The moving ahead of the books thing looks like it is going to wind up being overstated. Nothing that important has happened ahead of the books. They've cut items out but I'm struggling to find much meaning in any of the "ahead of the books" plotlines right now. Dany is still in Mereen. This trip by Jon is likely a filler plot line that can't produce much ahead of the story given what we know happens to Jon. It's almost episode 7 and Stannis is STILL preparing to attack the north, meh. Cersei we already knew about. We've spent all of what, 5-10 mins on Dorne? We're getting zero Bran. I guess the Sansa stuff is all that sticks out (as well as Littlefinger back in King's Landing). Arya has moved NOWHERE...she started the season showing up to Braavos and done what exactly? Some laundry, started her "training". A whole lot of nothing going on if you ask me.
It's making this season pretty boring for me as book reader knowing much of the plot lines aren't going to bear fruit insomuch as moving ahead of books. Seems the show was extra cautious about moving anything too far ahead and the result is a bunch of meandering plot lines that probably wind up no where.
That said, 3 episodes left, so I guess there's a possibility that can all change, but I'm guessing the season ends pretty close to where the books are at in most respects. I've been pretty bored to this point.