In addition to revealing four collectible Game of Thrones covers, a pic of Arya’s new outfit and videos of the cover stars, Entertainment Weekly has another treat for us today. The magazine has now shared with fans the first official images of the Sand Snakes, the bastard offspring of Oberyn Martell who will be making their debut in season 5.
“We haven’t seen women like this on Game of Thrones before,” Keisha Castle-Hughes tells EW. “You have lone wolves like Arya and Brienne, and others like Daenerys or Cersei, who are politically strong surrounded by men. But you haven’t seen women who are strong together and who collaborate – which is a dangerous thing. We’re three girls who are violent and manipulative who are thirsty for Lannister blood.”
Check out the new images:
Damn it I already have an insane crush on Nymeria
Hhnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggg
I really hope they turn out well on screen, because from everything I’ve seen so far, I am extremely disappointed with the Sand Snakes.
Obara in that picture looks exactly like I imagined her. Nym is absolutely, stunningly gorgeous, and Tyene looks both cute and dangerous, which I guess makes perfect sense. I’m warming up to the leather armors, too. Tyene’s has no boobplate at all, it seems.
They all look great 😉
The God of Tits and wine is pleased!
Matthew,
Ditto!
The look awesome.
Obara looks hard as nails – looks like she could give Brienne a run for her money.
And Nymeria is hawwwwwwwwwwwwwtttttt.
Hoping they all survive the season!
Nymeria looks good as F. And Obara could beat me in a fight
The more I see pictures of the SandSnakes the more I find their costumes irritating… I think the Viper-theme is an overkill. It’s just too much… I was watching the documentary about GoT weapons on youtube the other day, and in my opinion they tried too hard: Oberyn’s spear was kewl (and so was Ice), but I cannot say the same thing about Areo’s “axe”- too much gold, rubies and ornaments on that glaive. Tyene’s krisses look very artificial (I know it’s a fantasy series, but still…), while the whip with all those viper trinkets, well… Most annoying is all that leather armor (with or without nipples) in the desert goes too much against book canon… Maybe I am picky considering that so far the costumes and armor in the show have been extraordinary and way above the standards of a big budget blockbuster movie, but it seems they got carried away with Dorne…just my opinion.
At least they’re all dressed somewhat differently! Will make them easier to distinguish.
This news is a couple months old, but Keisha Castle-Hughes has been cast in Showtime’s new show “Roadies” from Cameron Crowe. I’m hoping I don’t fall hopelessly in love with Obara, because that casting news suggests she may not make it to Season 6.
SandSnakes like all AFFC material are filler.
But i must say in the books they are described as sharp, menacing and not very attractive
These girls are like some UK girl pop band wayyyy to good looking especially the one with the whip….
But where is Sarella?! They better not make her some random race either.
Crabber’s Son,
She’s not in Dorne in the books… they only talk about her. Of course, she appears as Alleras in Oldtown as well (technically a theory… but come on; Sallera, Alleras!), but it seems that subplot is cut, at least for this season.
Andrew,
What casting news?
What do they wear in the desert within the sacred canon?
What? Made up your mind after the 6 pictures and 10 seconds of screen time? Love when people jump to conclusions.
Someone needs to tell Keisha that whoever smelt it, dealt it. If this is her go-to face for portraying a movie badass, she should’ve tried out for the new Zoolander movie instead.
Patchface,
Back from December: http://www.ew.com/article/2014/12/08/roadies-cast
Granted, she could very well juggle both shows. Iwan Rheon’s been doing a couple different shows in the UK including Vicious with Ian McKellen, for example. But for some reason, doing a Showtime series seems to suggest she may not be around much after this season. We’ll see.
Matthew,
I feel the same as you but with quite a bit of optimism. The show has made a lot of odd-sounding things work well so far.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Obara is described as not particularly attractive. Nymeria and Tyene are certainly described as attractive.
Patchface,
Oberyn’s voice: Everybody is irritated by something…
Andrew,
Just to be clear, no casting news can suggest that. Many actors work on shows or movies in between seasons, or even during production, as many actors have long breaks or shoot all of their scenes in a matter of weeks. For example, Lena Headey shot all of her Season 3 scenes in three weeks, despite appearing in 8 episodes. Natalie Dormer starred in a two-part Hunger Games blockbuster, but was able to return for her busiest year yet on the show. Gwendoline Christie filmed for Star Wars: Episode VII during the production period for Season 5.
So no, an actor cast for a different project is no indication whatsoever.
Wouldnt really know since i was struggling to maintain consciousness and not to fall asleep while readng AFFC.
#didntreallyreadittooboringandfulloffiller
DonalNoyesArm,
If anyone is jumping to conclusions, it is you. I CLEARLY said that this was my opinion from what I’ve seen, “so far”, and that I hope the show makes me change my mind. You literally either didn’t understand a thing I said, or chose to ignore it.
They may be too pretty for some or too blinged or too overdressed for others… but would I mess with them? Hell no. Bravo – Mission Accomplished for me!
