Despite the rushed pace, there were many great scenes--including some long-awaited payoffs--in this season. The writing had plenty of well-turned phrases and powerful moments, but it did seem to borrow heavily from previous seasons. Perhaps the show's producers, seeing the end in sight, decided to start weaving previous season's themes and plot lines back to the main tapestry; although I do not doubt that there will be plenty of dangling threads by the time the show comes to an end.
Game of Thrones has been worth the hype. The overall production is better than many movies that I have seen. The writing is top-notch. The story takes plenty of unexpected, although believable, turns. The characters are generally well-developed. I feel invested in nearly all of their futures (although a few do seem unredeemable).
Thus far, it has not disappointed. I certainly hope that they do not fizzle out in the last season as so many otherwise great shows have done.