Fire, drama, politics, betrayal, and controversial love: is the Game of Thrones universe back? House of the Dragon, the new prequel to one of the most infamous shows of all time, already had a high reputation to live up to. Its predecessor developed a world full of imagination and emotion, traits needed for the spinoff to succeed. Beyond even that, the producers were obligated to follow the show’s source material: George R. R. Martin’s 2018 novel Fire & Blood. Now, to meet these difficult standards, Martin and Ryan Condal worked together to create House of the Dragon for HBO. With talented crews, actors, and a nearly 200 million dollar budget, a ten-episode first season has been released since August 21, 2022. The question now, though: is the show good?

Set nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon depicts the familial and political drama of royalty. More specifically, House Targaryen (which later includes the beloved Daenerys) faces a variety of threats to their throne succession. The show accordingly focuses on Rhaenyra (played by Milly Alcock and later Emma D’Arcy), daughter of a dying king. Although she seems to be a capable ruler, being a girl obviously invites controversy and criticism. The situation is only worsened when her now-widowed father Viserys (Paddy Considine) marries her childhood friend Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). This allows other people to have claims to the throne, creating a massive conflict over power. As time passes, we see the once innocent characters develop into political factions. Each group has its reasons, supporters, and (most importantly) dragons. Ongoing events only worsen their relations, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. With tensions running high, something is sure to happen; who will win the “Dance of the Dragons”?

House of the Dragon, like any other high-profile show, is defined by its strengths and weaknesses. Fortunately, even among critics and audiences, positive reviews seem to be dominating any negativity. To begin with, the spinoff manages to capture the raw emotion of Game of Thrones. Immense character development and complex relationships create interesting dynamics, hooking the audience. Betrayal, love, and political tensions are accordingly significant; we get to watch our favorite people clash. The plot expands upon this, using the infamous suspense and unpredictability of its predecessor. Fans of Game of Thrones familiarly recognize the paranoia and suspicion directed toward any character, a feeling that engages viewers throughout the entire season. Beyond the content itself, the cinematography and visual appearance of the show are nearly unparalleled. Massive dragons with beautiful designs and noises, detailed sceneries and depictions, symbolic images, and more are everywhere. Essentially, House of the Dragon excels both internally and externally.

A few criticisms still apply to the prequel: pacing and lighting. Primarily, the passage of time isn’t properly portrayed. The series uses multiple time skips, ranging from Rhaenyra’s childhood to her adult life. Several years pass between certain episodes, leaving viewers potentially confused or disappointed with any missing material. This could make the plot seem forced and/or rushed, but Martin and Condal still manage to include the important events. Additionally, the lighting of some scenes is questionable. Dark, suspicious areas and nighttime activities are great additions, but barely seeing the characters is somewhat underwhelming. Regardless, these flaws do not necessarily detract from enjoying the show.

With a second season already confirmed, fans of Game of Thrones will be able to enjoy the infamous yet familiar drama and conflicts. New viewers can still become hooked since the prequel doesn’t require knowledge of the later events. Either way, recurring families, complex characters, and interesting dynamics create an engaging and enthralling plot for the audience. If you haven’t watched House of the Dragon yet, prepare for happiness, sadness, and everything in between.