I don’t know why, but the Sand Snake designs are starting to click with me more in this set of photos than they have before. Maybe it’s just the effect of seeing them up close instead of in the background of a trailer shot, or in the awkwardly posed weapons video.
Yivo,
Certainly not leather that would make you sweat like crazy in the desert… According to the books they favor light armor with copper or bronze discs sewn on breezy cloth (silk, satin – not wool), sometimes inside. Half helms mostly of bronze, maybe iron or steel but covered in cloth. See the chapters with Areo as POV. There is some info in one of Dunk and Egg novellas as well. No mail or plate armor in Dorne either.
Then why comment on their appearance?
Dutch maester,
Of course. But there’s a big difference between filming a movie or two in the off-season and shooting a leading role on another series on a rival cable network. I’m not saying this means she’s definitely getting killed off, but I do think it means she won’t have a huge presence in future seasons.
Take Tobias Menzies on Outlander. Edmure’s still alive, could conceivably appear again, but the story’s moved away from him. I don’t see the story immediately moving away from the Dornish cluster unless…
Matthew,
And he was saying it is stupid to even have an opinion at this point. He is right.
Andrew,
Thanks! Still, I don’t think it means anything, although in my opinion Obara bites the dust in the books (Dorkstar!) and probably in the series as well at some point, quite possibly this season…(to be clear this is my personal opinion, NOT a scoop!)
Andrew,
My main point is that no character on this show, not even main ones, has a “huge” presence, and can therefore do something else at the same time.
Looking good those three, but I think I’d prefer Asha and the Iron Born sub plot.
Oh well, at least we’re not burdened with fAegon and Arianne.
That would be like is someone said, “wow the trailer is awesome, I’m so excited for Season 5!”, and you saying, “it’s dumb to have an opinion about it yet.”
It’s not at all dumb to have an opinion at this point. Having an opinion is one thing, saying, “I don’t like the look of the Sand Snakes, I’m going to boycott the show”, is something else entirely.
I really do hope that they prove me wrong. The vast majority of the things I have found ‘iffy’ with the show have proven me wrong as well. However, at this current time, I’m not a fan of how they look. I don’t think they look Dornish, I think their costumes look cosplay-standard and I don’t think they look either seductive or fearsome, which I would assume are the two traits that stand out about them the most.
I’m hoping that when April rolls around all of my feelings about that will go away, and that on the screen everything will look a lot better. What’s wrong with saying that?
Matthew,
It’s like forming an opinion over a whole meal after eating a single grain of rice. How can the anemic amount of images/video we have seen make you be “extremely disappointed”. Disappointment is a conclusion after expectations aren’t met…try and separate the reality of the tv show and your wild imagination.
Nymeria is the only casting I like. These characters haven’t really done anything or made much of an impression in books so I’m not sure what the excitement for them is about other than the fact that people just like Dorne and want to see more Dornish characters.
Matthew,
Obara Sand would Strong Belwas this post, but she can’t. Constipated.
Winnie,
I’m hoping that we still get some Asha plot, just without the baggage of all her nuncles.
People can and do form opinions on things whenever they want to. The trailers are only a minute or two long- which is, what, less than a percent of the entire duration of a season- yet people still form opinions based on them.
The whole point of what I was saying is that I hope my opinion changes. Yes, so far my expectations haven’t been met, but I don’t think their wild expectations at all. I do understand that I’ve barely seen anything of them so far, and that is why I hope my expectations are met when it comes time to actually see the episodes play out.
JamesL,
1. They are hot
2. They fight
That’s…pretty much it.
Matthew,
An opinion isn’t valid just because it is an opinion. And your opinion was informed by very little, as well as ridiculously hyperbolic.
Matthew,
I’m with you man re: SS! Ignore Donal and Yivo, some people just can’t live without insulting others online. In the eternal words of Forrest Gump: “stupid is as stupid does”
@Dutchmaester: right you are my friend! you got a chuckled out of me when I read that!
Do you not see the irony in these two consecutive sentences?
And who decides the validity of an opinion, you? Just because you disagree with me does not make me wrong, the same way that me disagreeing with you does not make you wrong.
Also, in what way was my opinion exaggerated? The fact that I said ‘extremely’? I am that disappointed. I was, (and still am), hoping for the badass warrior-daughters of Oberyn Martell. So far- and I guess I have to constantly state this- they are not living up to what I was expecting.
They’re starting to come off as a bit cheesy to me. They may as well just yell “Girl Power!” every interview and be done with it! Hope they’re not all style over substance. They look fine but Tyene still doesn’t quite sit well with me. She doesn’t have that “butter-wouldn’t melt” that was the only thing I got from ehr when reading the books.
Why?
TheTouchOfFrost,
Did Oberyn look cheesy to you?
Hey look, someone actually wanting to have a conversation!
I have a few reasons, and I’m hoping they will all go away when the show airs:
1- They don’t look Dornish. Through Oberyn and Ellaria, they’ve established the Dornish to be very similar to Latin Americans or people from the Mediterranean. An Australian and two others who look Asian don’t really fit that bill in my eyes.
