live anyway, so skipping will be the way to go. (:
Fire And IceQuote Reply
sjwenings,
To answer my own question, i suppose they might have thought that Dany at first more or less enjoying her Drogosex, and then later sort of getting raped, though Drogo not noticing -like in the books – would be confusing to viewers (“what, i thought she kinda liked him after all?”)
I dunno, though. It worked in the books, and it will be impossible for many viewers to accept D&Ds relationship after something like that.
Edit: Though it IS encouraging that only one reviewer so far has mentioned this specifically as problematic.
sjweningsQuote Reply
Great report guys! Well done Rabbit on your initiative :) Pics are good too.
Jackie MacPhersonQuote Reply
To all those concerned about sex scenes between Drogo and Daenerys.
SPOILERS AHEAD, you were warned.
They are disturbing to watch but they are there for a reason. In the beginning Drogo treats her rough during their love-making but those scenes are important – Daenerys starts as an objectified girl and Drogo treats her in only way he knows how. There is a change on her face right in the middle of one of this scenes when she looks at her dragon eggs and that gives her strength to accept her situation and instead of being a victim turn it around. She receives instructions from her handmaiden and next time Drogo tries to force himself in her she makes him try something different in which they share enjoyment and it seems he likes that strange way of lovemaking in which a woman isn’t crying or wanting payment.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Nice one Rabbit . You devotion and initiative have brought you reward at last.Really pleased for you. The atmosphere must have been very special with those re-enactors doing their thing. Mr Rabbit missed out big time.
Two FeathersQuote Reply
Great review guys.
Sigh, I still can’t believe it isn’t airing in the BeNeLux… We’ll probably get it 2 years later, just like True Blood…
*Is Frustrated*
Jan OdaQuote Reply
Thanks guys! What an awesome review!
I find myself caring most about what people here think of the show. Whether or not we all agree on the little nitpicky details, I feel as though we’re all in the same place in terms of, generally, what we hope to get out of the show.
I’m super excited. XD
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
I agree with not showing this to children, and I think 13 for the cutoff would be quite on the young side. A starting point for comparison is probably Oz.
LiorQuote Reply
Thanks guys!
If any fan was going to find a way to get an early screening, it seems appropriate that it was Rabbit.
wingQuote Reply
Thanks for the report! It must have been great seeing it on the big screen!
As for Dany and Drogo… what were people expecting??? When was the last time you read the book? You are NOT supposed to like Drogo in the beginning, at all. To be honest, this doesn’t sound like much of a departure from the text.
LexQuote Reply
Great work getting in there to see it! And a very nice review, thank you!
Consider my bottom – supported!
KGQuote Reply
It sounds like Clarke did a phenomenal job on that sex scene. Good job on the review too guys.
AskelladdQuote Reply
Ivan Popić,
I actually find your post somewhat reassuring re: Dany’s sex scene. as I’ve mentioned before , this was the point I almost gave up on the novel. I didn’t buy that a girl that young and inexperienced could make the “no..no..yes ” transition as quickly as book Dany did.( Especially a young girl who , thanks to her brother , had reason to equate sexually charged situations with cruelty and pain.
The situation you describe might actually sit better with me. I’ve always been glad that my curiosity about the other charcters tempted me to continue with the novels, and I hope the same will be true for first time viewers.
obsidianQuote Reply
Excellent! you guys were pretty lucky to see it on a movie screen…
MetalgoddessAMBQuote Reply
Thanks to The Rabbit and ipopic! Great stuff. And you really don’t need to obsess about your English. Your skills in English seem to me to far surpass that of many who claim English as their native language. A quick nightmare peek at just about any public forum on the internet will provide the proof.
LangkardQuote Reply
Very happy for you guys, and thanks for your review. I take your opinion over a critic who never read the books or cares about the material at all.
And your English is just fine.
AStB
OldGranQuote Reply
My heart began to race as I started to read..I’m from Croatia (well, not Zagreb, Porec), and me and my brothers are going to see it for the first time on April 18th, but man… Is this REALLY happening???
Loving it ALL. This site, you people, the fact that GOT looks ad feels like Martin’s GOT and that Dance is just aroun corner.
Zakon! :D
Can’t wait for winter…
P.S. Oh, I’m also Ivan :P
m4st4Quote Reply
Oh, one more thing: I’ll be posting my GOT reviews on a weekly basis (on croatian) here on facebook, so feel free to stop by any time! I could take some time and translate it for WiC here in the comments section, we’ll see:
http://www.facebook.com/cafecinema
m4st4Quote Reply
Ahhh at the same time both envious but also very glad for you guys :) I’ve finally got that feeling that we are there, no more waiting. I mean you got to watch THE GAME OF THRONES in ZAGREB!!! :D
BTW how was the afterparty bit?
