House of the Dragon: 

Let’s start with the trailers, shall we? 

Now without further due let’s get into the review shall we?

           House of the Dragon is an HBO original show that takes place 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. Even though the final three seasons of  GOT lost all resemblance of quality writing. Although some of the fans think the decline started in season 5. One of the reasons for the decline in writing quality is that they ran out of source material after season 5. And apparently, the GOT showrunners and writers could not maintain the quality on their own. George R.R. Martin is the GOT book author and is notoriously known for being a slow writer. The last Game of Thrones book came out in 2011. As of now, George is 3/4ths of the way done with the 6th book. 

             George R.R. Martin may be a slow writer. However, he managed to write an entire Targaryen history book called Fire and Blood. That came out in 2018. He should have focused on completing the main Game of Thrones book series. But for the purposes of this review, we are discussing the House of the Dragon show. And the show just so happens to be based on the chapters of Fire and Blood that talk about The Dance of Dragons. Which is an epic war of secession, that took years to come to fruition. Meaning the war was not just started in a few months. It took years for it to come to war.  This first season focuses on the build-up to the Dance of Dragons. So if you were expecting an epic war with stakes. You will have to wait. But never fear, there is plenty of action in addition to the talking scenes. Also, since this is based on a history book from an objective point of view. This means that the book bases its findings on historical accounts from people who kept a record of what happened. The sources may not have been entirely truthful. So House of the Dragon is what actually happened in the lead-up to the Dance of Dragons.  

Note: I will be including a list of the main characters and the actor or actress portraying them………at the very bottom of this review. 

I must warn you……SPOILERS AHEAD.

Now let’s get to the episodes in this season……shall we?

Episode 1: The Heirs of the Dragon

         The episode starts at Harrenhal, where a council has gathered. They are deciding who will be the next ruler of Westeros. The current King is Jaehaerys the 1st. And he will ultimately choose who is his successor. The council is just there to help him choose. The choices are Rhaenys Targaryen and Viserys Targaryen. Rhaenys is the daughter of King Jaehaerys’s firstborn son Aemon Targaryen (who is dead). Viserys is the son of Jaehaery’s second son Baeion (who is also dead). Hence Rhaenys and Viserys are the next best choices to be Jaehaery’s successor. After some debate, Jaehaerys chooses Viserys. Because the Medieval/ Sexist culture of Westeros prefers male rulers. Rhaenys from this point on refers to her as The Queen who never was. Then the theme song starts. And while it is the same as in Game of Thrones. However, the visuals are somewhat different. Which reflects the three main ruling houses this series focuses on. They are House Targaryen, House Hightower, and House Velaryon. 

              We jump to nine years after the council at Harrenhal. (This season does have some time jumps in it. So it can cover everything that leads up to the Dance of Dragons). Viserys is now King and has managed to maintain peace in the seven kingdoms. King Viserys is a bit older now. He has thinning blond hair with eyes that are weary of the daily hardship of ruling. His beard is gray and he wears clothing of reds, blues, and gold. All benefiting a king. King Viserys is married to Aemma Arryn. She is part Targaryen and is a little bit younger than Viserys. Although Queen Aemma has had many miscarriages, she did bring forth a daughter. The daughter’s name is Rhaenyra. She is 14 years old and has waist-length blond hair. Her clothing preference is dark gray clothing. It looks like something the men would wear in this period. Rhaenyra likes to challenge Westeros’s views on women. Because it’s part of her moral code. This makes her similar to Arya Stark from Game of Thrones.

         We first meet  Princess  Rhaenyra as she is landing at the Dragon pit. A sort of stone Cathedral with underground places for the Dragons. Afterward, she goes to a small council meeting. Her father King Visarys has her there as a cupbearer. So that Princess Rhaenyra can observe/learn about the ins and outs of ruling. As well as the political ins and outs. Most kings would not have their daughters at a small council meeting. This sets King Viserys apart and shows that he values Rhaenyra as if she were a son. As equal to a son you could say.

      After the meeting, Rhaenyra meets her Uncle Daemon Targaryen. He is sitting on the Iron Throne. Which is a risky move, to sit on the Throne. Only the King or the Hand of the King may do so. Here we see that Daemon is fond of Princess Rhaenyra. In a manner that hints at sexual feelings. Targaryens do have a history of incest.  That evening, Daemon leads the Colaks. He is responsible for forming the Gold Clocks.  They keep law and order in King’s Landing. Daemon loves to hack off the body parts of criminals. Not for the sake of the law. But for the pure joy of hacking off the body parts. This makes him unpopular with the small council. But Daemon doesn’t care. You could say that he’s a bit of a Bad boy. Daemon has shoulder-length blond hair and dresses in black-red medieval leather. He sometimes wears black armor and has a gold clock. Also, he is the younger brother of King Viserys. 

           Daemon’s methods were particularly violent.  So the small council calls a meeting. Here we are introduced to Otto Hightower. He is the Hand of the King. He has combed-over brown hair with a brown color beard with flecks of gray. He wears a grayish-blue outfit with gold trim. He also wears a gold linked chain, along with the Hand of the King badge. Otto is the Tywin Lannister of this particular time in history. Well, Tywin mixed with a bit of Little Finger.  Daemon comes into the meeting and then after a debate with his brother King Viserys. Daemon agrees to tone down his antics. 

