In fact, I liked where most of the characters ended up by the end. Even those who did not have "good" endings, had endings that fit their characters. While I had already heard a great deal about what would happen with certain characters (and was initially outraged in some cases), I feel that the writers built a good case for how things turned out. Certainly, my hoped for scenario did not come to pass, but this was a George R. R. Martin story, and I have come to expect that he liked to do the unexpected, but still keep the tale believable. In this, I feel that the showrunners stayed true to the soul of the books, even if they differed in some areas out of necessity.
I'm still amazed by this series. While it is certainly more violent and pornographic than I would like, the story is well-conceived and the dialogue is almost Shakespearean. The set-pieces and costumes are worth the price of admission alone. For me, though, it is the level of acting that makes this series a true masterpiece. I truly cared for these characters (or loathed the ones I was supposed to loathe). I'm glad I got to see their story (for who knows if the books will ever be finished).