How 'House Of The Dragon' Looks To Someone Whose Never Seen 'Game Of Thrones'
Image Source: The Illumimnerdi
When a series is announced with the word “dragon” in it, fans of the mystical creatures cannot help but get excited about it. After Game of Thrones’ successful eight-year run, it was no surprise when its prequel House of the Dragon was announced. This new story is likely to draw the attention of people who have never seen the original series, such is my case. When I heard about a series revolving around a family of dragon-tamers, I knew it was a must-watch. Despite having no context before watching the first episode of House of the Dragon, there is no moment in the entire hour and five minutes where viewers feel like they are missing something. The series starts by providing some background, briefly recounting who the Targaryens are. The real story begins after Viserys Targaryen is named heir to the throne.
Cut to 9 years into the new king’s reign, and we get the first look at the most anticipated feature of the series— a dragon. Furrowing the skies on the back of her dragon Syrax is Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. She descent down to a prosperous city. From the very beginning, the show presents beautiful scenery, with impressive effects and details.
Image Source: HBO Max
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The show quickly tells us the story will focus on the next succession of the throne. King Viserys is in urgent need of an heir, a son who can inherit the throne and continue the legacy of the Targaryen. Queen Aemma Targaryen is expecting a child, and the king is certain that she will bear the son he so desperately wants.
On the other hand, Prince Daemon, the king’s brother and leader of the City Watch, finds himself leading a purge in the city in an attempt to clean its streets from crime. This is the show’s first display of very graphic violence, leaving no trace of doubt that this show will follow its predecessor on its path of harsh topics and scenes.
On the following day, the long-awaited tournament is held to celebrate the birth of the new royal child. The tournament slowly grows more horrifying when an authentic bloodbath follows almost every duel. Meanwhile, the queen has been in labor the whole time with her complicated situation rapidly endangering both her life and her child’s. At that moment, the Grand Maester presents King Viserys with a terrible decision: “To sacrifice one or to lose them both.”
The first meaningful deaths strike the viewer with no mercy as, sadly, neither the queen nor the newborn son lives to see another day. While Prince Daemon celebrates with his comrades that he is now the only one eligible as the next ruler of Dragonstone. King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra are both devastated, and the future of their reign is uncertain without a clear heir to the throne. That is until Viserys decides to do what no one on the council (consisting of Lord Otto Hightower, Lord Corlys Velaryon, Lord Lyonel Strong, Lord Lyman Beesbury, and Grand Maester Mellos) even considered a viable option: naming Princess Rhaenyra heir to the Iron Throne.
The council and the kingdom swear loyalty to their new heir, thus setting the pace for the rest of the series. Only time will tell what awaits in the next episodes. As far as the first episode goes, it was a brilliant beginning to the new story, presenting the viewer with an incredible premise and an appealing story, only making us want more and more.
There is no doubt that House of the Dragon is here with a strong proposal, ready to become a fan favorite with its beautifully constructed world that has a place for everyone. One must only fight for it.
Catch the new episode of House of the Dragon every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max.
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