60 replies to this topic

[Ser Giant]

Joffrey, Yoren, and Brienne(so far). I hate Joff even more and I love Yoren even more than I did while reading. I think Brienne will be as good as the book or better from what I've seen.

Oh, and I should mention Dany, I've disliked her since book 2, but Emilia Clarke makes me almost care about her desert wandering. Although that's probably because she's nice to look at too.

[darrylzero]

Ran, on 25 April 2012 - 08:03 AM, said:

Cersei's less interesting to me on the show. There's a certain wishy-washness to her, perhaps in large part due to Headey's peformance, I don't know, but she never captures the fire and vigor of Cersei. Cersei is a bad person, a terrible person, but there's layers in the novel, there's genuinely tragic moments, that I think the show's given up on by making her more ... I don't know. Relatable? Not every character needs to be "us". The point of the novel's depiction is that, yes, she really is an awful person -- but there are things you can sympathize with, things you can understand and see how that shaped her to be the terrible person that she is.

I agree 100% about Cersei during season 1, but I think she's been great so far in season 2.  The biggest difference between the two seasons, for me (in terms of characters who appear in both at least), and it might be enough to push her from "worse" to "better" for me.

In terms of characters that come off really well:

Viserys, Syrio, Varys, Yoren, Sam, and Gendry all leap out at me, but I think it's tough because I think the characters all work well as written too (particularly Viserys).  Overall, I think I might say Ned.  I had imagined someone a little more solemn and gaunt in the role, but Sean Bean gave Ned a quality of warmth that came to adore.  That's not a knock on book-Ned, who I think was basically perfect drawn.  But Sean Bean really brought something really special to that role.  

The performances that I adore the most though are Arya and Bran, because those were the two characters I was really afraid wouldn't end up working because of the challenges of finding child actors.  Not quite the question, but there it is.

Edited by darrylzero, 25 April 2012 - 09:38 PM.

[Chelly]

I was reminded of this posting in another thread about Balon. I would also like to add Balon Greyjoy to this. He's pretty unlikable in the books, but on the show he is presented, I don't know, more human? The actor is very good and he has just the right look on face when Theon confronts him and it seems like a mix of shame, guilt, wounded pride, stubbornness, and resentment all rolled into one, which all fit the character of Balon perfectly.  Balon is only seen through Theon's eyes in the books and although he treated him like dirt, we can't be for sure if there was more to Balon than what Theon sees. I don't mind the exploration and expansion of Balon's character, and I think it makes Theon's story all the more real and helps people understand Theon a little better.

[CrypticWeirwood]

The depth and breadth of experience that many of the older actors bring to their rôles cannot be overstated. Look at Davos in particular. Liam Cunningham’s acting chomps far outweigh that he doesn’t quite look like Davos’s description in the books.  Also included in this set would be Tywin, Balon, Luwin, and Jeor Mormont. Pycelle is also a fine actor, but isn’t given much. Old Nan was perfect.

Even the next age group down are very strong: Robert, Ned, and Catelyn all really bring those rôles alive, and Varys is a true delight.  Jorah has been pretty much all single-noted so far, but he may get to flex a bit later on.  Bronn is suitably amusing. I’m afraid I’m not expecting much from Stannis, although I’d like to see it, but he’s pretty one-noted.

The under-35ish actors are certainly good enough as these things go with some stand-out performances from some who alas are no longer with us, and the under-20s are sometimes quite wonderful, but  you really cannot compare their ranges with those of their elders.

Tyrion is one of the few “youngers” who is actually given much diversity of aspect, from happy and playful to pensive and scared to angry and commanding.  Cersei is starting to get a bit of that, too, although not as much as her brother. I wish Jaime would get some.

I haven’t seen anything from Jon or Robb that’s required much acting.  Dany has had a bit more than they have, and Renly is definitely made more interesting in the TV show.  Gendry is also doing a better job than in the books.

All in all, while there are notably exceptions, it’s definitely the older actors who bring the most gravitas to their rôles. Young viewers too often neglect them because they aren’t “pretty”, but come on guys, Tywin Lannister simply commands every scene he’s in, while his pretty nephew Lancel, well, just doesn’t.

[Aegnor]

CrypticWeirwood, on 26 April 2012 - 03:48 PM, said:

TTywin Lannister simply commands every scene he’s in, while his pretty nephew Lancel, well, just doesn’t.