Was the theatre packed?
What did others say about the series after the screening?
Were the subtitles good? ( tj. jesu li izmesarili imena ljudi, dvoraca i mjesta u prijevodu?)
Pleaseeeee throw me a bone here :)
Andrija Andrew PQuote Reply
Here in Norway it will be a pre premiere for GoT 3.mai and I have been lucky to get a ticket for the two first episodes :) To bad it is over two weeks but since it will be on the big screen I am pleased :D
Btw! Good review Rabitt and Ipopic!
theGodfarmerQuote Reply
They decided to use the names which were used in Algoritam translation (Oštrozimlje, Kraljev Grudobran, BAcačeva Hrid, guverner Sjevera…)
After-party was in Stara vura (Zagreb City Museum) and on Ilirski square Order of the Silver Dragon were having a fighting demonstration and there was buffet in the restaurant with open bar. We didn’t stick around for long as we were both working tomorrow morning.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Seeing the first two episodes on the big screen was really fantastic. They treated us to a selection of trailers first and as true members of house Gatewatch, Rabbit, ipopic and I supported their bottoms by loudly reciting together with the actors on screen. “I Eddard, from the house of Stork” echoed in the cinema and then the real treat began. Although I’ve seen the first 15 minutes three or four times, seeing them in such a big format was an experience on its own.
I pretty much agree with all of Ivan’s assessments about the show. Not being of the nitpicking kind I wanted to imerse in the show and let it entertain me and it succeeded. The two hours passed quickly and without dragging. One of the best scenes was the Tyrion unleashing the slapfest on the royal prince Joffrey. We’ve seen a glimpse of it in one of the teasers but the full serving is simply delicious.
And oh, yeah, the title sequence is reaally breathtaking. Something which I did not expect, but it works extremely well.
Thanks to Rabbit for driving me and my girlfriend to Stara Vura. It’s a shame you two have to leave so early. (This sounds like I was a party animal on Thursday night, but if the truth be told, I left the party at midnight :) )
HBO Adria really provided us with a great evening, now I’m waiting to recieve a goody bag next week. (The perks of being a translator, hehe).
And I completeley support Rabbit’s bottom in asking: “Where is the Imp?”
Boštjan GorencQuote Reply
Great report, thanks The Rabbit, Ivan … and BG ;)
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
More comments about the music, and the opening credits?
DomQuote Reply
Boštjan Gorenc,
“Where is the Imp” will be a classic line (even though I cringed when they translated it as Vražićak).
It was nice meeting you and I enjoyed our discussion while we were driving to the after-party about challenges of translating Martin’s novels.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Boštjan Gorenc,
Ivan Popić,
Yeah, guys, it was nice to meet both of you and Boštjan s girlfriend, of course.
Just do not speak to much about my expertise in the orientation in my own hometown :)
Dom,
The opening credits are big surprise and visual delight!
The score is good and I liked very much the main theme.
The RabbitQuote Reply
Opening credits are great – original and interesting and it seems they will be slightly modified in every episode. Nice touch is that actors names have badges of their respective houses next to them.
Music is also very good, it isn’t too imposing but it sets the atmosphere great. I ended up humming it for most of the day after hearing it just two times…
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
The Rabbit, It was slightly confusing when you used the names of the streets from 20 years ago but in the end we got where we wanted without delay.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
***NOOO LEATHER BRACELET ENVYYY***
Rabbit, Ipopic, Boštjan and all those who were there, I’m so happy for you! Beside the excitement of the premiere, it must have been a joy to get together and celebrate, as Ipopic’s pictures eloquently show! ***ROBERT’S HELMET AAARGH***
Ipopic, thx for the review. It’s greatly reassuring!
The discussion about D&D (Dany&Drogo, not Dan&David) is very interesting and I’ll chime in as soon as I can (and as soon as I’ve seen the ep!!!)
Rabbit, thx for the comments on the soundtrack. Very good!
If I sound disconnected, it’s because they are calling me for lunch. I also have a cat on the desk. Till later!
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
” It was slightly confusing when you used the names of the streets from 20 years ago..”
ahahahaha I hope no one mentioned Ulica Proleterskih brigada XD Never sure where that one is/was but some still use that name :)
The Rabbit,
Ivan Popić,
Anyway thank you both ( and Boštjan) for the newsflash and I hope that some of us fans will see each other, in greater numbers, during Sferakon next month. I know it is a geek fest but I think it would be cool to meet the rest of “Vražićak” ( OMG they didn’t, did they o.O) fans. I mean at least a toast would be in order for WiC and the rest of his merry group for keeping us current with everything related to the GoT.
