As someone else said, I think series 1 isn't due until early next year. I don't think they've even started filming the bulk of the series yet, and they're recasting Daenarys so they'll have to redo her parts from the pilot for episode 1, too.
On the downside, some of the actors won't be in later seasons if it's picked up, since their characters end up dead by the end of season 1.
On the upside, all kinds of conjecture can play "what if", and we'll get 12 episodes at least. (IIRC that's what HBO's commissioned for the first season.) Not to mention that there's still Loras and Renly and other characters to cast, and we're potentially looking at several seasons of HBO GoT-ness, and oh god I'm losing coherence. Those grabby-hands are a fantastic idea.
Game of Thrones on HBO
On the downside, some of the actors won't be in later seasons if it's picked up, since their characters end up dead by the end of season 1.
On the upside, all kinds of conjecture can play "what if", and we'll get 12 episodes at least. (IIRC that's what HBO's commissioned for the first season.) Not to mention that there's still Loras and Renly and other characters to cast, and we're potentially looking at several seasons of HBO GoT-ness, and oh god I'm losing coherence. Those grabby-hands are a fantastic idea.