Of course I need another viewing for things to really set-in.

Ghost returns! Quick and brief, but by far the most menacing scene of a direwolf yet.

I really liked the Tyrion capture...almost exactly as I pictured it, with one small issue; the way all of the swords were drawn in the circle around Tyrion, very neat and all, seemed a bit odd. Reminded me of LoTR movie when the Rohirrim surround Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn with their spearpoints right up against them. Just odd.

I was a little disappointed with the Tourney, but I'm holding out hope there will be some more in the next episode. Introducing Gregor was awesome, but at the very least I thought they should have also introduced the Knight of Flowers as well. In fact, they should've included the joust between Gregor and Loras....an epic Gregor moment!

The Gendry bit was cool, but IIRC Ned fails to make (or rather announce) the connection that soon in the books. Makes sense that they had to do it that way for the TV show however. I really wonder if non-readers are picking up on why Jon Arryn was killed, and by whom. The clues are there, but it's hard to know if they are sufficient.

Love Arya. Hate Sansa. Which means they've nailed the books perfectly!

I was down on Viserys at first, but he's coming into his own. His golden crown scene is going to be awesome. Dany is great as well....and I have to say, she is one beautiful woman with her hair off-set against her eyes. Amazing, as the pics of the actress pre-production failed to do her justice.

Tyrion remains the highlight of the show. He has the coolest lines, and Dinklage does an amazing job of pulling off such a complicated character.

Final note for now, the potential for CGI: It's clear they will have to go that way for the wolves, especially later on with Ghost and Grey Wind. But there's been no real discussion of the dragons! I mean, they had to know from the start that they would need to make convincing CGI dragons (unless somebody had a few in their closet!) to pull this show off, and I have to assume that this was something that was tested very early for feasability. Which means, IMO, that making the direwolves will not be a big deal for them. And IIRC, it was posted that the CGI staff will be doubled or more for season two, which is right in line with the need for both the wolves and the dragons. I'm actually pretty stoked to see how well they pull-off the dragons in the season finale.