       King Viserys and Queen Arryn are expecting a child. In honor of their unborn child, a jousting tournament is being held. Daemon partakes in the tournament. He chooses his first opponent from House Hightower. Which is a dig at Otto Hightower. Daemon wins. Daemon’s next opponent is a Knight named Sir Criston Cole ( he becomes important later in the season). Criston Cole beats Daemon. All of a sudden Queen Arryn goes into labor. In the birthing chamber, Viserys learns that he may have to lose Queen Arryn, so that the child may be saved.  So the Maesters perform a Medieval C section. That means that the baby is cut out of the womb. All of this is from Queen Arryn’s point of view. She didn’t agree to the C-section. However, King Viserys wants a male heir. So that’s why Maester did the C-section. The Queen dies and the baby only lives for a day. 

           Daemon copes with the loss of his brother’s heir,  by treating the Gold Cloaks to an orgy. During this, he toasts the memory of the heir. Calling him the Heir for a day. Otto Hightower informs King Viserys of what Daemon said. So Daemon is dragged in front of the King  (his brother). Daemon is removed from the line of succession and he is exiled to the Vale. Before he leaves, Daemon calls Viserys weak and that Otto Hightower is a snake. Which is true. Otto wants Daemon out of the line of Succession. Also, Otto sends his daughter Alicent Hightower to comfort King Visarys. He is morning Queen Arryen. 

            King Viserys cuts himself on the Iron Throne. This means that the Throne deems him to be a weak ruler. Or at least that’s what the people of Westeros believe.  The King is also suffering from leprosy. This disease will grow over the years and will rott him from the inside out.  He knows that he needs an heir. So King Viserys names his daughter Princess Rhaenyra as his heir. He tells her of a dream that Aegon Targaryen had. Aegon was the first Targaryen King of Westeros and became King by conquering it. Anyway, the dream that Aegon had was of the Long Night. As in the White Walkers from GOT. It was this dream that led Aegon to conquer Westeros in the first place. This dream is the origin of the prince who was promised prophecy.     The next day, Rhaenyra is made the heir. However, not everyone is pleased with the King’s choice. They don’t like that a woman has been chosen as King Visery’s successor.  The score reflects this and it is ominous. Therefore setting the stage for all that is to come. Overall, I would give this episode a 10/10. 

Here’s the promo for episode 2

Episode 2: The Rogue Prince

                    Six months have passed since Princess Rhaenyra was named King Viserys heir. Alicent Hightower and  King Viserys have been having quiet chats in a private chamber. They talk about the history of Old Valyria ( that’s where the Targaryens originally came from). All while King Viserys works on a model city of what Valyria looked like. Meanwhile, Daemon has been staying at Dragonstone. This is defying his brother’s wishes for Daemon to return to his estranged wife in the Vale. He is only doing this to keep his brother’s attention. In letters, Daemon refers to himself as King Viserys Heir. Despite Princess Rhaenyra being named the Heir.

            The morning begins with a meeting of The Small Council. They focus on two matters of importance. The first of which is that Westeros ships are being raided. These Raiders are led by a man called the Crab-Feeder. He has a skin infection known as Grayscale ( for reference….Sir Jorah Mormont also got Grayscale in the Game of Thrones show). The Crab-Feeder wears a crudely made golden mask. He gets his name from what he does to his victims. Which is nailing them to the beach and letting the crabs eat them alive. 

              The Small Council debates how to handle this situation. Some seem interested in war. King Viserys does not want war. So he has sent envoys to Pentos and Volantis. Rhaenyra suggests sending in Dragon Riders. However, her suggestion is pushed back upon, and she continues to be the cupbearer. Rhaenyra is frustrated that even though she is the heir to the Throne. She is still verbally pushed aside. The next thing the Small Council discusses is Daemon. Because Daemon has stolen an egg from the Dragon pit. The egg was meant for King Viserys son ( the baby who died in the previous episode). King Viserys intends to go to Dragonstone and confront his brother. But Otto Hightower talks him out of it. Say that it would be too dangerous. The King listens to Otto. Here is a moment where we see Otto manipulating King Viserys. This shows that Otto is playing a bigger political game. A very long game. 

               After the meeting Princess Rhaenyera and King Viserys attend to different duties. Rhaenyra goes and oversees the selection of the new Kings guard position. Because a spot needs to be filled. She ends up choosing Ser Criston Cole. Which is against Otto’s suggested choices. Because Ser Criston Cole is not from a notable House. He does however have exceptional skill. As well as the fact that he is extremely good-looking. (Ser Cristian Cole was the one who knocked Daemon off his horse in the previous episode). 

            King Viserys meets with Rhaenys Targaryen and her husband Corlys Velaryion. They say that they are concerned about how weak the Irony Thorne is. Not weak in the literal sense. But more in the sense of how the power/strength of the Iron Throne appears to the rest of the realm and the world. Daemon is at Dragonstone and the Crab-Feeder raiding ships. As well as the fact that a woman is the heir to the Iron Throne. They suggest King Viserys marry their daughter Laena Veleryion. What Corlys and Rhaenys are really after is power. Since Rhaenys was skipped over and Viserys became King. This is their next best move. 

