HBO’s ‘“House of the Dragon” premiered August 21st, 2022. Based on Geroge RR Martin’s ‘’Fire and Blood’’, the story takes place 200 years before ‘‘Game of Thrones’’. It follows Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, played by Emma D’Arcy, as she vies for the throne against her half brother, Aegon Targaryen, played by Tom Glynn-Carney, and Step-Mother Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke. 

I was initially nervous to watch ‘‘House of the Dragon’’ as a book reader seeing how its predecessor, ‘’Game of Thrones’’, was adapted so poorly in its later seasons, yet I found myself surprised and thoroughly enjoying some of the episodes and characters. I think D’Arcy’s depiction of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen was remarkable and entrancing, and their chemistry with Cooke’s Alicent Hightower and Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen is so raw and genuine that you can’t help but to feel empathy for both sides of the civil war. I think that is what I love the most about ‘‘House of the Dragon’’. Every character feels believable and their actions justified, making it easy for you to root for both sides while understanding the gravity and depth of their situations.  This is all because of talented show writing, actors, and beautiful music composed by Ramin Djawadi. Another plus is the CGI. 

The dragons featured in the show were unique in shape and color, and the flying sequences were miles above ‘’Game of Thrones’’ editing standards. There was specifically a scene in episode 9 where Princess Rhaenys, played by Eve Best, takes flight that genuinely took my breath away by how well crafted the dragons, CGI, and acting are once all composed together.

Yet, as with any Book-to-TV adaptation, there are changes that I find myself not agreeing with. I think this issue sums down to pacing issues. By trying to fit over a decade’s worth of history in short episodes, it’s only natural that characters and their relationships with each other are either changed or omitted. As a book reader it disappoints me that some of this is overlooked. I believe that some of these relationships are necessary for fully understanding characters and their motivations, and by removing these or adding scenes that contradict their characters for fan service completely changes the narrative. There is specifically a battle in Episode 10 that, in the books is intentional, is changed to be started by accident. This rewrite changes the entire narrative, as it’s the foundation of the Targaryen civil war, and by making it seem like an accident to make it easier for both sides to be seen more sympathetic, angered me, as important scenes from the books should be adapted identically. Nonetheless, I am also self-aware that it’s only natural that these changes are made to make the story more dramatic and enjoyable to average viewers, despite my disagreement with them.

Season 2 begins filming in 2023, and will be released in 2024. I am, nevertheless, excited for season 2 and what it’ll bring. I still am a tad bit nervous over what they’ll change and adapt, but I am hopeful that everything will work out. I think the final scene of season 1 was well-crafted and phenomenally acted, and it makes me genuinely excited for what’s to come.