I think it's mostly money. In season one you already have to build Winterfell, Winter town, Castle Black, Mole town, Pentos, Vaes Dothrak, Lhazareen town, multiple chunks of King's Landing, the Eyrie, Moat Cailin, the Crossroads Inn ... and even the Twins (if Walder Frey is indeed going to be in season one--he's certainly not leaving his home). Building Riverrun (exteriors, sets, digital screens, etc.) is yet another cost added to something that--let's be real--they're thus far only committing one season to.

Do I think they'll go a second season and then build Riverrun? I'm pretty sure we'll get a second season. It'd have to be a literal disaster to not continue, especially since the above mentioned places will already be built. Season two will not have more sets to build than season one had (off the top of my head I'm thinking Riverrun, Harrenhal, Pyke, Dragonstone, Craster's home, Vaes Tolorro, Quarth ... that unnamed holdfast Amory Lorch attacks ...)

So yeah, more than a few new locations, but not as many as season one. Hopefully by the time they decide how much to build they'll have an idea how successful the series will be. Just as important as subscriptions is how critically it's received.

So people not screaming about Riverrun being moved to season two ... I certainly don't see it as "fanboi"ism so much as even-minded pragmatism. We want everything, sure--but we know we can't have everything. I'm personally more-than willing to let a few things go, and have thus far been pleasantly surprised by all they've kept.

So long as the story is told, and told well, I'll be a happy dude.

My guess is they still end Robb's season one story arc with "KIng in the North!" It's far too iconic, and much too rousing a teaser for next season to be ignored.

I would agree with Adam that they crown Robb prior to entering Riverrun--but I would even have them do it further away. No Riverrun in the backdrop, with few if any river lords in attendance. It always seemed a little odd, for me, how readily the river lords accepted Robb as their king; granted their lands are the ones being raped at the moment, and they would likely gravitate to a strong leader who seemed a savior of sorts. But another part of me thinks they might not want their own king based in Riverrun. That is unless they have almost no confidence in Edmure. Riverrun is the south, not the north.

Agreed. Sticking a "mystery knight" with a black trout cresting his helm (face hidden) in Whispering Wood wouldn't be that hard at all. It would suitably tease the character for the following season, and would give us (those in the know) a nice little surprise to cheer for.

We need to start a "Tease the Blackfish!" movement.

I would actually hope that they play with canon a little more and give the Blackfish a proper and dramatic entrance. Just having him show up at the same time we meet Hoster feels a little anticlimactic.

I would possibly do a flashback where we see the antipathy between the brothers first. Were I writing it. Which I'm not!

If we're going to be without Hoster and Edmure, I would also put off the whole of Riverrun to season 2. The scene in which GRRM writes Catelyn's return to Riverrun feels both huge and cinematic--you can nearly smell the rust on the massive water gate as it lifts--and I would very much like to see that as Riverrun's debut in season two.

I'd much rather "right" than "right now."

Desmond was officially dropped... our literal Ser Not Appearing In This Film...

... until last week when GRRM mentioned he was still in but had no lines.

So as of this date we still have no actual cuts or omissions---just a lot of rapid movement on the ol' chess board. I should have a Character Cuts post up early next week; I'm just waiting for this weekend's news and any potential word on the Baratheon kids and bloodriders.

Hoping for a Mirri Maz Duur announcement too, though that could come late, much like Tywin.

It's all Greek to me.

Love the enthusiasm! We already know how dedicated Maisie is to the arts (she now has "dance" lessons on top of her regular dance lessons), and to see someone as energetic and physically gifted as Miltos just leap right in (and he is clearly unafraid of getting advice from the masters) gives us an idea how motivated they are to get this just so.

If the Syrio / Arya stuff turns out half as good as I think it can, another tip of the cap needs to go to Nina Gold, who time and time again not only finds the right actors for the parts, but seemingly the right people for the parts. Work ethic is as important as talent--if not more so.

His voice alone does it. This production would be made that much better with someone like Charles Dance attached.

(I could also imagine the chaos GRRM might willfully and with great impunity sow by titling the announcement "DANCE IS IN!")

As to Gillian Anderson, I think she has Michelle Fairley beat in the looks department, but Fairley basically destroys all competition for the "good posture" award. (That woman would go to the gallows perfectly erect; you could hang her with books balanced on the top of her head.) And both women can do "stoic shock" exceptionally well.

Hey, at least she used the opportunity to name-drop Game of Thrones at the end.

I've never touched foot upon the soil of Northern Ireland, but I have heard there are plenty of places that could double for "expansive grasslands." Though from what I know most aren't exactly flat; we ain't in Kansas anymore.

It makes me wonder as to the wording of the agreement with N. Ireland. There may be a percentage of filming locations they have to use there in order to have gotten such a sweet deal.