I though the first episode was okay. Kind of usual for a season opener, i.e. lots of set-up and reminders of where the various plot points and characters left off. I am not surprised they didn't just resurrect Jon right away, it is going to be a tough thing to handle, without easily pissing people off for throwing it at them like a needless, consequenceless twist (
Walking Dead anyone?) All in all I thought it wasn't super great, but I really feel like the show has suffered and faltered significantly the more it has progressed. But still, enjoyable for the most part, and I look forward to seeing where it will go.
BUT, the one thing that I just cannot abide and is really ruining it for me, is the whole Dorne subplot. WTF are the writers even thinking? I get that they didn't, or couldn't, include a lot of the action that happened in the books that was focused there, and so, like all areas of the show, they had to cut come stuff, amalgamate others, and use creative discretion with certain things, but come on. The way they have handled it has been atrocious. None of it really stands up to scrutiny, nor does the viewer develop any sort of caring for what is taking place. Jaime and Bronn's shenanigans in the south were already so poorly received (it seems) last season, and amounted to a whole lot of nothing. Now they have gone in and just thrown shit at the wall and see what sticks.
So the portrayal of Ellaria and the sand snakes has been problematic at best, but now I honestly just want to scream at the stupidity. They never have given any justification for their actions, never develop the motivations of the characters, and just throw some 'tough warrior chicks' on the screen to slate the audience. It pisses me off how shallow it has become. Killing Doran(nevermind how they 'killed' Areo Hotah, an incredible warrior, with a puny knife in the back) while his guards look on, is just dumb. No one reacts, either happily or in shock. At all. At the sight of their Prince, who they either lover - or, apparently - hate, but in the very least serve. If they were in on it, then they would have been prepared still and done something, reacted, hell nodded, I don't know. But nevermind, we are given a throwaway line about how all of Dorne
hates Doran, to the point I guess where they don't care if their prince is murdered in cold blood, so that makes it okay, I guess? Oh, and this is also their uncle? But Ellaria says so, so whatever right. Grrrr.
And now we get to the even stupider bit. So apparently they have done all this because he sat back (his is also crippled) and did not act [openly] when Elia was killed? Umm, Oberyn, who they are also supposedly avenging, was evidently the most pissed off and torn up over this - and he did nothing.... for fifteen years? But nope, now they are pissed and will take revenge on their own family and rulers for inaction. It just doesn't make any sense. And what is their plan anyways? To rule Dorne as politicians? Become a family of mercenary killers? You kind of have to choose one or the other. Okay, so nevermind that, flashforward two seconds, and apparently not only did Jaime Lannister
not return to take revenge immediately after his daughter - who he went to rescue, and deeply loves, was poisoned by the Sand Snakes, taking another of his children - he didn't notice when those same Dornish were somehow on the boat with him or sailing right behind him into King's Landing? Sigh. So then they kill Trystane, in another completely senseless and pointless scene, to throw some idiotic warrior spirit into the Sand Snakes and have an excuse for gore on screen. It is just tiring.
Of course this is all leading to Dorne v. the Lannisters, and setting it all up for Daenerys' alliance, but it was just handled so poorly. Why bother introducing characters, to give them lip service because they had major roles in the books, if only to kill them off in one feel swoop like it was nothing. It almost seems like a FU to Martin's development and begrudging hold to the story and a slap to remind everyone they are doing their own thing. But why ever put them there in the first place? There was plenty of other action in the story they could have spent more time on. I just don't think they really thought this through, or cared. And even for a show with a lot of deaths regularly, as the audience we don't even care or see what the point was. I can't even imagine how it looks if you don't follow the backstory.
Anyways, did I mention I think the whole Dornish plot is portrayed very poorly and stupidly?
That took enough for now, more thoughts on other points if I̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶k̶i̶l̶l̶e̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶ there is any interest in discussion.