Why House of the Dragon Season 1 is SO GREAT

An overall season critique/review of House of the Dragon season 1. Primarily looking at aspects of the story, characters like Viserys Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen, and different production aspects.
Letterboxd link: letterboxd.com/SupercutDelight/
Thank you to my Patrons: Sean Clancy, Valarmorgulis, Florida Buqmeti, Dean D, Adam Isso, Dr. Jammy Games, Ingsea, and Majestic Potato
www.patreon.com/user?u=20450805
Music:
House of the Dragon Inspired Theme | EPIC VERSION: • House of the Dragon In...
Same Channel for all music used: / @lorchestracinematique
The Crown of Jaehaerys (Rhaenyra's Coronation) - House of the Dragon | EPIC VERSION
• The Crown of Jaehaerys...
Fate of the Kingdoms x Lament (Aegon's Coronation) - House of the Dragon | EPIC VERSION
• Fate of the Kingdoms x...
Queen Alicent Hightower Theme - House of the Dragon | EPIC VERSION
• Queen Alicent Hightowe...
Rhaenyra's Wedding Theme (ft. Rains of Castamere) - House of the Dragon | EPIC VERSION
• Rhaenyra's Wedding The...

[@SpiliosGamer]

Never before have i been so amazed by an actor performance as i did with Paddy Considine. That man deserves all the awards.

[@zer0953]

you can say he deserves.... (puts shades on) all the chicken YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@papaJBD]

First episode or two I wasn’t completely sold on him but wow did he ever win me over

[@hamzamahmood9565]

In some ways Viserys Targaryen will be more memorable than even Ned Stark, due to Paddy's incredible performance.

[@akosleoszilagyi2529]

He was great in Peaky Blinders as well.

[@blueblack3591]

Oooh yes!

[@kappa3787]

I now humbly ask for a “Otto Hightower saying ‘your grace’ for X minutes straight” video

[@suuud92]

With some killer face morphs thrown in.

[@Michaelf1968]

@@suuud92 YES

[@morganrandler7235]

Yes please

[@Crazy-pl1lo]

Of course….. your grace

[@OneHaze]

Surprisingly, I just watched the IGN video review of HotD Season 1, and they have a snippet/clip of Otto Hightower saying "Your Grace"

[@RuthroAlt]

'no matter how fat the leech grows, it always longs for another meal' -such a great quote

[@Ass_of_Amalek]

I don't think that's true

[@alahsiaboi8909]

And yet the maester used leech to treat viserys disease , idk if that intentional

[@BlackfangDragon]

It was intentional.

[@hands-ongaming7180]

@@Ass_of_Amalek then you’re 10

[@zidanemcgil3797]

@@Ass_of_Amalek it is true kzbin.info/www/bejne/rH6yeZWMbKqkn8U

[@fettfan91]

"History does not remember blood, it remembers names." Beautifully written.

[@cerostymc]

I also love the double meaning behind this quote. When I heard it in the trailer without context, I thought "blood" referred more to the literal term, meaning that the brutality of war is often forgotten while the names of the people waging it live on. When Corlys said this in the show, I think with "blood" he meant the true bloodline, saying that (for history) it doesn't matter if Rhaenyra's sons are bastards as long as they still carry on the name "Velaryon"...

[@Timurv1234]

Not as beautifully written as: "There is a tempest in me. It swept me to this island for a reason. And it will not be quelled by you, Regent." xD

[@andrewfoster3520]

“Dragons made us kings, not dreams”

[@Jon155mt]

It's also completely factual

[@YounglingSlayer9000]

Man, that scene of Viserys just walking down the throne room, barely alive and barely able to walk, will stick with me for years to come

[@mememe2231]

As well as that scene at the family dinner when he takes off his eye mask and gives a speech.

[@insert-name101]

I just knew that scene was iconic when he busted in through the door. Like the most iconic scene from the season. Especially when he tries to climb up alone, doesn't ask for any help at all, but daemon comes to help and makes him seat in. And subtly put on the crown. Shows the immense respect and admiration of his moral and politically weaker brother. It was an amazing little detail that had so much significance and probably did more character development/resolution than most of the side characters in season 8

[@Sgt.Dornan117]

Paddy's performance hit close to home. Especially to people who's seen loved ones and others waste away like King Viserys. Many tears were shed in many households.

[@octavianpopescu4776]

He said his performance was inspired by him seeing his dad die of cancer, if I recall correctly.

[@Sgt.Dornan117]

@@octavianpopescu4776 yep! All the interviews and behind the scenes with Paddy are brilliant.

[@jamie_d0g978]

He nails not only the pain, but the absolute exhaustion of being in pain every second. It's heartbreaking

[@nenyeo6090]

@@jamie_d0g978 yesss, exactly that. It was an astonishing performance.

