 least allow the story to pan out before condemning it. A lot of what people call plotholes in the show are explained later on, but by then people have forgotten they dissed it as they are too busy moaning about something else in the latest episode.
I'm not speaking for anyone else on the matter. I gave the show a rating of 3, not because I'm butthurt about the books, but because in my opinion the writing is very poor in the show. Storytelling is an art that has been refined over millennia and while everyone is entitled to their opinion, quality of writing is actually quite measurable by a number of metrics. Agents, editors, publishers, critics, academics, and indeed readers, do this every day.
If it is your opinion that the show is well written, that's fine, rate it appropriately. We've obviously got different standards.
And please, I'm not complaining about Areo being killed or a mute direwolf howling or any of that nitpicky stuff. I'm talking about things like plausibility, character motives, what's driving the plot, etc. In my opinion, the show is weak in all these areas, which comes down to the writing.
It's not about'standards'. It's about being able to adjust the way you watch things based on the style of storytelling - there is no true linear scale of good and bad writing. And also about how to manage expectations when you have the existing books creating preconceived notions. The thing is, how can you judge it as bad if it isn't being written for you? There are some people that don't like the Sopranos, does that make it badly written? There was a long article by Margaret Atwood last year. on why she loves GoT, I doubt her standards are 'lower'' than yours.
What's interesting in what you say about the metrics as generally speaking GoT scores high on those metrics. And there were massive threads in the past where those that don't like the show came down highly on the opinion of discounting them, e.g. critics ratings are just another opinion, Transformers was popular but crap etc.
But anyway, going off topic on ratings thread, sorry.
Margaret Atwoods standards are obviously lower than mine, and I'm not just talking about writing.
If there were no true linear scale of good and bad writing then there would be no such thing as a classic. Not everyone will agree with the scale but it does exist. Good writers are good writers because they know what works and what does not. Of course it won't work for everybody, it never does, but if it doesn't work for a really good share of your readers then you're probably not writing very well.
 They are two separate things. Doing well at the box office is one thing, advertising and hype have a lot to do with that, but when you look at the characters, plot, etc., it is easy to see that the writing is crap. That doesn't mean there aren't people with lower standards or perhaps an emotional attachment that think it is great and will defend it come what may, but the consensus is that it's crap.
Anyway, In my opinion it's a 3.
Other than the fact that the Sand Snakes just recently snuck into the palace, tried to kidnap the sister of the king and comitted treason? He souldn't be atleast wary of them? He doesn't even react before he drops dead on the spot. Also, you want to tell me that he cannot tell that all his men have such a contempt for Doran to commit treason? Men he spent the last years possible decades with day in day out? Not a single soul actually thinks maybe our ruler shouldn't die for missed petty revenge? Not one ounce honor in any of them?
What is the point of having the other two Snakes in KL? They either have the guards already on their side or not. There is no way they can sneak up onto the ship without anyone knowing on the inside.  There is also no reason for doing any of that in the first place. Who is going to doubt you when there is no one to speak against you?
I'm suggesting a maybe something along those lines, not definitely that, so no point arguing details. Just saying that people are so quick to judge. I suspect there is more to the story of them being there, and more may be explained later. Happy to agree that the Sandsnakes scene didn't work very well if nothing else is forthcoming.
It was on for a 9 until the Dorne scene. A solid start.
But that's not true at all is it. Even on this most rabid of sites the most common vote for the latest episode was a 7/10.
I was talking about Transformers.
Lol, ok, we agree on that for sure!
I think if the Sand snakes had not been there at all then the average would have been a lot higher, that story line is appalling, I really can't see the thinking behind it and nothing about Dorne makes any sense to me.
I wondered where the dogs had gone too, but even when they were on screen they seemed quite affable. How did the Dreadfort man know that Brienne was a woman when she was riding through the trees dressed in a man's armour with a man's build.
Tyrion and Varys didn't seem to gel with their story, each other, or any kind of realistic version of the situation they are in. how many Westerosi Dwarfs are there in Mereen that he can go from sitting at the Khaleesi's side in the pits to walking around unrecognised by any Harpy's sons because he has got a slightly different outfit on. Varys is supposed to be a master of disguise isn't he?
I also didn't like the way that Arya's training has gone from being a quasi kung fu "hardship makes you stronger grasshopper" type of thing, to her just being bullied by the completely unwaiflike waif, who clearly harbours some undefined hatred for Arya, judging from the way she seems to be enjoying herself.
Since Areo has been mentioned, I have to admit I was disappointed not just with how easily dispatched he was, but also with how throwaway the character was, given that D and D had a chance to actually design a character on top of the cardboard cutout he is in the novels. Completely missed opportunity, there, as was the treatment of Trystane. And it does make no sense whatsoever that a coup by Ellaria could ever be greeted warmly by a public that did not exactly despise Doran as a leader even though his brother was held in more respect. If I'd been more bothered, I'd have given the episode a 7. I don't expect anything except an uncanonical diversion from the show version of Dorne about now. The Dornish stuff isn't that interesting in the books anyway. What I really resented was season 4's negation of the Kingsmoot and the appalling Asha (Yara) at the Dreadfort shite.
I gave it a 4. I would've rated this episode much higher if it weren't for the disaster that is the Dorne story arch, my main problem with this episode is that apart from the Brienne scene it is boring, the dialogue this episode was atrocious, plot holes everywhere borefest.
See I tend to agree with you. The first three books are much better. Then it seems like he realized how big of a world he created and each needed to be included in the books and it became overwhelming. To me the whole Dorne plot line could have been left out. I mean, in the first couple books it is barely mentioned and those are the better books. I think he got himself in trouble writing wise and Mereen and Dorne are the result of it. Those two areas were the worst for me in the books, that and Briennes wandering adventures. 
I love the show and don't mind that others don't, I will still watch it, twice per week since I re watch on Mondays. I gave it a 7, would've been 6.5 if able to. Had Dorne not existed it would be 8 or so.
I gave it a grudging 7, with allowance for it being a setup episode. There was at least one great scene (Brienne, Sansa, Pod and Theon), some great acting (Headey), and in general it looks like the main characters are in position for the season to do interesting things, even if they didn't do many of them in this episode. The reveal at the end was fantastic.
All things Dorne were bad, with the exception of House Martell being extinguished, and that only because it gives us some hope there will be no more Dorne. I expect to be disappointed on that score, but I cling to the hope granted me by a dagger in the chest and a spear in the face. I read in an interview that D&D very nearly cut Dorne entirely, and I wish they had -- for that matter, I wish Martin had. The Red Viper was cool. He waited fifteen years for revenge, seized his chance, and got his balloon popped. Story arc over. But noooo...
I'm glad it's back, pleased for Sansa and Brienne, surprised at Melisandre, etc. but some things were stupid.
Castle Black - the NW members killed Jon and left his body in the courtyard, despite their awareness of wights starting with the ones that attacked Mormont and Jon Snow. I would have assumed they wouldn't have taken any chances the body could reanimate and just burned him right after, WHILE KNOWING