I need to work in the AM but I want to add to the discussion. I slept through 4 episodes by accident this morning.
A lot of your points about the show were things I noticed. Like the rapid aging syndrome for the puppies. Again, how are the wolves CGI if they cast actual dogs? It's a real breed, I read about it, and Sansa adopted Lady irl. They don't look that huge.
“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” ― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones