Who does the best (book spoiler–free) recaps of Game of Thrones episodes (preferably with a formalist bent)? I found the A.V. Club's kind of underwhelming.

Have to +1 this.

You could try Alan Sepinwall's; he hasn't read the books. I can't even think of anyone else.

As someone who is currently reading the first book who hasn't watched the show...read the book. It's awesome

Is there anyone who has watched the TV show and then read the books?

I would like to hear their thoughts.

I kind of want to read the books but feel like it might hinder my TV watching experience.

Which could be false.

I started watching S1 again this week and I have no ****ing idea where I stopped watching the last episode. I literally know every ****ing scene by heart that I can't tell where I stopped =/

I don't know how people that didn't read the book are keeping up with everything, I assume they just wait for violent scenes/dragons/boobies.

i have read the books and seen the tv series

if anything it makes me feel like i can't quite enjoy the tv series as much just because i know generally what will happen. I think the series is great and i completely look forward to every new episode *but* i just don't think it is possible to enjoy it as much as the non book readers

obv i won't get into spoilers or anything of that nature but I have GOT behind wire/sopranos/deadwood/bb/maybe mad men. i'm a little jealous of non book readers

Well done.

**** the books

**** the book readers

**** Shark Sandy for suggesting the books are better than the TV show

Do you know what series deserves to be among the elite but rarely gets mentioned?

The original Band of Brothers. Pretty much a perfect viewing experience. I'd rank it equal to anything I've seen on TV.

bob is indeed spectacular

I don't know how to make my next paragraph longer than the last one.

I'm really high on mushrooms THUNDER AH ****

Explain.

"Hodor," said Hodor.

The people I've talked to who read the books after watching a season or two say that it enhances your overall enjoyment of Ice and Fire but decreases your enjoyment of the show.

Yup, lol at the superiority complex all book readers have...it's really pathetic

i am reading the books but not getting ahead of the tv series. it seems like the clear way to go. im just finishing the first book and there isn't much difference, but it familiarizes me with the characters better-- so much more is written about ser barristan, syrio, the relationship between hound and his brother, etc.

lol got book readers forever and always

lol @ grown men reading fantasy novels

This thread is way too BB-centric imo, and it is my favorite show of all time.

In terms of most underrated shows of all time, I would like to nominate a show that wasn't discussed at all itt: Sons of Anarchy. The show is incredible and no one really talks about it. To mix up the thread a little bit, I'd like to give my list of best shows I've seen.

Yet to see that are on list to watch: Justified, Newsroom, Deadwood, Orange is the New Black

Comedies/reality TV not included.

1. Breaking Bad
2. Sopranos
3. Sons of Anarchy
4. The Wire
5. The Shield (one of the rare shows where it got better every single season, and had a few of the GOAT TV show moments)
6. Game of Thrones (Red Wedding one of the GOAT ep)
7. Six Feet Under (not the best ending as some say, but the most perfect one. Only time I've ever cried in any tv show/movie)
8. The Walking Dead
9. Lost
10. Hell on Wheels (hugely underrated show no one ever talks about as well)
11. House of Cards (will most definitely move up list as more seasons occur)
12. Mad Men
13. Weeds (loved the final episode)
14. Dexter (show was top 3 right after trinity season, horrid run of seasons after that culminating in the final season which has been excruciatingly painful to watch)
15. Falling Skies (s1 was meh, season 2 was great, s3 was good enough to keep me into it)

Shows I watch(ed) that didn't rank:

1. Homeland (probably the most overrated show of all time. Great acting but the storylines are almost unbearable. Season 1 had alot of hope until that catastrophy that was season 2)
2. Spartacus (solid if you're in the mood for TNA and don't care much about the storyline. Lots of action as well.)
3. Revolution (has it's moments of good/bad, overall middle of the pack)
4. The Event (Horrid first part of season 1, second part of season one it actually was starting to get good. Would've loved to see a season 2.)


Comments on shows I need to watch would be great!

lol Sons of Anarchy? u srs?

incredible bro

new season of Survivor premieres tonight at 8pm ET on CBS (S26: Blood vs Water)

it's going to have a few familiar faces such as Colton the Kountry Klub Kid, Gervase from the original season of Survivor, former NFL player Brad Culpepper, and Big Brother winner Hayden Moss

we did live Skype chat discussions during previous seasons with some of the SE regs and I'm wondering if anyone's going to be watching again this year

90 minute premiere should be a good appetizer for THE CHALLENGE finale at 10pm ET

New twist with the family thing. Should be interesting.

Sons of Anarchy is ok/good but having Sons of Anarchy> The Wire is like saying Andy Roddick > Pete Sampras

And The Walking Dead HAS TO BE THE WORST popular TV show after Eastenders

I read the books after S2 of TV show. Can't recommend the show and/or the books enough.

survivor - tho id prefer an entirely new cast, or entirely all stars (HvV2).

I really liked the first two seasons of SoA, but it turned to total ass immediately, and only seems to have gotten worse.

I've heard sons of anarchy is true blood for men? Can anyone confirm?