2- Following on from that, Obara is the only one who can even remotely pass as one of Oberyn’s children. I’m assuming the show is making Ellaria the mother of all three of them, and only Obara could, (slightly), pass as the child of Ellaria and Oberyn. The others, as I said, look Asian.
3- I don’t like their costumes. From the few promotional images we’ve seen, I feel they look like they’re of a similar standard to those you’d find at Comic Con, not on an HBO show. Nym’s is okay, but still seems too dainty to me. The armadillo thing they had going for Oberyn was okay, but it doesn’t look right on Tyene and Obara for some reason.
4- They aren’t intimidating or imposing at all. They are supposed to be badass fighters, like their father. Just looking at Oberyn, though he wasn’t a huge man, he held himself in a way that screamed, “yeah, don’t f**k with me”. I don’t get that from these three. Nym and Tyene look too child-like, and in this image of Obara in particular, she looks tiny. Yeah, small people can be badass, (Arya), but she looks more to me like you could hold out your hand and she would be flailing at you. I don’t look at them and think, ‘warrior daughters of Oberyn Martell’, and that is what I should think when I see them.
I’m pretty sure you misunderstood the quote, it’s indeed ironic that you find it applies to you… So, read the statements again…slowly…slowly…one more time…there you go!
Jesterr223456,
You keep reading and responding so obviously enjoy it on some level.
mau,
He had his OTT moments, mainly in the fight with the Mountain, but I fail to see why it’s a relevant comparison? Because characters have a link to eachother doesn’t necessarily effect how well or badly they are put across.
Patchface,
Are you going to be here all night? This is some prime comedic stuff baby. Do you have an amusing blog I can follow?
Tyene is blond and blue eyed in the books.
I don’t remember much about the Sand Snakes from AFFC (and ADWD), certainly not enough to evaluate book versions vs. show versions. Am I mistaken or
. In any case they didn’t make much of an impression on me (the only character from the Dorne storyline I found interesting was Doran).
As such this is kind of a blank slate for me. I’m not especially excited for it, compared to other season 5 things, but I am interested to see how it goes. For better or worse, these Sand Snakes will probably become the canon version in my mind.
Jessica Henwick is rather attractive, to put it mildly.
“hyperbolic” really? Try not to use pretentious words just because they sound fancy and if you do, at least use them correctly. Think about that while you contemplate what was wrong with that sentence…
I’m pretty meh on the Sand Snakes, they seemed cheesy in the books and I don’t think that will change on the show. I almost wish they’d have gone the Arianne and Ellaria road and cut the Sand Snakes.
Matthew,
1. Show is the show and the books are the books. I believe you’ve heard this phrase before ? xD I understand your reasons on that matter, but it does not affect me. I don’t know.
For me, the most important is acting, and not the appearance. Lannisters with black hair ? If that is the canon of the show from the beginning, I don’t really care .
2. Only one of them will be daughter of Oberyn and Ellaria. I do not know which. The other two girls have black hair as Oberyn. Good enough for me.
3. If you did not love Oberyn’s costume, I understand , but I loved it and for me these are just fine. This is similar to what we’ve already seen from Dorne.
4. I will remind you of the very negative reaction to Oberyn before S4 started. Again I will repeat , acting is important , and not the appearance. Pedro Pascal proved that. HBO has not made mistakes in casting . Brilliant actors are part of this show. After 4 seasons I simply believe in their decisions
Patchface,
Hyperbolic really isn’t all that fancy a word mate. And it was used correctly.
“…But you haven’t seen women who are strong together and who collaborate…”
A different sort of vibe for sure, but I’d argue Olenna & Margaery.
Again, read what I said!
I said I would assume they are making all of the Sand Snakes the children of Ellaria and Oberyn in the show. I’m fully aware of what Tyene looked like in the books, but that probably has to do with her mother. If in the show she is the child of Oberyn and Ellaria, then all I can say is that she looks nothing like either of them.
The fact that I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I was extremely disappointed would indicate that it wasn’t used correctly in this context.
God, you guys are intolerable.
Great pics! 🙂 This last month is going to be excruciating. 😀
Tyene’s knives look terrible. I hope it’s just the lighting.
Tyene is Ellaria’s child in the show, but the other two were mothered by different women.
Andrew,
I read the link you posted, Andrew, and it only mentioned a one hour pilot. If the pilot is successful, then they’ll set about shooting a season, but for now, it sounds like only a pilot.
She’s from New Zealand not Australia, sorry to be picky but we hate when people call us Australian 🙂 🙂
I agree with you. The costumes just seem a bit ridiculous. I’m not particularly excited for Dorne at all, but I will reserve judgement until I see the full season. I truly feel it will just be another Qarth for me.
But wouldn’t this mindset also disallow anyone to be excited for the season based on the trailer?
