Courtesy of HBO
After three long years, Game of Thrones is back. Not the original, but a new show in the Game of Thrones world is here. House of the Dragon is the new show set 200 years before Game of Thrones starts. The show focuses on the Targaryen family. After the disappointment for the finale of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon looks to bring fans back to the Game of Thrones world. Does the first episode do that? Let's break it down.
House of the Dragon starts by introducing us to the new characters. There is King Viserys Targaryen who sits on the Iron Throne. He has been king for 10 years. He has a wife named Queen Aemma Arryn and a daughter named Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. We are then introduced to the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower. He has a daughter named Alicent Hightower. Alicent and Rhaenyra are best friends. This likely stems from their fathers close relationship. We are then introduced to the various Lords that serve King Viserys. The most important Lord is Lord Corlys Velaryon. He is married to King Viserys' cousin, Rhaenys Targaryen. They have two children together named Laena and Laenor.
We are then introduced to the wild card of the show Prince Daemon Targaryen. Daemon is the brother of Viserys. He is of the Commander of the City Watch in King's Landing. His character reminds me of Jamie Lannister. They're both cocky individuals who can lead. That seems to be Daemon's main goal, to sit on the Iron Throne. He is currently heir to the throne but that can change because Aemma is pregnant. Viscerys is certain it is a boy. In the most disturbing scene of the show, Aemma gives birth to a boy. Unfortunately there was complications with the pregnancy. Both Aemma and the child die as a result of this.
Viserys is heartbroken over this. He decides to name Rhaenyra the new heir to the throne. Rhaenyra reminds me of Arya. You can tell she doesn't want to be just a princess, she wants to lead people. Daemon is upset by this decision by his brother. Everyone on the council agrees that Daemon is too unstable to become king. Daemon led a raid on King's Landing killing innocent people in a brutal scene. Daemon leaves King's Landing, but something tells me Daemon won't go away quietly.
The first episode was House of the Dragon sets up the show well. It definitely feels like a Game of Thrones show. It has all of the elements that made the show great. The politics, the backstabbing, and the brutal action scenes are all there and more are coming. The music in the series is also classic Thrones. The cinematography is also breathtaking and the CGI with the dragons looks good. It was also nice to see King's Landing looking beautiful instead of the way it was left by Daenerys. It looks like Sunday nights will be dominated by a Game of Thrones show again and I can't wait to see more.
Grade: A
What did you think of the premiere of House of the Dragon? Leave it in the comments below.