The first episode of House of the Dragonthe long-awaited spin-off of Game Of Thrones, takes over from its elder on many elements, for better and for worse. So what do the two series have in common?
The comparison seems too obvious, but impossible to avoid: House of the Dragon looks a lot like Game Of Thrones, even if it does not, for the moment, come close to his ankle. This spin-off, the first episode of which has been available on OCS since August 22, 2022, has retained many of the qualities, but also some flaws of the original series. In this first chapter alone, which slowly introduces new characters and plots, the similarities are relatively striking. Here is a small non-exhaustive list of everything that reminds us Game Of Thronesin the first episode of House of the Dragon. Warning, spoilers in store!
dragons everywhere
Adapted from the book Fire & Bloodstill written by George RR Martin, House of the Dragon tells the story of the Targaryen family, approximately 300 years before the events of Game Of Thrones. Obviously, from a scriptwriting point of view, this prequel can only remind us of the greatness of the cult series. House Targaryen, which we know well thanks to Daenerys, finally unfolds with several key characters, while the other coats of arms are mentioned here and there by a few protagonists. As for the presence of dragons, which make all the power and fame of this family, it can only remind us of the last seasons of Game Of Thronesnotably the destruction of Port-Réal by Daenerys in season 8. Rhaenyra, the heroine of House of the Dragonalso uses in the first episode a formula well known to fans: Dracarys.
A sexist point of view
It seems like House of the Dragon learned nothing from the lessons of Game Of Thrones on sexism. Nudity and excessive sex scenes are still very present in the first episode (hello Matt Smith’s buttocks), as is violence against women. Several male characters can notably boast of being on the podium of the worst fathers in the world. When Otto Hightower, the hand of the king, strongly invites his daughter, Alicent, then a teenager, to go “comfort” Viserys in his room, after the loss of his wife and son, we feel like breaking everything. And, precisely, let’s talk about this tragic family death. Viserys deliberately chooses to kill his wife, in a scene of obstetrical torture, graphic and frankly unbearable. House of the Dragon continues the tradition of Game Of Thrones in terms of degrading, violent and patriarchal scenes, and we would have done well without it.
Gorgeous costumes
House of the Dragon has an undeniable quality, already present in Game Of Thrones : costumes of impeccable quality. The new series even surpasses its elder with sumptuous dresses, magnificent headgear and incredible armor. Honestly, it’s a pleasure to discover each new outfit of the protagonists, over the minutes, as they seem worked and filled with hundreds of small details. Special mention to the Daemon panoply during his medieval jousting fight in the first episode, with his piercing eyes and dragon wings.
white wigs neat
What would the Targaryen family be without their famous iconic white hair? House of the Dragon hasn’t forgotten how inseparable Daenerys’ hair is from George RR Martin’s fantasy saga. Each character of the famous house of dragons is thus decked out in pale hair, in a more or less successful way. But we must admit that we do not sulk our pleasure in front of these neat hairstyles, with vertiginous braids.
Magnificent decorations
In House of the Dragon, we find Port Réal and the room of the Iron Throne from the first minutes of the first episode. We even visit the streets of the city on the back of a dragon, in a rather immersive glide. The return of these familiar environments contributes to the success of this prequel, especially since it puts a new eye on these settings that we know so well. However, the first episode of House of the Dragon is directed by Miguel Sapochnik, to whom we owe the fabulous Battle of the Bastards of Game Of Thrones. The team of the series is therefore well accustomed to the original saga, but brings a new look at Westeros with its nervous production and its successful wide shots. Too bad we can’t enjoy it in 4K.
Too many dialogues
It was already one of the faults of Game Of Thrones, no offense to the ultimate fans: its endless dialogue sequences. House of the Dragon seems to be engulfed in the same errors, since the first episode does not really resemble a concentrate of action. The scenes of blabla are linked rather, to evoke the future of the Iron Throne, or the last escapades of Daemon. As a duo, between Rhaenyra and her friend Alicent, or in an advisory formation around King Viserys, there is something for everyone. However, the series still remains a little soft to captivate us each time for an hour of fierce discussions.
epic music
Can’t talk about Game Of Thrones without mentioning its cult credits and its fantastic music, created by Ramin Djawadi. The composer, who also officiated on the soundtrack of Westworldresumes service in House of the Dragon, for ever more monumental scores. For the moment, unfortunately, the series does not yet have a credits, which it is sorely lacking. But, we can already recognize during the first episode, here and there, some notes of the famous theme of Game Of Thrones. We can’t wait to discover Ramin Djawadi’s other creations, which we hope will be more epic, but above all more independent of the original music.
