HBO’s Original Series House of the Dragon kicks off with a look how well the setting has been set up. The viewer also sees just how much power the House of Targaryen had during their golden days in power. The feeling of power from the people to the throne room seems to fly off the screen when seen for the first time. Also, the viewer is treated to see how Eve Best’ Rhaenys Targaryen gets overlooked as an heir to the throne. This is due to her brother Paddy Considine’s Viserys Targaryen being chosen to be the heir to the throne. From the expression she gives the viewer can tell that she is not pleased by this. During medieval times it was common for rulers to be males. In her mind she feels that she would be a great ruler for the kingdom. Unfortunately, due to sexism she was not given the opportunity to demonstrate her intelligence. The viewer knows this will never change for the Targaryen’s given as how this is a prequel to Game of Thrones. Unless something unexpected happens for things to take a change. What is interesting about this is the king wants to avoid war within House Targaryen which can be argued as this being his reason for his decision. However, in classic Game of Thrones fashion this will lead to a great war within House Targaryen as well as the other Houses.
Further into the episode, the viewer sees Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen talk her mother where she expresses her desire to be a warrior. The viewer sees just how different she is from other girls that want nothing more than to be married and have kids. It can be said that her mentally is much advanced for someone of her age especially during those times. Choosing to take control of her life instead of being forced into a station of being a breeding machine. This is a result of her wanting to live a life of adventure with her friend as she wants an easy life. Although, deep down in her subconscious she hates that she is ignored by her father as a potential heir to the throne. This can be seen when she comes into a meeting room filled with important people that discuss issues with the king, and she is treated as she does not exist by all of them. Additionally, from the look on her face, she knows that she has some ideas on how to deal with some problems only, she also knows it is not in her place to say anything to anyone especially in front of the king. This is due to her station being only to serve as either a political tool or a marriage profit as was the times. What is worse is that she is forced to listen to her father talk about her soon be born little brother taking over as king. Also, there comes a time where the viewer sees her mother talk to her father about their new child. This is when the series demonstrates the difference between Rhaenyra and her mother’s ideals when it comes to being a woman. Her mother talks about her duty to bear her father a son. While Rhaenyra does not like that mentality of simply living to bear children.
Soon after, Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen comes into play with his constant peacocking about being a future ruler. He comes off as an arrogant guy with a chip on his shoulder who thinks the world revolves around him. This is a result of him growing up as a noble of House Targaryen alongside his brother the king. He was brought up as someone who is a true noble with unbelievable power. Someone who is above others in both personality and status in a world of ordinary people with low standing lives. That is why he thinks himself better and above common things such as laws. Moreover, an example would be how he takes his city watch to deal with the criminals in the slums. He deals out harsh punishments to people he deems have committed crimes such as theft, murder, and even sexual assault. However, there were never any trials or ways for those to defend themselves against the claims of those crimes. The irony is that he is supposed to enforce the laws of the city. Only, he does something that is unlawful with the justification that he did it to enforce the laws.
Later into the episode, the viewer can see the series does not shy away from the drama that Game of Thrones also showed during its run. After some time of being introduced to the characters the series brings the attention back to the main story. Eventually, the viewer sees Rhaenyra’s father is pushed to make a choice between his wife or his unborn child. This is a result of his wife not being able to deliver the child properly. In his mind, it is an unbearable choice to make for a husband who loves his wife. Which is a great representation of decisions that some husbands are forced to make in everyday life. The series is already off to a great start by bringing up this type of life-or-death small storyline. It adds a more human side to the great king that the viewer is introduced to at the beginning. However, the choice of saving his child did not matter in the end since they both died leaving him to deal with the consequences of his choice. The viewer knows the decision has broken him as a man and as a king. For he knows that until the end of his days he will have to live with the fact that killed his beloved wife. The worst part is that he has not told anyone about his choice which further will add to his guilt. Not mention, that he is losing his mental stability as an added result of the said guilt.
The episode comes to end, with Rhaenyra’s father naming her the next in line to the Iron Throne. The humorous and interesting things is that her father tells her of an impending threat that will come from the north during a coming winter. Which is a play on the words of Kit Harington’s Jon Snow’s winter is coming phrase. The decision to make her the next in line will change her from an easy-going girl into a ruler of the kingdom. This change will come because of the actions she will have to take when the time comes. The question is exactly what will be the obstacles she will have to overcome? Or what will she have to give up in return for overcoming said obstacles? Perhaps, she will have to sacrifice those she calls friends or those she loves. Only time will tell as the season progresses.
Rating: 8.5/10