I have a fairly negative view of the whole GoT show. I did enjoy watching it to a certain extent and have zero issue with sexual or violent content. My take on the showrunner's approach was one of continuous shock and awe, thus finding the necessity to have to continually outdo themselves...
Almost every episode felt like a bludgeon. Too often they made me feel like I felt after watching Requiem For a Dream: great movie; only watched it once and sometimes wished I hadn't at all!
I had never read the novels, and GoT only made me
not want to read them at all.
Mind, I am a fan of High Fantasy.
Anyway, I think LOTR is still considered the pinnacle of High Fantasy, no matter who you are and what you've read. The impact Tolkien had on the genre will ever be the yardstick by which other authors and their works are measured, for better or worse.
Moreover, Peter Jackson's treatment of the two trilogies was exceptional. They were beautiful and a huge spectacle. To carry that on and attempt to recreate that feeling is a goal not to be taken lightly.
I do hope that RoP will have the staying power to keep viewership high, thus keeping the quality of the production high.
3 episodes in and I'm committed, eager for more. I never felt that way about GoT.