House of the Dragon:
The Complete First Season review by Bobby Blakey
No matter what you thought of the ending of the series there is no denying that Game of Thrones was a monster hit. The series not only captured fans all over the world but has now spawned the prequel series House of the Dragon starring Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. The series also stars Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes and Savannah Steyn.
House of the Dragon follows the Targaryen dynasty who is at the absolute apex of its power, with more than 10 dragons under their yoke. Most empires crumble from such heights. In the case of the Targaryens, their slow fall begins when King Viserys breaks with a century of tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra heir to the Iron Throne. But when Viserys later fathers a son, the court is shocked when Rhaenyra retains her status as his heir, and seeds of division sow friction across the realm.
I will be honest it took me a long time to get into Game of Thrones when it first started. I literally tried watching the first episode like three times and just couldn’t get into it. I finally tried again and was all in for the most part, but eventually just lost interest in it, but finished it anyway. I was fine with how it ended and who got the iron throne, but more just happy it was finally over. I was torn if I wanted to deal with any more of this world, but being a show so many years in the past decided I would try it out and I am glad I did.
I loved this entire season from the get go. The overall tone was obviously similar to the original series, but just felt different to me. The characters were way more compelling to me with their inner turmoil amongst each other was just more engaging. Maybe it was the fact we got dragons right out the gate, I have no idea other than I really like this show. The story wastes no time getting to it and really bringing some great characters to the franchise. Unlike the original series I am actually interested in every one of them and love what the actors bring to the table to bring them to life.
With every few episodes it does a time jump which I wasn’t aware of going in so left me confused a bit the first time it happened, but became pretty clear fast. I was irritated about this at first because I loved Milly Alcock who plays Princess Rhaenyra Targareyan in the first few episodes. She was easily my favorite so when she disappeared I was annoyed. Thankfully Emma D’Arcy who takes on an older version of her is all kinds of awesome as well and brings it home to perfection.
The rest of the cast are excellent as well with each bringing their A game to the series and keeping it moving and all kinds of awesome as each betrayal, twist and action plays out. You know there is going to be tons of twists throughout the story and this first season builds up all the characters, chemistry, and complex issues they are dealing as the fight for the kingdom rages. All of this leads up to an excellent finale that not only entertains, but offers up a final scene that will have you screaming for more as you know what is to come in the next season.
In addition to all ten episodes of the first season this release offers up bonus content including numerous featurettes taking fans behind bringing this new chapter of the world of Westeros and the seven kingdoms to life. Grab your copy of House of the Dragon: The Complete First Season when it hits 4k, Blu-ray and DVD on December 20th from HBO and Warner Bros Home Entertainment.
