House of the Dragon: Season 1

   
 

Based on: Fire and Blood book by George RR Martin

Created by: Ryan Condal & George R. R. Martin

Showrunners: Ryan Condal & Miguel Sapochnik

Starring: Paddy Considine (Viserys Targaryen), Matt Smith (Daemon Targaryen), Milly Alcock (young Rhaenyra Targaryen), Emma D'Arcy (older Rhaenyra), Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower), Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon), Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen), Sonoya Mizuno (Mysaria), Fabien Frankel (Criston Cole), Emily Carey (young Alicent Hightower), Olivia Cooke (older Alicent), Graham McTavish (Harrold Westerling), Matthew Needham (Larys Strong), Jefferson Hall (Jason & Tyland Lannister), Harry Collett ("Jace" Velaryon), Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon II Targaryen), Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen), Phia Saban (Helaena Targaryen), Bethany Antonia (Baela Targaryen), Phoebe Campbell (Rhaena Targaryen)

This was actually my first foray into the Game of Thrones universe. Even having very little context, I was very impressed and the season fully kept my interest. 

One of the things that turned me off about the couple GoT episodes a watched was the number of sex scenes. With that in mind, I was prepared to do a lot of fastfowarding with this show and quite possible give up altogether if it became too much. But surprisingly, it didn't, and I didn't even find myself having to reach for the remote too much, either. I also didn't like a few other things, like having a plot based on backstabbing or the medieval-themed setting, but HoD's plot and characters grabbed my interest before the setting or backstabbing could deter me. 

One thing I appreciated was the idea of a young, ambitious (and mostly honorable) girl (Rhaenyra) finding herself as the sole heir of her House and having to fight society's rules to keep her individuality and power. I also appreciated the fact that her father (Viserys) was genuinely torn between her desire for independence and his interest in the future of his House. One didn't outweigh the other in his mind, and I could understand that dilemma. 

Viserys & young Rhaenyra. Their dynamic was my favorite aspect of this season

The other thing that captured me about this season was the beaty of Westeros. The intricacy and magnificence of all the Houses, the beaty of all the royal costumes and dresses, the impressive sweeping views of islands and coastlines, and the majesty of the dragons--which the season did not skimp on--were all very beautiful and a lot of fun to look at. 

Before I go further, as an avid Doctor Who fan, I've gotta shout out the eleventh Doctor as an incredible Daemon Targaryen. It always amazes me when an actor can go from flawlessly portraying a childlike, heroic, passionate hero to a cunning, unempathetic not-quite-traitor with equal flawlessness. I was equally amazed when David Tennant went from 10 to Kilgrave (a sadistic serial killer) in Jessica Jones. 

The only thing I didn't like a lot was the time jump, but I acknowledge this as a necessary evil. It felt particularly awkward that they only recast a few characters to assist the time jump... including the main character, Rhaenyra. I didn't even realize immediately when the older actress came on screen that it was the same character. It was weird for me to watch as D'Arcy's Rhaenyra began interacting with and romancing Daemon when I had already come to know and love Alcock's. D'Arcy's still did a great job and I have no complaints with her acting, but the switch was a bit jarring for me, especially when Daemon himself was not recast. I did think that D'Arcy's was a bit more regal and stiff than Alcock's had been, but I thought this might accurately reflect the increasingly tiring performance as princess over those years and the rise in cynicism that would accompany that. 

Emma D'Arcy as an older Rhaenyra Targaryen

I'm not great with complex storylines, especially when they involve politics and strategy. But somehow, HoD mostly kept me up to pace. I definitely didn't keep up with the huge ensemble cast, but I did understand the complications of Rhaenyra's marriage to Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan) while the former mothered children with anyone else. I also understood Rhaenyra's sad rivalry with Alicent (I think was her name) and the sad, brutal misunderstanding (or was it, really?) that it contributed to in the season finale. Overall, I was happy that the season kept things clear enough for me to stick with, even with my difficulty grasping things and having no context of the original series. 

Rhaenyra & Laenor, who marry for political reasons and mutually agree to simply hold appearances 

One last thing I'd like to note is Viserys' character. He and Rhaenyra are the ones who really kept me going. Rhaenyra had a ambition and justice in mind (at least toward the beginning) all the while Viserys led the kingdom with justice and fairness. The two of them seemed like genuinely good people and I don't doubt that them being the focus helped me enjoy the season more. I loved watching Viserys, as holder of the Iron Throne, lead with a solidity, sense of honor, and familial loyalty that could not be questioned. He made a great king and didn't abuse his power or rule deviously. 

The season's great success led to its renewal before the season was even halfway out. After that epic season finale, I'm pretty stoked to see where things will go.