Defiantly can't see them jumping the shark while they follow the books story line.....from what I am told each season would get progressively more fun to watch unfold.
I heard book 3 or 4 has nothing to do with the current story line. It takes place in a completely different realm with completely different characters.
Whores til proven otherwise. And they so rarely do.
Yeah they will introduce a whole bunch of new characters but they will all be on the same path towards kings landing.
Spoiler Spoiler spoiler spoiler
They need to introduce new characters because, lets just say do not get to attached to anyone because this story has no happy endings for anyone and a lot of people need to be replaced as the story progresses.
Yeah the books will start to mix now so while this is season 2 it is part of book two and three as there are things in book three that happen simultaneously as book two.