Matthew,
Only Tyene is Ellaria’s daughter in the show. Obara is Oberyn’s child with a Dornish peasant, and Nymeria with an eastern noblewoman, hence why they cast a half-Asian actress to play her. I will agree that Obara looks more like Oberyn and Ellaria’s child than Tyene though, but I don’t really think Tyene is implausible as their daughter. Her facial features are a bit softer than theirs, but the coloration is there, and her hair seems similar to Oberyn’s. But really, parsing genetics in TV family casting is always a waste of time. As long as they don’t appear massively different, people can suspend their disbelief and accept that they just had something of a fluke of a daughter.
Odd, you never told me to read what you said before. Or are you admitting that you’re Patchface? I had my suspicions
Just out of interest, what would you consider to be light armor if not leather, maybe too many Dungeons and Dragons archers for me 🙂 but i always thought leather was the lightest of armors.
Matthew,
1. We must be seeing things differently, because each one of them, to me, looks like she could be Oberyn’s daughter. Moreover, the actress playing Tyene is half-Italian, and imo, looks it. So, that would be Mediterranean. Also, KCH is not Australian, she is from New Zealand and part Maori. The actress playing Nymeria, yes, is part Chinese.
2. Maybe in your opinion Obara is the only one who looks like she could be Oberyn’s daughter. I do not share your opinion. You may think Tyene looks Asian, but, again, she’s part Italian. Only Tyene is the daughter of Ellaria in the show. The other two each have a different mother.
3. That your opinion, which, of course, you’re entitled to, but other people have other opinions.
4. See #3
Kyle,
The Sandsnakes are ridiculous characters. It fits.
Amazing pictures, Nym my bae. The EW covers look interesting aswell.
BTW: I am watching HBO and a new trailer for GOT just aired, it is mostly comprised of shots we’ve seen in a different order but there are about 4 or 5 completely new shots: Dany on dungeon-y places, someone on their knees before someone on dorne and a couple of others. Did anybody see it too? Is it avaliable online? That shot of dorne looked amazing.
Keep in mind that D&D&BCog have combined all eight snakes into three. There are younger snakes that are Ellaria’s daughters, one of which plays a prominent role in the leaked Arianne chapter from TWoW. We do not know what is ahead for all eight, so speculation as to the “correctness” of appearance and manner cannot take into consideration the events involving the other five snakes in show cannon. Wait and see and trust in the professionals to make it all work.
I love the pics and cannot wait to see the Dorne storyline!
I am mildly curious to see what is done with Dorne. I am kess down on it than I was: I had hoped that Dorne would be cut altogether. However, that had a lot to do with how poor a job GRRM did with the protagonist for those chapters: and as she has been cut, my #1 objection to Dorne is gone.
I do wonder if it is just going to be the backdrop for Jaime’s story with an eye towards Dorne being an important setting to one or more plots next year. In a lot of ways, that would be effective adaptation.
Marry Me Natalie,
Leather is indeed light, although boiled leather (cuir bouilli) can be relatively heavy. My objection to wearing leather armor was not based on leather being heavy, but because it is inappropriate for the climate, a point emphasized by GRRM. As I mentioned before, in the books dornish armor consists of light metal scales (copper or bronze) sewn on cloth or inside the cloth. Anyway, I am not “offended” by the use of leather armor, my main point was that the Viper skin is a bit overdone in the show: not only Oberyn, Ellaria and the SS are wearing Viper oriented apparel and weapons, but also Areo’s glaive is sporting a pair of viper heads!
Marry Me Natalie,
Yeah, leather jerkin is by far the lightest of “traditional” armors. (And, no, mithril is not real…..
Ashara D,
That’s not correct. Oberyn tells Cersei in “First of his Name” that he has eight daughters. In the books, the four youngest were really non-entities to begin with. Not much has changed depending on what’s happened with daughter four.
It’s hard to compare the ‘badass’ presence of a worldly 40 plus man to three young girls. They’ll be at least good at handling weapons. I’m especially excited to see KCH in action.
Yeah, I know what you mean, most people assume I’m an American. Just a simple mistake on my part.
Dolorous Ned,
Completely agree with you – don’t think this would be a big point of contention had HBO not had hype around their Sand Snake casting.
Marry Me Natalie,
See my earlier message about leather in Dorne. From AFFC, The Captain of the Guards (chapter 2):
“[…]the captain donned a shirt of copper scales as befit his rank, and a billowing cloak of dun-and-yellow sandsilk to keep the sun off the copper. The day promised to be hot, and the captain had long ago discarded the heavy horsehair cape and studded leather tunic he had worn in Norvos, which were like to cook a man in Dorne. He had kept his iron halfhelm, with its crest of sharpened spikes, but now he wore it wrapped in orange silk, weaving the cloth in and around the spikes. Elsewise the sun beating down on the metal would have his head pounding before they saw the palace.”
Marry Me Natalie,
Yo fellow kiwi here! I’m so excited to see KCH in this role – seeing her expression in that picture I wonder if she’s paying homage to the staunch warrior Maori spirit. That’s the vibe I’m getting anyway, and it would work well for Obara. Might infuse the character with a bit of aroha rather than the sort of “angry older sister” she comes across as in the books?
