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Games of Thrones prequel series: House of the Dragon [HBO]

James

James

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New series.

Set 172 years before the fall of the Mad King and the birth of Daenerys.

First episode premiered yesterday in the US and is getting strong reviews — I’ve seen it, and I can confirm that it is excellent. Had the political intrigue, quality writing and raw human drama of early GoT.

High hopes for this one.

Anyone else joining in on the weekly watch? :)

PS please keep clean and mark spoilers.
 
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Watching it either tonight (after the footie) or tomorrow.

Been looking forward to this...
 
James said:
Just aired on Sky Atlantic in the UK. :)
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First airing was at 2am on Sky Atlantic..
Have it recorded :)
Right now watching the other box office drama, Neville & Keane vs Carragher :)
 
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Saw it on HBO max yest night, I thought it was a good start.
[MENTION=141306]sweep_shot[/MENTION] ‘s patriarchy thread came to my mind as i was seeing it lol

Pretty decent start to the season, let’s see how it goes.
 
JaDed said:
Saw it on HBO max yest night, I thought it was a good start.

[MENTION=141306]sweep_shot[/MENTION] ‘s patriarchy thread came to my mind as i was seeing it lol

Pretty decent start to the season, let’s see how it goes.
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Does it have patriarchy?
 
I liked the first episode. It had that early GOT feel and there are a number of interesting characters introduced already.

Daemon does seem to actually care about the family I think despite some of his arrogance and violence. I think he might actually be right about Otto, who seemed ok until he sent his daughter to the king. Otto clearly detests Daemon and he wants to control affairs long term after Viserys.

Speaking of Viserys, he seems pretty weak and I can see him be manipulated by his council in the coming episodes. He seemed decent until he decided to carry the procedure out without his wife's consent.

So, a lot of flawed characters as you would expect and the casting, scenery, music has all been great.
 
The pregnancy scene was tough to watch; so much blood and there was a lot of screaming as you would expect
 
Took me a while to realise that it is Rhys Ifans in the role of the Hand. Very understated and quietly scheming — could be the new Littlefinger!
 
The cast is more diverse this time.

As the Targaryens are from Old Valyria which is in the far south of Essos it makes sense that some of them will still be dark skinned.

Presumably the Knight King is up north somewhere plotting away.
 
Robert said:
The cast is more diverse this time.

As the Targaryens are from Old Valyria which is in the far south of Essos it makes sense that some of them will still be dark skinned.

Presumably the Knight King is up north somewhere plotting away.
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The cast was pretty diverse last time. If you consider the Dothraki were pretty much a reflection of middle eastern/central Asian theme, if anything it was more diverse as you don't usually get to see those type of people in such prominent roles. I haven't seen any of this new offshoot yet, but from the trailers it looks like we might get more African descent actors showing, not sure if because they are trying to work in some fictional historical angle or just political correctnesss.
 
It’s pretty good - I rapidly found myself caring about the King and the Princess.

Really interesting about the prophecy of GoT that dead-ended with the Mad King and didn’t get to our girl Dani.
 
Five episodes in, half way through the series.

It’s been pretty brilliant thus far.
 
Robert said:
It’s pretty good - I rapidly found myself caring about the King and the Princess.

Really interesting about the prophecy of GoT that dead-ended with the Mad King and didn’t get to our girl Dani.
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Sneaking suspicion they are going for a ret-con of the GoT ending, I see no reason why they would constantly bring up the prophecy knowing full well the fan-base is still extremely upset with the final season of GoT (the prophecy end up being moot)

There is also a Jon Snow sequel coming so they could tie it in with the prophecy, he is the only Targaryen left alive
 
Probably the best show on tv right now. Hopefully it does not lose its way like GoT.
 
Want to give it a shot on one hand since I did watch all of GoT, but on the other hand it’s like why bother when I already know how terribly written the ending of the franchise is…
 
GenericBrand said:
Sneaking suspicion they are going for a ret-con of the GoT ending, I see no reason why they would constantly bring up the prophecy knowing full well the fan-base is still extremely upset with the final season of GoT (the prophecy end up being moot)

There is also a Jon Snow sequel coming so they could tie it in with the prophecy, he is the only Targaryen left alive
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Very astute observation I would say.
 
