Review: “House of the Dragon” is less addictive than its previous throne

THE HBO followed the majesty of “Game of Thrones” with what could be called “throne games” in “House of the Dragon,” a series whose epic visual grandeur belies a smaller, less addictive power struggle more narrowly focused on Targaryen history.

It’s not bad, and there are plenty of dragons, but it doesn’t produce the kind of characters that defined and elevated its predecessor to prestigious TV royalty.

Working from the author’s prequel George RR Martin “Fire & Blood”, the new series has the disadvantage of taking place almost two centuries before the main events of “Game of Thrones”, taking place 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.

This increases the pressure for creators, of course.

The current occupant of the Iron Throne, King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine ), is somewhat reckless as a monarch, so much so that he is called weak by his brother Daemon (Matt Smith playing a very different prince from his role in “The Crown”), a ruthless rake who openly lusts after power.

Viserys longs for a male heir. With his pregnant wife again, their teenage daughter Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock ), a gifted dragon rider, realizes that her fate hinges on the birth of a child, as well as that of her uncle as another potential successor.

Pretty much everyone seems to be throwing angles that suggest they’re a step or two ahead of Viserys, including Hand of the King, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans ), who exercises silent authority without raising his voice.

George RR Martin shares the credit with Ryan Condal, a newcomer to the “Thrones” world, with Miguel Sapochnik also at the helm.

However, while HBO has clearly opened up the piggy bank to ensure the visuals are as sumptuous as could be expected – and composer Ramin Djawadi’s slightly modified score goes a long way in reviving the mood – these series are built on characters.

Simply put, the occupants of this realm initially dwindle alongside Tyrion, Arya, or even any of the Lannister or Stark children.

Projecting a decade-long jump midway through the season, the story gradually becomes more compelling over the course of the six episodes, boasting moments as brutal and gory as anything produced by “Thrones.”

There is also the vague threat of war on the outer edges of the realm and the periodic use of dragons as the ultimate weapon in Middle Ages-style air warfare.

The vigorous debate that surrounded the final season of “Game of Thrones” has somewhat obscured the exalted place that the series held until then, sustaining a level of excellence that is virtually unparalleled.

Notably, production began in 2019 before the launch of several streaming services that significantly increased TV’s level of ambition and investment in the realm of fantasy.

When the original started, Cersei’s character said that when you play the game of thrones, “You win or you die.” In a way, this mantra mirrored the massive stake and huge rewards made and reaped by the series itself.

“House of the Dragon” tries to play a similar game, but 11 years after the first series premiered, the world of TV has changed. And at best, both this series and HBO will likely have to settle for a smaller, more qualified, and less decisive victory.

“House of the Dragon” premieres August 21 on HBO.

Source: CNN Brasil

You may also like