Strong women collaborating? Sansa, Ollena and Margerie? Catelyn and Brienne?
Nymeria Warrior Queen,
Yep, all of things are my opinion, and I see that you disagree with me on most. The awesome thing about the world we live in is that people can have different opinions. You’re not wrong, I’m not wrong, everyone is happy with their own opinions. 🙂
These pictures still don’t make up for the exclusion of Arianne.
Matthew,
Yes, nobody is ever wrong.
Matthew,
Marry Me Natalie,
Actually, neither of you are incorrect. She was born in Australia and grew up in New Zealand. Her mother is Maori, and so her coloring works quite well as the daughter of Oberyn Martell.
Jessica Henwick, of course, has a Singaporean Chinese mother and British father, but her features are certainly Asian, and again, she reads well as descended from a Dornish father and as said, ‘eastern noblewoman.’
I think they’ll all do well; KCH is quite the actress, and hopefully her tough look as Obara won’t be frozen on her face. They have big roles to play, one would think, in TWoW, and if so, hopefully we’ll see them fleshed out on screen this year, because in AFFC and ADwD, they’re pretty thinly characterized (Obara’s a tough, rough-looking badass, Nym is more demure and diplomatic but still deadly, Tyene is softer looking and more beautiful but still sneaky).
So along with how great they look, I’m also just hoping for Aero Hotah to take someone’s head off with that longaxe.
Not what I said.
She’s a New Zealander not a New Zoolander. 😀
And she looks like a right badass Maori warrior to me ya fookin racist. 😉
Greatjon of Slumber,
I was born in Australia too, I have a New Zealand passport as does she, were from New Zealand hahahaha I get your point though 🙂 and agree that they’re gonna be great 🙂
Patchface,
Oh that’s great, thanks and makes perfect sense, I wasn’t having a go at you by the way just wondered haha my fantasy worlds are firmly guided by Dungeons and Dragons rules 😛
Character traits maybe. Not disagreeing with anything you said but there are still eight in show canon so there is still a possibility one or two more may show up at some point.
Speaking of New Zealand, I was an exchange student there in 94-95. Awesome place. Loved every minute of it.
I’m a bit worried about how the show will handle the Sand Snakes. It’s canon that Oberyn had 8 daughters, and he name dropped Elia “Lady Lance” Martell to Cersei in the show. But we’re only getting 3, and I don’t see Tyene having the demeanor of a septa trained master poisoner–she’s been retconned into one of Ellaria’s daughters.
That would make for 5 Sand Snakes unaccounted for, and the two that I most want to see have not been cast for season 5. Sigh.
Well, the show is the show, and the books are the books. I prefer the book versions, and pine for things like Arianne Martell’s absence and Myrcella’s recasting. We can’t have it all.
Maester of Ceremonies,
Have any of the other SS even appeared in the books? All I can remember are Obara,Nymeria,Tyene, and Sarella(Alleras). And even they barely appear.
They look sick and Nymeria looks beautiful… hot damn!
Ok. So first off, I understand some people’s opinions on the Sand Snakes in terms of how they look, mainly in physical appearance. However, this is television and most people on screen are going to look attractive in some form or another. It’s one my issues at times with hollywood in general, everyone on screen is always really attractive no matter what role they play. Like how can you believe certain characters are badass when the performer doesn’t fit the vibe of the character.
When they announced the Sand Snakes I was hoping they would still make Obara ugly or at least what would be ugly for tv, and then when KCH was cast as Obara I’ll admit I was a slightly concerned, not because I don’t have faith in D&D, but because you never know how “standard pretty” they would make her, but after seeing the stills of her today and that past month or so, I’m glad to see they made her less attractive than the others. Granted she’s not the ugly I imagined Obara to be, but regardless she looks awesome. And don’t the majority of GoT actors/characters give that constipated look? Which I don’t feel that way at all, but I know some people have criticized her for that.
Now on to Nymeria and Tyene. They do look not as menacing as maybe they should, but I think thats kinda the point. They’re supposed to give off different impressions. Nymeria in the book is gorgeous with hidden daggers and what not, perhaps she’s not supposed to look menacing, although I did picture her having that femme fatale type look like she just gives you a look and your not sure if she wants to bang you or gut you. Now obviously Jessica Henwick is extremely beautiful, but she does have a “cute” look at least in the pics we’ve seen, so who knows when the season starts. So I can understand people being perturbed at how she looks “too cute” to portray someone as badass as a Sand Snake let alone Nymeria Sand. But we shall see, I have high hopes and confidence that all these ladies will be badass and will not disappoint.
Yes, I am one of the “rare” people that actually loves the Sand Snakes and AFFC and ADWD I think people who diss those two books perhaps didn’t fully grasp it, I don’t know. I can at least understand the issue with AFFC, I think it gets a bad rep mainly because everyones favorite protagonists aren’t in it, but I think that’s what makes it cool. Granted I did read each book a few times, mainly because I just love the series that much, and am in no way a “book purist”, although I can understand their views as well, but I think if people re read the last two books they might change their minds, but perhaps not, the hate can be strong amongst us GoT fans.