           The courtship meeting between Laena Veleryon and King Viserys is awkward for both of them. Laena Veleryon feels like she is being pushed into this because of her parents. On the other hand, King Viserys feels awkward because he might have to marry an eleven-year-old girl. Princess Rhaenyra observes this walk from a balcony above. She then runs into Rhaenys Targaryen. Rhaenys gives her some advice. That the men of the realm would burn everything down. Rather than be ruled by women. While Rhaenys advice is honest. It is also meant to discourage Princess Rhaenyra. So that Rhaenys might have an opening to climb the ladder of power.  

                 Meanwhile, Otto Hightower leads a group of knights to confront Daemon at Dragonstone. Daemon asks where the King is. Because the only reason Daemon stole the Dragon egg in the first place. Was to get King Viserys’s attention. And to be confronted by Otto Hightower instead is a disappointment to Daemon. Otto says that the King would not bother himself with a mummers farce of a situation like this. Although we know that King Viserys did want to confront Daemon himself. Before Otto Hightower manipulated him out of it. So there is some verbal fighting between Otto Hightower and Daemon. Then it leads to swords being drawn by both sides. Just then Rhaenyra swoops in on her Dragon Syrax. Syrax has light cream-colored scales with a dusting of brown mixed in. Rhaenyra talks with Daemon in High Valyrian ( a language from Old Valyria. Only spoken by those who came from Old Valyria before its Doom). Rhaenyra tells Daemon to kill her. Because then he could be the heir. But Daemon just tosses the egg to her.  Otto and his men return to King’s Landing. As does Princess Rhaenyra upon her Dragon Syrax. 

              Upon Princess Rhaenyras’s return to King’s Landing. She and King Viserys have an argument. King Viserys is angry that Rhaenyra went and confronted Daemon. Rhaenyra is angry that Viserys dismissed her, even though she is the heir. She also points out she got results without any blood being spilled. King Viserys ends up agreeing with her on that. The next day, he announces that after some thought. He is going to marry Alicent Hightower. Somehow King Viserys finds it better to marry a 14-year-old over an 11-year-old. Even though by today’s standards that’s just wrong. However back in Medieval times marrying a 14-year-old was an okay thing to do. Corlys Velaryon feels snubbed. This means Laena Veleryion will not be marrying the King. So he meets with Daemon at Dragonstone. They both feel a need to prove themselves to the realm. So they agree to go and wage war upon the Crabfeeder. Overall, this episode was 10/10. 

          Here’s the promo for episode 3

Episode 3: Second of His Name

           Three years pass in-between the last episode and this one. King Viserys and Alicent (now known as Queen Alicent) are now married. They now have a son named Aegon the 2nd ( he is named after Aegon the Conqueror). Meanwhile, the relationship between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra has become strained. This is for a few reasons. The important one is that Princess Rhaenyra feels betrayed by Queen Alicent. Owing to the fact that Queen Alicent didn’t tell Rhaenyra about her and the King (Rhaenyra’s father) hooking up. This tension will only grow over the years to come. 

         King Viserys is growing weary of all the political wheeling and dealing. So for his son’s second Name Day (birthday), they decide to go on a hunting trip. It is a splendid affair, with tents and people from different royal families from all over Westeros. While King Viserys just wants to relax and do some hunting. Otto Hightower, on the other hand, has other plans. He keeps bringing up the matter of secession. Because, despite the King now having a son (Aegon the 2nd). Princess Rhaenyra is still the heir. This makes the men of the realm uncomfortable. Due to the Tradition of the firstborn son always being made the heir. Yet King Viserys is determined that Princess Rhaenyra will be his heir. This makes him more progressive than the previous Targaryen Kings. 

                     That evening many men from other Royal Houses offered to marry Princess Rhaenyra. The next day, a member of the Lannister family proposes to Princess Rhaenyra. She turns him down. King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra argue in the middle of the tent. Where everyone can hear and see. They are arguing about how many proposals Princess Rhaenyra has turned down. She storms into the woods and is followed by her assigned guard Ser Criston Cole. They chill in the woods all night. At one point a boar attacks them. Princess Rhaenyra ends up killing it with her knife in a very violent manner. She is letting out some of the pressure/stress she is constantly under. 

       The next day, Princess Rhaenyra drags the boar back to camp. Much to the astonishment of everyone at the camp. King Viserys kills a brown deer. It takes two tries to kill the deer. Otto Hightower is disappointed that it’s not a White deer. Because a White deer would mean that Aegon should be heir. On the other hand, Princess Rhaenyra did see a White Deer when she was on her way back to camp with the boar. This is a sign she is the rightful heir to the throne. Later she and King Viserys talked. He told her that she can choose who she will marry. 

              Meanwhile, over in the Step Stones, the war with the Crab Feeder is not going well. Daemon and Corlys are running out of men. Their resources are limited due to them waging war without King Viserys approval. Despite this, the King does send a messenger offering reinforcements. Daemon’s reaction is to smash his helmet repeatedly in the face of the messenger. He wants to prove himself in this war and he intends to do it without King Viserys help. So Daemon goes out alone and pretends to surrender to the Crab feeder. Then he draws his sword and then slaughters as many of the Crab feeder men as possible. Corlys Velaryon brings in the rest of his men. And together with the help of Corlys’s son on his dragon, they win the battle. Damon follows the Crab feeder into a cave and kills him. Then he comes out of the cave holding the severed head of the Crab feeder. Overall, I give this episode a 10/10.  

