Choices in Telltale's Game of Thrones

In the likes of the Walking Dead the choices didn't really have much of an impact on the story, you might end up with a different companion depending on who you save, or some people might be more enclined to be friendly, but it never felt like there was anything major by selecting specific options.

In Game of Thrones do the choices matter more? It's a intrigate TV series, so I'm wondering whether each action has any major game changing actions?

It seems like some choices don't have any impact at all (i.e. no notification to say "X feels / thinks / Y"). I've restarted a section a couple of times and noticed no difference other than a slight dialog change.

One other part of this is does Ethan have to die at the end of the first episode?

Edit: Just for note, I've completed Episode 1 and am part way through the second. Putting this hear as Studoku warned of spoilers for Ep3.