[@BearIslandComics]

Not sure you’re giving Emma D’Arcy quite enough credit. Think of the birth scenes she’s had to do. And literally every moment she’s on screen in episode 10. The knife scene with Alicent…the way she whispers “now they see you as you really are”…the scene in 8 where she pleads with dying Viserys to support her. I think Emma is on another level

[@wellknown1204]

Exactly!!! Emma D'Arcy acting was amazing as an adult Rhaenyra. She is really phenomenal, and also do not forgot how her eyes spoke for her secreet relationship with Harwin Strong in ep.6 shuzzzz. She is really convincing us with those loving, and longing eye contact between them. I am done cause girl really ATE that role and gave us PERFORMANCE

[@ailene_e]

That birth scene was next level. Blew me away! I totally understand why they had to age them up. You need a certain level of gravitas to handle the adult scenes of Rhaenyra and Alicent as well.

[@Paul-wd8cz]

I think it's great that a trans actor is getting is getting praise for their acting ability and not called woke for their pronouns.

[@maxZ_b]

I totally agree with this just please be mindful that Emma d'arcy uses they/them pronouns ^-^

[@rhaelicent]

Yup exactly, they’re incredible. Also please use they/them when talking about Emma next time since they are non binary :)

[@morganrandler7235]

Millie was more emotional as Rheanyra because she was a teenager, filled with emotion and unfamiliar with how to handle herself in a PC manner. By the time Emma is portraying the character, Rheanyra is nearly 30, a mother of 5,(6) and married twice over. She's been a political figure and pawn for her entire life and has much more self control. The look Emma gave us in that last frame of the show, told me that those emotions were absolutely still within Rheanyra, and not it was going to be released. I think in season 2 we'll see the Black Queen act on emotion, and Emma will absolutely rock those performances!

[@alexissimpson5819]

The performance in episode 10 was already amazing. It was almost as good as Patty in episode 8. People are only critical of older Rhaenyra because she acts more mature than she did as a teenage girl which isn’t fair at all. It would not make sense for a woman in her late 30s to be “spunky” and “defiant” like she was a 15.

[@DannyMakesVideosIGuess]

@@alexissimpson5819 It's probably a symptom of the increased time-jumps, we didn't get time to see her grow as a character because the showrunners wanted to get to the civil war quicker, it just meant the transition was quite jarring and while Emma does great with her more mature Rhaenyra, the contrast is stark with little transition.

[@valentinvainqueur4989]

@@alexissimpson5819 agreed, I was a bit skeptical about Emma d'Arcy on their first episodes but the 10 completely got me, very good acting by her/them. HBO really knows how to cast unknowns talented actors.

[@walterdbrown]

For me, Emma D'Arcy was better, considering the role she's given is less "alive" than Millie's. Millie did her job wonderfully, but Emma is going to kill it in season 2. And hot damn is her voice fuckin sexy...

[@guinevereemilysummers9945]

@@walterdbrown Emma actually uses They/Them pronouns just fyi.

[@mrink8822]

when you Realize you have to wait two years for the next season

[@carterepstein2982]

"This is an absurdity"

[@Glurfl]

It’ll be worth it.

[@stonecold6521]

Showrunner says it could be out late next eyar.

[@king09426]

Showrunners say it would happen before the end of 2023.

[@DexMASTER94]

Season one was shot during highest covid peak period holding shooting back. Now with free hands and no restrictions it can be done sooner. At least i hope for it...

[@ismaelismael8543]

“Set aside your grievances, if not for the sake of the crown, then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly.” Viserys' speech at the last supper broke me, his actor deserves all the awards he'll be given

[@alexissimpson5819]

Emma D’Arcy’s performance in episode 10 is extremely underrated. The closest any other actor came to matching Patty in episode 8.

[@jsan3743]

The look on Rhaenyra’s face in the final scene gives me chills. As a mother, the extreme pain, anguish, and seething violent anger I would feel would be unfathomable. Emma nailed those emotions with just a look.

[@maxdove9028]

Honestly the relief I felt that it wasn't season 8 writing made me so happy, it felt like season 4 GoT which is awesome

[@pietrocatalano4285]

I mean, Season 8 writing is about the lowest bar you could have possibly had for this show going into it, so I don't think anyone was particularly surprised when this turned out to be way better. You would have to try real hard to make something that awful twice.

[@valentinvainqueur4989]

@@pietrocatalano4285 Considering the gigantic budget they had, GoT 8 is probably the worst season that has ever been made. It was very unlikely to be as bad, but we could have expected something like GoT 5 or 6, just about average. Gladly we got a GoT 1-4 tier quality show, which is outstanding.

[@slenderfoxx3797]

I liked Hotd a lot. The writing/ dialogue so far imo isn't quite GOT 1-4 level...more so season 5-6 level. With some moments that feel 1-4 quality. And its definitely only the higher end of season 5-6 quality...HOTD is no "bad poosey" level dialogue which unfortunately was in season 5. Although I do think theres quite a few moments in season 5 and 6 that outclass most if not every scene in HOTD.

