George R. R. Martin has provided another casting confirmation, and this time he has dispensed with the clues and given us the news straight away. Simon Armstrong will be playing Qhorin, called Halfhand, in season two of Game of Thrones.
Armstrong is another actor with experience in both stage and screen. On TV, he has had roles on Holby City, Doctors and Casualty. He has also had roles in films such as The Edge of Love and The Killer Elite. He has appeared in numerous stage productions including Oleanna, The Three Musketeers, Henry IV Parts One and Two, A Christmas Carol, Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Changeling, The Canterbury Tales, and many more.
Qhorin is a ranger from the Shadow Tower, a Night’s Watch castle situated on the far west portion of the Wall. He is called Halfhand as he lost all but the thumb and forefinger on his right hand to a wildling axe. Because of this he has trained himself to wield a sword with his left hand and is said to be just as good with his left as he was with his right.
Winter Is Coming: Halfhand is such a badass. And Armstrong has the tough and grizzled look that I pictured Qhorin to have. Now he just needs Maisie to give him some lessons in left-handed sword fighting …
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166 Comments
Nice one!
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
What a day!
I knew Winter you were worried about this one ;)
Another great contribution to the cast!
The RabbitQuote Reply
But where is Meera Reed?
JoohnsonQuote Reply
Not bad. Finally an end to the speculation. They could have cast Paul Reubens and I’d say at least we know he’s in.
That just goes to prove that just because we haven’t heard about a role being cast doesn’t mean it’s being cut.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
I wouldn’t say worried, but curious to see who they would cast. :)
I always had faith that they would cast Qhorin. It is just too awesome a role to cut. Plus he’s only needed for a few episodes.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
When the fuck are they going to announce the casting of Reek ? If they drop that plotline I will stop watching this show .
JohnQuote Reply
Did it occur to they may not make a big deal out of Reek’s casting for a really really good reason? Jesus, shut up already.
Here’s Armstrong’s resume-CV, btw. Has a few more headshots and some more film work listed.
http://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/1/M17811.html
Steve the PirateQuote Reply
Wow, wanted to go to bed, just checked this site a last time
and suddenly
BAM
Qhourin Halfhand cast
(hope i spelled him right ;p )
MichaelmannQuote Reply
Oh thank god, I could learn to live with the Reeds being cut but Qhorin, not so much. woot woot!
John-Michael LelievreQuote Reply
I thought the reason to post comments here is to voice an opinion . But if there are people telling me to shut up maybe I should not post here anymore .
JohnQuote Reply
From what I’ve read the Winterfell scenes have yet to be filmed. I reckon we’ll get the Reeds and Reek news in a month or so. You can kind of see the order in which things are being filmed by the announcements. Like now it looks like they’re filming/about to film some of the later “north of the wall scenes” with the Halfhand and Ygritte castings announced this week.
HouseLarkQuote Reply
Well that gives me some hope atleast .
JohnQuote Reply
Yes, but it does get annoying after a while to go into a thread about the casting of a certain character and instead of reading opinions about said character and the actor cast for the role, all people want to talk about is why a different role has yet to be cast.
NOTE: I’m not saying you should stop posting, just stating why people may have a negative reaction to these types of posts.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
There’s no point to Bran’s storyline without the Reeds. At least I think so, but what do I know? Nothing(pun).
Here’s to hoping.
JoohnsonQuote Reply
Super excited. I hope “that scene” will be as dramatic on camera as it was in the books
Rhymes with FreakQuote Reply
Don’t know why, but I had always pictured Qhorin as a little younger. I am super excited for this coming season!
The Hooded ManQuote Reply
I’m glad they cast him! I wonder if we might meet up with the character sooner than we did in the books? The writers might want the audience to have more chances to grow attached to the character, so his duel with Jon has a more dramatic impact.
StarkgirlQuote Reply
Amen to that!
Anyway, looks like another great casting choice.
RipleyQuote Reply
The Hooded Man,
I definitely had the same picture, like he was of an age with Benjen maybe. I can deal with an older Qhorin though. Hope they CG out his fingers!
SporkQuote Reply
I guess you’re right . Btw when is filming in Croatia done ?
JohnQuote Reply
YAY! Happy dance! Counting the days to Skyrim and to Game of Thrones new season!
HandmaidenofDanyQuote Reply
Starkgirl,
I agree with this sentiment, which would be a similar track to what they might be taking with Rickard Karstark.
“Oh Qhorin, he’s so cool and mentor-y to Jon – oh wait, Jon has to kill him?! Noooo!”
SporkQuote Reply
I could complain about the Reeds, but this one has me very excited. “You must not balk, whatever is asked of you.” The Halfhand is totally badass and cool. Welcome to Thrones, Simon! :D
The InstrumentalistQuote Reply
Joohnson,
See, here’s the thing. Other than Osha, NO ONE from Bran’s storyline is apparently cast. Not only the Reeds, but also Lady Whent, the Umber Brothers, Lord Manderly, the Walders, etc.
I mean, what’s Bran gonna do all season if he literally gets no storyline? Are they just gonna make something up with Osha, Rickon and Hodor?
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
If the Reeds are not cast, this pretty much means that in the End Game, the Reeds will either be dead, or minor bit players. I would think that D&D would talk to GRRM before writing characters out, and GRRM I would think would tell them if the Reeds would be end game characters or not.
