Yep, how they used the Sand Snakes/Dorne subplots were a travesty. Hypersexualised…and that's pretty much it.

Interesting theory. I wouldn't pass on Varys to make that kind of mistake though. He may still be the real deal but the greyscale theory (via Jon Connington) somewhat makes sense.

It's a hypothetical; just trying to illustrate a point I've made in another comment: "We've come to a point unlike any other in the history of literature/visual media. When does the author "become" the "honourary producer"? When does the producer become the "contributing writer"? When does an unfinished individual…

Anything along the lines of the approach in the first four seasons would be fantastic.

That's my wishful thinking, because I would like her to be in it. The fact that Michelle Fairley didn't get her contract extended for a couple of episodes speaks volumes that she's not going to be in it at all.

My bet is Stoneheart appears and Jon meets his (supposed) demise, and we get our cliffhanger ending.

Yes, I can see that as well, but that's like Peter Jackson telling you that Samwise Gamgee is going to die in the Return of the King and that JRR confirmed it in a HYPOTHETICAL world when JRR is still alive and hasn't finished writing the third book yet. Sam could've died at Mount Doom by the looks of Two Towers, but…

For him/show producers to not leak out stuff/directions/plot points that he's "inclined" to introduce in the future to the public. For him to actually nudge the producers back on track and to engage with the actual story arc in the books.

Not to mention the Sansa/Jeyne Poole debacle, Mance Rayder's death as opposed to the switcheroo with Rattleshirt, Jorah getting greyscale, etc etc etc etc…

Agreed. This is getting messy. Yet to hear a peep as to when Book VI/VII are coming out. Producers playing with fire and making stuff up as they go along, with GRRM commenting from time to time.

Aegon is the whole reason why Doran is holding off and playing his cards close to his chest with Varys. He's also, uh…one of the last two Targaryens hanging around.

But SURELY Aegon cannot be an unnecessary distraction? He is a main character in the book?!!!

As a book reader, I've got issues with this season.