It’s alright , it’s kind of like ordering and expecting a coca-cola and receiving a Pepsi you drink it and it’s alright, not exactly the same but definitely looks like it but doesn’t taste right and hit the spot the same.
I think the main noticeable stand out reason for this rating for me is that the series is missing some of the banter that GOT had - - think the Hound , Podrick , Tyrion or Bronn the sell-sword. It is also missing the adventure aspect , the journey. All the acting in HOTD is very much serious all the time and there is no stand out personalities maybe down to the character development and the massive time leaps within the season. I felt the violence and gore is more unnecessary and plainly for shock value. I didn’t recall laughing at any dialogue like I did with game of thrones “Tyrions wit usually”
Cinematically it’s shot great and watching it has been enjoyable, it’s not bad by any means definitely worth watching. I think like most sequels, prequels and spin offs it’s just lost a bit of that spark down to expectations. Hopefully it opens up a bit more in season 2.