SuperdeluxeQuote Reply
Spork,
Spoiler-y?
The InstrumentalistQuote Reply
The Reeds are very minor characters in the book, I don’t understand the outrage at the prospects of their not being cast.
They are just companions. Bran has a couple of greendream conversations with them, and the story about that memorable jousting tournament. I think Maester Luwin could just as easily be the one having that conversation with him.
Or, they could push the Reeds back to season 3, and have Bran take a detour down to the marshlands to meet them.
shadallionQuote Reply
Also, we need a better picture of Simon Armstrong. I’m not seeing “grizzled warrior” here.
shadallionQuote Reply
They are minor characters right now, but there was potential for a greater role for Meera in regards to relationships down the road with Bran.
SuperdeluxeQuote Reply
Relax, Brans storyline will be filmed later so we get the castings later as well. For all we know they could even film Riverrun after Winterfell and we get a bunch of Tully castings in a few weeks ( including the ever elusive Blackfish). A few months ago a lot of people believed that the Greatjon would replace Karstark and Benjen would take The Halfhands role. So far the the only characters that has been replaced till next season Are Aeron and supposedly Rahkarro.
Not worried….at all.
Chris77Quote Reply
Bran is going to be a tree , what relashionship do you expect him to have ?
JohnQuote Reply
I always liked Meera but not so much Jojen. If they could only keep one I would amalgamate them into Meera with green dreams. Isaac HW is cute I want him to have a <3 when he's 15 or so.
BieberFeiverQuote Reply
Oh and Simon Armstrong looks like a great Halfhand……. I would follow him to war, he just has that face you trust.
BieberFeiverQuote Reply
A strong arm, but only half a hand.
Also,
this made me laugh.
Delta1212Quote Reply
John,
LOL, I don’t think one day he’s going to wake up and suddenly be a tree… I dunno if he’s even going to end up like Bryden. My perception was that after he dies his spirit will live on inside the heart tree in the godswood; fully becoming a “god” of the north.
I always liked how Jojen was the visionary and Meera was his protector. I don’t think he’ll be as boring in the series – I think that as a team they will prove to be more interesting and elusive than in the books.
The InstrumentalistQuote Reply
Yeah, I think the way they’re doing casting announcements are somewhat a good sign for the Reeds. They’re filming things in some sort of order so the fact that they haven’t cast the Reeds, Reek, or any of the other various Winterfell characters probably mean they’re just not there yet when it comes to the Winterfell scenes. Give it time.
sedeyusQuote Reply
I wanted Christopher Eccleston, damnit!
Colin HicksQuote Reply
He’s been cast as the Blackfish.
Delta1212Quote Reply
shadallion,
Sufficiently grizzled looking?
http://www.emptagehallett.co.uk/simonarmstrong0908.jpg
williamhperkinsQuote Reply
HALFHAND! YES!!!!
LexQuote Reply
wow!! that photo is perfect! Love this casting!!! I like him a LOT. It is Qhorin´s face. Just perfect.What a relief! Fire and Blood made me fear for Qhorin.
His face reminds me of Roger Waters. I´m in love I think… Yes, I am.
Oh, and his CV says: “Voice Character: Authoritative” oh my…
I too think that the Reeds will be in season 3.
andreaQuote Reply
Aw yeessssssss *pumps fist in the air*. Qhorin is the man. Jaime could learn a lot from him, if ye know what I mean ;)
Plus I can relax now that I know Uncle Benjen won’t be taking his place. Phew.
BroQuote Reply
I completely agree, he is the spitting image of Halfhand!
I really hope not. The Reeds, especially Jojen are highly important to Bran’s storyline in ACoK. They cannot replace them with Osha and Hodor. I mean can you see either of them telling Bran about skinchanging?
WinterdarkQuote Reply
Cool. Coolcoolcool.
lol
And anyway, fuck Jojen and Meera. They might as well just hold a sign above their heads: “Exposition-merchants! Get your exposition here!” Their functional purpose can be served by other characters, and in a cast this size I think that may be preferable.
EvilPicnicQuote Reply
Winterdark,
They cannot replace them, I mean, I don´t want to. I like the Reeds. But maybe D&D move things (don´t know how) so Meera and Jojen could be in season 3?
I’m still mesmerized by Simon Armstrong. He is just as I pictured Q. Halfhand. Never happened to me before with other characters. Amazing!
andreaQuote Reply
Lord Manderly and the Umber brothers become important characters only in the fifth book. I don’t remember lady Whent ever being important to the books. The two Walders aren’t that important either: they’re only there to show how devious and annoying all Freys are. But they do need to get Reeds and “Reek”.
VirtusQuote Reply
Same as other thread: has it been confirmed that Rakharo is gone for good?
AlecTrevQuote Reply
I seriously don’t understand the concerns about the Reeds being cut.
Firstly, I don’t think these fears hold any backing as anything other than speculation.
Secondly, I think the Reeds are too integral to the story to cut out. Even more than some folks we’ve already seen cast.
We’ll get the news of them when we get it. Calm down bombing every story with fears that they’ll be making such a drastic deviation from the book. There isn’t even that much of a precedent of this from the first season.
At worst, they’ll make us wait for the Reeds until the beginning of season 3. Who knows, they may delay much of the Winterfell plot until then, and focus on Robb a lot more than originally anticipated (as seemingly evidenced by some of the casting news already put out there).
