The show stayed incredibly true to the text, including the dreadfully slow beginning. The scenery, at direction, casting, dialogue, and acting were all wonderful. Sean Bean was an excellent Eddard Stark; and, despite the fact that I didn't care for her at first, Michelle Fairley perfomed well as Catelyn Stark.
A real delight in casting was actually Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who portrayed a much more vibrant Jamie Lannister than I had pictured in the books. His hair and make-up gave him that perfect "Prince Charming" look (which was deliciously deceptive). Lena Headey was an excellent Cersei Lannister, as well.
The actors who portrayed Joffrey and Viserys were well chosen and excellently scripted. We hated them.
And while he was no Varric, Peter Dinklage brought Tyrion Lannister to life excellently - conveying the right balance of womanizer, intellectual, drunkard, and noble. And because Tyrion is my favorite, I hope to see a lot more of his character to come.
