Magic 8 Ball

Better than it could have been, but they should have had it sprawling across terrain and into the river like in the book.

Jamie vs. Brienne fight was a little bit better than I thought they would pull off. Thoros vs. Arya was funny and at least a little dose of realism vs. Arya the 10 year old supah ninja.

Didn't like the Cat scene, but understand they are trying to make her sympathetic. Didn't Jamie and Brienne reference being in the vicinity of Riverun, yet got taken by Bolton men dispatched from Harrenhall? Don't get this one. Liked the touch of the betrayal by the guy that Jamie suggested killing, but Dunk, ermm, Brienne was too honorable to kill. Theon's torture mercifully pg-13 so far. Hope they don't leave him quite as mutilated as in the books. QOT went over VERY well with non-book readers, esp. female that I was viewing with. I nerded out on how the brotherhood is Robin Hood and his merry men. They didn't really recall who the brotherhood was or connect it to Beric, for damn sure. Liked seeing "Joff the homophobe". Cat Talisa was too distracting and not enough action for me to give it 8-10, but liked it overall, gave it a 7.

They are "nicing up" Cat to make people feel worse later this season.

They are softening Cat up to make viewers feel worse about what is going to happen. Remember, there was also controversy in Season 1 that they cut "I wish it had been you" Makes me think we won't get UnCat, but that's another mark in the Show's favor, if you ask me.

My wife, who is a non-book reader, figured out Bran and Rickon aren't dead immediately. That's my only thumbs down. Otherwise, love the massive story changes for Dany, she needed it. Other changes sounded worse in text (spoiler wise) than they seemed on screen. Liking it so far. My books are my books, and my show is my show. Deal with it. It's also nice for once that my wife asks me what is going on, and I can honestly say "I have no idea".

How was a Doreah betrayal hinted at last week? I missed that. Also add my thumbs up to the Dragon-napping. Biggest on screen deviation so far, but the meanderings of Dany in Essos need some spicing up. Bring it on.