From the moment Jaime Lannister nonchalantly shoved a child out of a window to protect the secret of his incestuous relationship, it was clear that the show was not scared to be soapy, over-the-top, and a bit ridiculous. When Game of Thrones premiered 10 years ago, audiences were treated to a cast of immediately iconic, often extravagant, and very clearly-defined characters. However, it is very clear by the end of the pilot that any similarities between the two shows are only on the level of literal plot stylistically and tonally, House of the Dragon is paving its own path. Since House of the Dragon begins by establishing several potential candidates for a throne held by an aging and somewhat inept king, it’s hard not to make comparisons: it’s somewhat strange that House of the Dragon chose such a similar plot, since it risks accusations of simply copying its predecessor. It is impossible to ignore the obvious similarity between this plot and the main focus of Game of Thrones. For those unfamiliar, Game of Thrones follows a power vacuum caused when there is no clear successor to the throne, as several potential monarchs fight for their royal claims. It is clear from the first episode that succession and lineage are going to be primary concerns of the series, as are issues related to gender roles, power, and patriarchy. To make things even more complicated, Rhaenyra’s mother Aemma (Sian Brooke) is pregnant however, after a series of miscarriages and infant deaths, there is a relatively small chance of her giving birth to a male heir. However, Daemon is a violent and impulsive man, and many fear that he would be a bad fit as ruler of the realm. With no brothers, Rhaenyra is the most logical heir to her father’s throne however, since she is a woman, her uncle Daemon (Matt Smith) is named next in line instead, mirroring the intersection of gender and heredity explored in the prologue. The bulk of the episode takes place years after this decision, and the episode primarily focuses on Viserys’ daughter, young Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock). Despite conflicting opinions about who the best ruler would be, a war of succession is avoided: Rhaenys is dubbed “the queen that never was,” and Viserys takes the crown. While his granddaughter Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) is next in line, the Tagaryen dynasty has never been ruled by a woman before, and Rhaeny’s cousin Viserys (Paddy Considine) is named the rightful successor instead. King Jaehaerys Targaryen (Michael Carter) needs to choose a successor. The pilot episode begins by recounting a narrowly-averted civil war. House of the Dragon is not interested in simply becoming another Game of Thrones, and it is exciting to see it begin to carve out its own identity. The characters – while compelling – are much more understated, the drama is much more subtle, and the narrative is much more condensed and streamlined. Anyone who has spent eight years invested in a show defined by a large cast of sharply-defined characters with big personalities, a huge world to explore, and an increasingly inflated amount of soap opera-level drama might find House of the Dragon’s pilot a bit subdued. House of the Dragon, S.1, Ep.1: “The Heirs of the Dragon”Įditor’s note: This article contains what could be a minor spoiler of the ASOIAF universe.įor fans of Game of Thrones,it may take some time to adjust to the new prequel series House of the Dragon.
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