AzazelusQuote Reply
I find it a bit shocking to see so many people anxious about Reek and the Reeds but I can find no comments about Strong Belwas? Surely he is as awesome as those 3 combined, he’s too good a character to cut and for me the only one who brings a little humour to Dany’s storyline.
KnurkQuote Reply
Azazelus,
the problem is, the winterfell plot is also part of the theon plot, and its a very good TVesque storyline. I doubt they’ll cut it or lessen it too much, its Theon’s climax. They might move it up to season 3, as to not have to completely cut theon out of two season
CharlesQuote Reply
Knurk,
Strong Belwas is one of my favorite minor characters, but he’s as integral to the plot as the blackfish, which is to say, not very much. The reeds and Reek are much more important in this sense.
CharlesQuote Reply
Knurk,
oh my, forgive me! I´m so excited with Qhorin Halfhand/ Simon Armstrong (even his name is great) that I forgot about Strong Belwas. You´re right, he´s funny.
OT: I walked today, clumsy but walked. I´m really happy
andreaQuote Reply
Why do people (myself included) love the Reeds? Simple:
Howland Reed, green dreams, frog spears… they’re just awesome.
Don’t cut the Reeds!
LexQuote Reply
Yay! I think he’ll be a great Halfhand- I always pictured him as a bit older than Benjen and Ned, more of age with The Old Bear.
And… In regards to Bran/Meera… (I can’t help it, spoilered for spoilers and just idiocy :P ) If he’s a tree… at least the wood is guaranteed!
Also, I think half the point of Jojen is to be a wet blanket. He’s a kid barely older than Bran, and more emo than Jon ever was. It’d ruin Meera’s character to be emalgamated with Jojen… Half of the reason that she’s interesting is because her brother, while wise, is so tedious.
NicoleQuote Reply
Virtus,
The point I was making was that if we’re not getting the Reeds, we’re also not getting ANY part of Bran’s storyline. Of course, if they really haven’t shot any of the Winterfell scenes, this makes sense.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Long time lurker first time poster. I have to say he’s not quite as ‘handsome’ as I’d thought he’d be but that is of no real consequence, however they better not leave his hair short,somehow the long hair seemed to give the half-hand a kinda Hippy-esque zen master mystique That I thought fit the character. A minor point I know but sometimes the little details mean a lot…
Douglas ForsythQuote Reply
nice one indeed! he seems fitting.
Thiago SlashQuote Reply
Must. Have. Reek.
KingRamsayTheGreatQuote Reply
Fixed.
LexQuote Reply
In the picture, Armstrong reminds me of Paul Scofield as Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons…and I’m perfectly fine with that!
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
The HALF HAND COMITH! All bone dress wearers beware!
Matt C. DerQuote Reply
Nice!!!!
“We ride at noon,” the ranger told him. “Best find that wolf of yours.”
the goatQuote Reply
In completely unrelated news: the Wire/Miller’s Crossing/Always Sunny triumalgamation has come true!!!
Jon Polito! Lance Reddick! Danny DeVito! Dee Reynolds?
(yeah, don’t worry, she’s only in a flashback/flashforward/sideways-type-crap/whatever, who gives a fuck!?!) its historic!
the goatQuote Reply
the goat,
what? are you ok?
andreaQuote Reply
andrea,
Is dis dame tryin ta give me da high hat!?!?
the goatQuote Reply
the goat,
jijijiji the only thing I understood (from the two comments) was The Wire and Lance Reddik.
I guess you´re ok!
andreaQuote Reply
“give me” should, of course, be “gimme” in my last post. My lack of Italian slipped.
the goatQuote Reply
andrea,
Wait one.
You’ve never heard of Danny DeVito?
the goatQuote Reply
the goat,
yes, sorry, I heard of Danny De Vito, of course. English is not my first language so it’s possible I missed something ( high hat? Are you the Hatter?)
andreaQuote Reply
Yay, the Halfhand has landed!!! He is one of my favorite smaller characters – such an epic story line. Soooooo glad that they kept him in, so important for Jon Snow’s character development! I don’t know the actor, but surely he’ll be up for the task if Nina Gold and co contracted him.
Steve the Pirate,
Winter Is Coming,
Just go through recent posts. Whenever the name ‘John’ pops up in a thread, I know to expect a post that is at least borderline trolling, so I just don’t respond to anything he writes anymore…
Lex,
Nice subtle one Lex :-)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
I did the test myself and went through a number of recent posts, and have to admit that John only sporadically posts messages that are ‘borderline trolling’, so my appologies. (was too late to edit my post) A tip to John: if you feel like you have a negative message to communicate, it helps to explain why in order to not gather criticism. (And now I step down again from the moral highground I accidentally landed on, again, my appologies…)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
Don’t care about the Reeds. If they can find a way not using them, then by all means I hope they do so. There are more important characters. If Osha takes over, that would’ve been great. The only problem then is the Rickon storyline.
Petter Kristian VikestadQuote Reply
Great casting yet again, seriously!!!
But guys and gals, you have to stop being negative about the Reeds, they will be cast. Have faith!
And for all those people that say the Reeds aren’t important…. eerrrrr What books were you reading??? The Reeds were friggin integral to Bran’s storyline. Without the Reeds, Bran literally does nothing (of interest) for like, 2 series.
