Quote Originally Posted by drseid
I can see how you were confused after watching the first episode. My brother, who also has not read the book(s) saw it and had the exact same feeling..

In my case I started reading the books a couple weeks before it aired, and it actually follows the book very closely (and I personally love the show)... The problem you are having (and my brother as well as many others) is just as you stated it... it is a lot of characters and setup, and without reading the book it can be quite daunting at first.

Speaking as someone who is reading the books, I do suggest you try and stick with it because the book is absolutely incredible, and since the show is tracking the book closely, I expect great things from the series.
In that I hate to slam things prematurely, I did a little research into the books and the basic background of the world and it's mythos. That helped me a little but I shouldn't have had to do all that on my own. I guess the author of the books built his own world and religions as did Frank Herbert with Dune. According to some sources half the information you need is contained in appendices in the back of the books much like the Dune series.

I may be proved to be wrong. HBO has already signed up for a second season but I don't see filming of this series getting any cheaper. After the way they abandoned "Rome", "Carnivale", "Deadwood" and other great series, I don't think you should get too attached to this show. Not because it ain't good, but because quality doesn't always butter the bread.

Worf