Yes, but at least that was mostly just in the first few seasons. Once it became a massive hit, they really didn’t need to stoop to that for the ratings and they just focus on the story most of the time.
If all the people who claim to dislike Game Of Thrones were to watch just one episode, Battle of the Blackwater, they’d understand what all the fuss is about, in my opinion. I know that’s the one that hooked me.