And The Fandom Rejoiced / Game of Thrones

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• In general, a number of fans of the original A Song of Ice and Fire novels were skeptical that the story, being a massively detailed and complex Doorstopper with a large number of characters and a lot of All There in the Manual background lore, could be successfully adapted to live-action. Even author George R. R. Martin believed the series' length rendered it "unfilmable" for feature length film. When it was announced that the adaptation would be a TV series, many approved of the medium as it would allow for more time to really develop and flesh out the characters, setting and events than a film could do. Being on HBO further solidified the fans' approval, as a premium cable channel wouldn't be afraid to show the more adult aspects of the story, thus averting Bowdlerization.
• Season 1:
  • Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister was met with nods of approval.
  • Sean Bean as Ned Stark, and most of the other Stark family actors, especially Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner as Arya and Sansa respectively.
  • Rory McCann as The Hound.
  • Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo had many cheering.
  • Harry Lloyd being cast as Viserys also caused a bit of squee for those who remembered his creepy performance as a possessed Jerk Jock in Doctor Who.
  • Charles Dance, a longtime fan favorite casting choice, being cast as Tywin Lannister.
  • Fans of The Wire rejoice! Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish will be played by Aidan Gillen, who played Tommy Carcetti in season three onwards. The man knows how to do despicable-yet-convincing!
    • A half-ATFR for the announcement that Dominic West had turned down a role which, based on the interview, was almost certainly Mance Rayder. It sucked that he turned it down, but it showed what caliber of actor that they were looking for.
  • Lena Headey was seen by many as a pitch perfect casting choice as Cersei Lannister.
• Season 2:
  • The announcement that Natalie Dormer of The Tudors fame has been cast as as Margaery Tyrell elicited much rejoicing from the fandom.
  • Gwendoline Christie was a longtime fan favorite pick for the role of Brienne, so when she was announced as having been cast in the role, it made a large number of people very happy.
  • Hannah Murray (of Skins) as Gilly was praised by many as a pith perfect casting choice.
  • The episode that GRRM will be writing in Season 2? The provisional title is "Blackwater". According to George R. R. Martin's blog, the episode will be directed by Neil Marshall, who is famous for directing Dog Soldiers, The Descent, Doomsday and Centurion.
    • The producers also got HBO to give the whole second season a 15% budget increase, raising hopes even further about how big the battle could be. And then came the epic tease of it in the Seven Devils trailer.
  • Tyrion using a battle-axe and finally being seen fighting in battle.
  • Not to mention the (in)famous chain of hands that the Hand of the King wears was shown.
  • Roose Bolton mentioning his "bastard at the Dreadfort" got fans of the books anticipating Ramsey's arrival.
  • "You know nothing, Jon Snow" is finally uttered in "A Man Without Honor."
  • We get to hear Bronn and a barracks of Lannister soldiers sing "The Rains of Castamere" in "Blackwater." It also repeats at the end of the episode during the credits, performed by The National.
    • Double if you are book fan and know the implications of that song. That end credit song was for us.
• Season 3:
  • The news that Shireen Baratheon, Selyse Baratheon, Beric Dondarrion (re-cast), Thoros of Myr, Olenna Redwyne aka the Queen of Thorns, Mance Rayder, Tormund Giantsbane, Meera and Jojen Reed (Ellie Kendrick and Thomas Brodie-Sangster respectively), and of course Ser Brynden Tully aka the BLACKFISH will be appearing had book fans jumping in joy.
    • And once the actual casting was revealed, the fans were particularly excited for Dame Diana Rigg as Olenna.
  • Set◊ photos◊ confirming that the Tully seat Riverrun will finally appear after 2 seasons of not appearing. The crew has really gone all out designing it.
  • Iwan Rheon's casting as Ramsey Snow/Bolton. Sharp-eyed fans have noticed that Iwan Rheon's facial expressions are very similar to those of Michael McElhatton, who plays Ramsay's father Roose.
  • Ciarán Hinds, AKA Gaius Julius Caesar, filling in the role of Mance Rayder.
  • Ian McElhinney returning as Master Swordsman Ser Barristan Selmy.
  • Martin confirming that the bear pit scene was in (even though they had to shoot it in Los Angeles for logistical constraints), and a few weeks later, some very clear implication that giants would also appear. Almost everyone was assuming that both had been cut to lower costs!
• The name of episode nine of Season 3? "The Rains of Castamere"!
• Many book fans rejoiced when a very famous line "Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, and Rhaegar died." was finally spoken.
• Season 4:
• Martin confirming Oberyn Martell would be appearing (to be played by Chilean actor Pedro Pascal).
  • Neil Marshall returns as the director of the Season 4 finale. The episode in question? "The Battle of Castle Black"!
  • Due to his status as the Ensemble Dark Horse Mycroft Holmes on Sherlock, fans were ecstatic when Mark Gatiss was cast as Braavosi banker Tycho Nestoris.
  • Indira Varma has often been mentioned by fans as an ideal potential casting choice for the Red Viper's paramour Ellaria Sand. Well, here you go.
  • This image of these dogs in Iwan Rheon's Instagram [1] shows that Ramsay's other favorite hobby will be shown in the show, and it's a little scary.
  • A smaller one, but "The Golden Company" has been name-dropped, leading to several book readers anticipating their proper appearance.
  • In the episode "First of His Name", all eight of Oberyn Martell's daughters are confirmed to exist in the show, when some fans might have feared that some of the girls might have been Adapted Out, just because of how many in the show.
  • When you take into account that six of Davos Seaworth's sons, and the older Tyrell sons Willas and Garlan, were previously confirmed to be Adapted Out, this is especially wonderful news in that it demonstrates how the writers aren't taking this sort of business lightly - they care about the source material and every notable character cut out would be a wretch of a Sadistic Choice to make (previously, they nearly Adapted Out such characters as Shireen Baratheon due to the show's complexity).
• Season 5:
  • Long-standing fan favorite Alexander Siddig being cast as Doran Martell. The first set pictures of him in full costume confirm that this was a great casting choice.
  • The casting of Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow has been considered by some as one of the most inspired casting choices.
  • Tom Wlaschiha appearing in the Season 5 cast list and confirming that Jaqen H'ghar has indeed returned.
  • The increasing mentions of the circumstances surrounding Rhaegar and Lyanna in the season suggest that a certain long awaited reveal won't be far...
• Season 6
  • Casting calls for the season included descriptions of Euron Greyjoy (who is an Ensemble Dark Horse among book readers and a sign of the Greyjoy plotline returning), Randyll Tarly, and Ser Arthur Dayne. The latter especially was met with excitement as it meant a possible Tower of Joy flashback. Other flashbacks, including some of Ned's childhood, will be included.
  • When Isaac Hempstead-Wright confirmed that he was returning for Season 6, fans were excited that Bran's subplot from A Dance with Dragons will be shown most especially when Isaac mentioned that Bran "has some interesting visions".
  • Other absent characters will be returning, including Osha, Rickon and Walder Frey.
  • Fans were overjoyed when acting powerhouse Ian McShane got cast as Septon Ray in Season 6.
  • Established characters getting The Other Darrin treatment is usually not that popular among the fans. But when the new actor in question is the legendary Max von Sydow, to appear as the Three-Eyed Raven, it's a different story...
  • The return of Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, and signs that Jaime is headed for the Riverlands, has many hopeful that Jaime's story is getting back on track after the not-so popular detour he took in Season 5.
• Season 7:
  • The return of Gendry and the Brotherhood Without Banners was met with happy tears from fans.
  • Jon goes to Dragonstone and Ice and Fire have finally come together.

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