Here’s the promo for episode 4

Episode 4: King of The Narrow Sea

           The episode picks up a few days after the events of the last episode. Princess Rhaenyra has been touring castles and interviewing potential husbands. Because in the last episode, King Viserys said she could choose who she would marry. Her last stop is at Storm’s End. 

Which is the seat of power for House Baratheon ( for reference, Robert Baratheon -GOT Season One. Another reference is Stannis Baratheon -GOT seasons two to five). The candidates are not to Princess Rhaenyra’s liking. Some are too old for her. While others are too young. So she decides to return to King’s Landing. Suddenly Daemon flies overhead on his dragon Syrax. (Syrax is a red dragon with a long bending neck). This is just the beginning of Daemon’s dramatic return to King’s Landing.  

             King Viserys gathers plenty of the inhabitants of the Red Keep in the throne room. He wants to show that he is strong in the face of reuniting with Daemon. Considering the last time they saw one another. Was when Daemon was banished at the end of episode one and there have been a few years since then. So Daemon walks in wearing armor and a handmade crown. At first, he seems confrontational. But then he kneels and offers both the handmade crown and the Crabfeeder hammer to King Viserys (his brother). They hug and then go to a garden party in the Red Keep. At this garden party, Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent Hightower began to reconnect. King Viserys shares stories from his and Daemon’s childhood. Eventually, Daemon and Princess Rhaenyra bump into one another. They talk to each other in High Valyrian (the language of Old Valyria. That’s where the Targaryens are originally from). Rhaenyra ( I’m just going to stop mentioning the Princess part. You should know who she is at this point) confides that she doesn’t want to marry. Daemon tells her that she should live her life her way and do what she wants. The garden party ends and Rhaenyra heads to a small council meeting where she now has a seat on said council. 

            When Rhaenyra returns to her bedchamber that evening, she finds a note from Daemon. The note shows her a secret passage in her bedchamber. She disguises herself as a peasant boy and goes through the passage. Daemon is waiting for and he is also disguised as a peasant. The two of them walk through the streets taking in the sights. At one point they stop to watch a street play. It is about the Targaryen family from the point of view of everyday people. Most people want a male ruler and the play demonstrates this belief. Rhaenyra sees that being the first female ruler is not going down well with the people she will rule one day. She and Daemon end up at a Pleasure House. Daemon and Rhaenyra begin to have sex. Yeah, a 14-year-old girl and a man in his early 30s having sex. That’s how messed up Medieval times were. Rhaenyra is more into it than Daemon. This shocks Daemon, and he ends the sex before it gets going. Rhaenyra sneaks back into the Red Keep. She feels hacked off by Daemon ending the sex so suddenly. So she flirts with her Kings guard Ser Criston Cole and then he reluctantly has sex with her. 

               The following morning Daemon wakes up hungover. He crashed at his ex-lover Mysaria’s place ( she was last seen in episode two). She is now a spymaster ( for reference, she is now similar to Lord Varys from GOT). Mysaria has informed Otto Hightower of Daemon and Rhaenyra having sex. Otto tells King Viserys and the King thinks Otto is trying to undermine his rule. Queen Alicent Hightower overhears this conversation and runs to confront Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra denies having sex with Daemon and Queen Alicent believes her. She tells King Viserys as much afterward. 

        Daemon is dragged before King Viserys. During the in-suing argument, Daemon asks for Rhaenyra’s hand in marriage. The King says no and banishes Daemon to his estranged wife in the Vale once more. Then King Viserys has a private meeting with Rhaenyra. He shows her a secret message engraved on a Valyrian dagger. (The same dagger that Arya kills the Night King within the final season of Game of Thrones).  The message is about the prince who is promised prophecy ( which is a major plot point throughout all seasons of GOT). King Viserys then informs Rhaenyra that she is to marry Laenor Velaryon. She agrees reluctantly. Later a Maester gives Rhaenyra Moon Tea. Moon Tea is the Westeros version of a Plan B pill. Overall, I give this episode a 10/10. 

Here’s the promo for episode 5

Episode 5: We Light the Way

        The episode opens in a green valley with rocky formations embedded in the earth. Daemon’s estranged wife Rhea Royce is out horseback riding. She enters a narrow alley-like part with two towering chunks of rock on each side. Suddenly Daemon emerges in front of her. He is wearing a cloak and has the hood up. Rhea is suspicious of his sudden return and his intent. So she slowly reaches for her now and arrow. Daemon grabs the reins of Rhea’s horse. This causes the horse to rear up and Rhea is thrown from the saddle. She is paralyzed and calls Daemon a coward for not finishing the job. So he picks up a rock and bashes it into her head…killing her.  

          Meanwhile, at the Red Keep ( the Targaryen castle in King’s Landing) Otto Hightower is leaving for Oldtown. Because he is no longer the Hand of the King ( King Viserys fired him in the last episode). Queen Alicent Hightower is there to see him off. Otto yells at her because she believes Rhaenyra when she denied the sexual encounter with Daemon. Otto also goes on to scare Queen Alicent. By telling her that once Rhaenyra becomes Queen. She will kill Alicents children, in order to maintain power. Otto rides off leaving Alicent in horrified silent tears. 

