One of the things that I didn't really like is that all the deaths this last episode were done in very a un-GoT way, in that they lacked finality. For instance, when Ned died, we saw his head roll and then put on a spike in the next episode, or when Catelyn and Rob died, we saw her throat slit, we saw Rob's corpse paraded around. But in this season finale, where we would have to wait another year for any confirmation, almost all of the deaths that occurred could be disputed. Stannis, about to be decapitated before the classic cut-away-before-the-blow-lands tactic was used. Myrcella, being instantly "killed" by a poison that is notorious for being slow-acting and painful... makes sense, right? I mean, she came into contact with it by being kissed by someone else who had put it on her lips who-knows-how-long beforehand. They didn't sail too far away just yet, no doubt Bronn could see what's up and say "Hey, that almost happened to me, we need to find them sand ladies asap for the antidote!" at which point they turn the boat around, and we have more lovely Dorne shenanigans to look forwards to. Oh boy. Then of course Jon getting ganked was pretty straightforward, had it not been for a priestess of a faith notorious for resurrecting people arriving (for no apparent reason, mind you) only a little bit beforehand. Sure, the actor denies returning to GoT for season 6, and assuming he is indeed off the show for good, it doesn't mean that "Jon Snow" is dead... mayhaps he is resurrected and looks significantly different for some reason. Also, remember they were talking a lot about how he wouldn't be a regular for season 6 (as the leaked salary papers confirming his return said he would be), so maybe he will still show up and guest star for an episode or two near the end as one of the final shocker moments of season 6... only to then once more be a full-time cast member come season 7, or just have a very small part and never be a full-fledged credits-roll actor anymore. All in all this just leads to less of the GoT-patented shock value that they seem to strive so hard for, and more "really? I need to wait another year to know what actually happens?"