What did we think of the “House of the Dragon” series, the prequel to “Game of Thrones”, the broadcast of which begins this Monday, August 22 on OCS City and the OCS on demand platform.
What is it about ?
200 years before the events of Game Of Thrones, a look back at the origins of House Targaryen…
Created by George RR Martin and Ryan Condal With Paddy Considine, Milly Alcock, Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy… Number of episodes seen: 3 out of 10.
Make people forget the end of Game of Thrones
Three years after its broadcast, the disappointing finale of Game Of Thrones has not been forgotten by many fans. Despite this, the series remains extremely popular, which explains the start of several spin-offs by the HBO channel, under the supervision of the author of the novels. George RR Martinalso disappointed by the last seasons of the series.
While a first spin-off carried by Naomi Watts was put into development, before being definitely canceled by HBO, it is finally a prequel series, whose action takes place 172 years before the intrigue of Game of Thrones, which will see the light of day. Title House of the Dragonit traces the origins of the Targaryen clan, and in particular the reign of King Viserys I (Paddy Considine).
Like Game of Thrones, the cast of House of the Dragon brings together faces well known to the public but also emerging actors, for a cast composed mainly of British actors: Matt Smith (Doctor Who) and Rhys Ifans (the Lizard in Amazon Spider-Man) are associated with raw young talent, including Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcyinterpreters of the same role (at two different times), that of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, a sort of Daenerys before its time.
HBO
Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and her uncle Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
A new war for the throne
The recipe for success of Game of Thrones is reused identically by House of the Dragon. A perfectly effective first episode introduces the main characters of this new war for the throne: King Viserys, a passive sovereign deemed weak, his brother Daemon, a bloodthirsty and ambitious warrior, his daughter Rhaenyra, a princess aspiring to independence, or even Otto Hightower, the Hand of the king specialized in political facts.
Thus, it’s a safe bet that Game of Thrones fans will be seduced by this prequel, just as those who did not like the series will not be more convinced by this spin-off. In the absence of originality, House of the Dragon therefore preferred to focus on efficiency. Less risk-taking therefore, but paying off, as the episodes follow one another with undisguised pleasure.
Everything therefore suggests that House of the Dragon will be a success, even giving hope that the disappointing end of Game of Thrones will soon be only a distant memory for fans. However, it remains for the series to find ways to renew itself, to develop its own universe and intrigues, otherwise it seems obvious that in the long term, we will get tired of following this new dispute over the crown of the Seven Kingdoms.
HBO
King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine).
From a visual point of view, this spin-off is just as sublime as the parent series. The battles of the first episodes remind us of the great hours of Game of Thrones and everything suggests that the decision to limit the sex scenes to what is strictly necessary did not lead to a reduction in the level of violence.
Sheaves of blood, beheadings, torture… the first episode alone sets the tone for an uncompromising series, and suggests the arrival of new classic villains. Thus, Prince Dameon Targaryen, played brilliantly by Matt Smithseems destined to join the pantheon of the worst scoundrels in the Game of Thrones universe, to join Joffrey Baratheon and Ramsay Bolton!
We will therefore have to wait a little longer to find out if House of the Dragon is indeed a heir to the height of Game of Thrones, but let’s not sulk in front of these first episodes of excellent quality either, and let’s give our confidence to the series, d Especially since this one was co-created by the novels author himself, George RR Martin.