The show has been terrible since the timeskip, but finally started picking up again about midway through the episode with the thing with the kids. I was just about the point of bailing until then.
They never should have switched actors - especially Rhaenyra. Milly Alcock was amazing and the chemistry between her and Matt Smith was fantastic. Emma D'Arcy has been absolutely abysmal and has zero chemistry with Smith. Spoiler forthcoming:
D'Arcy always sounds tired and like she has a head cold. No range or vitality to the acting at all.
Emily Carey was better as Alicent, but at least Olivia Cooke does a good enough job at retaining the continuity of the character, so I actually don't hate that change.
I have a feeling the show is going to take an even bigger nosedive once Viserys dies. Right now, he's the only reason I'm still watching. Fantastic character and actor who is really the glue precariously holding it all together