I am also a huge fan of the show. I read the books years ago, I appreciate that it is not a word for word make of the original.

Be real: if it was, you wouldn't live to see the end of it. The actors children wouldn't live to play their parents roles to the final battle. It's such a large, cumbersome body of work.

It can be hard for someone who hasn't read the books to keep up (I recommend buddy watching with someone who has, and isn't a bitter t**t about the book/show conversion). It has become easier for newbies to follow as the show has progressed. The acting has improved. Special effects and characters have developed tremendously. One of the best fantasy series in the last decade for sure.

Big thanks to Amazon for putting this on.