[@Helldog6]

@@slenderfoxx3797 It's right in the middle, IMO. It's far better than Season 5-8, but not quite as good as Seasons 1-4. But you also have to remember that they essentially stretched out 50 pages into 10 episodes. The entire first season is basically an epilogue. Season 1-4 of GoT were books worth of material. Now the real fun begins for House of the Dragon, and hopefully that means the quality will just be getting better. I believe if they continue this quality, follow the books, and don't go too over-the-top with spectacle over characters - you could genuinely have seasons of this show that rival the very best of GoT.

[@slenderfoxx3797]

@@Helldog6 Yeah I agree...theres only a few changes/small moments I disagree with or find frustrating/not good. Some of the character visual trait changes like them refusing to have any valyrian looking characters besides Targaryens. No violet eyes either for the targs...the dragon sizes I wish were a little bigger too. And the Rhaenys dragon pit moment wasnt the most logical ot accurate to her character...but yeah if they can not have any further changes and just stick to the books itll only be up from here...as this whole season was basically a prologue.

[@Funkboxster]

paddy considine said in an interview that he put a lot of his personal experience into viserys, as he watched his father die of cancer... i watched mine die too and seeing his performance reminded me of those moments, it was a tragically wonderful performance, bravo

[@stefdiazdiaz7067]

or maybe he died of chemotherapy

[@deschwa92]

Very rude comment,​@@stefdiazdiaz7067

[@Divine_Chareka]

Rys Ifans killed it as Otto Hightower, I feel like the man is not getting enough credit due to the character he's portraying.

[@ANA-il6js85]

Yes, i know people are taking sides 🤣, but you need to give credit to the actor when he is good. Black or green 🤣

[@margarethmichelina5146]

Can't believe he's the same guy who played Luna Lovegood's dad and also The Lizard in Amazing Spiderman movie.

[@christiansargent6053]

When you really hate a character, you know the performance is great

[@shreddedpapers]

My favorite lines actually come from Olivia Cooke's Alicent Hightower when she was about to stab Rhaenyra/Lucerys and she said "Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? It's trampled under your pretty foot again". It was so good I really felt the desperation and jealousy that Alicent felt towards Rhaenyra over the years and she finally let it shown after being suppressed by all the people around her. I don't remember Alicent's character being this memorable in the book so I definitely love what the showrunners and actors have done in the show!

[@yingkouzen]

I love the response quote… “Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness, but now they see you as you are.”

[@andrewfoster3520]

I think this is actually my favourite moment from the show. Because it shows the depths of their characters motivations towards each other. Daemon putting the crown on Viserys is a close second.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

I mostly shympathized to Alicent, girl can't catch a break as she had to sell her virginity on younger age, has to raise 3 kids on her own as teenager and young adult, her best friend who is the Princess gave her silent treatment ever since she becomes her stepmom because their friendship is not the same anymore, Her husband / The King sees her as a joke most of the time, her father needs to get banished for some point and her best friend always getting away from everything. Even when she has 3 bastard children and one of her kids made her son lost an eye, she's still mad of how Rhaenyra is still protected by her husband. But, the problem is, she's a crybaby as she's crying almost of every episodes! I even called her Crybaby Cersei because she may try to act like Cersei but she's not emotionally strong like Cersei.

[@hamzamahmood9565]

House of the Dragon made me realize just how starved I was of good storytelling. We've had plenty of high-budget movies/TV shows in the past 5-10 years and yet very few have actually moved the viewers to their core. The film industry should learn to prioritize writing over empty action and CGI, if they want to gain some respect.

[@hands-ongaming7180]

As long as china and the west eat up the slip, don’t expect anything anytime soon

[@rajveerdholan8291]

Yeah, i think its the best season 1 of any show i have ever watched, even better than season 1 of GoT, Sopranos and The Wire. But its not like there weren't great storytellings in the past 5 years. Take Better Call Saul and Succession for example

[@InfoRanker]

Epic show, one of the best shows I've ever seen. As you say it's not perfect but no show is, yet despite the jarring time jumps and countless names to remember I was hooked and engaged in the story immediately as I was in GOT. The actor who plays King Viserys deserves an award for his performance.

[@Oscar08814]

What annoys me is that those imperfections could've been avoided quite easily but I'm down to ignore them and enjoy the 90% of enjoyable material haha

[@PenguinNinja45]

@Dyl damn… Now I’m sad we missed all of these

[@caruzo9631]

no show is perfect?!? WestWorld Season 01 begs to differ 😏

[@alaekribia2980]

@@caruzo9631 breaking bad, bcs,mr robot, dark,the leftovers, Td s1 are perfect shows

[@made-line7627]

@Dyl "Reds"? Seven Hells

[@sebadrum16]

I LOVED when Otton goes to Dragonstone in the finale and offers terms to Rhaenerya. His voice has such power to it.

