The directors really did squander the whole franchise with how they handled it. People were naming their kids after characters, “Winter is coming” became commonplace and merch was everywhere. Then seemingly overnight after those last two seasons it’s all gone. I feel if they’d bothered to give it any time and care it’d have had the same staying power in our culture as Harry potter, lord of the rings, and star wars.

The first season is as good as the early GoT seasons. The first couple episodes are different as they are more of a prequel.

My then-girlfriend (now-wife) and I watched GoT from beginning to end as each episode came out, and even though that show ended up being a disappointment, there are still some very fond memories of us overly eager to plop down together and tune in. HotD brings us right back to those days. While we both think it’s a great show so far, we’re on guard and I guess we’re willing to get burned again for the nostalgia.