Quote from: Eva on Mar 15, 2013, 12:29:42 AM
@Ruadh Yep, the fear I have as well down the line, is that ratings will eventually drop, the series can't wrap up its storyline in time because the last book might still be a decade away, if the book release pattern so far is anything to go by. HBO just might not be able to fund the last segments when the time comes, because general interest will have shifted towards other future series. 
Love that trailer 
Well, I already feel that, if the show goes all the way to the end of the story, it will actually conclude before the final book is published. Which I also, sorry to say, suspect will be written by someone else as Martin won't be around anymore.
Quote from: Shasvre on Mar 15, 2013, 12:34:11 AM
I think this show could keep people hooked for a long time. There's lot of interesting stuff going on and there are story arcs (or should I say characters) coming to an end, while there's still some building up for a big finale. Best of both worlds if you ask me. Other shows, like Dexter, are still going strong in Season 8, so I don't see Game of Thrones having any problems for quite some time, unless the quality drops by a mile.
I don't expect quality to dip at all, in fact it probably will improve even. And I'm sure some people will stay hooked, just not sure if it will be enough. I know that having a show where any character could be killed at any time definitely has a draw to it, but at the same time...eventually you're left with a bunch of characters who weren't there when you initially got hooked.
Dexter is a difficult show to compare, since yeah...they've introduced a new character here and there, and there were a couple people in the first season that no longer appear, but it's ultimately about one character and his journey.
THe people I've talked to, and there's easily a dozen, in my family and inlaws who watch this show and never read the books...are very wrapped up in Daenerys coming over and fighting for the throne, Jon Snow finding out about his parentage, and the white walkers...basically jsut ANYTHING about them and their intent, and the rest of the world finding out about them etc etc.
What I know about the books...none of those things will be really addressed any time soon. I know the series is taking some liberties, and I hope it actually increases in time because it'd be nice to get one of those things solved every other season or so.
Again, Lost is a better comparison as it just heaped mystery on top of mystery, barely ever answering any questions along the way, and even the most die-hard fans were really annoyed. They kept watching, sure, so...I guess if the numbers are all that matter.... but the producers of this show seem to have a sincere interest and drive in making a solid series.
The other thing this show lacks is any REAL sense of the past. I think that some flashbacks, or even a spinoff that takes place 20 years ago would actually really benefit the show, especially if it aired 6 months after the regular season. That would also inform the audience on Snow's heritage, as well as build the world even further, and give to some exciting battles/despicable nutjobs, etc.
Quote from: Space Sweeper on Mar 15, 2013, 12:42:31 AM
I actually found it strange that as Dexter's quality decreased, its ratings increased. May have to do with the marketing.
That may be because the things you enjoyed about the show dissipated, while the things they focused more on is what the general audience is into.
To elaborate a bit more...Game of Thrones is the type of show that is driving towards a conclusion. Shows like Dexter, or even Walking Dead, are basically serials....each season has a definite focus, but also its own little story. I get that Game of Thrones also does, but there's an overall plot and narrative they are driving towards. So, each season ends up basically being a step towards that conclusion, rather than a satisfying little story of its own.
And I am definitely the type of person that can handle only so many of those before I lose interest. I suspect a lot of people are, but obviously I can only speak for my own point of view.
