The Black Queen

The writers are attempting to tell the "real" story compared to the ones written by biased maesters. It's inspired writing, though risky as hell as they can easily change the direction of the story from going skywards to diving into the god's eye in flames.

Its sad and tragic that The actual Dance of Dragons is actually caused by the Dragons and not Targaryens. In the book, Aemond kills poor Luke intentionally, but here he lost control of his dragon and looks totally perplexed over what havoc he has caused. Aemond is a meance but a calculating sociopath. I mean why should Aemond be a one dynamic character, just pure evil? I feel it adds more layers of depth to character and allows a lot more reactions and emotion to be shown. Especially to the outcome and direct response from this action. It's more compelling, to see that he went to far with his ego and now realizing what how he took it too far. So it made complete sense to show him already processing what he is going to tell them upon his return, especially when the negotiations are in place and there is yet for either side to hit the first bloody strike.

Also, the scene was to enforce what Viserys said earlier in the season that dragons can never truly be tamed and the fact they think they control the dragons is a mere illusion.

Another great example is of our Black Queen, Rhaenyra. Even though she has the right to the throne and even (literally) had the chance to crush Otto and declare war, she restrained herself and realized her role in the big picture: that is, to uphold her promise to her dear father and keep the realm in peace. She had done the same and avoided bloodshed earlier too when some years ago Daemon had stolen her Dragon's eggs (for attention seeking purposes ofcourse). This just heightens and elevates Rhaenyra's character.

In short, they're trying to humanize all the characters and show how the atrocities of history still happen even when people aren't caricatures of good and evil. It's being done to keep people on either green or red side. To make everything have a argument for both sides. They do very wrong things, feel guilt, but then surround themselves in armor of rightness and defend their own actions no matter how insane.

It's very sad but at some point you realise there is no alternative to war. You cannot just ignore the death toll and say it's time for forgiveness. You can tell no one of them would be good for the throne either. So it's all a bit pointless as well. I would like to say it's an excellent episode but seems to just leave us with a cliffhanger. Obviously if you have read the books it's not, and it will be best to explore the epic in a better time. At this point i don't enjoy the acting once the lead is gone. They are following the books literally and it's well performed but I just don't see the powerful feelings Rhaenerys had as a teen, it started better than it has finished. There is But it's still quite Game of thrones and I am enjoying it.

I would still consider myself a fan of "Game of Thrones" even if the final season fell short of the previous entries, so I was eager to watch another story set in that world. Though undeniably smaller, in terms of storytelling scope, and a little confusing in the earlier episodes, it eventually settles into strong series, worthy of its predecessor.

Having had an uneasy rise to power, King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) looks to stabilise the kingdom by naming his daughter Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock/Emma D'Arcy) as the heir to the Iron Throne, over his brother Daemon (Matt Smith). When his Queen dies in childbirth, his hand Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) manipulates his daughter, Alicent (Emily Carey/Olivia Cooke) into becoming her replacement. When she bares the King a son, the future of the Kingdom is again thrown into doubt as the Hightowers, and other elements opposed to a female ruler, scheme to cling to power.

One thing GOT did that HOTD doesn't do quite as well is explain the stakes early on. There is an undead army coming from the North and whomever is on the Iron Throne when they do will be key to defeating them. That also gave the series a wide scope, as anyone from numerous houses could theoretically have ended the show in power. Dragon has neither of these. The focus is who will be next when Viserys dies, which initially looks to be a ways away, but comes closer and closer with each time jump that the early episodes go through. Though the old houses are mentioned, it becomes increasingly apparent that this will be a Targaryen civil war.

The other problem in those early episodes is that there are a lot of similar looking people with white hair, some of which having similar sounding names, so I found it difficult to maintain who was who, particularly as several characters, especially the children, change actor several times as they get older.

It did all come good for me though, and the nuances of the story start to come to the forefront, little character moments and misunderstandings that become major plot points. The performances are excellent, particularly in this first run from Paddy Considine. The CGI work is really strong too, and the numerous Dragons look great.

Interesting to see where we go from here when the show returns in 2024, but it's off to a promising start.

Big Game of Thrones fan here, wasn't expecting much from this show... Trying to get my spectations low, but then this show started and damm. This finale is really great, the music and the expression on raenyra face jezz.

In regards to this episode, the cgi was fantastic. Dragons scenes are always great. They've made some changes regarding the book but to those hating the changes just remember the book was written in the prespective of someone who witness from affar, and that leaves some creative space for the series to work on.

Spoilers ahead !!!!´ The only scene i didn't find fitting was the one between Daemond and Raenyra, i don't think it fitts the Daemond character.

Other then this huge thanks to the team, from the actors who were brilliant, to the cgi team who achieved really amazing things, to Ryan and Miguel for not dissapointing and doing an intelligent writting with smart dialogs.

Greetings from Lithuania.

There is never (almost) one truth to a war, as there always at least two sides of the story. What i love about this series is that there is not black and white - there is a space in between called perception.

"The Black Queen", a 10th and final episode of "House of Dragon" was a heavy drama with superb ending. But this drama is done so well, and it is so intense that it plays out like a thriller. Clearly there will be blood next season, which i will highly look forward because i highly enjoyed this one - and i'm not even a big fan of the source material - never read books.

Overall, "House of Dragon's" first season was a drama, but it's a top tier TV drama. Just like "Better Call Saul" this is a spin off done right. It enriches the world, and leaves its own mark, and it's not just a gimmick of the original. Superb first season, and what a pleasant surprise.