[@manvirshergill1739]

It was stupid for Alicent to even send him. He shouldn't have got out of dragonstone alive.

[@ZipSnipe]

That really took balls because you know Daemon wants to separate that head

[@officialthomasjames]

@@manvirshergill1739 obviously not. Alicent anticipated Rhaenyra considering the terms and she was right.

[@tommysoliz3064]

@@manvirshergill1739 you didn’t notice the strong manipulation he had on Rhaenyra? He made her hesitate which was disastrous.

[@tommysoliz3064]

@Ali Chaudhry who are you even talking to?

[@vangeles11]

I think I can agree with the decision to use the original GOT theme song in the intro. It reminds the viewer that this is all in the same universe and gives a sense of continuity across the spin-offs. You can’t help but feel like you’re being thrust into the world right when you hear the first few seconds of the opener. At least that’s how I felt when I heard it again after so long since GOT finale when I watched episode 1 of HOTD.

[@MishiBelley]

I agree. At first I was a little disappointed, I expected at least some changes to the original theme song, but I don't hate that it offers the continuity of the GOT world

[@WanderingPropeller]

I was just happy to associate that iconic theme song with a quality product once more.

[@Sipu97]

I feel like it doesn't fit like it did with GoT. I wish they had changed it altogether or modified it.

[@vangeles11]

@@Sipu97 yup that woulda been my preferred route. but that's why i said "i can agree" with their decision to just keep it haha i mean it's so damn iconic at this point

[@peachlume]

i agree to an extent, but i would really like if they still used the same theme but in a different rendition. Like using a choir, instead, something like that. I do qh

[@L33Reacts]

Paddy needs an Emmy for his performance… absolutely breathtaking in those last episodes. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen it was that good. Matt has also put in a great performance as Daemon. Amazing first season of television 🎉

[@cassi94]

Between Paddy and Emma.. the acting was amazing. Emma specifically was able to convey so much by doing so little. Those birthing scenes, the scenes with the children or her father even… her facial expressions in the finale- she is a force. Paddy did amazing! But Emma has me eager for this next season.

[@mariannestrgzr9374]

I think Emma's acting is underrated, they're not given near enough credit for their performance

[@margarethmichelina5146]

Hopefully, they (Emma is non-binary in real life) get nominated in Emmy next year along with Paddy, Matt and Olivia.

[@cassi94]

@@margarethmichelina5146 I could see that!

[@mvdum29]

The Rhaenyra/Alicent confrontation scene in Episode 7 was one of my favourite moments in the entire franchise and the dialogue was killer, showing the conflict between the two so well. "Exhausting, wasn't it? Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness. But now they see you as you are." Love it.

[@kari8187]

“10 years!!!! 10 years you’ve been king and not asked me once to be your Hand!” Loved this moment between the brothers.

[@ro4eva]

Me too. I really like Daemon despite his bad deeds. Some people give me a hard time because I don't consider him a villain, but rather, an anti-hero.

[@kari8187]

@@ro4eva he’s neither good or bad, he’s just loyal to a fault at times.

[@rocksjoshua]

I also want to appreciate how they had a weekly release schedule, I honestly feel like this show wouldn't carry the same amount of weight if it was all released at once like Netflix does. We need to go back to this old format, I really enjoyed waiting a week, building up hype for every episode, watching reviews and predictions for the next one.

[@sallycriss353]

I agree 100%. I guess I am old and remember the anticipation of knowing your show is on at a certain time on a certain day with millions of others watching at the same time and then the wait to see what happens next. It has been fun watching HOTD with my 16 yr old who has learned that the anticipation is half the fun.

[@dineinunes]

"We need to go back to this old format" The weekly release never left, this is literally how network TV series work.

[@bryanchu5379]

@@dineinunes A lot of shows on Netflix just release the whole season at once nowadays. I'm pretty sure Stranger Things does this.

[@dineinunes]

@@bryanchu5379 I am not talking about Netflix, which is the only one that uses this model of release. Every other streaming and, like I already said, NETWORK TV uses the weekly release same as it's ever been. It never stopped being the default mode for releasing tv series.

[@hands-ongaming7180]

People were crying and winging when The Boys went once a week instead of dropping the whole show

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

We need a super cut of Daemon wanting to end Otto Hightower’s existence.

[@randallbell4057]

12:06 I believe the reason, why Drogon, Viseryon and Rhaegal looked so alike is, that they hatched probably from the same dragon, since they were brought together.

[@GTNL6]

Even though that's true, in the earlier seasons they had distinct colours, whilst at the end they were all a bland grey brown green muddish mixture

[@100apples5]

If this show can stick the landing, it will def be a modern classic

[@Hero_Of_Old]

Well, the book its based on is a complete narrative.

