House of the Dragon

Good first season. Some of the events feel skimmed through because of the time skip, some of the consequences to what happens during the course of the show take place off air because of the abruptly timed time skip. One of the main examples for this would be Viserys' reaction to the illicit relationship between his daughter and Daemon on multiple occasions when she was a child or Lord Corlys' long term response to Viserys' rejection of his proposal. And the relationship between Rhanerya and Daemon itself seemed under developed, the only possible reason Rhanerya had to wed him was it would strengthen her claim to the throne, other than their whole relationship was built on cryptic conversation that takes place in the Valryian language. Other than that the show is too immersive and it's hard to take sides as both of them have done many wrongs and are good in certain instances, it was nice to see all that slow burn drama that took place to unfold.

House of the Dragon pulled me back into the world of Westeros with all the politics, betrayal, and fire-breathing spectacle I was craving after Game of Thrones. The focus on the Targaryens makes the story feel both intimate and grand, showing how fragile power really is when dragons are involved.

The writing is sharp, the production feels cinematic, and some performances truly shine.

At times, the pacing drags, and the time jumps can feel jarring, but the tension and looming tragedy keep it compelling. It's not quite on the same level as Thrones in its prime, but it's a worthy prequel that sets the stage for something epic.

House of the Dragon is not merely a prequel; it's a masterfully crafted tragedy that complements Game of Thrones very well by filling in the rich historical tapestry of Westeros. Instead of trying to replicate the sprawling, world-spanning chaos of the original series, it wisely chooses a more focused and intimate approach, zeroing in on a single, doomed family. This laser-like focus allows for a deeper exploration of its characters and their devastating political machinations, driven by ambition, legacy, and patriarchal expectations. It successfully captures the same moral ambiguity and high-stakes political intrigue that made its predecessor a global phenomenon.

A significant part of the show's success lies in its excellent CG, which brings the age of dragons to vivid and terrifying life. The dragons here are not just CGI props; they are fully realized characters with their own personalities and relationships to their riders. Each one, from the ancient and colossal Vhagar to the fierce Caraxes, is rendered with stunning detail and a sense of weight that makes every flight and every fiery breath feel truly epic. The visual effects team deserves immense credit for making these mythical beasts feel so grounded in the world, allowing the story's spectacle to feel both grand and emotionally resonant.

While a few pacing choices in the first season felt rushed, House of the Dragon is an undeniable triumph. It is a compelling, beautiful, and faithful return to a world we thought we knew, proving that even a story we know the end of can still be an unforgettable journey.

Summary: A beautifully shot and compelling prequel that enriches the lore of Westeros, featuring stunning visuals and a more contained, character-driven plot. A must-watch for any fan.

This work has reached an unparalleled level of awfulness, the worst episodes are in the second season.

I'm tired and angry at this work and the stupid games the writers are playing. I didn't expect the series to reach such a level of triviality and disgust that has reached its peak. In reality, this is the price of GRRM selling the rights to his world after spending a long period of his life on it. You write and leave, and it ends up in the hands of a network that doesn't care about quality, and they team up with some bad writers, who I'm too embarrassed to call them writers, and then HBO put them in an animal barn instead of a writing room.

This ugly quality only comes from an animal barn, and I believe even if you were in an animal barn, you would be able to produce better ideas and writings, better than the work of the writers of House of the Dragons who think they can write innovative and new lines better than the original source... Unfortunately, this is the painful result.

Despite the high anticipation surrounding the series, it's unfortunate that the only captivating element is the presence of dragons. The actors lack charisma, failing to bring their characters to life in a way that engages the audience. This deficiency in performance makes it nearly impossible to form any emotional connections with the characters. The narrative, which could have been enriched by strong, memorable personalities, instead falls flat, leaving viewers disinterested and detached. The dragons, while visually impressive, aren't enough to carry the entire show and redeem its shortcomings.