Suleiman said:
Want to give it a shot on one hand since I did watch all of GoT, but on the other hand it’s like why bother when I already know how terribly written the ending of the franchise is…
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It’s a similar level and tone to season 1 of GoT.
Maybe not quite as good, but a high standard of writing and acting, and far better than the last two seasons of GoT. Absolutely worth a go.
 
Suleiman said:
Want to give it a shot on one hand since I did watch all of GoT, but on the other hand it’s like why bother when I already know how terribly written the ending of the franchise is…
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Different writers.
 
Really ramping up the pace now.

Loads happens in episode 6.

Olivia Cooke is superb in her role as expected.
 
Episode 6 and 7 really picked up the plot and foreshadows the Targariyan war that is to come next through the children I would assume. Been a brilliant show so far. Dragon scene in episode 7 was fantastic.
 
Episode 7 was the best yet.

Like old school GoT.

Looks like the Queen and the Princess truly hate each other now.
 
Just watched the 6th episode and am enjoying it so far, although it has remained quite slow paced compared to GoT, but it I expect it will pick up as it goes along. The PC inclusion of black actors is a strange one, as although their skins are black, they are still sporting the obligatory golden dreadlocks so they can fit the theme.

I liked GoT better on that score, where there was a large range of ethnicities, but they were tied to different lands. At the moment we seem mainly focused on Westeros in this one, we don't even have a north and south of that country at this point. Maybe that will change as the series develops.

Other than that it's a stellar production. Lots of potential to go on and be a very worthy successor to GoT, and great to have another high quality tv series to follow.
 
This is old school medieval brilliance.

Episodes 8 and 9 have been instant classics.
 
I kind of lost it after about five episodes. I stopped caring about what happens to anybody in it.
 
Persevered up to ep 7. Couldn’t follow it. Why is the light so bad? Who was burned at the end? And why?
 
Oh I get it, the Princess’s gay hubby has legged it and faked his own death, with the help of that knight fella who burned some random person.
 
I vowed to myself to never watch any more GOT media.

This series has won me over. Viserys' epic walk to the throne was instant classic. Give that actor an award.
 
The ensemble has done a great job.

Paddy Considine as leading actor.
Matt Smith as supporting actor.
Olivia Cooke as supporting actress.
Rhys Ifans as guest actor.
Milly Alcock as breakout performance.

They are all going to be in contention when awards season rolls around.

Some people did not want this series at all, and there was obviously a lot of pressure to deliver a coherent and watchable product on the back of the much maligned GoT finale episodes. I think cast & crew have delivered in the end.
 
Caught up and finished it.

An enjoyable series. It didn’t grip me like GoT and was confused by all the family relationships for much of the series. Though by the end I figured it out. Very darkly shot at times, hard to tell who is who.

Very cool
dragon battle
in the climax. Aemond is a wildcard. The look on his face….
 
Good ending. Law of unintended consequences…
 
James said:
Good ending. Law of unintended consequences…
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Interesting that dragons can’t be controlled. They agree to be ridden and breathe fire when asked. But they are as smart as people, get angry and hold grudges, and are ultimately their own masters.

Dani’s three were an exception because she imprinted on them as mother when they hatched. But the big ones can’t be ruled.
 
Robert said:
Interesting that dragons can’t be controlled. They agree to be ridden and breathe fire when asked. But they are as smart as people, get angry and hold grudges, and are ultimately their own masters.

Dani’s three were an exception because she imprinted on them as mother when they hatched. But the big ones can’t be ruled.
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I think Drogon knew his own mind. He plays an interesting anthropomorphic role in the Game of Thrones series finale.

There is a rumour that the Game of Thrones spin-off sequel “Snow” will explore what happened to Drogon after he took Dany away.
 
Ending was little underwhelming but excellent series overall.

I actually liked the pacing and timeskips.
 