….. and breathe. Rant over!!!!
you-know-nothingQuote Reply
lol that’s pretty much exactly how i imagined halfhand, awesome.
jkbsucks.comQuote Reply
Oh thank god. Although I’ve said in the past that I accept certain characters might need to be streamlined out it still comes as a great relief to know we have a Halfhand! Phew!
EdibleBrainQuote Reply
Reek is more important than those two .
JohnQuote Reply
So just because I want a character in a show i’m a troll ? No wonder some of you guys here are seen as elitist pricks .
JohnQuote Reply
John,
I wouldn’t say it’s because ‘you want a character in a show’ i’d say it’s because of the way you express your opinion, and criticise other peoples.
Just an observation!
you-know-nothingQuote Reply
So apart from the comment above , when did I criticise other people ? He starts calling me a troll and I respond with the same method . But of course he is an older member so he can say whatever he wants , right ?
JohnQuote Reply
Firstly: Yay! More casting news! Mr Armstrong has a wonderful face. Very memorable. Lots of character, and, dare I say, grit with the right trace of melancholy/weariness.
Secondly: I probably missed it in another thread, but did any of you catch last night’s episode of the Big Bang Theory? As promised, Valyrian Steel’s Longclaw made an extensive appearance in the very first scene and Game of Thrones is mentioned straight away. You even get a shot of a certificate (I don’t know if it’s authentic) with the sword’s name clearly legible. Pretty neat. What made me scoff n’ snigger were the punchlines built arround how it’s mass produced merchandise. Hardly.
HirondelleQuote Reply
Hear, hear! You bunch of insatiable ingrates (please believe me when I say that I mean that in a wholly good-natured way and if I wasn’t afraid of getting bit I’d virtually ruffle all your virtual heads as I say it) *-*
HirondelleQuote Reply
Reek and the Reeds are pretty much guaranteed to be in there. Story lines wouldn’t work if they weren’t.
I’m worried about Vargo Hoat.
DogmayorQuote Reply
Halfhand looking good!
Reek is much more essential than the Reeds. Reek must be in for the Theon storyline to work, and the later books require him as well.
The Reeds are basically exposition machines, and moving that role to another character is not inconceivable. Other than that, they are not really doing that much besides providing Bran with companions.
Kasia BoltonQuote Reply
Don’t recall seeing Simon in anything, but I think he has the right look. I always imagined Qhorin with longer hair, maybe a really messy ponytail sort of look (I don’t even remember how he’s actually described in the book). I’m sure they’ll give him an awesome badass NW costume and great hair/makeup. I really can’t wait to see Kit get to act alongside these new actors…I can barely contain my excitement to see Qhorin’s climax scene!! :D
LinaQuote Reply
Great casting news!!!
[Off-topic]
I know we all love the books, but we must remind that this is a TV series.
Actually, I would love new storylines if they can converge neatly with the main ones at the end of the show. And, precisely, all the Bran/Reeds one would be one I’d love to be different from the books.
It’s fantastic a word-by-word adaptation, but I think it’s better to have the books and the series as different (but equivalent) ways of telling the same story.
[/Off-topic]
cwolfQuote Reply
Yeah definitely getting a Paul Scofield vibe…hopefully he will bring the same measure of gravitas to the Halfhand.
Just because it’s an amazing film and that everyone should see it:
target=”_blank”>http://youtu.be/DX0_FGu8v9A
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
I concur. We need our Brave Companions.
BlaatQuote Reply
A good choice.
Regarding other roles mentioned above, GRRM does say over on his Not A Blog that all the major roles for S2 have been cast (doesn’t mean they’ve all been announced yet though) and that casting is still going on in London, Belfast and Dublin for smaller parts.
There is still 2 months filming to go, and remember Walder Frey wasn’t cast until November last year.
PhilQuote Reply
They wil prolly not cast the Reeds and use Osha instead, as someone suggested…
Pau SorianoQuote Reply
I just hope Qhorin gets the screen time he deserves because he’s such a great character. Casting looks great as usual.
Epic knows nothingQuote Reply
Phil,
I would call the Reeds a major role.
Epic knows nothingQuote Reply
Just for academic knowledge, if you have no previous contact with swords, you can start training with either left or right hand whether you are right or left handed and you become comfortable with it. I have tested it myself..
D4skalosMQuote Reply
If they’ve cut Vargo Hoat (who is admittedly replaceable) I’m going to Ireland to cut some feet off!
Thappireth!
Pod4kingQuote Reply
Pau Soriano,
Unfortunately, they prolly will. And for ADwD storyline and beyond they can use Children of the Forest in BloodRaven’s cave as Reed stand- ins
Pod4kingQuote Reply
Finally. Now people will finally stop promoting such stupid ideas as Jon having to kill Benjen or Mormont instead of Halfhand.
FlourideQuote Reply
Kasia Bolton,
What happens if Bran is sitting on the iron throne at the end of book 7 with Meera as his queen?
