Fire has started reigning in Westeros! The first episode of HBO’S House of the Dragon is out now. And it has managed to gain mostly a positive reception from the viewers. Did it excel the premiere episode of Game of Thrones? Hell, no! But it treasures all the traits of being a worthy successor to the original series. Let’s delve ourselves deep into the world of Westeros!
A lot of GOT fans wondered from where (in time) the events of the HOTD series would start before the show’s release. Well, thanks to the opening moments of the pilot episode and a beautiful voiceover, helping us absorb the familiar GOT vibe.
The events of ‘House of the Dragon’ take place 172 years before the death of the Mad King, Aegon, and the birth of his daughter, Daenerys.
House Targaryen was at the height of its powers when King Jaehaerys I was the ruler. However, the ailing king had no heir as he lost both of his wonderful sons. This scenario caused him to think about the future of his realm. That’s why he summoned all the lords of the Seven Kingdoms to announce his successor. Only two claims were considered out of 14: Prince Viserys Targaryen (king’s grandson) and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (king’s granddaughter). The majority of the lords chose Viserys over Rhaenys as the 100-year-old dynasty never had a female ruler before.
Then the episode fast forwards to the ninth year of Viserys’ reign. The king expects a boy from Queen Aemma. They only have one surviving child together: Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. We also meet the princess’ best friend, Alicent Hightower, daughter of The Hand, Ser Otto Hightower. Plus, we have Daemon Targaryen, the king’s brother and leader of the newly established “Gold Cloaks”. He is a sick SOB who enjoys inflicting torturous and ruthless sentences on criminals.
Viserys decides to conduct the Heir’s Tournament to celebrate the birth of his “boy” child and invites several lords and ladies. Amidst the ongoing tournament, his wife goes into a very painful labour. Upon the suggestions of Grand Maestor, he hesitatingly orders to cut his wife’s belly and take out the child. But all the efforts go in vain. Both his wife and newly born son meet their demise. Dracarys! And just like that, we see flames consuming the bodies of both.
The absence of an heir raises several complications to Viserys’ reign. Daemon further complicates the matter by enjoying his claim to the Iron Throne at a brothel and calls his dead nephew ‘The Heir for a Day’. This enrages Viserys and he orders Daemon to leave King’s Landing at once with his wife.
The overall drama forces Viserys to choose Rhaenyra as his successor. He also warns her about Aegon’s dream. That prophetic dream included the arrival of great winter and the destruction it brought on the world of men. Only a Targaryen is strong enough to save Westeros from that inevitable threat. Well, a Targaryen did “a pretty good job” in that department! Right?
POSITIVES
There are a lot of positives in HOTD’s premiere episode. First, let’s talk about the performances of all actors. Game of Thrones never disappointed us in terms of acting. And we can expect the same from the prequel series as well.
Paddy Considine wonderfully brings out the kindness of King Viserys. But he also displays Viserys’ vulnerable side brilliantly. Milly Alcock looks strong-willed and confident as young Princess Rhaenyra. Rhys Ifans looked in good form too. The rest of the cast impresses.
But it is none other than Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen that steals all the limelight. His character looks like a mature version of Joffery Baratheon. We all are going to hate Daemon for sure!
Ramin Djawadi’s score adds the necessary nostalgic feel to the show. Additionally, the visuals and the cinematography are incredible.
NEGATIVES
The pilot episode has proved that the makers are not shying away from showing the traditional GOT-like nudity and violence. A lot of fans liked watching “soft-porn” scenes and gore in the original series. And it seems like HOTD will also take full advantage of this pathetic strategy.
Despite beautifully acted sequences and mesmerising visuals, Episode 1 is packed with too much nudity, violence, pain, and suffering. We see “Gold Cloaks” sentencing criminals by genital mutilation, decapitation, and other horrifying methods. On top of that, we get Queen Aemma’s labour scene. Trust us, folks! That scene is difficult to watch. And it runs side by side with the Heir’s Tournament.
Overall, House of the Dragon is a worthy successor to Game of Thrones. Episode 1 is now available on Disney+ Hotstar. Stay tuned for more updates.
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