[@Darcs]
Each to their own. I was under the impression from the book that the most loyal Northerners were... absent. A few were still plotting against Bolton though but when we had Lannister backing they couldn't really do much.

Yeah, Santa's plotline in the books would be very boring TV but I think it's a more slow and subtle development than the show but that's how the different mediums work.

Also, I was under the impression that GRRM was less involved with the show after season 3. I know he's still advising but he has distanced himself a bit.

In any case, it's worth watching because Dinklage.