Anyway, I just had to stand up for ASOIAF, I admit I get a little upset when people bash the books or the show or both, especially if they’re fans, sometimes I just don’t get it. Yes you can still be fans of something and yet be overly critical, but then again why? Where’s the blind loyalty? People rag on Phantom Menace, yes Jar Jar was ridiculous, and Jake Lloyd was loathsome as little Ani, but didn’t Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn make up for it? It did for me. Maybe I’m not as picky as most people, sometimes I feel like some people must watch god take a magical dump of berries and centaurs because they’re so damn critical.
Greg,
All the Sand Snakes would probably beat you in a fight.
Sygerrick of Skagos,
That’s the internet for you. If you’re not complaining about something, you’re evidently part of the problem.
It’s becoming increasingly hard these days to find forums, message boards, etc. where people talk about the things they actually enjoy.
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Elia aka “Lady Lance” travels with Arianne in her POV chapters from The Winds of Winter.
We have such scant information to go on for how the show is presenting the Sand Snakes. They are being set up to have an impact in the rest of the books.
On a positive note: the three actresses that have been cast are more than just pretty (and ethnically diverse) faces, they all have serious acting chops, from their other work that I’ve seen.
I know others have said so, but Obara is by a Dornish peasant, she looks Dornish
Tyene is Ellaria and Oberyns (would have preferred septa poison knives, but they established the Ob/Ell partnership and need to elaborate on that) and looks like it.
Nymeria is from an Easetern Noble woman (Yi Ti by the looks, but iirc Volantene). Doesn’t look like Talisa the Volantene, but Volantis can be diverse. Yi Ti blood somewhere.
Sarella would supposedly still be Summer Islands.
I swear this post is just has “Whiner” written all over it. Geez!
After reading the digital version of this week’s Entertainment Weekly, specifically the comments from an unnamed actor whose character bites it this season (who is still alive in the book), I’m suddenly aware for the first time how scared I am for my favorites going into this season.
We may be generally still in book territory, technically speaking, but the upcoming season is very much making me feel like I’m unsullied for the first time.
It’s a whole new ballgame.
Oops nevermind.
OT: Game of Thrones has imbedded itself into our culture in more ways – today the local newspaper reported that the massive layoffs at the downtown Minneapolis Target headquarters (1700 management staff) that occurred on Tuesday is being called The Day of the Khaki and Red Wedding.
I’m reserving judgment on the Snakes. So far, I have more to love in the series then expected. Can’t complain about t that.
BTW, James Hibberd of EW mentioned yesterday that there will be
Daenerys + Hizdahr
Tommen + Margaery
Ramsay + Myranda or SANSA????
The only other possibility I can think of is maybe Myrcella + Trystane but I doubt it…
Matthew,
Let it go man, people clearly want to ”debate” and when they do, they don’t listen and they twist everything you say.
I agree with you, from WHAT I’VE SEEN, I don’t think I’ll like them really much, but I could be surprised.
This thread reminds me of how awful the book purist fandom will be once the season starts. The pedantry at display in this thread is truly epic. As they always have, D&D will wow everyone with solid performances, compelling dialogue, and epic action. I truly hope that eventually the sourpusses and negative nancies will come around, for the sake of the online ASOIAF community. Right now it stinks all around.
Uhhhh, finally the Sand Snakes!!! Yessssss! They look amazing, and honestly now seeing them, they look really close to what I imagined them in my mind’s eye while reading the novels!
I like them all, but man Obara Sand is my favourite from that picture! She is going to be soo badass!!! Plus it goes right along with Keisha Castle-Hughes and her Maori heritage…badass warrior all around!!!!
I will miss Arianne Martell! I wish she had been cast…but hey the HBO gods have smiled upon me this season….Jeremy Podeswa as director and a favourite actor of mine….Alexander Siddig as Prince Doran Martell!!!! While people find every reason to complain and nitpick…I’ll take Jeremy Podeswa, Alexander Siddig and the Sand Snakes, and be grateful, and look forward to Season Five!!!
Now if we could only get Ana Torv on the show, maybe as Val, and Gillian Anderson also…then my wish list would be complete!
Why do Obara and Tyene’s weapons look so artificial ? they look like the sort of thing I imagine D&D roleplayers turn up to their games with lol
RandomSand,
Does anyone have a link to this apparently new trailer?
John M W,
Anything interesting?
For those of you who feel people are being overly critical just ignore them. Don’t make your enjoyment of this show depend on some stranger on the internet.
Now i feel like i must make some positive comment to contribute. I really like the feel of that the showrunners are being bold this season making choices that are the best for the show. I hope that this season will be able to surprise us book readers in all kinds of ways.
Season 5 will run over the book purists like a tank. I’ll enjoy it.
One overall observation – I don’t think it is any coincidence that some of the most vitriolic and petty discussion (as well as the most leery) occurs in a thread about female characters.
