The first season of House of the Dragon, the spin-off of Game of Thrones, starts this August 22 on OCS. Is it easy to immerse yourself in this new saga of George RR Martin? TV Star answers you.
It’s the big day long awaited by millions of fans around the world. House of the Dragon, the first spin-off of Game Of Thrones, finally starts on HBO across the Atlantic and on OCS in France. Already available on VOD, the first episode entitled The Heirs of the Dragon will also be broadcast this Monday, August 22 at 9 p.m. on the OCS City channel. What to think of this dive into the universe of George RR Martin three years after the end of Game Of Thrones ? After only one episode, it seems that the production has not lost its touch. Because even if the action takes place almost 200 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, Sansa Stark and the others, several elements come gently bring fans back to the world they know well. From the introductory scene, the plot and conflict foundations of the Dance of the Dragons are laid, with a clever transition that recalls when this story takes place in relation to Game Of Thrones. From there, the rest follows at a good pace, more sustained than the original series pilot but also clearer thanks to a slightly smaller number of main characters.
The origins of the Dragon Dance
But one of the biggest strengths of House of the Dragon remains its soundtrack which, thanks to the genius of composer Ramin Djawadi, immediately reminds the viewer of Westeros. The familiar notes of several tracks resonate throughout this first episode, starting with a beautiful introduction on the back of a dragon flying over Westeros, all on a theme known and appreciated by music lovers. So even if Rhaenyra, Daemon and Alicent have taken the place of Daenerys, Jon Snow or even Sansa, it will not be very difficult for fans of quickly regain their bearings in the familiar setting. Especially since one of the main themes of the series revolves around the right to the Iron Throne, and more particularly the legitimacy of a woman to claim the crown. This is a question that has arisen in particular with the reign of Daenerys Targaryen in Game Of Thronesand which will be discussed again via Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
The catalyst for the plot is the death in childbirth of King Viserys’ wife, mother of Rhaenyra. The latter has took her baby with her, thus depriving the king of a male heir. After years of being blindsided by rigid traditions, however, Viserys finally realizes that his daughter could also succeed him. He therefore decides to appoint her as heiress and thus refuses this privilege to his brother Daemon, deemed too hot-headed to reign. Only the arrival of Rhaenyra in the Targaryen line of succession will not please everyone… The first episode only shows very briefly that the young princess will have detractors, and it does not yet explore the most important threat that will hang over her : her friend Alicent Hightower. Her comrade and confidante will become her mother-in-law in a few years by marrying her father and, by having a son with him, will provide her with a new heir…
From best friends to sworn enemies
In this episode however, it is friendship between Rhaenyra and Alicent that is emphasized, showing touching complicity and support which will make their confrontation in future years all the more violent. It is clear from this first episode that the place of women is central in House of the Dragonbut some criticisms made at Game Of Thrones, especially regarding gratuitous nudity and sexual violence, may still be applicable to the spin-off. Another downside: the absence of generic which may hopefully happen in the future. Apart from a few shadows on the board, House of the Dragon therefore fulfills the contract of a takeover of Game Of Thrones, with standout characters and just enough familiarity to catch up with fans of Game Of Thrones without discouraging those who have not seen the original series. Add to that a few dragons and a prophecy about the arrival of the White Walkers, and you get an ambitious spin-off that has the capacity to keep its promises. It remains to be seen if the rest of the season will continue like this.
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