I feel like this series, or at least the start of it, is best appreciated by those who've read the source material. I have not, and likely won't. The first 3 episode's feel like by the book fan service, those who haven't read the source are absolutely lost and trying to follow what is going on. It's honestly tiresome, trying to figure out this "universe."
It took me 4 episodes(this one) to appreciate the story, visually and musically the series is fantastic, near flawless. But... the story has been stale, by-the-book, a book I've never read. Yet, I stuck around, if for no other reason than the fantastic production, and acting.
I feel rewarded, and I'm glad I stuck around. My honest opinion, this was the best episode of this series, thus far. Maybe all that was needed was a scoundrel, a foil, and some levity. Plus a dope bear.
The great GoT episodes weren't by the book interpretations, nor was Harry Potter. Some creative license need to taken to make interesting television.