             Meanwhile, King Viserys and Rhaenyra are sailing to Driftmark.  When King Viserys and Rhaenyra arrive, nobody is there to greet them. Corlys Velaryon is still pissed that King Viserys didn’t choose his daughter Laena Velaryon as his Queen ( House of the Dragon episode 2). So the King and Corlys meet in the throne/ trophy room in the castle on Driftmark. King Viserys presents his offer of a marriage between Laenor Velaryon  (Corlys’s son)  and Princess Rhaenyra. Corlys negotiates a little bit. He wants any kids that Laenor and Rhaenyra have to have the last name Velaryon. King Viserys agrees. However, he says that when any of these further kids ascend the Iron Throne. They will have the last name Targaryen. Corlys agrees. 

             Laenor and Rhaenyra take a walk on Driftmarks Beach. Neither are happy they are being forced to marry one another. So they discuss how to handle the situation. And both agree to do what is expected of them for this marriage. However, they can have secret side relationships. Laenor is secretly a guy and Rhaenyra knows this. She is fine with it and doesn’t want to stop Laenor from loving who he wants to love. Hence why Laenor made this secret agreement. Then King Viserys and Rhaenyra return to King’s Landing. Along with the new Hand of the King, Lyonel Strong. During the journey back to King’s Landing, Rhaenyra and Ser Criston Cole have a conversation. Ser Criston is feeling guilty for having sex with Rhaenyra. Because it was against his king’s Guard oath. He then asks Rhaenyra to run away with him. She says no. Because she is the heir to the throne. But Ser Criston can be her secret lover. Ser Criston refuses to be demoted to the level of a whore and he storms off. The Royal boat arrives back at Kings Landing. Queen Alicent decides to question Ser Criston Cole about whether Daemon and Rhaenyra had sex. Ser Criston thinks she is asking about Rhaenyra and him. So he confesses to having sex with Rhaenyra and he asks to be beheaded. Queen Alicent is flabbergasted and lets Ser Criston go without punishment.

           A day or two later, everyone arrives for Rhaenyras and Laenor’s wedding. Lords and ladies from all over Westeros enter a giant banquet hall. Because the reception takes place before the wedding ceremony in Westeros ( at least at this point in history it does). Everyone is seated and waiting for King Viserys speech. Suddenly Daemon struts in. Despite being banished in the last episode. He sits at the High Table with the King and company. King Viserys restarts his speech. When Queen Alicent walks in wearing a green dress. She too sits at the High Table. The King gives his speech and then everyone walks into the middle of the room to dance. Daemon flirts with Laena Velaryon and Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra flirts back. 

          Later during the reception, Laenor’s secret lover engages Ser Criston Cole in conversation. He says he knows about Ser Criston Cole being Rhaenyra’s secret lover. A little time passes and Ser Criston’s anger and guilt boil up inside him. So he starts a fight in the middle of the dance floor. He ends up beating Laenor’s lover to death. Then he goes to the royal garden ( also known as the Gods Wood) to kill himself. Queen Alicent stops him. From this point on, they are allies. Because both of them feel betrayed by Princess Rhaenyra. The rest of the evening’s planned events are canceled. Laenor and Rhaenyra are hastily married. Suddenly King Viserys collapses. Overall, I give this episode a 10/10.   

Here’s the promo for episode 6

Episode 6: The Princess and the Queen 

             The episode begins with Rhaenyra giving birth. Laenor is there by her side. However, he looks a bit older than he did in the previous episode. This tells us that there has been another time jump. It seems to be a larger time jump than the past ones in this season. However, for all intents and purposes, this is the last one that matters. The first five episodes are a core base for the story to evolve. Now we are in the growing portion. That is to say the middle portion of this season’s story.

             Anyway, Rhaenyra is giving birth and this is her third child. Although none are Laenor’s biological kids. Rhaenyra has a secret lover on the side. And the kids are his and hers. So they are what Westeros refers to as Bastersds.   A servant comes in saying that Queen Alicent wants to see the baby. The servant tries to take the baby. But rather than let that happen. Rhaenyra makes the slow journey to Queen Alicent’s chambers. Laenor is by her side. Upon entering the Queen’s chamber there is already tension. So it is obvious that the feud between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra is still ongoing. Just then King Viserys hobbles in. So he did survive collapsing at the end of the last episode. However, he is weaker now. The disease has only gotten worse. He is happy to have a third grandson. Rhaenyra names him Joffrey. ( Not to be confused with Joffrey from GOT. This Joffrey is who Cersei will name her son after. Be it roughly, a tad over 200 years after the events of House of the Dragon. Sometimes in royal families…kids are named after royal people who had great significance in decades past). 

          As Rhaenyra leaves we see Ser Criston Cole. Queen Alicent has used her power to keep him out of trouble. Some of the kids of Queen Alicent and Rhaenyra are training with swords in the yard. Then they go and start bonding with their dragons in the dragon pit. Aemond is the only one who does not have a dragon. He resents the other kids for this. Also, the conflict between Queen Alicent and Rhaenyra has flowed into their kids. So they are at odds with one another. This leads to many fistfights and insults. As well as cruel jokes. Such as giving Aemond a pig with wings glued to its sides. Because Aemond doesn’t have a dragon. 