This board is usually pretty measured, but for some reason when giving feedback on the looks of female characters, it’s open season.
I fear that the Sand Snakes will be like Charlie’s Angels and Prince Doran will be Charlie.
If the three girls start reverse kicking people in the face, doing kung-foo moves and turning somersaults then my heart will sink.
I have faith that D&D won’t let this happen, but ‘Doran’s Angels’ would destroy the story for me.
You are not? I also thought you must be an American. Nobody else talk about race so much like them. Also i dont really get how you can think that a textbook example of italian girl looks asian.
Your negativity seems to come from false ideas about SS. They are not supposed to be all Ellaria´s daughters and they are not supposed to be warriors. They are noblewomen who can handle weapons and have a freedom to choose their path. Arya´s dream basically. Which is why many readers liked them.
Compared to them SS are well balanced realistic portrayal of young women of noble birth heavily influenced by slightly unorthodox methods of parenting from their father. [/spoiler]
Happy Hodor,
You’re funny! 🙂 I’m going to get the giggles every time I see them now.
Ross,
Agreed. There’s certainly a double standard.
But every time someone points it out we’re all raging Tumblr feminists crying about imaginary things, so why do I bother.
For those questioning the wearing of leather armour in hot desert climates, please note these details the Rashidun army in the 7th century Arabian Peninsular.
So yes, scaled leather armour but not drastically different in thickness or weight
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Mohammad_Adil_Rais-Muslim_warrior_during_rashidun_caliphate.PNG
Well, it’s a well-known fact you can’t please all the people all the time. I seem to recall some people thinking Keisha Castle-Hughes was too attractive to play Obara when her casting was first announced. I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve actually seen their acting. Jessica Henwick has done “fantasy” before in “Spirit Warriors” (which admittedly was a British children’s series, not an adults’ series) but she does some martial arts training in real life so I don’t think she’ll be that “cutesie-cute”.
I must admit I am no expert on medieval armour, but I am sure I have seen pictures of Spanish knights of the period wearing some sort of armour – though I appreciate that how hot Spain gets depends on how far south one is in that country.
Happy Hodor, I hope you are wrong, but as Tereeza has correctly pointed out, you have given us something to amuse us with your statement.
I find it bemusing that some are happy to accept literary license in a story involving dragons, White Walkers, wights, characters brought back from the dead and sorcery; but yell foul about things in the show that don’t meet some weird measure of “realism”.
I know what you mean, and sometimes it goes that way, but there’s nothing wrong with saying she’s/they’re attractive/pretty/hot, no one’s being gross about it in this thread.
I have no expectations from the Sand Snakes because I don’t remember them from the books. I am re-reading the whole series now, and am about to start Clash.
They do look good to me, though, and I wonder what people’s concerns are. Is it their actual look, or is it something you’ve gleaned from leaked storyline info?
‘Once upon a time, there were three little girls who went to the Sand Snake Academy; and they were each assigned very hazardous duties. But I took them away from all that, and now they work for me. My name is Prince Doran, and these are… ‘Doran’s Angels’!’
Doesn’t bear thinking about 🙂
Laughing Arya, I’m not sure if you were familiar with the British children’s fantasy series “Merlin” from a few years ago. Some people were annoyed by Guinevere being played by Angel Coulby (because she is of mixed-race heritage) but never lifted an eyebrow about potatoes being included in the show centuries before Christopher (Cristobal??) Columbus went to the New World to discover said vegetable.
Happy Hodor,
I’m pretty sure Ellaria would be Charlie.
Yes, but I doubt anybody would be able to say ‘Ellaria’s Angels’ without breaking their jaw in the attempt! 🙂
Happy Hodor,
Well, given that context, at least one will have to be recast after the first season.
Hodor’s Bastard,
I hope it’s the Kate Jackson one, she was my least favourite Angel.
Forgettable book characters that will become unforgettable show characters. Just like RV.
Rygar,
I wouldn’t say book Oberyn was forgettable (he was my favorite minor character in the books) but the Sand Snakes absolutely were. Same goes for Hotah.
I agree that the visual medium (and the lack of GRRM’s AFFC circle jerking) can make them actually cool and fun to watch.
jentario,
I read them twice and he made zero impact. In fact there was absolutely no surprise when he died because not much was invested in him, and knowing GMs penchant for negativity, it was almost a given. RVs convo with Tyrion about visiting him as a baby was the only thing substanial that the character provided. The rest was filler. Not enough for me to get hard over.
However, Pedro & D&D took the character to a whole another level and easily became a fan fav and one of mine. Maybe if GM took the character there than I would agree with you.
I understand that the fandom needs to always have their Boba Fetts (original trilogy Fett), I just think that many are oblivious to the fact that this very minor character really is just “meat in the room” so to speak.
I’ll probably be crucified by saying so.
So many spinoffs, Dorans Angels, my personal favourite was Roose on the loose 🙂 🙂
Rygar,
They definitely gave Oberyn much more screen-time than in ASOS. He was basically a whole new protagonist in season four, which he really wasn’t in the books, whether you loved the character or not.