[@JindrichGebhart93]

I agree with you that Ser Harwin Strong should have a more screen time..i looked forward to see this guy more in the show but i was so sad and shocked what happened to him...like the good old GoT days..

[@jrgenvellesen7800]

While Paddy and Matt were amazing, I think both of Aemond’s actor’s were really great as well. Both of the scenes with them while dragonriding were top tier!

[@mariannestrgzr9374]

As much as Aemond's older actor was convincing, I just couldn't take him seriously because of how goofy he looked and acted. Bro looked like he was the villain from a Disney movie 😬

[@PtownSoccer15]

I liked his older actor more, when he was younger I felt like he was just a brat. When he was older he seemed a man who had motivations that we have yet to see.

[@FirefulXD]

@@PtownSoccer15 i think that has more to do with how the character himself really is, not the actors

[@PtownSoccer15]

@@FirefulXD I realized that once I commented lol

[@aahana4931]

​@@mariannestrgzr9374 honestly he reminded me of an anime villain and i love it!! A lot of grrm's character are like classic anime tropes tbh

[@jooopajoo1030]

Daemon is also a damn vampire. The man looked super young compared to Viserys even in episode 1 and after that he didnt age a day during a few decades.

[@benghiskahn3673]

I thought he aged quite a lot. Nowhere near as much as Viserys or the girls but I noticed it.

[@LuzikArbuzik77]

It's Viserys who is getting old much quicker than he should because of his illness.

[@jimmyj5703]

Same could literally be said for Ser Criston, Otto, Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys.

[@theiccebergg]

emma d’arcy’s very first scene is absolutely incredible and shows her strength as an actress

[@hippie_pixie420]

I hate to be that person but Emma D'arcy goes by they/them pronouns.

[@maracarlisle]

@@hippie_pixie420 You hate it, but you had to be that person anyway.

[@zoltansomlai5627]

@@hippie_pixie420 noone cares

[@Crazy-pl1lo]

@@hippie_pixie420 she’s pretty cool other then that stupid shit

[@hippie_pixie420]

I get the some people don't care but it's just the simple case of respecting peoples pronous if the Google search engine can do it so can you

[@oakenheart]

Unlike ASOIF, F&B wasn't that rich and the entire story was written in 3rd person's perspective. There isn't that much of a conversation between the characters. So the writers have to be creative and make up almost entirely the actual dialogue that we got in HotD. Not only this but the showrunners have to deal with the many time jumps and the different sources of the story an their credibility to make a show that won't feel overwhelming and that would be realistic as possible. And I think it came out very well done thanks to them, the actors, all of the crew and to the composer who continues to transport us into this world. 🧡🧡

[@1AlejoYT]

That Vaghar scene when Luke first sees it under the rain was TERRYFING!!

[@IDKbruh420]

Waiting 1- 1.5 years for season 2 is gonna be so painful ..

[@PhilHug1]

More like 1.5-2 years

[@Argos-xb8ek]

The rendition of An Impossible Choice playing during Viserys looking over his family during his final dinner was amazing

[@batgurrl]

It was incredible. It started off strongly but kept getting better and better. I loved it: Thanks for your astute analysis here🐉

[@darthvader7129]

I am floored by how well this was executed. I compare this season to Succession in some ways. I could watch 2 seasons of just this lead-up. The acting amazing; cinematography brilliant, writing excellent; direction pristine; costumes are next level; amazing sets; awesome CG dragons. I could go on and on and on.....

[@rach101]

“Now they see you as you are” gives me goosebumps

[@akhiltvr6071]

13:12 House Hightower theme is also really good, evokes a feeling of tragedy, Ramin Djawadi is so great

[@TheLethalGuy]

I’m glad the budget didn’t take away from the story itself. They used it how it should be used: to enhance the scenes

[@thomasov2004]

Waiting for 2 years is killing me. And if this show is going to have 4 seasons we'll have 6 years in front of us!

[@TheLala114]

Emma was brilliant Very subtle, very still. Her face at the end says it all, there is sooo much more to come.

[@Johnathanbyers]

Paddy was jaw dropping. Without even realizing he had become my favourite character of the entire season. Theres something so wholesome and honest about his performance (which is also a testament to the shows writers) and i think thats why it stands out so much. Its a true tragedy.

[@MrDragonRune]

We also can't ignore the fact that, since GoT was so popular and already introduced viewers to the customs and terminology of Westeros, it allowed the writers of HotD to sort of skip a lot of the exposition that would've been paramount had GoT not existed.

