My take on episode 1...
The characters are amazing portrayals. For the most part, they are exactly as I pictured them. Some comments:
Ned - bang on
The Stark boys - bang on
Jon Snow - perfect
Arya - perfect
Sansa - something wasn't quite right, but I can't put my finger on it
Catelynn - perfect. Already picturing her walking around... Um... Dead.
Robert - perfect
Cersei - not hot enough
Tyrion - pretty damn good. Something about Peter Dinklage with blond hair was odd.
Daenerys - great
Viserys - probably the closest to my minds eye of all the characters. Just a perfect worm of a character.
Jamie - the least close to my minds eye. I kept thinking it was Nathan Fillion.
Drogo - again, pretty much perfect.
Jorah Mormont - a little less weathered than I'd pictured him
Joffrey - what a twerp
Illyrio - perfect
Then Greyjoy - tiny part, but did well to set him up (as a snake)
Other notes
- they really made a point of NOT making Daenerys' age known
- the dragon eggs looked lame
- wasn't Ned already at King's Landing when Bran fell??
- the Godswood tree was underwhelming
- the pacing was really good - it didn't feel rushed. I assume people who haven't read the books were totally lost though. - My wife quit watching 3 minutes in. She is more bothered than most by dismembered heads.
- generally, I was thrilled with the fidelity to the book. I can't wait for next week.
Soon to happen things I'm looking most forward to:
- the three eyed raven
- intro of the Hound
- Syrio
- the dragon skeletons
- how creepy they make Mirri Maz Duur (sp?)

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