[quote name='Commodore' post='1609699' date='Dec 4 2008, 19.48']I'm not convinced that including the prologue in the pilot is a good idea, magic and monsters are virtually nonexistent in the first book, why would you want to lead with it?[/quote]
Remember though that it ties in with Eddard Starks first scene, the storyline on the Wall, and Jons eventual battle with a burning wight. I can see them editing it so that it's not literally the first scene, but rather edited in throughout the pilot. But I think it's an essential element.