           Meanwhile, at a small council meeting, there are many topics of discussion. Such as the conflict between House Blackwood and House Bracken. Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent argue over how to handle the situation. Then at one point, Rhaenyra makes a peace offering to Queen Alicent. By offering to betroth her son Jacaerys to Alicent’s daughter Helena. King Viserys likes this idea. But Alicent turns the offer down. And so the conflict continues. Lyonel Strong wants to resign as the hand of the king. But since he doesn’t give a good reason. King Viserys doesn’t let Lyonel resign. Queen Alicent overhears this. So she has her friend Larys Strong see if he can get this. He gets one of the prisoners in the Red Keeps dungeon to help. First Larys cuts the prisoner’s tongue. Then he sends him to where Lyonel and Rhaenyra’s secret lover are. Since they are at Harrenhal, the prisoner sets the place on fire. The fire kills both Lyonel and Rhaenyra’s secret lover. He blames it on the Harrenhal cures. Queen Alicent is horrified by Larys’s actions. But since she asked him to sort it out. That makes her complicit. So she keeps quiet. 

            Daemon is across the sea. He and his new wife Laena Velaryon have been traveling with their kids. They end up at the house of a prince in Bravos. Or one of those places in Westeros. Laena is about ready to give birth. But they would have to do a sea section. So rather than suffer the same fate as King Viserys first wife Queen Aemma. Laena wants to die a dragon rider’s death. So she stumbles out to her dragon Vhagar and asks him to kill her. At first, Vhagar refuses. But seeing that Laena is in pain. He agrees and kills her. All while Daemon watches in shock. Overall, this episode was a 9/10. My issue was that there was not enough of Daemons and Laena’s relationship for me to feel sorry when she died in this episode. 

Here’s the promo for episode 7

Episode 7:  DriftMark

              The episode opens with everyone arriving at Driftmark for Laena Velaryon’s funeral. Some are there to pay their respects to Laena. While others are there for political reasons. Such as Corlys Velaryion’s younger brother Vaemond Velaryion. He makes swipes at Rhaenyra’s kids in his eulogy speech for Laena Velaryon. Daemon finds this funny. The after-party is tense. Everyone is glaring and political tensions are hanging in the air. Eventually, everyone goes to different parts of the castle to talk and whatever. Daemon and Rhaenyra take a long walk on the beach. Both are frustrated by loveless marriages. They want to find happiness. So they have sex right there on the beach. My only flaw with this Daemon and Rhaenyra scene is the lighting. It is comparable to the lighting in the Long Night Battle in the final season of Game of Thrones. 

              Meanwhile, Aemond Targaryen decides to sneak out to the beach. He is still determined to have a dragon. So he makes this move out of desperation. Aemond walks up to Laena’s former dragon Vhagar and wakes her up. At first, Vhagar is annoyed to be woken up. But Aemond starts to commend her in High Valyrian. Vhagar listens to the commands and Aemond mounts her. This is no easy task. Because Vhagar is a very large dragon. With saggy gray skin and is the oldest living dragon at this point in Westeros history. Then Aemond commands her to fly and she takes flight. Aemond holding on for dear life. 

            Down at the Driftmark castle, the kids that Daemon had with Leana Velaryon wake up. They look out their window and see Aemond riding Vhagar. This makes them mad. Because Vhagar was their mom’s dragon. They run and wake up Rhaenyra’s kids. Together they go and confront Aemond when he lands Vhagar. An argument starts between the kids. At one point Aemond calls Rhaenyra’s kids basterds. One of her kids takes out a knife and slashes out one of Aemond’s eyes. This kid’s name is Jace. 

                  After the fight, everyone gathers in the kitchen of the castle. Or at least it reminds me of a Medieval kitchen. King Viserys tries to solve the situation peacefully. Everyone takes sides and argues some more. Daemon just chills in the corner. He finds this whole thing amusing. Queen Alicent wants justice for her son’s lost eye. She commands Ser Criston to take one of Jace’s eyes. He refuses. So Queen Alicent takes King Viserys knife and attempts to take Jace’s eye herself. Rhaenyra gets in between Queen Alicent and Jace. The two women struggle and Rhaenyra’s hand gets cut. Then King Viserys leaves. And then so does everyone else. 

           Laenor wants to live his own life and Rhaenyra agrees to help. Mainly so that she can be free to marry Daemon. So they fake Laenor’s death. Then he sneaks off in a boat with his new boyfriend. Most everyone believes that he is dead. The only people who know that Laenor is alive are Daemon and Rhaenyra. The next day, Rhaenyra and Daemon marry on Driftmarks beach. King Viserys doesn’t know and he did not permit them to marry. Overall, this episode was a 9/10 for me. 

Here’s the promo for episode 8

Episode 8: The Lord of the Tides

                   The episode opens with our main characters doing their daily responsibilities. Daemon and Rhaenyra have had two kids. This means that there has been another time jump. Now I know some of you might find the time jumps are getting in the way of your enjoyment of this show. However, this is the last one. Because starting with this episode. We are finally at the main story. In other words The Dance of Dragons. All the episodes that have come before are the foundation for the main story. A big prologue chapter if you will. ( There is a reason for the time jumps. I will talk about that in my conclusion). 