Andrija Andrew PQuote Reply
Don’t they realize there are much more important matters to attend to in life at the moment???
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
Andrija Andrew P, Proleterskih Brigada = Avenija grada Vukovara. And I know that just because I live in the neighbourhood.
And yes, they did translate Imp like that. I only have english version of the novels so I can’t really check did they translate it liek that in croatian edition as well…
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
LOL!
Have to point out one more thing: Northern Inuits are beautiful dogs!
The RabbitQuote Reply
The Hound: “The prince will remember that, little lord.”
Tyrion: “I’m sure he will. But if he happens to forget, be a good dog and remind him.”
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
I have found a photo gallery from the screening on Croatian Fantasy portal. There is also a review but it’s in Croatian but pictures are something everybody understands.
link
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
Hollywood Spy reports 2nd season is a go:
http://hollywood-spy.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-picture-of-ewan-mcgregor-in-jack.html?showComment=1302959653814#c5121902854049526569
My first review of the first two episodes are up. It’s pretty general. More detailed one to follow:
http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2011/04/game-of-thrones-first-thoughts.html
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply
Are they usually credible? Anyway, before HBO sends out the news themselves, I’m trying not to think too much about season 2…
Nice review Adam. That’s the last one I read before the start of the show! :-)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
Don’t tell me! Thinking about such base instincts when the fate of the bottom hangs in the balance!
OK, Zagreb is officially the center of the world.
About the D&D scene, it squicked me a little in the books too. However I appreciated the realism. It’s a true situation that probably is still commonplace in some parts of the world. We’re not supposed to like the scene, but GRRM does not indulge in morbidity, and I’m really curious to see the “other” D&D’s approach.
Also, I don’t believe Daenerys’ subsequent behaviour could be described as Stockholm Syndrome, because the concept does not exist in Westeros. We see these scenes from 2 points of view at once: a Westerosi one and our real-life one. I hope I’m making myself clear. It’s not a “syndrome” in Westeros, it’s normal in various degrees. Cat was lucky with Ned, Lysa was unlucky with Arryn, Daenerys is at both edges of the spectrum.
(I’m not sure there’s one arranged wedding in ASOIAF where the bride and groom immediately fall in love with each other, but from what little we’ve seen of the GoT previews, they are portraying Cat and Ned as very much attracted to each other.)
So I think that if viewers and REviewers are OK with Dany&Drogo, it means that Dan&David managed to convey this message: such a behaviour is cruel but common in Westeros, and thus we real-life, modern viewers are able to not like the relationship and at the same time understand it from a Westerosi point of view.
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
I hope the T.V. show makes the eventual love between the two more realistic than it was in the book. Sorry George, but I never found that storyline believable, which is why the scene in the book when Drogo dies never made me feel for Dany. It had the opposite effect, I was happy for her. Maybe it was just me, but it just was not a believable love story.
Jessica C.Quote Reply
I’m very happy Rabbit got to see this too…you’re an amazing detective,,,thanks to you and Bostjan and Ivan for the review…
coltaine777Quote Reply
I feel the same way. I think it *could* have been a believable love story, if Drogo had been given more detail. There *are* some kind moments in the book, but, for me, nothing I felt emotionally connected to. So, when he dies, it was just another moment in Dany’s arc, for me. I’d be curious to know how GRRM meant it to come across? It’s interesting that there seems to be a dividing line between “Aww, a D&D love story!” and “A D&D love story, wha?” Regardless of how the books made me feel, I’m betting/hoping the series makes me want to invest more in their relationship. (not to be read as “invest more in Dany”. Hers is one – of many- story lines I really enjoyed, moreso in later books)
RahBurQuote Reply
It seems that I shared the same fortunes as The Rabbit and Ivan. Yo guys, next time we should meet.
Photo album from the same event.
Also check out SFcentar.com with an article about it (sorry, in Croatian, Google Chrome might solve it) because it has 2 short sword fighting vids.
And a party after everything… Well, we don’t get plenty of those around here…
ZedQuote Reply
Zed, great photos and it is a good thing somebody managed to film Order of Silver Dragon in action as they had some great (and fiery) choreographies which photos just can’t do justice.
Ivan PopićQuote Reply
One day away.
OMG, is it really possible?
ZedQuote Reply
Živio Zec!
In English: Hail rabbit!
NikoleoQuote Reply