Does House of the Dragon live up to Game of Thrones?
Long-awaited prequel wins over critics as ‘visually sumptuous’ successor to TV juggernaut
House of the Dragon, the long-awaited prequel to Game of Thrones, has finally arrived, with critics roundly agreeing that it serves as a worthy successor to the original TV phenomenon.
Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s 2018 book Fire & Blood and set more than 150 years before the main show, HBO’s new ten-episode series follows the dragon-riding kings of Westeros, House Targaryen and another brutal battle to sit on the Iron Throne.
The final season of Game of Thrones was widely panned by critics and fans so the question on everyone’s lips was could its prequel improve on where the original series ended? “The short answer is: yes, it can. And yes, it has,” said Kaiya Shunyata for Roger Ebert.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Visually sumptuous
“It’s clear by the end of the first episode, that House of the Dragon is the product of people who have deeply analysed the source material of the work they’re adapting,” said Shunyata and that “this new look into the world that George R.R. Martin created is an example of what an adaptation should be”.
“It’s visually sumptuous, well-acted (for the most part), crisply written and cleverly pitched,” agreed Ben Dowell in The Times. It is also “accessible to anyone who hasn’t seen a second of Game of Thrones but reassuringly familiar to those who’ve watched the whole thing.”
“Fun, propulsive, looking great and sounding passable,” said Lucy Mangan at The Guardian, “in short, all is as it was in GoT’s heyday.” But unlike its “far-flung predecessor”, the show “centrally focuses on one location (the Red Keep) and one plotline (the King’s heir), which makes it stagier”, said Entertainment Weekly’s Darren Franich.
Darker and more solemn
“From the outset, this is a darker, more solemn, more sophisticated piece,” said Stephen Kelly for the BBC, yet “one that lacks the broad, accessible strokes of early Game of Thrones, or its vibrant, colourful characters”.
Someone who does stand out is Prince Daemon Targaryen, played by former Doctor Who, Matt Smith. “Narcissistic and gleefully violent, he feels like a classic Game of Thrones villain,” said Michael Deacon at The Telegraph.
“The highest compliment I can pay House of the Dragon is to observe how much it feels like Game of Thrones,” said Nick Hilton in The Independent. While it remains to be seen whether it “can utilise those same, almost serpentine, twists and turns, and become a show that’s discussed in fevered terms at whatever the Work From Home equivalent of a water cooler is”, the first episode is a taste of things to come.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - May 4, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - reflections in the pond, riding shotgun, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 high-caliber cartoons about Kristi Noem shooting her puppy
Cartoons Artists take on the rainbow bridge, a farm upstate, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why is the world running low on blood?
Podcast Scientists believe universal donor blood is within reach – plus, the row over an immersive D-Day simulation, and an Ozempic faux pas
By The Week Staff Published
-
Pundits are mixed on the real possibility of Alex Garland's 'Civil War'
Talking Point Some say the film's events aren't that far from reality, but others are less convinced
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Are We Dating the Same Guy?': do Facebook groups harm or help?
Talking Point Women share their relationship experiences to try to stay safe on dating apps but critics highlight legal and emotional issues
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Not cross buns': the row over recipe revamps
Talking Point New versions of the Easter favourite have sparked controversy but sales are soaring
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The art world and motherhood: the end of a final taboo?
Talking Point Hettie Judah's new touring exhibition offers a 'riveting riposte' to old cliches
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Indie film's 'very brief' use of AI sparks backlash and calls for boycotts
Talking Points Did the creators of a new horror movie make a deal with the artificial intelligence devil?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Are plug-in hybrids better for America's climate goals?
Talking Points The car industry considers a 'slower, but more plausible path' to reducing emissions
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Richard, My Richard: Philippa Gregory's 'nuanced portrait' of Richard III is heavy on the history
Talking Point Women are centre stage but play has 'something of a structural problem'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Glastonbury line-up: the 'poppiest, shiniest' bill ever
Talking Point Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA and Shania Twain will star, but some fans are 'underwhelmed'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published