SuperdeluxeQuote Reply
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, SUPER DELUXE! My wife, who is Scottish and has a PhD in Medieval Studies, quit this forum because one of the Head 3 Stooges called the Reeds “glorified travelguides”. She knows every Celtic folkstory known to man, and all the history regarding the Anglo-Scottish border and Hadrian’s Wall. She knows what Meera and Jojen are, more than those who run this page, and probably as much as GRRM himself. But, more to the point – SHE THINKS WHAT YOU JUST SAID WILL HAPPEN. There is folkloric precedent, apparently, which I barely understand. Anyway, sorry for the long dramatic outburst, just, THANK YOU.
Cave o’ LoveQuote Reply
too old too frail i look more like what i pictured halfhand to be
Adam RobertsQuote Reply
It’s an interesting thought. For awhile there I thought GRRM was going to do a Richard III kinda thing with Bran. After ADWD I’m not so sure, but it’s interesting to speculate
QueensmootQuote Reply
Cave o’ Love,
Yeah, Kasia Bolton. Congratulations, you just gave some delusional soul some hope.
DennaiQuote Reply
Cave o’ Love,
The second book is called A Clash of Folktales?
Epic knows nothingQuote Reply
Clarify?
Cave o’ LoveQuote Reply
No, but you can’t get rid of the Reeds entirely for the series, if Bran is going to sit the throne with Meera. They are not “exposition machines”. BTW, do you people realize how much more civil and informed the MAJOR ASoIaF site is?
Cave o’ LoveQuote Reply
Adam Roberts,
LOL! Did you audition and get turned down? Just kidding.
While I disagree with you on this casting (good job!) I just want to say that everyone has a different depiction in their head. That said, makeup, wigs, beard, wardrobe and oh yeah ACTING go along way into bringing a character to life. Even if we have only a clip or a photo of the actor is all the evidence we can muster to form our opinion at this moment if he/she is good for the part.
With the exception of those of us who cannot break from their expectations of the portrayal,we don’t really know until we see them in the role.
In Nina Gold we trust…
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Cave o’ Love,
Speaking for myself as a fan of the Reeds, I can sense the importance of them and the essence of their magical character resonates vaguely. Which is why they are so difficult to put into a show that barely has time to develop major character. My worst fear is that they mow right over the Reeds. Also, the magical element might be too much for the “HBO vision of grit” it has on a fantasy spin.. that is to say ‘too much magic at once is overwhelming’.
That is why I believe the Reeds might be pushed to the next season. Removing them entirely would be worse than cutting down their character, but not by much. This show needs to regulate its own speed, and making two seasons out of SoS is a good step toward that.
Epic knows nothingQuote Reply
Right on, push them to Season 3, by all means. Give them everything they deserve, if the show desires it and can handle it. Just don’t think they can be left out or replaced, because I think really good readers know they can’t.
Cave o’ LoveQuote Reply
Cave o’ Love,
The boards on this site were once like westeros.org, but ever since the show really took off it has changed. A couple of Trolls here and there, bitter anger at ADWD and GoT etc. Some comments I find of late are like the type you see posted on a facebook page: neither informed or polite. But for every one of those there are a dozen fantastic posters to make up for it.
That said all of the work that has gone into this site through Winter, FaB and HmR and other contributors has been more than exemplary. I wish it a long and healthy life.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Thank you for that civil and informed post, Mr. Taylor. I don’t doubt you. And with that, I sign off.
Cave o’ LoveQuote Reply
this made me chuckle because I can totally see FaBio be one of the three Stooges.
No I don’t, this place is far more welcome to ‘newbies’ than the other MAJOR site, but more importantly: WiC doesn’t censor or ban people at random without giving explanations.
KnurkQuote Reply
i think it’s great that so many people seem to find this actor looks so much like their mental image of him from the books. that was my initial reaction as well when i saw this guy’s pic. it was almost exactly the way i imagined the halfhand looking like
space popeQuote Reply
actually, i love WiC because i like how we can have good discussions (or arguments :P) here.
Parenthesis: I think the thing i dislkike the most about Westeros.Org (the only thing, i like the website) is that most users (AND mods) do literally jump at your throat if you say something against a popular opinion, criticize some aspects of the books or talk about “hot” topic (i’ll never understand why it’s okay to say “i want character X to be roasted, flayed and killed” when saying “i think that sex scene looks like rape” is having “rape wishes” and saying “i think that chapter’s writing is weak” is an heresy).
I think people should say what they think, even when it’s something other people don’t like to hear.
Parenthesis Closed
Elena AmiciQuote Reply
I like WiC.net because I feel comfortable here.
It is openminded, warm and nice place to chat about all of aspect of Asoiaf and GOT.
Even with trolls ;)
p.s. And WiC.net likes me as well ;) awwwww
The RabbitQuote Reply
Besides missing a lot of – admittedly cruel – comical situations, the series will lose one hell of an enigmatic character in Vargo. Maybe he will only be mentioned by his comrades and the Brave Companions will future in the third season. I want my Shagwell.
BlaatQuote Reply
Elena Amici,
I’m all for criticism. But I guess I draw the line when it comes to condescension and general mean-spiritedness. Not to say everyone is like that, but I have encountered it before.
I think there are allot of people who love the books and approach any criticism towards them as an affront on their very person. Whereas the people who make the negative comments and word such posts in an inflammatory way (intentional or unintentional) have a strong sense of detachment towards themselves versus the things they love. They can admire something but do not feel like having to automatically rise to its defence when it is criticised by someone else. In a nutshell: they don’t take it personally.