     Anyway, so  Corlys’s younger brother Vaemond calls into question who will get Driftmark. He has the backing of Otto Hightower and Queen Alicent. Otto Hightower calls a meeting of all sides. So everyone arrives at the Red Keep. Daemon and Rhaenyra notice that Queen Alicent has removed many of the Targaryen symbols and other related stuff. The Star of the Seven is in its place. They visit King Viserys in his bed. He is too sick to leave his bed. Then Rhaenyra goes and has a private meeting with Rhaenys Targaryen. She asks for her support in the Driftmark succession dispute. Rhaenys says no. Later that day, Rhaenyra asks her bedridden father ( King Viserys for help). He talks about Aegon the Conqueror’s dream of the Long Night. 

                The next day Otto holds the meeting in the Throne room. Just as the meeting starts, King Viserys comes limping in. He makes his way slowly to the Iron Throne. As he reaches it, his crown falls off. Daemon picks it up and helps King Viserys the last few steps to the Iron Throne. (This was not in the script. This was just the skill of acting in the moment).  King Viserys says that the Driftmark matter is already settled. Vaemond is not happy about this. He calls Rhaenyra’s kids basterds. Daemon cuts Vaemond’s head. 

               That evening everyone sits down for a feast. King Viserys asks them to put aside their political feuds. Not because he is the King. But because he is a father who loves his family. Everyone seems to agree and they start to get along with one another. King Viserys is helped back to his bedchamber. As soon as he left, everyone went back to hating each other. And they all storm away from the feast. 

     Later that night, Queen Alicent costs King Viserys. He thinks she is Rhaenyra. King Viserys talks about Aegon’s dream. Queen Alicent knows nothing about Aegon the Conqueror’s dream of the Long Night. So she thinks that King Viserys is talking about Aegon the 2nd. (He is the kid who she had with King Viserys). Then Queen Alicent leaves King Viserys’s bed chamber.  She thinks that King Viserys wants Aegon the 2nd to be King. King Viserys dies alone. Overall, I give this episode a 10/10. 

Here’s the promo for episode 9

Episode 9: The Green Council

             Before we get into this episode, I need to explain the title. (Because only people who have read the book Fire and Blood know what it means). In The Dance of Dragons, there are two sides. The Greens and the Blacks. Aegon the 2nd, Otto Hightower, and Queen Alicent are The Greens. While Rhaenyra, Daemon, Rhaenys, and House Velaryon are The Blacks. Now let’s get to the episode shall we:

              The episode begins with a servant boy finding the dead body of King Viserys. He runs and tells a woman who lives in the castle. Who in turn, goes and tells Queen Alicent. Then everyone else finds out. A small council meeting is held that same night. At this meeting, Queen Alicent learns that her father, Otto Hightower, has been plotting to put Aegon the 2nd on the Throne for years. She is outraged at the realization that she has been a pawn for years. The only reason Queen Alicent wants to put Aegon on the Iron Throne. This is because she believes that it was King Viserys’s dying wish for Aegon the 2nd to be on the Iron Throne. Most of the other small council members are going along with Otto’s plan. Because they were in on it from the start. They want to kill Rhaenyra. But Queen Alicent pushes for a peaceful resolution. Only one small council stands against Otto and the other’s plot. Ser Criston Cole bashes this member’s head against the table until he is dead. 

             After the meeting ends, Otto Hightower takes many steps to make sure Rhaenyra is unaware of her father’s death. Such as locking Rhaenys Targaryen in her bed chamber. So that she can’t warn Rhaenyra. Meanwhile, Queen Alicent sends out people to search for Aegon the 2nd. Because he has sneaked out of the Red Keep and into Kings Landing. There are two sets of people searching for Aegon the 2nd. The first pair is Aemond and Ser Criston Cole. The other is these twin brothers, who are in the KingsGuard. As the twins are searching, they talk about their loyalties. One wants to join Rhaenyra. The other is going to stay with Aegon the 2nd. Otto gets the location of Aegon the 2nd from one of his spies. The twins get to the location first. But it ends up being Aemond and Ser Criston Cole who bring Aegon back to the Red Keep. The twin who wants to join Rhaenyra, seeks off to join her. 

                 The next day is Aegon 2nds the Coronation. The twin stops to help free Rhaenys Targaryen on his way to Rhaenyra. They get separated by the crowd going to Aegon’s Coronation at the Dragon Pit. The Coronation takes place. It’s a glorious spectacle. Rhaenys sneaks down into the lower levels of the Dragon pit. She finds her dragon Meleys. Then she bursts through the floor. This kills a lot of people who were watching the Coronation. She has an opportunity to wipe out The Greens. However, she chooses not to. Rhaenys bursts through the roof of the Dragon Pit and flies off to warn Rhaenyra. Overall, I give this episode a 10/10. 

Here’s the promo for episode 10. The season one finale:

Episode 10: The Black Queen 

               The episode starts with Rhaenyra and her oldest son Jace talking. They are interrupted by the arrival of Rhaenys Targaryen. She tells them of the death of King Viserys. Daemon is also in the room when this news is delivered. He goes on a grief-fueled angry rant about Queen Alicent. While Rhaenyra suddenly goes into labor. The baby dies soon after birth. Daemon gathers what few allies he and Rhaenyra have. However, Rhaenyra sends a servant in with the message no plans are to be made yet. Because she is still recovering from childbirth. And she wants to be present for any planning. So Daemon makes sure everyone swears an oath to Rhaenyra. 

