Unlike Robert, I don't agree with your analysis at all. In fact, I think the above quote is objectively incorrect. There are almost no new characters introduced. While some characters are brought to the forefront, almost all of them appeared in the previous books. I'm not sure which "new...
Oh don't get me wrong--I absolutely agree that the books aren't done (though maybe book 6 is closer than not). I just wanted to provide the video since the story was making the rounds.
I scoured the thread looking for this, but couldn't find a previous link (apologies if I missed it).
In this interview, Ian McElhinney (Ser Barristan) flatly states that Martin has finished book 6 and 7, and is under an agreement not to release the books until the show is over.
Now obviously...
I thought this episode looked relatively cheap (when compared with previous episodes). The dragon riding green screen was noticeably bad.
The writing continues to be pedestrian since they ran out of Martin's words. "Come warm your queen"? That is network TV level. The directing was average, too...
Euron is in the books.
He doesn't really play a role until A Feast for Crows (book 4) where he participates in the Kingsmoot (a tradition where the Iron Isle captains vote on king). He's a very dangerous and violent character. I don't think he's evil for evil's sake like he is in the...