At this point in the story I have enjoyed the changes that have occurred in the remaining characters personalities, especially the Stark characters. Sophie has done a good job with her character and the writers have brought it along to a place where she may have a say in how things work out as this story heads to a climax. Arya is still rebellious but now has new powers and John Snow is the good guy but has learned that it may still not be enough. Bringing this story to a close without Tyrion and Varys would have been a mistake, their dialogue has been awesome. There are quite a few things up in the air, the Hound, the Brotherhood, Littlefinger, Euron, the Mountain, the Stone people, Jorah Mormont, Dorne, the Martells, Littlefinger, wildfire, Theon and Yara, 2 direwolves, and the Night King and his army. You rewatch Hardhome and the last 3 episodes from this year and it has been a nice distraction from the real world.