For many years, Game of Thrones enjoyed the claim of being one of the best shows on television, with its Westerosi lore, complicated storylines, and standard nudity merrily crossing borders. That was, of course, until the divisive S8 derailed the show and disappointed even the most ardent of fans.
When the prequel House of the Dragon was announced, it was met with undue skepticism and expectations alike. But some thought that it could redeem GOT as well. So, does HOTD really live up to the hype?
House of the Dragon’s characters, storytelling and cinematography do well both as a prequel to GOT and a show with its own standing. If you’re interested in seeing Targaryen history brought to life on screen, are simply a fan of the GOT universe, or maybe just want to see some cool dragons, you should definitely watch the show!
Let’s get into a detailed review, and don’t worry, it’s spoiler-free!
Plot
House of the Dragon is a GOT prequel set almost 200 years before it. It is adapted from the events laid out in George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, a novel that focuses on House Targaryen, right from when they left the doomed Valyrian Freehold to the time they conquer Westeros.
House of the Dragon in particular deals with the novel’s “Dance of the Dragon” arc, most commonly known as the Targaryen Civil War.
During the reign of Viserys I, he names his firstborn Rhaenrya the heir to the Iron Throne. However, as there has never been a female ruler of the realm, she is met by opposition from those who support her uncle Daemon or her half-brother Aegon II.
Visuals, Direction, and Screenplay
House of the Dragon’s cinematography and direction is quite commendable and lives up to what is expected of a show with this much budget and hype around it.
The one thing I really like is how the show embroiders breathtaking, intricate details in every aspect of the scene you’re watching. It really proves that the production is well-versed with the source material and cares to include it in the visual narrative. Have a look at the costumes for one such example:
One of the criticisms HOTD has received is that its dialogues are not as crisp or iconic as GOT. One possible explanation is that a lot of GOT’s lines are picked up word for word from the novel. But since Fire & Blood reads more like a history book with little to no dialogues, the same cannot be done for the HOTD.
Still, I would say that the dialogues are not bad enough to lower your viewing experience.
Detailed Review
After I watched HOTD Ep 1, I immediately went back and rewatched GOT’s premiere episode. There are stark differences between the way the stories are handled in both, which can be negative or positive depending on the way you see it.
GOT takes the approach of diving into 4-6 different narratives based on the sheer number of main characters it has. Because of this, the show can appear more dynamic than it really is since we move through characters, places, and plots so quickly and dramatically.
On the flip side, HOTD takes more time to marinate in the crux of the episode and slows down to zero in on the more emotional aspects. It even leaves space for social commentary—like marrying for politics, the role of women, and more.
Another little comparison I would like to dabble in is projecting the future of the show. With GOT’s book ending yet to be written, fans truly did not know what route the show would take and were glued to their screens for the same reason. But its divisive ending was the cause of its downfall, too.
As the Targaryen history we’re dealing with is set in stone, it is left to be seen if fans are more accepting of it, despite the fact that HOTD (and Dance of the Dragons in particular) too will have a controversial resolution.
Apart from this, House of the Dragon is a show that can stand on its own two feet. For me, it has been both intriguing, entertaining, and nostalgic in the right amounts. The casting is stellar, and Milly Alcock as Rhaenyra vying for Queen shines fiercely as Daenerys once did.
It may not be the “best show ever,” but as a GOT fan, it takes you back into that dangerously delightful world in an enriching way. Worth the hype? With all the fire, blood, and dragons—definitely.
About House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is the prequel series to HBO’s blockbuster Game of Thrones based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
Set three hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will show Westeros under the Targaryen family’s rule before the dragons went extinct. It will follow the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war between siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra, who fought for the throne after the death of their father, Viserys I.
Directed by Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik, the show stars Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Craney as Aegon II Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish.
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