[@caiocarvalho8844]

Targaryens killing cilivians just solidify that the poor people will always suffer the most, no matter which side sits on the throne. Another scene that showed this quite well was the child's pit fight, or how the people were just forced like cattle before the crowning. This adds nuance to the characters and more complexity to the overall story in my view

[@louyou6614]

Their littlencare for the small folk I think is commentary from the author . They all fighting for the throne but none of them is trully deserving because the heart of a king mission is to love and want the best for his people They are self centered , some just suck less I guess

[@andrewflores5666]

Some of my favorite lines are “EVEN I AM NOT ABOVE TRADITION” and “No matter how fat the leach grows he always wants for another meal”

[@GoreyBits]

It feels so good to have GoT back in our lives

[@SilvX610]

I loved the first season of HotD. It all felt organic and the characters are very tridimensional and complex. The time gaps might have been a bit annoying, but i can understand it taking place in the first season as it being the season that sets the tone and does the exposition. I just hope that we will learn more in the future seasons in the form of flashbacks. I loved also how we saw from the character's point of view and how they make you shift from one side to the other, because none of the sides are either the embodiment of good or evil. They all have more shades of grey and each and every one of them is the hero of their story. I personally loved the twist in the episode, that being Aemond's reaction to the result of his reckless behaviour. That had me shocked, knowing his tendecies and how quick to anger he can be. Every member of the cast did a stellar job, even the child actors.

[@chigozirim582]

I think syrax should've grown. It's been 20 years since we last saw her you'd think they were at least feeding her well

[@XiyuYang]

The most valid criticism so far regarding season 1 is its pacing: there should have been another episode between Ep 5 and Ep 6 that explores how the major characters (Rhaenyra, Alicent, Daemon, Criston) changed. The inconsistency plagues Criston the most, they fleshed out his character so much in Ep 3 to Ep 5, but completely detracted him into the Green's muscle in Ep 6 to Ep 10. This bothers me a lot.

[@windows95leon]

Matt Smith has blown me away this season. First few episodes I couldn't take him seriously. I'm British and Dr Who is a cultural Icon. He is the 11th Doctor. That's simply who he is in my mind, no matter what I see him in. By the end of this season, I stopped seeing him in this as "Matt Smith, the Doctor". That is big talent.

[@BubblegumCrash332]

As good as season 1 was I think season 2 will be a real banger. No more cast changes and big time jumps. It's going to be crazy

[@adamcummings20]

I agree. Season 1 was like a 10 episode long prequel/pilot for the actual show, and they managed to make it incredible despite the challenges of recasting and time jump. Without those things holding them back, season 2 should be a banger indeed

[@ro4eva]

Believe it or not, Season 1 of HotD was my biggest concern precisely because the majority of it is essentially a prologue. Therefore, the fact that they stuck the landing in the finale left me overjoyed. GoT S8 left me very bitter about Westeros. I didn't ever expect that I'd fall in love with it once more. I pray that we don't end up with more disasters like GoT S8.

[@88kayleigh]

I think it says a lot that the most common and consistent criticism of this show is simply “we wanted MORE!”. I would have loved a 12 episode season - definitely one more episode between 5 and 6 (to show more of Harwin/Rhaenyra and Laena/Daemon) and another between maybe between 7 and 8 to show more of the fallout of Rhaenyra and Daemon’s surprise super secret wedding. Would have liked to see the reaction of Viserys and the Hightowers, their blended family settling in together, and Daemyra as honeymooners.

[@ailene_e]

The character drama and intrigue that I usually prefer in shows I watch, combined with the epic fantasy setting, dragons, etc is really my jam! I loved this season and will be binge watching again for sure.

[@vanquish421]

Your insights into story telling are always fantastic. Thank you for your content.

[@bhondexderothschild1556]

The season stretcher killed me.. damn King Robert was massively underrated..

[@deelaw.]

Paddy Considine was spectacular as King Viserys. Easily the best character so far my other favourite character is Daemon. The brothers were just so interesting.

[@halbarad7932]

Man I've been watching your videos for over a year now. Something that I noticed is that everytime you say something in a video every line corresponds to some cut/scene which to me is really impressive. You are indeed Supercuts Delight.

[@ryanjay707]

Mili just has this aura around her. I wish she continued to play the role. She was very intriguing.

[@alexissimpson5819]

Do you understand Rhaenyra’s arc at all? Also, Milly can’t play a woman in her late 30s with kids. Get over it.

[@psychkosys]

Talk about an inflammatory response for no reason... It's like someone saying they wished a beautiful sunset could last forever and the response is "don't you understand how the day/night cycle works? Get over it!" All you demonstrate is a lack of appreciation for something special in favor of belittling the person who enjoyed it.

[@JoJoJoker]

Season 1 had a *Strong* ending!