Hopefully they can pull off something similar with their daughters. Personally, I think they will. I’m even less worried about Ellaria and Doran, and I doubt we’ll have to love Areo Hotah in order to feel like his screen-time wasn’t a waste of time because I don’t think he’ll have that much screen-time. Dorne is only a subplot, and he’s definitely the less crucial player in it. He’s the “cool, strong, silent” type, so he may be popular in that superficial way, but I don’t expect fans to become enamored with him (I may be wrong, of course.) As for Trystane and Myrcella, I’m not sure how large their roles will be.
Jesterr223456,
You are aware that you are in full control of being able to ignore someone by…wait for it…not replying to them. I’d apolgise that you have to encounter someone with different opinions to you but I have to suffer your rudeness, fixation with segregating book readers and show watchers and inabilty to use a capital I. So, I guess we’re even.
Luka Nieto,
After seeing it I watched a movie on the channel expecting it to pop up again, but only the regular trailer did. I also looked it up online but couldn’t find a thing. The main narration line of it was the Tyrion-Varys conversation “Who said anything about him?” and between old takes of Cersei opening the viper box and Tyrion drinking a few new shots appeared. Two of them I still remember: One was a shot in dorne, inside the Alcazár, on those archways. Someone was kneeling before what appeared to be Doran and more people were in the shot. There was light behind them and the scene had that silhouette feel, very pretty. The other was of dany looking worried walking inside those dungeons/catacombs/merren underground/something like that.
There is a GOT marathon on HBO plus in my country, it begins today and ends on sunday, showing all seasons 2 times. Therefore, my tv will be on that 24/7. If it appears again I will try to take a picture or record it.
Matthew,
It’s all about the on-screen presence. I think they’ll be fine.
Ah that would be the “Political correctness gone mad” brigade. I was outraged that the dialogue wasn’t in Brythonic Primitive Welsh. It completely ruined my enjoyment of the show 😉
Dame of Mercia,
Merlin was a pile of shite for reasons other than inaccuracies (well as innacurate as folklore can get!).
Speaking of the BBC, has anyone seen the Aidan Turner led re-make of Poldark? Must say it’s tweaked my interest as the original series was before my time but has an iconic status here in the UK plus it touches on the British side of things around the War of Indepenendence.
Well here’s the trailer for anyone who’s interest it might tickle ( I believe it’s going to be shown in the US as part of the PBS Masterpiece series).
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Still less boring than seeing the same annoying comment over and over again by the same annoying guy because that said same annoying guy has absolutly nothing interesting to bring to the conversation other than his same old annoying broken record tune.
Rings a bell?
Okay, I shall offer my two cents in an effort to enlighten, and help some folks gain some understanding.
A Feast for Crows is a wonderful novel. The reason-I think-it gets the criticism it does is because readers read through the novel looking for connections to their favorite characters or storylines. I say go back and take your time. Stroll through the novel.
I am going on record here as saying I have serious apprehensions about introducing Dorne with as much as half the narrative missing (that is speculation. It is likely that while Arianne is destined to remain a literary character, parts of her narrative action and dialogue will go to the Sand Snakes. )
There are several moments in AFFC that I found quite striking. Tyrion’s change in character (more desperate, more cynical, darker. Than usual) , Arya “committing” to her new home, and a monologue by a character named Septon Marribald. He delivers what is essentially a sermon about what he called “The Broken Man”. I won’t go into detail, but as a veteran, that monologue had me shedding tears. I have since come to suspect that I am reading more George than the barefoot Septon. Like Arianne, I suspect the good Septon’s words are likely to end up in the mouth of the High Sparrow, and Marribald himself will likely remain a literary figure.
As unsure about this season as I am, there are reasons for hope. One is Nina Gold.
This is a casting director with a serious batting average! She has consistently hit it out of the park. So with that in mind, I am thinking that the actors portraying the Martells will deliver a performance that is something special. We have seen this before, and will likely see it again this year. For those who still think of AFFC as “filler” I say again, go back and read it with fresh eyes.
I am this year, as I am every year, Apprehensive but hopeful.
Finally, I just think Keisha Castle-Hughes is the bombdiggity..(FUN FACT: Before TPTB got to her, she let slip that she is a “Northerner”….♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥)
The North Remembers!
I must amend my last post. The reference to Tyrion comes from ADWD. As I am sure many know, AFFC and ADWD were originally one huge novel. Since many of the events in the two novels run concurrently, we would be seeing on the show events from both novels together for the next two seasons. Again, more theory. I put up this extra post because I forgot to include it in my previous post. Here’s to proofreading…..
The North Remembers…
Inb4 vomit-worthy transition between pouty Emilia Clarke talking about how powerful women are and three scowling sandsnakes walking towards the camera.
Aside from Nymeria the sand snakes are so fugly, especially Ellaria ugh.
Best line of last season, “How much for your little clam”- Random Bravosi to Arya.
HBO Begins the Countdown to GOT 6