I think heightened expectations really came into play after the fourth season. Before that, it was still a relatively "what's that now?" thing. I was lucky enough to get in before it, but I can't say I wouldn't be turned off by the hype too at this stage.
TL, kudos for finding a way to make watching television a test of personal endurance. Did it enhance it to watch it as one complete narrative instead of as separate seasons? Did you feel a sense of structure to the show as a whole?