[@matthewdiiorio9835]

When the show is so good that the “worst” scenes would be the best scenes in Season 7-8 of Got 😂💪

[@yuliaharsh]

Thank you so much for adding subtitles! 🖤🖤

[@feliciapham1063]

The cinematography was breathtaking so many beautiful shots

[@prdgmshft9107]

You can have a strong female lead without turning them into a man and their unique struggles from girl to womanhood makes you respect their character arc and their motivations with great writing and story telling with out coming off as a pretentious Mary Sue. Honestly I can’t wait for the next season of HOTD!

[@vivek27789]

True.. Very True

[@12wer3wer9]

Yeah I love this! This show is essentially "Girl Power". We follow "strong women characters", who are refreshingly human and intriguing. Not just superhuman action hero men with Vaginas 😂. Who would have thought that people would be so obsessed with 2 Mother's fighting for Power and moving their children like pawns while wearing amazing fashion and not engaging in any sword fight scene!

[@poulomi__hari]

Absolutely. A strong female character is not a female version of Rocky. A strong female doesn't have to fight goons and be a superhero. "Strong" is more about having courage in fave of adversity and surviving with whatever you've got- your strengths AND your weaknesses. A man cannot experience childbirth- thats a woman's strength. A man cannot show tears infront of his enemy- that's a woman's strength. A man can't seduce another man for political gain- that is a woman's strength. So showing what an ordinary woman can do in the setting of a power struggle, I think that is what a strong female character means.

[@officialthomasjames]

I’m so glad this show has gotten us back to what we expect from the GoT universe. I had a feeling it would be good, but did not expect it to be as good as it is. Hopefully, this is a sign for things to come if they do other projects (cough cough Snow).

[@kalecrystal4054]

Totally agree in every point you make except the intro theme. I’m so glad they kept it consistent! I love the tradition of singing along with it and hope they keep it for other spin offs

[@samf.s.7731]

Thank you for mentioning how great Rhys Ifans is on the show, saw someone earlier today who didn't seem to agree. They also have a habit of expected everyone to be a 1:1 comparison to GoT characters they're familiar with, and I gotta just casually mention that's not the case at all.

[@SithCelia]

I'll second the call for Paddy Considine to get that Emmy. Even watching this video and that scene of Viserys' last meal with the family brought tears to my eyes the way it had when I watched those episodes. He was such a joy to watch throughout this first season. I also can't get over how different Rhys Ifans looks as Otto Hightower versus the platinum blond rockstar brother, Julian, in Little Nicky. He's still damned cool despite his shady machinations of Alicent and Aegon.

[@DomCobb1]

Best show right now and is sad that the season is finished. I don't regret watching this instead of RoP

[@godsgrace971]

Excellent review and I agree with mostly everything you said. The acting was excellent, the writing flawless and the scenery spectacular. I did not mind the time jumps at all since they are not the story but just a backdrop to understanding the root cause for the dance. I'm also rooting for Patty's Emmy. Overall standing ovation for an awesome first season. 👏 👏👏 it's great to be back in Westeros.

[@danielbueno2557]

Your video made me realize how much I loved this show, so glad got universe is back

[@trainspotter360]

My mom had Multiple Sclerosis for many years and the way King Viserys slow kind of deterioration was hard to watch but very impactful. People who are sick but don't want to worry their loved ones will suffer in silence, and you can see it in his mannerisms and it wouldn't surprise me if the actor has had to go through something similar in his personal life.

[@louyou6614]

His dad died of cancer I think

[@squishyturtles1648]

Show lived up to any expectations I had. Phenomenal season excited for the second one.

[@markk217]

I love the GoT opening theme and like that HoTD kept it. Too iconic for the story of Westeros imo.

[@Gigipretty64]

My favourite is Otto “sheath the fucking steel” after Caraxes shows up 😂

[@makaronmadownahihi]

For me its cast. Dialogues are pog (expecially silence/face expressions are). Everything is so good: costumes, face expressions, the way actors deliver their lines like comeon bro its all so good and nicely executed. Even cgi was on point too idk man i have nothing to flame at all. Whole season was perfectly executed (imo) it was never boring or out of place stuff that didnt contributed to the story. Cherry on top is that show tries to make blacks and greens gray while book tries to make greens the bad guys (team black obv but still i really like this procedure)

[@96Jazangel]

George RR Martin said the characters are the story. HOTD nailed their characterizarion of this unit within the Targaryen dynasty. It’s tragic, riveting, and beautiful. You question taking sides, but as a viewer you’re going to be more sympathetic to one character more than the other. I love Rhaenyra‘s fighting spirit but I also sympathise with Alicent’s repression. Viserys walking to the throne to defend Rhaenyra is one of the most iconic scenes and will remain with me forever. This show can only get better by improving itself, and keeping GRRM in the creative circle.

[@clairearnold2299]

Tbh I kind of like having the same title music. It serves as a theme for Westeros itself and you can hear it echoing in “Interests of the Realm” and “Rhaenyra’s Welcome”. Just my take though, awesome review :)

[@luizribeiro2716]

The ost from Daemon walking onto the Stepstones gave me chills

[@quincymartinez1530]

i will always be so happy to hear the GOT theme in any opening in my opinion, it is so iconic that it just makes sense to have it for every spin off. their obviously different stories but the theme is what brings it all together.

