Having read the books, I've been pretty annoyed by some of the - pretty major - changes so far, and this season was no exception. This season, however, I really felt like the George R. R. Martin written episode (3-8) did an exceptional job at tying the whole thing together quite neatly. I think Ramsay Bolton embodies missed opportunities galore on freaking out people beyond, say, Dexter and Hannibal combined. That's a shame. I also think the whole Theon bit is a bit... well, it's not what I wanted it or expected it to be.
The Red Wedding... was alright. I'm glad it's finally over. I'm glad that people who read the books could keep quiet. I'm glad the folks that don't read books got a fistful of emotions out of this one. No one is safe. Trust no one. The bad guys will feck you over. The good guys will feck you over. One bad guy just showed us he feels emotions beyond getting tingly willy for his sister.
Again, there would be one significant change from the books that could bite everyone involved in the ass. But, alas, it looks like they're not planning ahead beyond the next season. So... let's hope GRR Martin will not feck the TV suits over by using any of the characters they changed, omitted or killed. Sure, it worked for Dexter, for a bit... for, what, two-and-a-half seasons over the course of six seasons, before it turned into Dallas?
Now, I can't wait for Joffrey and his... enablers to finally hitch a ride with destiny and get *****-slapped into submission by karma. That would really make my day.