The very first episode of House of The Dragon: The Legacy of Fire And Blood was released last Sunday on HBO Max, Disney+ Hotstar and other channels on August 22. It promises a lot of what we have enjoyed in Game of Thrones, fire and blood. The story is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
Like what we watched in the first episode of House of The Dragon, just right from the beginning the seeds for upcoming battles, wars and blood are already sown and ensures a gripping tale set in the world of Westeros ruled by the Targaryens. As the episode opens shows that the Targaryen family has ruled for an unflinching 100 years unchallenged, that’s going to change soon. We have reviewed the first episode but first let’s introduce you to the cast of House of The Dragon.
House of The Dragon, the most awaited prequel to Game of Thrones is Directed by Miguel Sapochnik with other directors for separate segments also directed by Clare Kilner, Geeta Vasant Patel and Greg Yaitanes and executive producers Sara Hess, Vince Gerardis and Ron Schmidt along with George R.R. Martin. The series is a prequel to the original Game of Thrones with a gripping storyline and characters played by Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Paddy Considine, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, and Sonoya Mizuno.
Here is the cast with their respective lineage and allegiance.
PADDY CONSIDINE As KING VISERYS TARGARYEN
During the succession ceremony Viserys is chosen as Old King Jaehaerys’ successor as he did not have his own son at the Council of Harrenhal. Viseyrs is a kind hearted king who carries forward the Targaryen legacy but wants to have a son as his heir at the same time.
EMMA D’Arcy and MILLIE ALCOCK Playing PRINCESS RHAENYRA TARGARYEN
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen is the first born who is also a dragonrider. But as per the tradition goes she cannot ascend the throne being a woman despite all the gifts.
MATT SMITH As PRINCE DAEMON TARGARYEN
King Viserys has a younger brother Daemon Targaryen played by Matt Smith. Daemon is a warrior, dragonrider and seen drawing first blood in the first episode as the Commander of Night Watch.
RHYS IFANS As OTTO HIGHTOWER
There has been one character in the Game of Thrones which we have always wanted to see more– Hand of the King. In House of The Dragon we see Ser Otto serving as the Hand to the King Viserys and makes the best judgement. In the first episode Ser Otto advises the king about the greatest threat to the realm of the king, none other than his own younger brother Prince Daemon.
OLIVIA COOK As ALICENT HIGHTOWER
Alicent Hightower is the daughter of Hand of the King Viserys and the humble lady who is also friends with Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. In the coming episodes we will see more of her as she is shown raised in the Red Keep. We already have seen her on the screen in the first episode as a graceful lady who knows life as much as politics.
STEVE TOUSSAINT As ‘THE SEA SNAKE’ LORD CORLYS VELARYON
Steve Toussaint is playing Lord Corlys Velaryon who hails from the old House of Targaryen as the lord of the House Velaryon or “The Sea Snake.” He is reckon as the powerful lord with riches greater than the Lannisters with the largest naval power. He is also known as the most celebrated seafarer in the history of Westeros.
EVE BEST As PRINCESS RHAENYS VELARYON
Princess Rhenys Velaryon was the second in the succession to the old king. Since king Viserys, her cousin, was a male so she could not ascend the throne. She is a dragonrider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon.
FABIEN FRANKEL As SER CRITON COLE
Ser Criton Cole is of Dornish descent —son of the steward of the Lord of Blackhaven. He does not claim any titles or names. His skills with the sword wins him honour which we see in the first episode during the Tournament.
SONOYA MIZUNO As MYSARIA
We see glimpses of Mysaria during the first episode as an unconditional ally of Prince Daemon. She came with nothing but herself to Westeros and in the first episode we see her as an ally and lover of Daemon, believe in him and see him as the successor.
House of The Dragon Review
As the scene opens we hear that the 100 years have already passed and we are introduced to the succession ceremony held at Harrenhal where the Old King and the Council reveal the next successor – King Viserys.
We are introduced to the characters accordingly as the story follows afterwards. There are glimpses into King’s rule, future of Westeros and who will succeed next. We also see a couple of dragons (which is what we love the most) . They are beautiful, fierce and loyal to the custodians.
We see hints and glimpses of many important events that are going to happen. One of the important ones is King Viserys’ wanton for a baby boy and his struggle; princess Rhaenyra’s unspoken grief and there is much more to be noticed. We don’t want to spoil the joy of watching it, so just hinting on the events laterally.
We also see the Hand’s efforts to keep the Empire united while going the every length it takes. On the other hand, Prince Daemon is also shown quelling his inner demons which makes the story highly credible as it’s very well made.
The cinematography is exceptionally well carried throughout and that is what makes it more worthwhile. From dragons to cupbearers and Lords of the Seven Kingdoms it is a well made first episode that promises much more in future.
Finally, we believe House of The Dragon is the much needed treatment that the fans of GOTs were waiting for. This prequel is not any less than that. In the later episodes we are going to see much more of it. So overall the first episode of House of The Dragon is very well made from the master storyteller George R.R. Martin.