[@minhdh6885]

Let's be honest, this season was so spectacular and glaring, it felt like a finale season of a show. I don't think many of us had such high expectations, but the amount of drama and birth scenes were just mind-boggling for a normal viewer. I absolutely loved everything, from writing and casting choices to acting performances. And soundtrack from Ramin Djawadi was beautiful and epic as always.

[@wiggal6230]

buddy, you are not able to make a bad video, are you? great analysis, gave me chills watching it and remembering all the episodes again...

[@TheCrimsonS4ge]

"Since Rhyneara will probably do some heinous things..." I've got two words for you "Blood" and "Cheese".

[@hi-ls6lt]

Tbh from what we know in the book, it was Daemon’s doing not Rhaenyra’s. But it would be interesting to see if they switch it up. At least it would give Rhaenyra ONE THING to do.

[@Claw_01]

I have been hacked and all the searchs are about this channel 💀

[@georgiemac1784]

They had such a huge hill to climb after the disaster that was season 8 so I think it's an even bigger achievement than usual. Or I just appreciate it so much more because of how bad rings of power was 😅

[@lkrnpk]

I like how this is not just family conflict, but also personal conflict of Alicent and Rhaenyra (and Daemon vs Otto) and also one of undertones of religion (Old Town vs old Valyrian practices) and possible conspiracy due to that too

[@sarahobah]

That "your grace" montage was so good I'd submit it to the panel for all the awards.

[@StewartFletcher]

My biggest problem is definitely the time jumps. I think they could've gone a full season with the young cast and maybe ended the season with the birth of Jace and the realization that Rhaenyra's heir is a bastard and the implications around that

[@louyou6614]

But then season 2 would also be prequel

[@StewartFletcher]

@@louyou6614 ... the whole show is a Prequel...

[@louyou6614]

@StewartFletcher no like the main event of the narrative is the dance So waiting 2 season could have dragged it made it boringvor repetitive

[@StewartFletcher]

@@louyou6614 I guess if they wrote it poorly. But they don't have to write it poorly. They were just SO set on having the dance start right as the season was ended, that they sacrificed good pacing and more meaningful character moments

[@louyou6614]

@StewartFletcher ngl I want to see more haelena (with her mom maybe parallels) Viserys and his children since in the book he didi have a relation with them More of the children and how they started like normal and stuff and politics and parents made them enemies too Idk That what come to me like at first thoughts Maybe some Hightower in oldtiwn like some backstory

[@minhdh6885]

This season was so well-executed, it is definitely up there among the best ones in GoT universe.

[@cheshirekoala9457]

I really would have loved more character development not only for Harwin Strong and Laena Velaryon, but also for Aemma Arryn. She represented an oportunity to explore Rhaenyra's relation with that side of her family and its political consequences, and make Aemma's death even more emotional and impactful.

[@arionjoramaeneas673]

15:02 „the season-stretcher“… I can’t 😂

[@jacktingey7886]

I liked House of the Dragon and Rings of Power, but I think that HOTD definitely had the better first season. Story wise, it played on existing lore while branching out into uncharted territory. I love how most of the "historical facts" from Fire and Blood were the same as in HOTD, but the motivations were changed to add more depth and tragedy to the characters. Overall, I am looking forward to seeing what happens with both shows.

[@chrisissick3147]

Paddy is a God. I'm in love with Olivia. Her facial expressions alone are amazing. She doesn't even need to talk in some of these scenes.

[@zacharytaylor5023]

i agree with everything you say except for the intro song that theme is a classic and it makes me hyped for every single episode

[@vitsobotka6268]

The Velaryon soundtrack reminds me of drummers on boats to give the tempo to rowers. Not sure if that was the intention and direction Ramin wanted to go, but that was the vibe I got from it. And I love it

[@tytybaby06]

Agreed!! The only other issue I had was the size of the dragons Caraxes & Syrax should’ve grown over the 20yrs we were with them

[@lewidavies304]

the worst part about the time jumps was when side characters had completely new actors portraying them, like with that one cave scene in episode 6 with aemond being given a pig by the kids as a joke, I literally had no idea who was who until later on, it felt a bit jarring.

[@benculbertson536]

It really helps when they have solid source material to base it on.

[@TheMinesweeps]

At first I thought you were being too strict about the quality of the dialogue of HOTD and how it doesn’t amount to GOT, but then I remember scenes like Jaime’s speech about being the Kingslayer and it makes the claim a bit more reasonable. Can’t wait to see you review Season 2!

[@juliankerr3268]

Interesting that we went from being cautiously optimistic to why this season is so great