An internal succession war within House Targaryen at the height of its power, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.An internal succession war within House Targaryen at the height of its power, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.An internal succession war within House Targaryen at the height of its power, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 19 wins & 90 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'House of the Dragon' is acclaimed for its storytelling, political intrigue, and Targaryen saga. Exceptional performances by Paddy Considine, Emma D'Arcy, and Matt Smith are highlighted. Stunning production design, elaborate costumes, and CGI dragons are praised. The show balances epic scale with intimate drama and stays true to George R. R. Martin's lore. However, some note pacing issues and lack of emotional connection.
Featured reviews
In truth, the show presents all the GOT trappings, but offers none of its heart. Consider why we cared about GOT. First, we watched the Stark family children and their trials, torn from their home in the North: Sansa in King's Landing, then worse; Arya among the Nameless Men, then wandering Westeros with the Hound; Jon Snow at the Wall and beyond on his northern quest, then finding his truth with Dani. Secondly, the Lannister story-arc had legs. We came to care about both Jamie and Tyrion. Finally, we watched Dani rise from trophy wife to Targaryen queen. That is, we experienced these complex and beautifully written characters as they grew.
Contrastingly, House of the Dragon offers no one to support, truly; no main character to root for. Thus, it descends quickly into mere palace intrigue, cut with gut-wrenching violence. Who do we like, here? The arrogant and self-serving Rhaenyra offers little empathy; and while the young Queen Alicent seemed sympathetic, she grows icy cold. The King's weakness undermines our connection to him and, finally, Daemon is just unfathomable. Put simply, we don't care about these people and, without character sympathy, the show is empty. Great stories aren't about what happens to people. They're about what happens to people we care about. A lesson HOTD should learn.
Contrastingly, House of the Dragon offers no one to support, truly; no main character to root for. Thus, it descends quickly into mere palace intrigue, cut with gut-wrenching violence. Who do we like, here? The arrogant and self-serving Rhaenyra offers little empathy; and while the young Queen Alicent seemed sympathetic, she grows icy cold. The King's weakness undermines our connection to him and, finally, Daemon is just unfathomable. Put simply, we don't care about these people and, without character sympathy, the show is empty. Great stories aren't about what happens to people. They're about what happens to people we care about. A lesson HOTD should learn.
This work has reached an unparalleled level of awfulness, the worst episodes are in the second season.
I'm tired and angry at this work and the stupid games the writers are playing. I didn't expect the series to reach such a level of triviality and disgust that has reached its peak. In reality, this is the price of GRRM selling the rights to his world after spending a long period of his life on it. You write and leave, and it ends up in the hands of a network that doesn't care about quality, and they team up with some bad writers, who I'm too embarrassed to call them writers, and then HBO put them in an animal barn instead of a writing room.
This ugly quality only comes from an animal barn, and I believe even if you were in an animal barn, you would be able to produce better ideas and writings, better than the work of the writers of House of the Dragons who think they can write innovative and new lines better than the original source... Unfortunately, this is the painful result.
I'm tired and angry at this work and the stupid games the writers are playing. I didn't expect the series to reach such a level of triviality and disgust that has reached its peak. In reality, this is the price of GRRM selling the rights to his world after spending a long period of his life on it. You write and leave, and it ends up in the hands of a network that doesn't care about quality, and they team up with some bad writers, who I'm too embarrassed to call them writers, and then HBO put them in an animal barn instead of a writing room.
This ugly quality only comes from an animal barn, and I believe even if you were in an animal barn, you would be able to produce better ideas and writings, better than the work of the writers of House of the Dragons who think they can write innovative and new lines better than the original source... Unfortunately, this is the painful result.
Season 1 had such a great pace. We moved through years in 2 or 3 episodes, which allowed for the story to move along and milestones to be achieved. This season we are 4 episodes in and the story has only moved a few weeks. This show is eerily slow and nothing is happening. The Dameon story line is boring and useless. Rhanerya has been absent in most of the episodes and not making any decisions. The show writers listened to wasteful criticism from some of last year's audience members, who complained the pace was too fast and now they have destroyed the show!!!! You can't take everyone's critique too serious. This show is way tooo slow and it has lost it magic from last year.
It is not uncommon for successful shows to experience a major drop in quality from the initial season to the next but wow, the season 2 of House of the Dragon dropped off the proverbial cliff.
After a great season 1, proving to many that the world of Westeros could still play host to interesting story lines, season 2 managed to mess that up. Too many side plots that added nothing to the overall story, too much sitting around and brooding by Queen Rhaenyra and the endless Harrenhal scenes were awful.
As so many others have pointed out, the pacing was completely off for the entire season leaving me zoning out during episodes. Now we are told that filming for season 3 will commence next year so season 3 where we might finally get some dragon-on-dragon action is likely 18 months away? While I looked forward to season 2 after a great season 1, I have to admit to not being all that excited for season 3.
What a shame.
After a great season 1, proving to many that the world of Westeros could still play host to interesting story lines, season 2 managed to mess that up. Too many side plots that added nothing to the overall story, too much sitting around and brooding by Queen Rhaenyra and the endless Harrenhal scenes were awful.
As so many others have pointed out, the pacing was completely off for the entire season leaving me zoning out during episodes. Now we are told that filming for season 3 will commence next year so season 3 where we might finally get some dragon-on-dragon action is likely 18 months away? While I looked forward to season 2 after a great season 1, I have to admit to not being all that excited for season 3.
What a shame.
Season 1 was awesome. I was still defending the show untill this episode 6 of season 2. Enough is enough, the writers have no new ideas anymore, they don't follow the book and now this season is just super boring episode after episode. It's a Mexican soap opera now. I find it disgraceful. And it kinda is a bait and switch as well. They baited us with a very good season 1 just so they now use season 2 to push all their propaganda and personal beliefs. Is it so hard to follow the original story from the book?
The western world is having a really big writers Crisis in the entertainment industry.
Anyway, I might still keep watching this, but not with the same excitement as before. Might put it on just as background noise and go check it out when I hear a dragon. A shame.
The western world is having a really big writers Crisis in the entertainment industry.
Anyway, I might still keep watching this, but not with the same excitement as before. Might put it on just as background noise and go check it out when I hear a dragon. A shame.
Did you know
- TriviaThe Iron Throne has been greatly redesigned from Game of Thrones (2011). It is larger and more asymmetrical to more closely match the description in George R.R. Martin's novels, although it is still nowhere near that big: the throne in the books is a 40-foot, immovable, asymmetrical behemoth made from 1000 swords welded together, with the seat 20 feet above the ground, and only accessible by a flight of stairs; the person sitting on it addresses people down below from 40 feet away.
- Crazy creditsThe first season's title sequence is centered on a model of the Old Valyria citadel, with blood trails running across the land and marked by symbols of the Targeryn family.
Details
- Runtime
- 1h(60 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
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