Poll: According to the chart in the original post, which Game of Thrones character are you?

Someone in marketing may have said that, but time has proven them wise. It's like the number one show and has surpassed the books in popularity.

 

I agree. But in this case the show is popular because it is entertaining. I think on some level it is fair to equate entertaining with good (in terms of tv and cinema). Exceptions apply (reality tv).


For instance, in the 1978 Oscars, Annie Hall won best picture over Star Wars. So is Annie Hall the better picture? Or is the fact that Star Wars was far more beloved, popular and entertaining the more important factor?

 

But the point is that very few people care about it. Star Wars has entertained more people. Star Wars has been more memorable. Star Wars has had a greater influence on other works. Star Wars has better proven itself over time. These things can be measured as well and I would argue that they are more important.

And to a certain level I would agree. Box office success does not necessarily equate to something being good (the Transformers movies are a great example of this). However, something that stands the test of time is a different story. Star Wars has proven itself across the last 4 decades. That is something that is pretty unique and amazing. I would say that something that so thoroughly captures the hearts and minds of such a large audience across such a large span of time is something that is truly special.

 

Star wars had luck on it's side.

 

Nothing is perfect, but Star Wars was revolutionary for its time. Before all the toys and media, simply people seeing and experiencing it for the first time. Those other things slowly aggregated around the staggering success of the original film to create the phenomenon you speak of.

I can't believe you set me up so easily...

 

Its why I appreciate the show for what it is despite preferring the books. While Georgie ain't the world's best writer he still has some serious talent there! (his other short story stuff like Wild Cards is pretty damn good!) And I adore what he has created, its all very skillful.

I am not a fan of the show I will state this outright, I just...I just don't enjoy it. BUT there is stuff there visually and action wise that is going to grab the audience soooo much more than a book and I respect that.

Like with Star Wars vs Oscar winning movies just because it hasn't necessarily won that big award doesn't mean its without its merit. Star Wars really propelled effects forward and was a really big proper space opera. So while the story is your basic hero's tale through and through just all that beautiful extended stuff help make it shine.

 

So who are some of the authors that you would confidently claim are better than George within the same genre?

 

Personally I like Patrick Rothfuss with his Kingkiller Chronicles and Scott Lynch with the Gentleman Bastards. Dan Simmons too but only with Hyperion Cantos (sadly read some of his other stuff and it was just as the kids say not good)

They don’t write the big high fantasy epics but I find it easier to pick their stuff back up after long periods of time. I feel much better connected to their characters as well and have an easier time getting into the story.

George can be dry for long stretches of time and ASOIAF isn’t something I can easily pick right back up to read. So while he does write an engaging story the actual engaging takes a long time for me. That’s my own personal gripe however.

 

Someone just told me GoT looks like the world's most expensive rennaisance faire.

 

I applaud the armorers

 

I applaud the armorers and additionally the amount of detail work in the embroidery of the dresses and characters regular clothes. As much as I gripe about the show here and there at home there two things I will never ever ever complain about: The dragons and the costumes (and the casting honestly)