James said:
I think Drogon knew his own mind. He plays an interesting anthropomorphic role in the Game of Thrones series finale.
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Enough of this nonsense, he thought. Mum tried to break the wheel, but instead she became the wheel. I'll break it once and for all.
 
I thought the first season was brilliant. The long wait for the second season begins. Daemon Targaryen is one cool dude!
 
I haven't been able to watch even one episode yet.....

Bet some of you are jealous:)

Gonna tuck in to them this weekend
 
Bit of a mixed bag for me. Some episodes were really slow, but then you got some scenes which had you on the edge of your seat, like the fight between the rival children of the King. I do like where it's going though, there's lots of potential once the setting widens outside of King's Landing.

Two things which spoiled it for me:

Rhaenyra went from being a child in her initial dealings with Uncle Damon, to looking the same age once they skipped forward to her having kids. He still looks exactly the same

I still can't get over the black characters wearing blonde wigs. Just a bit patronising, and it just ends up looking silly. .

St
 
New series starts filming in Spring 2023, with a second season arriving in the Summer of 2024.
 
Anyone watching series 2?

I've seen 2 episodes and it seems to be crawling along. Not sure if they are going to get this to work without George RR Martin writing the scripts. At least I'm assuming he's not since he never even finished his original series as far as I know.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
Anyone watching series 2?

I've seen 2 episodes and it seems to be crawling along. Not sure if they are going to get this to work without George RR Martin writing the scripts. At least I'm assuming he's not since he never even finished his original series as far as I know.
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It has a book and a finished story unlike GOT where the ending was not finished. I think hotd will be ok. They usually build the season with the first 3 episodes. Ep 4 is going to be big
 
Love it! The next episode is titled “Dance of the Dragon” so anybody who follows this stuff knows what’s going to happen. Can’t wait!
 
Stewie said:
Love it! The next episode is titled “Dance of the Dragon” so anybody who follows this stuff knows what’s going to happen. Can’t wait!
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Only nitpick of me with ep 4 is that they made sunfyre look weak. Sunfyre is a badass dragon in the books
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
Anyone watching series 2?

I've seen 2 episodes and it seems to be crawling along. Not sure if they are going to get this to work without George RR Martin writing the scripts. At least I'm assuming he's not since he never even finished his original series as far as I know.
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HOTD has long been completed by Martin as Fire and Blood a single novel
 
Never watched a single episode of GOT and also this HOTD.

This kind of series never attracted me. More into Prison break, breaking bad or Money Heist type seasons.
 
First genuine dragon vs dragon battle of the GOT extended universe and it was quite amazing. Absolutely loved Meleys fighting style. Thx girl came out with vicious claws.

Can’t wait for Caraxys vs Vhagar. It is supposed to be the most epic dragon battle of this fantasy world.
 
Bhaijaan said:
First genuine dragon vs dragon battle of the GOT extended universe and it was quite amazing. Absolutely loved Meleys fighting style. Thx girl came out with vicious claws.

Can’t wait for Caraxys vs Vhagar. It is supposed to be the most epic dragon battle of this fantasy world.
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You should use spoilers before saying any book plot points
 
shaz619 said:
Clear split between fans of Martin and Tolkein’s work, though the latter are more fussed about which races are cast in various roles
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I would not say ROP is tolkein's work. They absolutely massacred the series. It was so boring. I went into the series with big expectations but it totally flopped for me
 
Dhakar Pola said:
I would not say ROP is tolkein's work. They absolutely massacred the series. It was so boring. I went into the series with big expectations but it totally flopped for me
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It’s inspired by his works though, not a strict adaptation of any of the books. I will check out HOD to see if all the fanboys are right
 
Dhakar Pola said:
I would not say ROP is tolkein's work. They absolutely massacred the series. It was so boring. I went into the series with big expectations but it totally flopped for me
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It's nothing like the films either, I could barely sit through one episode before switching off. They spent a heap of money producing a dud, from the reviews I read, it didn't get any better after I gave up on it.
 
The dragons were the highlight of the 2nd season. Absolutely loved them.
 
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