Spoiler-Free Review For Episode 1 Of HBO's 'House Of The Dragon': The Beginning Of The End
Image Source: Cnet.com
"The only thing that could tear down the House of the Dragon was itself."
With the overwhelming success of Game of Thrones, it was no surprise when HBO announced that there would be a prequel series based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. The first episode of House of the Dragon premiered today on HBO and HBO Max, and we have a lot to discuss!
The prequel is set roughly two centuries before the events of the original show and features House Targaryen at the height of its power. While the show is a prequel, due to the time in which it is set, there are no fan-favorite characters present, which makes the show feel shiny and new. With prequels, fans typically see at least one or two characters from the previous show, but at a younger age to help picture the story in the context of the one they’ve already seen. House of the Dragon features surnames that are familiar to fans, such as Targaryen, Stark, and Baratheon, without bringing in any familiar characters. This allows the show to stand on its own two feet and bring fans a completely new story.
RELATED:
Episode one introduces fans to Viserys Targaryen on the day he is announced as the future heir to the Iron Throne. The show then skips forward, informing fans that it is now nine years into King Viserys' rule and 172 years before the birth of fan-favorite Daenerys Targaryen. The episode dives deep into the inner politics of House Targaryen and the fear that Viserys’ wife Aemma may not provide the king with a male heir. It's not all politics though, as the episode is also full of jousting, sword fights, dragons, tragedy, and plenty of family drama.
Image Source: Tvinsider.com
King Viserys is a fantastic and dynamic character that loves his wife almost to the detriment of his throne. As the episode unfolds, we see the different layers of his character and the internal battle he is forced to fight between family and his position as king. His daughter, Princess Rhaenyra, is my favorite character in the entire Game of Thrones universe. She is an expert dragon rider and an absolute powerhouse. Her role in the episode evolves as the show draws to a close, cementing her as a character of power.
Game of Thrones was known for its vast amounts of nudity and graphic violence, which dissuaded many would-be fans from trying out the show. While House of the Dragon does feature nudity, sexual content, and graphic violence, it is done differently and in a way that more fans may be able to tolerate. The nudity is mostly top or from behind, and while there are indeed scenes of graphic violence, the sequences are shorter and in many cases darker and more difficult to see. This may change as the season continues, but for now, it is much tamer than its predecessor.
After the 6-episode final season of Game of Thrones aired in 2019, fans were left with a bitter taste in their mouths, but House of the Dragon will be the perfect remedy. Episode one, in my opinion, is better than episode one of its predecessor. While there are not as many families and characters to follow in the new show, there is plenty of drama to keep us locked in. House of the Dragon brings forth dragons like we were not able to see them in Game of Thrones, and it introduced fans to a version of King’s Landing that we had only dreamed of. The show is well written, expertly cast, and breathes new life into a series that at one time dominated all of our minds and Sunday nights. I cannot wait to see what else season one has in store!
All-new episodes of House of The Dragon will air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO, and will stream on the same day and time on HBO Max.
READ NEXT:
