Thoughnot without controversy, the premiere of HBO Max’sGame of Thronesspin-off seriesHouse of the Dragon, titled “The Heirs of the Dragon,” was widely regarded as an excellent effort. It introduced audiences to a whole new batch of characters whose lives are rife with the same political and interpersonal drama that made the original series so compelling.
The new show focuses on the time when House Targaryen ruled over Westeros, an era of intense disorder and violence that, many years down the line, sparked the events ofGame of Thrones. Early in the first episode, it is explained that the show takes place 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. The series' creators managed to cram a ton of scintillating content into the episodes' hour-long runtime.
King Viserys I Targaryen, portrayed by Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz, Peaky Blinders), is an aging king tasked with choosing an heir. When his wife, Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke), dies in childbirth, along with her newborn child, Viserys’s only male heir, he selects his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), as his successor, much to the chagrin of his brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
After the preceding series left a sour taste in the mouths of fans following its less-than-stellar conclusion, it seemed as if its legacy would be forever tarnished. However,House of the Dragonmanaged to do what many had previously felt was impossible and reignite our love for theGame of Thronesfranchise.
Beautiful Costumes and Stunning Sets
One of the most well-received aspects ofGame of Throneswas the beautiful costume design, be it elegantly woven dresses or skillfully forged suits of armor. As evidenced by the wicked suit of dragon-scaled armorthat Daemon Targaryen sportsin the first episode’s jousting scene, the new series will continue the tradition of dressing its characters to the nines.
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Additionally,Game of Thronescertainly got the most out of its HBO Max production budget, as it featured countless unique locales, which consisted largely of massive royal strongholds filled with ornate decorations. It appears thatHouse of the Dragonwill continue in this tradition of exorbitant set piece spending, as the version of King’s Landing showcased in the new show is every bit as beautiful as that of the original… arguably even more so. The Iron Throne is considerably larger and more intimidating, and the palace even features gargantuan dragon skulls as decoration.
Swordplay and Dragons
Dragons were one of the most highly-anticipated parts of the originalGame of Thrones. Though they were first introduced at the end of season one, it wasn’t until much later that Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) reptile progeny were big enough to be used effectively in battle.
Its title shows thatHouse of the Dragonwillfully utilize dragons. The Targaryen family rules with the assistance of several fully grown dragons, which makes them virtually untouchable from a military standpoint. Though the myriad dragons will be an excellent, visually stunning addition to the new series, they could serve to make the show’s conflict a tad more one-sided. However, it is likely that internal Targaryen struggles will be the primary focal point.
The Possibility of Righting Game of Thrones' Wrongs
There has been a lot of discussion about the way in which the originalGame of Thronesseries ended. Fans primarily regarded the series finale as a disappointment that failed to live up to the outstanding quality of the several preceding seasons.
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Since it is still very early in season one, it is impossible to compareHouse of the Dragonto its predecessor. Nevertheless, fans can hope that the new series creators will take note of thepoorly reviewed finaleand seek to end the show’s first season and all seasons that follow on a strong note. Additionally, it would behoove the writers to stick to the storyline etched out by author George R.R. Martin in his epic fantasy seriesA Song of Ice and Fire.
House of the Dragonhas been renewedfor another season, showing that HBO is anticipating a positive response from fans as the show progresses. A lot is riding on the success of the series. George R.R. Martin has yet to complete his beloved novels, and it is unclear if they will ever be finished. Fans are desperately seeking out every bit ofGame of Thronescontent they can find, and if this new show fails, it could spell disaster for the franchise.
However, the first episode was definitely reminiscent of the original series' halcyon days, and its creators can continue along this promising track.House of the Dragoncould relight a fire in the hearts of fantasy lovers everywhere.
