I've just watch the whole thing now, starting from the first episode a month ago (so after the last episod was aired).I just finished the last episode now.
I've seen a lot of heated debate, but now that I've sesn it all, I'd say that it is likely due to people having expectation that cannot be met.
Sure season 7,8 have a radically different feel to them (which kind of follow the increased rythm of the story telling).