By the way was it ever proven that The Smiling Knight was a Troll or simply a jerk?
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
I’m beginning to feel a little more comfortable talking here as each day goes by, but I really wasn’t at first. There’s still a lingering feeling that someone’s going to rip my heart out and dine on my flesh…or feed it to the goats.
As to Cave o’ Love, I think that it’s smart that you’re relating ASOIAF to folklore of that region (or your wife is). I wouldn’t be surprised if GRRM picked up on some of that stuff and applied it. In the game of thrones, you really don’t know what the f*ck is going to happen. But that’s why we love is so much.
The InstrumentalistQuote Reply
Blaat,
*Book Three spolier ahead, for some reason the spoiler button isn’t showing up*
Brienne is the one who eventually kills Vargo though… right? I mean, they can just have Gregor do it, but it was the infection from her bite that left him incapacitated… they could work around that I guess. Just bringing it up. I would HATE to lose thappireth! D:
The InstrumentalistQuote Reply
Westeros.org reminds me of dalnet circa 2001 where a couple of opinions rule over all else, no discussion…. not much fun for someone like me. I wrote one post there, it was deleted without explanation (actually, I didn’t need one) while newbies around me were flooding in saying things like “I liek the dvd when it come out”. I wish them the best.
My posts here have been deleted a lot more but that’s just because they keep letting me back in (they feel sorry for me because I’m a WiC addict).
Epic The BallsQuote Reply
You took the words right out of my mouth…how dare you! I feel insulted!(picture smiley here)
Anyway great website. Lots of kudos to WiC, HmR and FaB. Keep up the good work guys
WinterdarkQuote Reply
Did you consider he might be a person who made a negative comment and takes it personally that no one seemed to agree but at the same time enjoyed the attention?
I’ve seen many negative comments about GoT where the person had deep feelings about the problem the discussed. Who is Jacob Galt for one doesn’t just seem to be stirring the pot for fun.
I have to say that sounds like WiC until season 1 ended. I think many people believed that the future of the show depended on unanimous positive internet support.
Epic The BallsQuote Reply
Elena Amici,
You just described why I don’t post there very often, and these days not at all.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Cave o’ Love,
Sir, we don’t really need you or your wife, and her education is irrelevant. If she quit the boards because FaB called the Reeds ‘glorified travelguides’, then she is oversensitive and should not have access to the internet. If you come on here to defend her, and attack the site and it’s moderaters based on something so trivial, then you’re a sad sad person. To be honset, the quality of this site is lessen with you two acting like you’re contributing.
Petter Kristian VikestadQuote Reply
Still no Belwas. :(
BelwasFTWQuote Reply
He looks good to me. I like a face with character, and his has character. I also hate to be so shallow when it comes to casting, but since I haven’t seen him in anything that’s all I have to go on. (:
As to WiC.net? I really enjoy this site (pretty obviously, since I check it everyday). I think westeros.org is pretty good too, but to be honest I don’t read it for the ASoIaF forum so much as the forums on humourous things, since there are some clever people who post on the literature boards. I definitely feel more comfortable here (partly because it’s not this big site where I’m terrified of people who have read the books eight times backwards).
The first time I posted on here I was a bit nervous, because I thought I would somehow come off as less knowledgeable in terms of the books (it had been 5 years since I’d read them) and the discussion I jumped into was an intense one. I soon realized though that people are pretty civil on here (and I think with the exception of a couple particular arguments they still are civil). It’s just a fun place to be on the internets. ;)
Also, I wanted to mention I got my “Always Support the Bottom” t-shirts in the mail yesterday! I happily wore it to the university today and I’m sure nobody knew what it meant. XD
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
Simon Armstrong looks very different from what I image Qhorin to look like:
Younger, taller, with a long face and black hair/black beard. Sort of like an older, taller, worn out version of Jon Snow if Jon Snow stayed in the Night’s Watch for 20 years as a ranger.
But what difference does it make? I’m not sure I care. This guy looks fine.
Epic The BallsQuote Reply
Petter Kristian Vikestad, appreciate the support, but let’s not belittle Cave o’ Love or his wife. Their feelings are valid, and if they don’t wish to visit the site anymore, that is their prerogative.
I will say our site is different than Westeros.org as we do take a much more relaxed moderation policy. I think this makes for some lively discussion with people having many conflicting opinions. But this may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
From a story perspective, so far, the reeds can be replaced with osha providing thier exposition. Osha and rickon just stay with bran until he meets coldhands.
RillionQuote Reply
Knurk,
The initial idea that WiC, HmR and I were the Three Stooges was odd—I had thought of myself as more of a solo stooge than a part of anything resembling a stooge collective. Stooge triumvirate?
(I would have equated us more akin to three blind mice, with the Rabbit occasionally leading us to food.)
However, having given it some thought, I would like to put forth the idea that I am Curly Stooge, which leaves HmR as Larry and WiC as Moe. (Though WiC has better hair.) Mostly because I like saying “WooWOO woo woo woo!” and “Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.”
(Which, oddly, translates in Swedish to Knurk, knurk, knurk.)
Seriously though. If anyone feels the need to leave the forums because they feel personally harangued, well, by all means. Personal “attacks” don’t personally bother me, because (as you all know) words are wind. But I understand some people are very sensitive.
