It took me a long time to get into this. I tried reading the first book three times before I managed to stumble through it. In the end, it was watching the show's DVD extras that talked all about the history that helped me understand what was going on and why I was supposed to care. After that, the second and third books were great reads. The fourth is so far a heap of fail because Martin has fallen in love with his own voice and his editors have let him. Each chapter in books two and three had some major event, and usually ended on a type of cliff hanger. In four, he just goes on and on and on, and very little happens.
I watched the show after reading the books, and found it better in some ways, lacking in others. Last night's was the first I got to watch as it aired. The introduction to Oberyn was very well done, and even though it was different than the book it was more interesting and did a perfect job of setting up his character. Considering he was in all of three or four chapters and did very little, I'm interested to see how they expand him.
I rather like the idea of Jaime being there before Joffrey's wedding. I'm curious to see his reaction to that event.
Diana Rigg is brilliant.
Sansa is still incredibly annoying.
Arya and the Hound - I'm surprised that scene got into the first episode, as there wasn't much of them in the book after that. Maybe they'll add some Arya stuff from book four.
I really, really want to see the battle at the Wall, especially the wildling's attack on Castle Black from the rear. Mostly because I hate, and I do mean hate with the fire of a thousand suns, the character of Ygritte. It's her cocky, arrogant attitude that gets under my skin. I await that episode, and will face it with the same glee I had on Lost when the annoying Ilana dropped her bag of dynamite.
As a first episode, this set up a lot but had no real payoff, except for Arya reclaiming her sword. Lots to look forward to.
