I'm not gonna read that, but the lack of stone does make at least two seemingly vital book characters expendable. Then again, I'm still holding out a little hope for that one. Why introduce the lightning otherwise?

The first four episodes leaked!!!!!!!

EVERYONE WATCH THEM NOW.

I don't really condone this, but ... what the hell was HBO thinking giving FOUR episodes to the press to review? I found that a bit odd. That's 40% of the season. If you had a 22-episode season, fine. But almost half of the season was asking for trouble.

decisions, decisions.... idk if I want to watch four and then wait another month for the rest. Gonna watch the first now before I go to Disneyland though lol

have 5 and 6 really leaked too? Mess.

they did?

HBO must be a mess this morning.

Meh, this leak sucks for people like me because in future the press might stop getting this many screeners...

Well, the premiere is an appropriate episode for press to review. Maybe episode 2. But 4 episodes?!

Also, this will not affect HBO. People are losing their minds, but I suspect numbers will be an all-time high for the premiere. Awareness is huge right now for the show. Besides, it's already the most-pirated show on TV and still is HBO's biggest show since The Sopranos.

Dammit, the ending of the fourth episode.

Since that's almost half of the season I'm already claiming this is gonna be a better season than the 4th, I mean it does not have a purple wedding on the second episode, but it's great so far.

More of a reason to make the final book a movie rather than tv screener. At least with a movie, you can convert it to 3D and FX quality is much better shown on the big screen without worrying about a cam version or unfinished screener being leaked to the net

5 and 6 were not released to the press. It was only the first 4 episodes that were sent for review

I am not planning on watching the leaked episodes (I like having a schedule).

Great first episode. Great continuation from last season.

Yeah I am not watching the leaks as well. I liked the first episode, it was a good scene setter.

I'll avoid the leaked episodes and stick to watching them one by one.

The video quality of the leaked episodes is also pretty bad isn't it?

I obviously haven't watched the leaks, but have read a reviewer of the screeners that revealed the deaths

Well the double D's are certainly off to a good start on their own. You can see how the show will focus more on locations than character, and how tightening things up will improve the experience. I feel terrible for Sansa though, at least she got a little bit of time without absolute misery. I haven't read any spoilers but it seems obvious what Littlefinger plans to do with her and its probably better than what happened in Feast/Dance! Better in terms of story that is. Not for poor Sansa, who I like a lot more than book Sansa. Not selling out your father helps it turns out.

Mance being dead for real is also fine. His storyline was always strange. There are way too many non-death deaths as is. This was a great way to send out a great character played by a great actor.

I hate that so many episodes leaked out, but I guess its good for people who don't have access to HBO. For me watching Game of Thrones on as big of a screen as possible is a must. I'd pay money to see every episode in theaters. Maybe thats the solution to the final season? 10 one hour limited-time theatrical events!

I hate the leak in that we finally get to a season that isn't completely spoilt by the books and now we have to watch out for discussion that covers more than the current episode.

Can we all agree to only discuss the latest episode and not the leaked ones without spoiler tags?

I suspect that

I tried watching this last night and was bored out of my mind.

Game of Thrones tried watching you last night and IT WAS BORED OUT OF ITS MIND.

Well it should've been. Because I watched Once Upon A Time.

Game of Thrones told me you should stop playing with yourself so often during Once Upon a Time. It's a little strange.

I think the switcharoo could still happen, but I think it will just be Rattleshirt playing the part instead of Mance.

The premiere was solid. A few good plot developments occurred, although nothing substantial. But I must say the time passed quickly.

I have no desire to watch other episodes early. It's bad enough waiting nine months for new episodes without waiting another month for episode 5.