With two episodes released, you’ve probably decided if House of the Dragon is for you. Likely if you enjoy Succession, you’ll dig it — the co-creators even name-dropped that show — since this one is much more about interpersonal relationships and the power struggle of a kingdom. It’s certainly got something to say about that while also being a precursor to the wildly enjoyed Game of Thrones (at least until that last season).
If there’s one thing House of the Dragon promises right there in the title is appearances by dragons. Of course, Game of Thrones had dragons too, but so far, we’re three for three with dragon sightings in this series. Right out of the gate, the first scene takes us to the beach where a man is being tortured, and crabs look to feast on his flesh. Enter Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), who comes riding his dragon burning up the enemies. A poor victim tied to a post assumes he’s being rescued, but no, the dragon stomps on his body. A good metaphor for Prince Daemon’s appearance as a hero when in fact, he’s the villain all along.
If it wasn’t already obvious, the Targaryen’s ruled for so long because dragons were nearly impossibly powerful, especially in battle. They aren’t invulnerable, though, and the opening scene proves that, as well as hints that the Targaryens will someday fall.
Aside from familiar locations, this episode also features Jefferson Hall as Lord Jason Lannister, who plays twin brother Tyland Lannister. The show has a bit of fun with the character interacting with Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock), as if to say in another life, maybe Rhaenyra and Jefferson wed, and the future would be entirely different. Elements like this permeate this episode and the show in general, showing how with a slight change in history, maybe the events in Game of Thrones would be different.
Milly Alcock continues to be incredible in the role of Princess Rhaenyra, who in this episode is quite miffed her father married, and thus she has no claim to the throne. As it turns out, their conversation was influenced by others hoping Princess Rhaenyra would fall in love and finally wed someone. This sequence of events is an excellent example of how a lot of this show is interested in showing the culture of kings and princesses. In that way, on some scale, it could be set in natural history as the fantasy elements and more significant dramas aren’t involved.
Ser Harwin ‘Breakbones’ Strong is gonna be important, mark my words.
Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO
If I were a betting man, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel ) might be the secret hero House of the Dragon. He’s appeared in two scenes so far and been given a couple of lines. He doesn’t have top billing, but having him be at key locations in each episode suggests he’ll either be critical to the narrative later, or he’ll end up being a scribe of these events in some history book. Either way, Corr acts this role well and looks like a medieval version of Michael Imperioli’s Chris from The Sopranos.
It’s Princess Rhaenyra’s stubbornness not to wed or accept her father’s marriage that leads to some hard choices and likely bad outcomes for the character. A good ten minutes is devoted to King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) conferring with folks on what to do about his daughter. It’s unclear why there’s any rush on her wedding or not precisely, but one assumes it’s mostly because folks are tired of waiting, and she’s getting too old to be unwed.
Considine gets the most acting to do in this episode, and he’s excellent. The man goes from being reluctant but putting on a face to slowly getting drunker and drunker. Eventually, he’s embarrassing himself and, probably at his worst, telling truths to his wife that may make her do terrible things. From the very start, the show has signaled King Viserys will likely meet an untimely and horrific end, and Considine gives this character so much depth you’ll feel for him even when he’s being a bastard.
I haven’t mentioned the Hand of King Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) in these House of the Dragon reviews, but he’s a great character. He captures the tactical nature of the king’s best schemers but appears trustworthy. Of all the characters in the show, he’s the one most likely to make choices based on history and what’s best based on politics, so in a way, he counters the decisions and desires of most of the emotional and rational characters in the show. He serves the idea that past mistakes will repeat themselves if you care too much mind to the past.
This episode lacks action, but it makes up for it with drama and good acting. The final scenes will get you hyped for what comes next — and continues to show in this universe refusing to help each other or break away from tradition will get you killed — and do well to show Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) as a stubborn psychopath. If the action of Prince Daemon hasn’t proven it yet, this dude is formidable and a great central villain for the narrative.
House of the Dragon episode three won’t raise your blood pressure much — save for the last sequence — but it will have you pondering which way these characters go from here. That makes for great television, especially since you’ll be rooting for every character thanks to impeccable acting and well-plotted drama.
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