Well, to be fair, Lancel isn't supposed to have a commanding presence. I thought he did a great job in his scene with Tyrion last episode. It was the perfect veneer of cocky arrogance barely covering the fear and insecurity. He came off as someone who was completely in over their heads, and knew it, and tried to cover it up with arrogance and bluster.

[Im With Stannis]

Joffrey is excellent. Jack Gleeson is a tremendous talent. I also love the portrayal of Balon and Theon. And I agree about Renly. We all were disappointed by the season 1 portrayal, but I think it's really doing to form. And while I wish there was more development between Stannis and Renly, I loved the dynamic between the two last episode.

I love Luwin and Pyclle.

[darrylzero]

I'm interested that Balon is getting so much love.  I have no complaints about the actor, but I feel like he's just bringing what's already there on the page.  Reading his "iron price" rant in the spoiler chapter in AGOT's paperback copy was the moment I knew I was totally hooked.  Maybe I loved that scene too much already to be objective, though.

[Sword of the Morning Wood]

HouseLancaster, on 25 April 2012 - 06:06 PM, said:

So mainly the second tier characters then...?

There's probably something in that. When you've been reading a character's thoughts and all their major interactions and actions over several thousand pages, they're going to be fleshed out incredibly well for you. With the important but not POV characters, there's an opportunity to bring that character to life, on screen, maybe better than was done in the books.

I'd agree with Yoren, Bronn, Joffey, the Mormonts and Osha so far. As for more 'main' characters, Robb and Theon are good shouts.

Maester Luwin as well. He was just kind of there in the books, for me. To offer an opinion or something. I really like him in the show. The guy who plays him is a good actor.

[Dragon greyscale]

darrylzero, on 26 April 2012 - 11:59 PM, said:

I'm interested that Balon is getting so much love.  I have no complaints about the actor, but I feel like he's just bringing what's already there on the page.  Reading his "iron price" rant in the spoiler chapter in AGOT's paperback copy was the moment I knew I was totally hooked.  Maybe I loved that scene too much already to be objective, though.

I agree with book Balon's BAMF-ness being quite straightforward. The thing that added more depth and emotion to the tv performance, I think, is the moment he stares in the camera while theon delivers the desperate speech of being abandonded. You can see that Balon realizes the painful truth in that statement. He doesn't need words. He just stares with a look of remorse and walks away.
There are some advantages to the visual medium, meaningful silences being one of them.

Oh,and on the topic of second-tier characters benfiting from the show: that's not a judgment about the adaptation (i.e.being second-tier itself). Overall, the depth missing in main characters is compensated with the depth of secondary characters. It's levelled out, if that makes sense. The show makes up for where the novels fall short. And vice versa of course.

[The Monkey]

Wait... is Alfie Allen Lily Allen's little brother? Mind=blown

[Sword of the Morning Wood]

The Monkey, on 27 April 2012 - 06:57 AM, said:

Wait... is Alfie Allen Lily Allen's little brother? Mind=blown

Yes, and her song"Alfie" is about him...http://www.youtube.c...rfi3lFg&ob=av2n

[B'uckles]

Renly is very good. It is one thing to say that a character is likable and charismatic, but so much more effective to show it- an advantage to a drama over the written word. Reading about him, I sometimes wondered how he drew so much support, with no real claim to the throne, and only his lover's money and a nice disposition to recommend him. He's doing a lovely job of being the guy people can really believe will be a good king with the good of the realm at heart-a person might well vote for him, if such a thing were possible in feudal Westeros! And you can see why idealistic Brienne would find him suitably inspirational, as well as a cutie.
Not too many of the contenders show much promise in terms of being a good ruler, both practical and altruistic. I sometimes think that wanting power is a good sign that a person is unfit to wield it. And Renly certainly fits right in with the others in this area. But..I digress.

[Greywolf2375]

Depends on what you mean by "better' - if that is "coming across to the audience" i think most come off better in the TV show than the book because they are more sympathetic/less diabolical.  Cersei for example - really not too many redeeming qualities from the book, in the show we see she & Robert actually sharing pleasant memories.  It is more difficult to show the shades of grey, but I think we have a much smaller range in the levels of sympathy the characters get (well, except for Joffrey) than there is in reading about them.

