House of the Dragon Episode 1 review: A return to Westeros and the seven Kingdoms

The new HBO Original prequel series to Game of Thrones focuses on the Targaryen dynasty at the height of their power in Westeros

Story: Set 172 years before the time of Daenerys Targaryen, her ancestor Viserys Targaryen is forced to choose an heir to the Iron Throne.

Review: George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire saga will go down in history as one of the most influential literary works in the post-postmodern era. And the television series adaptation of the story, Game of Thrones, is arguably one of the most groundbreaking TV shows ever created. While the jury is still out on whether the final season did justice to the iconic show,

claims that Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) turning evil at the end is what shackled its grand finale are unfounded. It is quite simply because Daenerys has always shown traits of instability and tyranny from the very first season of Game of Thrones if one were to look beyond the rose-tinted lenses of being a ‘fan’ of the character.

Labelling Daenerys Targaryen a deeply complex character is an understatement. But her ancestors, depicted in the first episode of House of the Dragon, are far more relatable medieval fantasy characters, as compared to those described in the original. Make no mistake, King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) are complex characters in their own right, but they are yet to showcase an ‘unhinged’ side like when an impassive Daenerys stepped into boiling water in the very first episode of Game of Thrones.

The relative calm of the first House of the Dragon is a reflection of the relative political stability in Westeros, something which is unheard of in Game of Thrones. But by the end of episode one, there are more than enough indicators that there is trouble brewing on the horizon. Director Miguel Sapochnik, who has helmed some of the highest-rated episodes of the original series, has managed to perfectly capture the magic of Westeros whilst also giving a fresh spin to a familiar setting.

King Viserys sharply contrasts the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen, or even the Mad King’s daughter, Daenerys. He has a likeable charm and charisma to him that is often not associated with the House that is known for ‘fire and blood’. He listens to his council and respects their advice, but he is also shown to take tough decisions concerning life and death if it means it will preserve his lineage. On the other hand, his daughter, young Rhaenyra, may ride a dragon like her descendant Daenerys and even shares a resemblance with the ‘Khaleesi’, but surprisingly the younger version of her character is closer to the Stark sisters Arya and Sansa from Game of Thrones.

The other major character is Prince Daemon, the Machiavellian oddball, who could become the story’s most pivotal character. Some of the other new notable characters from the world of A Song of Ice and Fire include Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), the Hand of the King, his daughter Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey); Princess Rhaenys Velaryon (Eve Best), and her husband Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint). This great mix of intriguing characters and several others who are yet to be introduced ensures that the House of Dragon could take Westeros back at the top of television ratings. But unlike the pilot episode of Game of Thrones there is no shock ending that will leave one immediately wanting more, but the first episode of House of the Dragon ends on the promise that high-octane drama is about to unfold.

From a narrative perspective, the story focuses on the plight of women, even those who are capable of riding dragons. There is also a reference to the ‘abortion versus pro-life’ debate, an issue that has engulfed contemporary socio-politics in America. These themes are captured through striking frames, and there is a noticeable improvement in the production design from the original series. 

Verdict: The pilot episode of House of Dragon, is everything that one would expect from a story from A Song of Ice and Fire saga. It offers great characters, an intruding story, stunning visuals, and of course dragons! It remains to be seen how the story of the Targaryen dynasty will unravel in the upcoming episodes.

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