(minor spoilers)
So we’ve gotten to the point in the Game of Thrones series where they have caught up wit the books, and now need to break off their own storyline since the books aren’t finished. What we’ve seen so far in season 6, is a plethora of set-ups for future conflicts. However, we are at episode 3 now, and we still seem to be setting stuff up.
Now, I definitely can appreciate taking a step back, slowing things down, and getting nice and ready for some major battles to come. For instance, Captain America Civil War did this perfectly when it comes to setting up phase 3 of the Marvel Comics Universe movies. They took their time with that movie, and even though it wasn’t 100% action like we’ve come to expect, it was excellent.
Game of Thrones has a similar thing going on here, but it’s about time we started to see what the hell is going on. I think, in comparison, this is harder to get going for the writers, because previously they were trying to squeeze a ton of content from the books into a series. Now, they have artistic license and they seem to be taking their time. But I hope episode 3 was the last of the setups, because a whole lot of stuff needs to start happening unless we are planning on ending this season in practically the same cliff-hanger as last time.
We saw the most popular (TV) character, Jon Snow, get killed at the end of season 5. The, we took 2 episodes to bring him back. Now, in episode 3, he only has enough time to look off into the distance a couple times, with an emotional look on his face, and start walking away. Likewise, we have seen Daenerys essentially take 2 or 3 episodes to walk from one barren place to another barren place.
One thing that I have liked so far is the background story development, driven by Bran’s interactions with his old man raven. We’re seeing younger versions of Eddard and such, and there’s still enough unknown information about that era, that it is intriguing to see what happens. I hope they can keep pushing this while moving things forward in the main storyline as well.
Regardless, I have much respect for the series, which has brought the rest of the world what I discovered with the books. Now that they are moving on their own story, though, I hope they don’t take too long doing it. After all, the real story is always going to be the one that comes out in the book. Please, GRR Martin, finish the damn saga before you die so we don’t have another Dune on our hands.

Valar morghulis translates to “all men must die” in High Valyrian.