I've very much enjoyed 1 and 2 so far. So questions thats you may or may not be able to answer: What made 5 and 6 so mediocre? And Around when in the series does the book end and other writers start to take over
After season 1 the show strays away from the books only slightly. During season 2 until season 5 many things start to get omitted from the books and they start adding small bits to the show. Season 5 is when the show starts to go it's own direction with secondary characters. During season 6, the show passes the books and starts to pick up pace. Season 7 and 8 so far, the show is just whizzing by in the story, just quickly wrapping up major points from the books and major secondary and primary characters. I know a lot of people that were completely turned off by the pace of season 7, and 8 is shaping up to be no different.
The closet to perfection for me. What keeps me from giving a show like GoT a 10 is that there's just too many Deus Ex Machina moments. For example, (SPOILER) when Renly is offed by dark magic. How convenient. Yes, part of the book it may be, but these shows are able to make up their own rules. That's great and all, but when I watch a show like The Wire, I'm more amazed it can make riveting TV by playing in the real world. No Magic, no high body counts, everything is by the book.
I think that's why drama's make for the highest acclaimed movies (as opposed to action or horror), they need to rely on acting and story telling.
