I didn't enjoy this episode, and I might even need to take a break from GoT for a while. It's just a never ending carousel of awesome characters who make an appearance, win over fans, and then die in some brutal way. Oberyn may have been minor (although I'm sure there will be larger repercussions once Dorne hears what happened), but it was still a major disappointment for me to see him go like that. It's sadistic the way they're playing with my emotions like this, and it's pushing me into a state of noncompliance.
With all that being said, I do not believe Tyrion is going to die. No way no how. The same way I don't believe John Snow, Arya, Danaerys, or Bran will die. Those are, in my opinion, the 5 most indispensable characters in the show, for a number of reasons, and I would be absolutely shocked if any of them die (maybe in the very, very end, but not this early in the story). There are still unanswered questions for John. Arya and Bran are still early in their arcs. Danaerys has dragons and she's going to be around when they come into play. and Tyrion is Tyrion. I'm convinced that he's going to outlive all of the major Lannister characters. It's his destiny.
Dunno if I'm the only one, but I thought he episode was a bit of a let down after all the hype. I mean, yes it was very shocking, so fun event televsion for sure. But the level of gruesomeness was just so over the top as to be quite silly, which I thought was pretty out of character for the show. I also found the events pretty meh from a story perspective, and am getting a bit bored of all the good characters getting killed off.
The head popping was gruesome. I had an issue falling asleep. Just flat out brutal.
Although the happenings of the episode were tame, they were significant I thought. Sansa is now entering the Frey as a person to be reckoned with...(I forgot his name) but the dude Daenaryus kicked out, to me that seemed kind of fishy and I almost believe it was a set up so that he could go spy for her.
I might be the only one who finds the entire 'Wall' arc of the show completely boring. Don't care about wildlings or white walkers or whatever. I like John Snows character and it seems like he's being wasted up there with that.
I get what you're saying, and I too find the wall scenes a little boring at times, but it's a necessary reminder of the ultimate conflict that all of this is building up towards and so I'm okay with it.