Series lovers around the world have been waiting with bated breath after rumours started swirling of a Game of Thrones spin-off that would focus on the house of a fan favourite – Daenerys Targaryen.
In October 2020, the excitement started boiling over when HBO finally announced it would go ahead with the production of its new series “House of the Dragon.”
As a die-hard Game of Thrones fan of both the series and the books, the announcement was met with apprehension, and I’m certainly not the only one who felt this way.
Whether you’re the only one from your friend group that has avoided deep diving into the world of Westeros, or you have a banner of House Stark plastered on your wall, everyone knows that the last season of GOT was incredibly disappointing, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Lynn Cupido.
There’s no question that House of the Dragon was met with intense suspicion would be an understatement.
What’s it about
George RR Martin has created countless books that flesh out the history and world of Westeros. One of those books is titled “Fire & Blood,” and follows the Targaryen civil war which takes place 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. Brothers kill sisters, and dragons fight each other, with this event spelling out the downfall of House Targaryen.
Watch the trailer below:
The verdict
There’s been a lot of talk around how this prequel is being handled, both in terms of honouring the book material and Martin’s involvement in the show’s production. An experience by the showrunners and a lack of book material to fall back on were two major reasons the last season failed so epically. However, Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik appear to have quite a repertoire behind them with Martin claiming that the show is in good hands.
Unfortunately, this is something we’ve heard before and it’s still early days, however, the first episode was worth the hype. Nearly 10 million people tuned in to watch on HBO’s streaming platform, with a ton more probably checking it out in other not-so-legal ways.
What’s notable about the first episode is the fact that it still retains the essence of Game of Thrones, but spices things up with a few of its own ingredients as it forges a path that’s uniquely it’s own. There are also a few goosebumps moments in which the show acknowledges its predecessor, but it does so in such a subtle way that it may go unnoticed if you’re not paying attention.
Dragons have always been GOT’s draw card and there are plenty of these mythical beasts to keep fans satiated.
Many fans have echoed this sentiment following Sunday’s premiere, here are just a few more reactions:
After watching the first episode of House of the Dragon, I can confidently say that it has great potential to even surpass GOT. What a start… ???
— Only Allan (@allangodfre) August 22, 2022
me after being disappointed by the final season of game of thrones: “i guess i’ll give house of the dragon a try”
me to HBO after watching the first episode: #HouseoftheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/VPpeMHAhyb
— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) August 22, 2022
i’m genuinely in tears house of the dragon was so good it not only reminded me how much i love daenerys and game of thrones lore but how much we’ve been in need of real REAL television again pic.twitter.com/pFO5YnxLTN
— harold (@theharoIdsonggg) August 22, 2022
Me after that first House of the Dragon episode: pic.twitter.com/I6vQNOFcYJ
— Vatsal (@VatsalSP7) August 22, 2022
172 years before Daenerys Targaryen #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon#HOTD pic.twitter.com/nHxz9wULFK
— Jesus H. Christ (@JesusFaceKilla) August 22, 2022
When Game of Thrones theme played after so long… #HouseoftheDragon #HouseoftheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/1vYjzWZkFx
— Ravi Ahuja (@RaviAhuja20) August 22, 2022
all of us when we heard the infamous “Dracarys”#HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/n7w5PN5kkE
— manny (@Manny_Rae) August 22, 2022
Me recognizing locations and names in #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/RXiErkaZ73
— The Extra (@_the_extra) August 22, 2022
Here’s hoping the rest of the season does not disappoint.
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Picture: HBO