                  As the sun sets that same day, Daemon and Rhaenyra put their dead newborn on a funeral pyre. Then the King’s guard twin who helped Rhaenys escape steps forward. He brings forth the crown that King Viserys wore during the majority of this season. Daemon puts the crown on Rhaenyra’s head. Everyone kneels before her. They declare her Queen Rhaenyra. Because she is King Viserys’s true heir. Suddenly a watchman spots a ship with the flag of Aegon the 2nd. The two sides meet on a bridge outside of Dragonstone. Otto Hightower brings Queen Alicent’s peace terms. Queen Rhaenyra says she will consider them. Daemon threatens Otto. Then the two sides go their separate ways. 

                    The following day Queen Rhaenyra holds council around a black marble table with a map of Westeros on it. There is a firelight underneath it. Allowing the map locations to have a fiery glow.  Daemon starts listing their allies and how many dragons they have. He reveals that he has many dragon eggs incubating underneath the castle of Dragonstone. They need more powerful allies. So Rhaenys convinces her husband Corlys Velaryion to join Queen Rhaenyra. But this will not be enough. So Queen Rhaenyra sends her sons as messengers to potential allies. 

             The younger of the two sons goes to ask House Arryn and House Stark. While the oldest son Jace heads to ask House Baratheon. When he arrives at Storm’s End. Jace sees that Aemond’s dragon Vhagar is already there. Vhagar looms over the castle’s lower walls like some giant bird of death. Jace heads in and delivers his mother’s message. The Baratheons are not interested. He accepts  Aemond’s offer instead. So House Baratheon is now on the side of Aegon the 2nd. Aemond tosses Luke a knife and asks for one of Luke’s eyes. The Baratheons prevent this and both sides are escorted back to their dragons. Aemond decides to chase after Luke on Vhagar. At one point both their dragons act of their own free will. Luke’s dragon spits fire at Vhagar. Then Vhagar goes after Luke and his dragon and kills them both. Aemond is shocked. Back at Dragonstone, Queen Rhaenyra receives the news of Luck’s death. She turns from the fireplace. There is vengeance in her eyes. The Dance of the Dragons has begun. This episode was shorter than the previous episodes. Yet it’s just as impactful. Overall, I give this a 10/10. 

                      The first season of House of the Dragon is a fantastic start to this prequel series. The actors and actresses gave it their all and it paid off. Especially Paddy Considine as King Viserys. The disease that is slowly killing him over this season is horrifying to watch. The effects were well done and Paddy Considine’s acting helped sell it. Something else this season did right. Is that they included George R.R Martin ( the author of Fire and Blood and the Song of Ice and Fire book series) in on the entire process. This is an improvement over what the creators of the Game of Thrones did ( known as D and D).  They only included George R.R. Martin for the first four seasons of the show. After that, they became cocky enough. That they didn’t bother to keep George R.R. Martin in the loop. Perhaps that’s why some people say that Seasons 5 to 8 were a slow quality decline. And it definitely contributed to the abomination that was Game of Thrones season 8. So for the director of the House of the Dragon to include George R.R Martin is a step in the right direction. 

            Now some people find the time skips in this season throws them off for one reason or another. Therefore I will address why there are so many time skips in the first place. The book Fire and Blood is a history book and is written from the perspective of an Archmaester named Gyldayn. He collects many different written accounts of the Targaryen’s History. Many of these accounts differ on what actually happened. This makes it an unreliable narrative. The book is mainly about the facts and dates from these written accounts. No character scenes or dialogue. So the show writers have to come up with them. As well as making sure they cover the source material. And this covers the chapters that cover everything leading up to the start of the Dance of Dragons. So that’s why there are time skips. 

            This show is as close to the quality of the GOT’s first four seasons as you are most likely to find. The reason I say the first four…..is that they are the seasons that George R.R. Martin helped out with. If you still can’t handle the time skips. Then why are you even watching this show? Or why even watch Game of Thrones? In other words, don’t bother watching anything complex. However, if you like what you have read here. Then go watch this show. It will help you recover from the final season of Game of Thrones. I don’t recommend the book Fire and Blood. You are better off reading the five Game of Thrones books ( A Song of Ice and Fire). As well as watching House of the Dragon. 

                                       The Character  List

King Viserys —- Paddy Considine

Princess Rhaenyra —- Milly Alcock/ Emma D’Arcv

Daemon Targaryen —— Matt Smith

Rhaenys Targaryen —- Even Best 

Aegon the 2nd — Ty Tennant/ Tom Glynn Carnev

Aemond Targaryen ——  Ewan Mitchell 

Rhaena Targaryen —— Phoebe Campbell

Corlys Velaryon —— Steve Toussaint 

Vaemond Velaryon —— Will Johnson

Laenor Velaryon ———- John MacMillan 

Lady Laena Velaryon ——- Nanna Blondell

Jacaerys Velaryon ——— Harry Collett

Alicent Hightower —— Emily Carey/ Olivia Cooke 

Otto Hightower ——     Rhys Ifans 

Ser Criston Cole ——  Fabien Frankel 

Lord Lyonel Strong —- Gavin Spokes 

Larys Strong ——- Matthew Needham

Ser Harwin Strong —— Ryan Corr