House of the Dragon – And thus began the Dance of the Dragons –

After the disappointments caused by the last season of Game of Thronesat the announcement of the spin-off on the Dance of Dragons many of us have found ourselves turning up our noses, for fear of receiving something below expectations again. So, a little hesitant (but in our hearts, just as hopeful) we approached this new project by HBO. And we were really excited about it.

House of the Dragon brings us back to the branded world George Martin that so much have us dreaming with the mother series, but in a more familiar atmosphere. No coming and going of families and countless characters to remember, here everything revolves around the house that has reigned for a long time on that throne that so many crave.

So here we are with the review of the first season of House of the Dragon.

Trama House of the Dragon

The series is set 200 years before the events narrated in the main series, and if we want to be even more precise, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. It aims to tell us what led to the end of the Targaryen House, that is the events that precede and take place during the civil war of the Targaryen, presented precisely as the Dance of Dragons.

Everything opens with a choice: Viserys I Targaryen proclaimed fifth king of the Seven Kingdoms. Known to all as a warm, kind and honest man, he succeeds his grandfather, King Jaehaerys I at the expense of his cousin. Princess Rhaenyra, Viserys’ eldest daughter, is a dragon rider and expects to become the first reigning queen of the Seven Kingdoms, following the appointment of her father. However, since the birth of her younger stepbrother, Aegon IIand by the constant demands of his uncle Daemona warrior who wields the steel sword of Valyria called the Dark Sister, given to him by Jaehaerys I, his future never seems to be entirely certain.

These are the premises of the first season that traces about 30 years of the history of the Targaryen, to start what will be one of the bloodiest family struggles that the Seven Kingdoms have ever seen.

Cast House of the Dragon

In the cast of this first season there are two fundamental variations over the course of the episodes. During the first six episodes, Rhaenyra and Alicent (future wife of King Viserys) are respectively played by Milly Alcock e Emily Careyhowever, since the series spans several years, the two actresses will be replaced for the season finale by Emma Darcy e Olivia Cooke.

King Viserys is portrayed by Paddy Considine which gives a masterful interpretation that projects him directly to the next Emmy Awards as an absolute protagonist. His brother Daemon, on the other hand, is played by the much better known Matt Smith.

Princess Rhaenys and her consort, Lord Corlys are respectively played by Eve Best e Steve Toussaint; while the King’s hand as well as Alicent’s father, Otto Hightower is Rhys Ifans.

Recensione House of the Dragon

As already mentioned in the introduction of this article, there were very few who trusted this new project, but after seeing the first narrative cycle, we all have to change our minds, because House of the Dragon is worthy of comparisons with the first seasons of the mother series. .

In the series conceived by Ryan Condal (with the constant supervision of Martin) there is everything that made us passionate about the events of Westeros: politics, intrigue, betrayal, incest, struggle for power and this time much more space for majestic dragons that cover the skies of Landing of the King and Dragonstone. Although penalized by the CGI, the dragons prove to be fundamental for the fate of the regto, especially in the last two episodes of this first season. On the other hand, let’s not forget that we are talking about the Targaryen, the only ones in the Seven Kingdoms capable of taming these creatures.

The season opens by introducing us to this world that anticipates the events narrated in GoT, and does so with a fast pace that leaves no room for useless waste of time, because there are too many things to show. Milly Alcock in the role of a young Rhaenyra is perfect, she introduces us to what will be the future goals of her character, which will reach its climax with the interpretation of Emma Darcy. As well as all the rest of the cast, which together guarantees a staging that works excellently. No episode is boring because events happen in succession that do not allow you to breathe and consequently even the most cumbersome ones, keep you glued to the screen in search of a key that can solve the whole situation.

A struggle for the throne without savings, because those who wish to reign over the Seven Kingdoms cannot be pleased with a familiar face. This, however, does not interest the character of Paddy Considine, who keeps repeating to his spouse that despite a male heir having arrived, the offspring will pass into the hands of his daughter. The thing does not go down to the people and even less to the grandfather of the newcomer, as well as the First Knight who will try in every way to guarantee the rise of his grandson, without sparing anyone.

The scenographic sector is masterful in the creation of costumes, atmospheres and environments, only flaws in some wigs that give an effect that is too “teased”. The same can be said of photography and direction: no risk, but a dim light that surrounds the darkest moments, as well as the totality of oxen present in some episodes, to culminate with the sky torn only by lightning during the last bet. A work that certainly sees the support of George Martin, but that finds the courage to separate in some choices, to better represent events that are treated more slowly in the books, in order to guarantee a more fluid and adrenaline-filled vision.

Feelings play a big role in these first episodes, there is room for unchallenged hatred, for the love of their children by different characters, but also for a sinful love that makes long laps before finally closing. the circle. The psyche of the characters turns out to be just as important, because in the continuous face-to-face that are shown to us, no one ever reveals his true intentions. Every festive toast, every happy smile actually reveals totally opposite thoughts. Perhaps it is really true that “When a Targaryen is born, the gods throw a coin.”

Conclusion

A first season that we feel we can promote, not with full marks, but with a very large enough above all our best expectations. Waiting for the Dance of the Dragons to really begin, although apparently it will take a few more years. Rumors report a second season no earlier than 2024.

Meanwhile, we came out madly in love with one of the houses that made the history of Westeros and that much desired throne and waiting for the new episodes, we will find a way to finish the books that started this new adventure. We leave you with a quote taken from there and which is directly linked to the last episode seen:

Then the storm broke out, and the dragons danced ”.