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House of the Dragon - review

 


When I first learned about this prequel to Game of Thrones, I was sure I wouldn't want to watch it. The Targaryens were not even my favorite family. Yet, like most of us, I couldn't avoid checking it out.

Slow Beginning

The story happens 172 years before the Game of Thrones story, and there are not that many changes. The universe is the same, the world, the costumes… but, simultaneously, there are so many things you don't recognize. Big families are not that important yet; new families you have never heard of take the central role. You may need some time to get used to it.

I started watching the show, but I didn't like it very much initially. It was all about a couple of characters; it lacked the juicy intrigue Game of Thrones had made us love.

Rhaenyra seemed to me a spoiled little girl, quite annoying sometimes. And the king… well, he was a pawn who lacked authority. So I had to ask myself, "Do I want to continue watching this?"

I'm glad I did.

Plot twists and surprises

George RR Martin rarely chooses the most obvious path. House of the Dragon wasn't different.

While time passes and the story evolves, you slowly get attached to it. You want to know what happens next. You need to know.

The strange feeling in the beginning when you hear the names of families you know, but they weren't that important, starts to disappear. Slowly, you get genuinely invested in the main families from this time. Sometimes, you can forget Game of Thrones completely.

The intrigue gets more profound and more complicated. Eventually, you start to admire (if you didn't before) King Viserys for his attempt to avoid violence. And Rhaenyra for her strength and determination.

Daemon Targaryen

The show gets better along the way, but we can't ignore that a considerable part of this season's success was due to Matt Smith. He did an incredible work as Daemon Targaryen.

Daemon is a fantastic character that you can love and hate at the same time, and Matt's work is spectacular. There are many scenes where he stole the show without saying a word!

A great actor who deserves all the recognition.

The End

How are we going to wait for the second season after that ending?! I hadn't read the book yet, so I had no idea what would happen. I was shocked.

I hated it and loved it at the same time because it was a fantastic scene—poor boy.

Another victory

House of the Dragon is another victory for George RR Martin and his team. Great story, outstanding production, and excellent actors come once more to give life to the fictional world of Westeros. 

A deserved success that we'll keep following and eagerly wait for the next season.  


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