House of the Dragon Season 1 did the seemingly unimaginable of constructing up for its predecessor’s remaining season.

House of the Dragon Season 1 is a wrap. The present had a loopy arduous process in following up after the much-maligned Game of Thrones season 8.  Over the course of 10 episodes, the present delivered nearly all of what it promised. In the top, it was a serious success, successful over each outdated followers that had turned away from the present and new followers.

***BEWARE, HERE BE SPOILERS***

That Bad Season

through Warner Bros.

I don’t suppose I actually need to enter a complete ton of particulars on this. Game of Thrones Season 8 was fairly extensively thought of to be a complete catastrophe. Many individuals would argue that the present had gone downhill for a number of seasons, with the previous few being actively unhealthy. There is a few debate right here. There actually isn’t a lot about Season 8 nonetheless. It was unhealthy. Having moved gone Martin’s printed books, the present bought huge and flashy and misplaced what individuals preferred about it. Nonsensical decisions piled up and introduced the entire thing down. It was unhealthy sufficient that many thought of the legacy of GoT to be tainted.

What had began out as among the best fantasy exhibits of all time, died with a whimper. The fallout was huge. Not solely was GoT affected however so have been a slew of spin-offs. Towards the top of GoT‘s run, a complete slew of potential spin-offs was pitched and introduced. After the debacle of Season 8 nonetheless, lots of these fell off the radar. Some bought canceled, and others went quietly. Many individuals simply misplaced curiosity within the franchise. Then got here House of the Dragon Season 1.

House of the Dragon Season 1 Was a Focused Story

One of GoT‘s issues was how much it sprawled out. The show became more about big flashy fights then a central core. Right from its start, House of the Dragon Season 1 stayed more focused. In this, it followed the early GoT seasons. HotD stayed with a much smaller cast of characters. Outside of the Targaryen, Velaryon, and Hightower families, there are only a few other characters. In addition, the show stayed focused on just a few locations. Almost the entire season takes place either in Kings Landing or on Driftmark and Dragonstone. There are some shorts jaunts to maybe half a dozen other locations, but that’s it.

through HBO

This allowed the present to actually develop a lot of characters. Letting viewers get to know these individuals nicely paid off lots, and allowed them to type attachments. As the present continues, it’s going to actually have to attract these season one attachments to maintain viewers invested.

Strong Performances

through HBO

House of the Dragon Season 1 benefitted from some actually wonderful performances. Paddy Considine Viserys Targaryen was in some ways the standout begin of the present. He was in a position to do a uncommon factor: elevate a personality in an adaptation approach above the supply materials. He wasn’t alone in delivering a robust efficiency. Almost each actor did a bang-up job. The youthful variations of a number of characters, specifically, Milly Alcock and Emily Carey have been surprises. By utilizing a centered strategy and constructing on very sturdy performances, House of the Dragon Season 1 was in a position to redeem the GoT franchise.

Looking Past House of the Dragon Season 1

House of the Dragon Season 1 was good, nevertheless it had some points. It appeared like nearly each episode had no less than one main flaw that introduced it down. The episodes additionally typically felt disconnected. It wasn’t simply the time jumps, although that was a difficulty, but additionally merely that lots of characterization and motives appear to alter from episode to episode. I believe each of those ought to fear individuals for Season 2, however are additionally pretty simple to repair. Without any time jumps to fret concerning the present ought to be OK there.

Courtesy of HBO

The larger situation is probably going that season 2 goes to give attention to the struggle. It could be simple for the present to fall right into a GoT Season 8 entice, going for giant CGI battles and forgoing the interpersonal byplay that’s been so good within the present. On the brilliant facet, the success of Season 1 will probably make HBO extra assured going ahead. House of the Dragon Season 1 was nearly definitely held again by fear that Season 8 of GoT had ruined the franchise. The CGI suffered at instances little doubt, on account of finances. Likewise, the present would have been stronger with extra episodes. Martin himself wished it could possibly be 13, and I may argue for a full two seasons right here. The present would possibly get much more going ahead. I assume we should wait a bit to see, nonetheless.

 

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Abe is that uncommon factor, an Austin native born and raised right here. Though he retains on transferring round, DC, Japan, ETC., he all the time appears to search out his approach again ultimately. Abe has a long time of expertise with a variety of tabletop and RPG video games, from historicals, to Star Wars to D&D and 40K. He has been contributing to BOLS since nearly the beginning, again when he labored at after which owned a neighborhood gaming retailer. He was huge into the aggressive Warhammer event scene however age has mellowed him and he now appreciates informal match. He at the moment covers 40K techniques and lore, in addition to all issues Star Wars, with occasional dabbling in different subjects. Abe stays in mourning over the lack of WFB to this present day.

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