5.2 House of the Dragon

Continuing along popular trend of preceding prequels, 'House of the Dragon' marks the significant return to the 'Game of Thrones' franchise. Based partly upon the George R. R. Martin novel Fire & Blood, this preceding prequel chronicles the beginning of the end of House Targaryen, as well as the events leading up to and covering the Targaryen civil war of succession, known formatively as the 'Dance of the Dragons'. Set amongst such a backdrop of hardship, HBO's fantasy drama is set an almost 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, descendant of the eponymous royal house and 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms became united by the Targaryen Conquest. Featuring an ensemble cast including the likes of Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Milly Alcock, and Emily Carey. House of the Dragon has routed it's foundation amongst television heavyweights this year, offering up what can only be described as truly stellar entertainment.

At the time of writing it's subsequently only been a week since the golden globes and specifically since House of the Dragon won for best television series - drama. As the proceeding prequel show gave new embers to the roaring flame that once was the 'Game of Thrones' franchise. Something for which if not made already difficult, had become of slight preluded hesitant for fans, when taking into account its distinguished predecessor.

However for HBO's first 'Game of Thrones' spinoff, there was no mistake left to be scrutinised, as this spellbinding, enthralling and entrancing rendition and introduction back into the world of the seven kingdoms, proves to justifiably be more than just a worthy successor. A success made just slightly sweater, once one realises that all apprehension leading up to the shows release wasn't near worth the worry. With it becoming most evidently apparent that 'House of the Dragon' not only learned from it's predecessor's mistakes, but rather vald not to follow such a treacherous path once again. With the spinoff a proven by-product of those very people, one can't help but feel breath the very same air that Targaryen's do, as 'House of the Dragon' proves to be a recalibration and welcomed return to the quality the 'Game of Thrones' franchise had become assured to offer. While it's clear that such the very source material for which producers have been deeply and rigorously analysing, formulates into what a very new seasoned show and adaptation should feel like.

Although such the factor of the shows quality, can be contributed towards numerous contributions, it would be hard not to firstly consult the exceptional array of performances on display from this stellar and varying ensemble. A testament and achievement made even more transfixing and startling, when considering that although the world, fans of the franchise were returning to was the same, those very people inhabiting it weren't. With this endearing ensemble, making such a transition seem effortlessly smooth. As set 172 years before the death of the Mad King and the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, 'House of the Dragon' thrusts fans back into those very similar surroundings, even if those inhabiting it we haven't got to known yet. With there still statement pieces, baring resemblance to what is soon to come, as the iron throne once again sits firmly, centre stage in the Great Hall of the Red Keep. While honouring the legacy and look of the original series, this refreshing spinoff injects some subtle but yet notable changes in both tone and approach that prevents 'House of the Dragon' from feeling ever mundane or uninspired. As the world of the seven kingdoms is given a new, sparkling lease of life that makes these characters and storylines feel at ease and worthy of such a spinoff. As newly reigning King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) becomes the seventh ruler to sit on the Iron Throne, for which he inherited after decades of peace and prosperity in Westeros under his grandfather, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. As the shows very opening moments, accompany and gently settle us back into the world and equally it's prominent history, politics and conflicts.

An achievement made prominently potent through 'House of the Dragons' stellar cast, as Paddy Considine, Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy give astounding renditions, while Rhys Ifans, Eve Best, Olivia Cooke and Milly Alcock are just as equally perplexing. With it being a welcome surprised to see such stellar casting talents accompany great writing once again, when it comes to the 'Game of Thrones' universe. With this fresh, new chapter into the saga that is the Seven Kingdoms, being an energised, engineered spinoff with an elevated level of audacity and fearlessness. As each subsequent episode renders it's own contrasting level of depth, wether that's on the battlefield itself, within the high tide castle, or during the battle that is childbirth. Although such contrasting and equally distinguished conflicts are seemingly only ever as powerful, as those tasked to bring such an essence to life. With Paddy Considine and Matt Smith throughout 'House of the Dragons' premiering ten episodes, capturing the essence of not only the period itself but rather the toxicity and rather entanglement brotherhood can become. As the brewing bloodbath and path to the Iron Throne becomes of crucially and riveting fascination and an immediate draw that sets the prequel spinoff upon higher registerers with viewers immediately. Until however such quarrels and hostility's are laid to rest, as it's revealed that rather than 'House of the Dragons' central conflict being concentrated upon the battle for the throne itself. It's rather King Viserys decision to name the young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen as his succeeding ruler that centre's 'House of the Dragons' ensuing narrative. With Milly Alcock handling and extracting an portrayal that best befits and constitute's someone any viewer can easily feel is born to rule. As she appears to have everything it takes and upon her side, asides from prominently history itself, while this strong, intriguing narrative conflict best inaugurates the protagonist of the King's cousin, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, who played by the superb Eve Best, warrants an engrossing illustration into the torment and suffering of being denied her birthright to rule. With her known mostly formatively as “The Queen Who Never Was” a title that soon becomes of mostly critically importance and irony after 'House of the Dragons' time jump.

As most prominently the likes of Emma D'Arcy replace Milly Alcock and Olivia Cooke replace Emily Carey, with 'House of the Dragon' elevating such conflicting and potent familial treachery to create a meticulously strong setup for it's remaining, concluding episodes. While it's within these concluding episodes that 'House of the Dragons' compelling combination of quality direction, cinematography, strong writing and family melodramatics creates an entrancing political intrigue. That packs plenty of nasty and monumental twists and turns, for which amongst it's stellar cast including the likes of Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Paddy Considine and Matt Smith are able to flex there truly influential acting talents. While despite some well warranted, initial apprehension, House of the Dragon' succeeds in not only becoming a well mannered and crafted adaption, worthy of it's source. But rather a prequel encapsulated by enthralling intrigues and visceral gravitas, that serves to recapture the power and palatial ethos of it's predecessor. That inevitably fabricates and institutes an anticipated returning season as well as a setup suitable for any tyranny rule over the seven kingdoms. Evincing with care and an prominent abundance of respect from whom's source material your inaugurating, how the world of ice and fire still today, can prove to be as equally if not exceedingly still compelling. 5/5 Stars.