It's not on here, and there's no indication it ever will be. So I have to get my fix on the internets, which is OK, but I'm sure not as good as in nice HD.

Have you read the books or are you watching it with fresh eyes?

I'm loving it (I've read the books) even though there are bits I wish were done better. Acting is great, mostly, casting is great, mostly, scenery, sets and locations are great, mostly, screenplay is great, mostly, and pacing is great, mostly.

3 episodes in and I give it a solid 7.5/10.

Watched the first episode and found it disgusting. I'm never watching that thing again.

It's true the first episode is rather in your face with a few things. The other episodes are considerably more toned down. However, if your reaction to the first episode is as visceral as that then it's probably best you don't watch any further.

I am enjoying the series quite a bit.  I've read the books (twice).

The acting is great, I love the intro, and I like the actors who were cast in their specific roles.  They have hit all the major plot points so far, I just think they are rushing it a bit. 

Well yeah matter of what sort of stuff you like but yeah, from the ads it looked like an interesting, high budget fantasy drama (for once) but what I (personally) saw was cheapo stuff with loads of sex (not the part that disgusted me), rape, even incest... *Shivers* It just seemed to use sex for everything when we all know there are better ways to convey a story and character developpement.

I dunno, I may be harsh since the first episode was the worse but those things just disturbed me. The other episodes were less bad but there was still some serious case of using boobs as is they were some kind of prop. I didn't really watch (obviously was in the corner of my eyes since the TV was in front of me), my husband did, he still doesn't know what to think of it yet.

That's all I have to say really. Good for you (and anyone else) though if you like that sort of stuff.

Yeah it is moving things through so fast. But it also seems like there's a hell of a lot still to get through and only 7 more episodes left to do it.

I can easily see how people who are not familiar with the book series might shy away from the show so far.  I have been watching it with 2 of my friends, neither one has read the series.  I have had to spend (happily too) a good bit of extra time explaining things to them. 

The worst was the first episode, when they barely even bothered INTRODUCING anyone but the King, Ned, Kat, the Imp, Snow and Bran.  They did a very bad job introducing Rob (they said his name but nothing else really), the two girls, Jeffery (the youngest) and hell, no intro on the page?  Really?  He is an important character! 

If anything, the series needed a good pilot (aka Battlestar Galactica).  As a major fan of George R. R. Martins works, I am very happy with the iteration of Game of Thrones, but I can easily see how the uninitiated might find it a bit much.

For the next "Rome' budgetted HBO special, they might be missing the mark a bit.  Many more people know of Rome and the families than they do The Song of Fire and Ice.

TBH I think the only significant character they've really failed to introduce is Theon Greyjoy. The rest I think they've done a good job under the circumstances. From seeing a sneak preview of Episode 4 Theon gets a reasonable intro there. If you list out all the major characters and the primary minor characters there are a lot of people to get through, as well as to promote the narrative, and fit in a bit of exposition and backstory.

This is a really good discussion forum for people who've never read the books. In fact people who've read the books are essentially banned from the discussion. http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3204374&st=120

It's a fun read for those who have read the books too.

The sex is actually important for world and character development. It's meant to help convey the nature of Westeros and of the decadence of certain characters in contrast to the mostly honourable characters (namely the Starks).

One of the hardest things to translate on screen from the books though is the story arc of Danerys (where there is a lot of sex due to the culture of the dothraki). The books heavily concentrated on her point of view and her thought processes. Unfortunately that depth is easily lost when converting to video.

I'm loving it at the moment. Read the books and loved them too. What I really like about it though is that the bits they've added feel completely natural. The conversation between Ned and Jaime at Kings Landing felt completely natural that I didn't realise it was an added extra (obviously needed as you can't convey characters thoughts without looking cheesy).

The sections with Dany are a bit harder to convey and it shows slightly but I think they do a good enough job of it. The acting is mostly great although the actors playing Jon Snow and Arya are especially impressive and sometimes put the others to shame! Can't wait for the rest of the series.