“We both like to do a recap afterward, so the marriage may survive. The jury is still out.”

Earlier this week, we asked readers how they felt about the debate. Hundreds responded, often passionately.

Some said any noise from companions would ruin their ability to fully absorb every moment. Others said they needed the ability to occasionally ask questions just to make sense of what’s going on. Still others said they should be able to talk freely, because that’s the fun of watching with other people.

Here is a selection of the responses, which have been lightly edited.

Shush!

A solid majority of the commenters said they require total silence. Some of them said the issue had lost them friends.

Several said the solution was in watching the episode multiple times: Silence is expected on the first viewing, but commentary is allowed in subsequent viewings.

Meeghan Holaway, 47, of Pasadena, Calif., wrote in an email:

Personally, I watch alone (the first time). I’m not even close to subtle or tactful. When some dear friend asks, “Do you wanna come over and watch GOT?” I look at them like they just offered me a snifter of cyanide. “Are you insane? No! You might sneeze. Or breathe. Or have an opinion.”

In our comments section, Martin from Brooklyn said:

It makes me crazy when people can’t shut up during playback of filmed entertainment, be it at the cinema or while watching television. I want to absorb what is being presented and allow the content to take me wherever it needs to go. I have made the mistake of watching things I care about in the company of others, and have been amazed at the incessant comments and unrelated conversation between people who are using a communal watching experience as an excuse to hang out with other people. Shut up and go to a coffee shop.

Zane Foley, a 25-year-old from Los Angeles, said in an email:

“The show’s purpose is to take you into another world, to ride dragons and live in a time of kingdoms and magic; a talkative companion chains you to your reality and ruins the encampment of one’s experience. Furthermore, snacks that make any noise (especially chips and popcorn) are in no circumstances permitted.”

And David Stone wrote by email:

Absolute silence! The makers (artistic elements and script) of Thrones are relaying a graphical and scripted story. The visual mood is just as important as the script and every other element. Why would anyone want to ruin the experience by introducing unplanned elements into the experience. Sorry, but those with me have to shut their mouths and stare at the screen.

You can talk, but you’d better be careful

To others, there is a middle ground. There are nooks and crannies in which you can sneak a quick comment without speaking over the action, they say. Or liberal use of the pause button can allow for all of the conversation needed without missing a thing.