However, if you feel compelled to swish your bonny skirt and leave our quiet li’l community because you felt we insulted an ASoIaF character, then I can only submit it is probably a better thing for your psyche in general to stay away.
Or, you could put forth why you contend the Reeds are vital to the television show and attempt to change the minds of the people who find the Reeds slightly useless.
Personally, I change my mind a lot, because I’m rarely right. But your own mileage may vary!
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
What happened here???
Looks like Cave o´ love and his wife left this site for good. A pity because they seemed to have interesting things to say. I wonder how someone can be that angry on a website. I think there are more people in favor of the Reeds than against. And if it isn´t so, I don´t understand why a person could feel so offended. I find it weird. Maybe it is because I am not fundamentally a fan (of nearly nothing) and then I find it hard (sometimes funny) to understand when people angry with things that don´t deserve, for me, so much energy since there are so many more important things in the world to worry about.
I am what you call a “newbie” I guess. In my country GRRM´s books are not edited so I found out through the tv show (when I saw The Kingsroad I ran to see what this was all about) and then read the books. I guess that makes me a newbie… but someone can blame me or treat me badly for that? I never thought that and I don´t get it. Is there competition between websites? Newbies tend to be abused on websites?
But, back to the marriage who left: Leave a message HERE suggesting to leave THIS site for some other site (more polite?) is something that escapes me, indeed.
It´s somewhat funny though and childish.
Neither Fabio´s comment in another post or the polite responses of Joshua Taylor helped to calm their anger.What´s that?
Everyone treats me well here even though I don´t always share the most popular opinions and probably more than once you had to make an effort to understand what I write in English (and I swear that my only doubt when I came here the first time was that you would reject me for mistreating your language…as I´m doing now).
Wic, F & B and HMR are very kind and patient people and have a great sense of humor.
Make sense what I wrote?
And I have to thank the wonderful distraction you have given me these past few months when things were not easy for me. So THANK YOU ALL
andreaQuote Reply
Off-topic, but for the next humor collection post, this is pretty fantastic:
http://videogum.com/393162/a-lannister-always-spays-his-pets/fan-art/
uberstellarQuote Reply
Man this cast is shaping up to be better than Rome’s and Deadwood’s casts.
John WQuote Reply
Always.
Westeros.org is Star Trek and WiC.net is Star Wars. :P
Does that make sense?
Afraid to ask what a bonny skirt is.
Epic The BallsQuote Reply
andrea,
Be cool about your English Andrea . I always like reading your comments. You are a breath of fresh air here. Great you have been on your feet again.
Two FeathersQuote Reply
afraid to ask what it means
andreaQuote Reply
Strange. I rather got the impression that Cave o’ Love was simply signing off for the day.
I didn’t know they were gone for good? I guess my nuance-ometer is on the fritz.
I really hope it isn’t. It would be sad to lose one our posters.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Andrea,
Yeah your English is fine. I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Go Sens!) and have francophone friends that would never be able to muster anything of your level.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Two Feathers,
thank you! thank you!
andreaQuote Reply
John W,
Almost friend. Almost. All GoT needs is Ian McShane, Paula Malcolmson, Garret Dillahunt and Kim Dickens. Then it would be perfect. But then with the exception of Brit McShane and Irish Malcolmson, not all of those actors would translate to the medieval era very well. If he can pull off a transatlantic accent Dillahunt would be an awesome Vargo Hoat or Reek though. Heh he could play Ramsay Snow and Reek! After all he is used to playing dual roles ;-)
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Epic The Balls,
I can see where you’re coming from, but this version of Qhorin makes a lot of sense dramatically. He reminds me of Kenneth Branagh, with his honest and wise features. If he’s being moved forward in the storyline, I can see him becoming a relatable, down-to-earth mentor to Jon (something that didn’t quite get the expected payoff in the novels), something that a younger, more badass Qhorin would strive to accomplish. This way, the viewers will be all the more shocked when Jon is forced to kill him.
IdaanQuote Reply
Epic The Balls,
Well the Smiling Knight went out of his way to insult people who disagreed with him. That is “jerkish” behaviour if you ask me. I can’t say whether he was a troll or not.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
I believed they were gone for good because he (Cave) suggested that there are better places than this to talk about ASOIAF. I mean, I would not return here after saying that, but I hope I´m wrong.
andreaQuote Reply
Joshua Taylor,
Well, the original Reek never shows up anyway. He dies before the character is introduced. The first Reek we see is Ramsay Snow and the second is Theon.
MagnusQuote Reply
Magnus,
First off: I agree with you 100%. Second: read my post again and you’ll see I was making a wee joke there.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Both can be true.
EdQuote Reply
Epic The Balls,
I don´t know what I meant before. The “bonny skirt” thing… was a question for me?
I´m sorry, I have a doubt. Epic knows nothing said that he like this casting, but Epic the balls said no. I´m torn here and I would like to know to whom I have to fight. You know, Qhorin is one of my favorites characters, in fact I am amazed at how much I like this casting so, you like this casting or not? which of the two personalities I have to convince?
andreaQuote Reply
andrea,
Alright! Promise you will never excuse yourself for your english again, I know you’re afraid your posts will be interpretated wrongly but you’re always very clear, and probably more importantly: you’re an example for other ‘non-english’ people to voice their opinion, it’s fucking great! Let’s hope you walk the marathon in no-time.