[Jamie Lannister]

Sword of the Morning Wood, on 27 April 2012 - 07:06 AM, said:

Yes, and her song"Alfie" is about him...http://www.youtube.c...rfi3lFg&ob=av2n

Hahahahahahaha. Wow. I had never considered that... yeah.

Cersei definitely feels a little "neutered," though I think Joff has taken the whole "absurdly evil" thing to a whole new level. I like what they're doing with Robb a lot; hopefully his romance arc won't be quite as painful as that scene from #4...

[boojam]

I frankly don't know where they found some many good actors who are so cragy looking.
These guys looked like they have actually lived their lives outside and looked totally weathered and rugged:
Yoren
Jeor Mormont
Qhorin

Bronn (I swear he looks as if he should be a member of the nights watch.)

For outdoor types but not so Cragy, all the Dothraki.

We have not gotten to see all the Wildings yet so don't know.

Ilyn Payne , is the weirdest guy of the lot! Saw an interview Wilko Johnson, he came off as a happy kind of loony rock band guy, which he is.

Edited by boojam, 27 April 2012 - 08:40 AM.

[Sword of the Morning Wood]

boojam, on 27 April 2012 - 08:39 AM, said:

I frankly don't know where they found some many good actors who are so cragy looking.
These guys looked like they have actually lived their lives outside and looked totally weathered and rugged:
Yoren
Jeor Mormont
Qhorin

Bronn (I swear he looks as if he should be a member of the nights watch.)

I think that ties in with what someone was saying about older actors. There's tonnes of older, quality actors who are actually good at what they do and they're probably a hell of a lot cheaper to hire than all the pretty young actors who appear on most TV shows/films. HBO have clearly gone for real quality actors and it adds to the series immensely.

[Stargareyen]

It would be easier to point out who has not benefitted from the adaptation / lived up to the role...

Asha, or should I say, Yara Greyjoy... She is so not what I imagined, has a dead look in her eyes and not sexy at all...
Stannis, he does not look menacing enough, he's pretty likeable at first glance unlike what the book demands...

[Drogon's Personal Trainer]

Ooh, I must add Varys.  In the books he was dangerously close to being the scheming eunuch cliche, forever giggling or touching his powdered cheeks - Oh, how many times did George use that dialogue tag?  In the show, Conleth Hill has given him charisma and dignity.  Show Varys is one of my favourite characters.

[Im With Stannis]

Omg, Ilyn Payne! I forgot how perfect he casting was for him! The original Mountain was perfect, but unfortunately he was recast and the lanky guy who replaced him is far less than adequate. I sure hope the original actor comes back for next season. I really wanted to see that actor:

[SPOILERS] Scream, "Her name was Elia. I raped. I murdered her. I killed her children. And when I did, it sounded like THIIIS!!" *crush* [/SPOILERS]

Not sure if that was the exact quote, too lazy to look!

[Skeksi]

Viserys definitely jumps to mind. Hats off to Harry Lloyd and the writers, I felt twinges of sympathy for Viserys in the show, when I never did for book- Viserys. Or, rather I DID feel for Viserys in a distant sort of way- Dany's thoughts on how he changed after he had to sell their mother's crown, and the fonder memories of him from when they were younger give an impression of someone who was in way over their head, and who wasn't necessarily as nasty and abusive as he was out of enjoyment. However, since we only see him through the eyes of Dany in the book (who he treats abominably), it's very hard to feel anything for him as he is. In the show, particularly in the scenes with Mormont and he, you get to see the pressure he seems to feel, and a little bit of why he acts the way he does, and you kind of see the patheticness, if you like, of his actions, desperately trying to be respected and feared, and he just isn't. He's still a nasty fellow, of course, and eventually he pushes too far and needs to go, but the way Harry Lloyd plays his final scene- the way he smiles and his eyes light up and he looks so pleased, and almost peaceful, I do feel sorry for him. Almost. Excellently played.

I don't know that Joffrey benefits from the adaption as such- he's not really given any more complexity in the books, in fact by passing off some of Cersei's deeds onto him (the killing of the bastards), it seems he's becoming even more one-dimensionally evil. However, Jack Gleeson does an excellent job playing him (the scene of Sansa's stripping and beating I think he did particularly well), and he definitely brings a certain life to scenes that he's in.