Following the run of its predecessor, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon has a big obstacle to tackle — debuting a successful pilot episode.
The pilot episode is important for any show that wants a fruitful run. In fact, it is the episode that makes or breaks the show.
But for House of the Dragon, these conditions are even lesser forgiving than others, thanks to the widely acclaimed Game of Thrones that sadly left fans distraught towards the end of its run.
Usually, sequels/prequels have big shoes to fill. Now had GoT finished off on a popular note, it would’ve led to House of the Dragon having to live up to its hype and expectations.
But that’s not the problem the show is facing — in a certain light, one could say that not only does House of the Dragon have to build its own status, but its success could also redeem GoT retroactively.
It also has to deal with another bias: Fans (those of the show, in particular) have moved on from their GoT phase. The Targaryens were a larger-than-life element in GoT that the audience loved. But it is yet to be seen if their political histories and personal stories can bring back estranged fans.
While the audience may get tickled with a few callbacks to the GoT, I find it may be better if House of the Dragon does not rely too much on it. (It is a prequel, after all!)
Sure, I’m excited to see all the dragons in the show. But dragons can do only so much without a good plot and compelling execution. Still, I’m not going to despair over the fate of the show (just yet).
Thankfully (and book fans will agree with me), the Dance of the Dragons storyline that the show will depict is definitely a thrilling one. With actors like Matt Smith, Paddy Considine, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke Rhys Ifans, and others on board, you can’t go too wrong!
This teaser-trailer certainly proves my point:
One clear advantage that House of the Dragon has over Game of Thrones is that its source material is complete. Straight from the creative devices of George R R Martin, the events as well as the end is well established and accepted, which will make it easier for ardent fans to digest the show.
Now that a new Targaryen series is born, let’s flip a coin and hold our breaths till HBO gives an exact 2022 release date for House of the Dragon.
About House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is the prequel series to HBO’s blockbuster Game of Thrones based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
Set three hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will show Westeros under the Targaryen family’s rule before the dragons went extinct. It will follow the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war between siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra, who fought for the throne after the death of their father, Viserys I.
Directed by Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik, the show stars Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Craney as Aegon II Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish.
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