As the Westeros.org debate: it’s a perfect place to discuss all the theories and questions surrounding the book, it has pretty much all the answers. But if you’re looking for a balanced discussion about GRRM or you want to critique the books you better go someplace else.
KnurkQuote Reply
QFT.
Fire And Blood,
I always wonder, why are you so resiliant to use the regular quote-option? Nyuk Nyuk.
KnurkQuote Reply
The Instrumentalist,
Oh they will. It’s just a matter of time before you dare to disagree with the groupthink ;D
KGQuote Reply
Knurk,
I know it’s annoying that I’m apologizing for my english almost all the time, I know, truly, and I don´t do it for you to flatter me, really, I do it because I feel truly ashamed and because for me language is a very important thing. But I promise you I will not do it again. Basta ya.
About that marathon… jijiji I settle for much less, perhaps I will be able to climb trees as always. I´m as happy now as I was afraid in the last three months.
About Westeros: I have nothing against them, in fact I think is great that they discuss the books in depth and on the issue of wiping out people who think differently… well, I can not say anything because I don´t know, never made a comment there. If it´s true though, it will be a shame. Then again, If you make a blog for something you love so much, you may have the right not to listen to what you don´t like. I don´t know, I´m not sure about this. I only know what I would do.
Yes, Strong Belwas. I think/hope he will be cast soon. Really, on the other side of the pond, is the only one that can make us laugh.
andreaQuote Reply
Knurk,
The reply-to / quote button doesn’t actually work when I’m in FaB mode. I’m not sure why, as WiC and HmR have no trouble with it, but clicking it simply has no effect when I’m on as a moderator.
I can do it as Axechucker if I log in via Twitter, but for some reason it’s broken as a mod.
No idea why, and it’s not important enough for me to fret about.
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
I found it!!! You said that. What is “to swish your bonny skirt”?
I was about to say: Where´s my poll?…then I remember.
andreaQuote Reply
When did we get the first promo pic last year? Was it around this time? – I can’t wait for season two! :-)
AbyssQuote Reply
I will be heartbroken if we don’t get a Strong Belwas. That dude is my DUDE.
I could hardly give a shit less about the Reeds. But Belwas…he’s up there with Dolorous Edd as one of my favorite minor roles in the books.
On topic: Thrilled we have a Halfhand, and one that so closely fits my mental image as this guy appears to.
ZackQuote Reply
Fire and Blood and Epic:
Looking for what it means “to swish your bonny skirt” (at Urbandictionary.com) I had fun!
This is what I found: bonny seems to mean pretty in England, Scotland, etc but “to swish” has a huge amount of funny meanings… some of them quite naughty (?) but I´ll go with “rotate, turn, twist, spin”. It´s that right?
Maybe I should have kept the mystery.
andreaQuote Reply
andrea,
Totes right, dandyman! Awesomesauce!
I just assumed dude’s wife wore a pretty skirt. My imagination ran amok!
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
Sure it did. You realize a Glaswegian street army led by Peter Mullan is headed for your house armed with blades and knuckledusters right now, right?
RobbQuote Reply
All really, really good readers know that Rickon is the One True King of Westeros. If they don’t know that then they are not really, really good readers.
It is known. By really, really good readers.
the goatQuote Reply
Well said! We have a merry chain of words being taken right out of mouths here. :o)
HirondelleQuote Reply
A bit OT but I just saw in the news that seismologists apparently fear that the Icelandic volcano Katla is about to erupt. Minor earthquakes were recorded in the last few days. That doesn’t really bode well for filming (and of course for the people living near Katla). It’s also bigger than Eyjafjallajökull which erupted in 2010.
eta: here’s also a link: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/10/14/iceland-braces-for-an-even-bigger-volcano-eruption/
LisaQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
Aim for the lower edge of the button. It only works there ;)
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
I knew taking a week off would yield big news on all fronts. I still see we have no Reeds.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
LOVELOVELOVE this casting! He looks exactly how I imagined Qhorin to!
Quite honestly, I couldn’t care less whether the Reeds were pushed back to S3. They aren’t absolutely essential to the plot at this stage in the game, and there is already a plethora of actors in this series. That being said, I really can’t wait for Reek to be announced, because I can’t buy into the theory that he will be combined with Roose.
On the topic of WiC, I honestly love this site compared to Westeros.org. I visit WiC every day, whereas I only visit Westeros.org on occasion. The reason being for this is that I find the community here much more welcoming. Although I don’t post very often, when I do, I feel welcome.
Honestly, I love WiC. I wish I had the money to order an Always Support the Bottom shirt…
Katrina BrooksQuote Reply
A welcome addition to the cast. I ‘ve just seen him in “Killer Elite” with Jason Statham, Robert De Niro and nerd-dream girl Yvonne Strahovski from “Chuck”. Personally I like his looks…a tough motherf**ker of the Night’s Watch, not to be triffled or messed with!
loco73Quote Reply
I’m kind of disappointed. I was really hoping for Liam Neeson or someone like that. A little more star power (for the US audience), since it’s such a small role. Oh whelp, I’m sure he’ll do just fine.
DemeQuote Reply
John,
LMAO, knave.
Ser Vardis EgenQuote Reply
Yeah he’s my Dad.
TomArmstrongQuote Reply
Congrats, hope he enjoyed the shoot :)
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply