‘House of the Dragon’ – ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’ – Review
George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire took the attention of the world when it was brought to the screen in the thunderous fantasy adaptation, Game of Thrones. Best defined as a cultural moment, the world of Westeros came alive for audiences and delivered immense drama and extravagance. Now with House of the Dragon, Martin and series showrunner Ryan Condal are ready to take audiences back to a time when the Targaryens ruled all of Westeros in ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’.
Set 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones and the arrival of Daenerys Targaryen, House of the Dragon is set within the rule of King Viserys Targaryen I (Paddy Considine). Desperate for an heir to pass his kingdom to, Viserys awaits the birth of a male child and all of the kingdom is gathered for the occasion. But the ‘Game of Thrones’ is still at play and finding her way into its board is Viserys’ oldest child, Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) who must contend with the advances of her cunning and vicious uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
Today is the day many have awaited and now the first episode of House of the Dragon, ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’ has arrived. And it is STUNNING. Noted Game of Thrones director Miguel Sapochnik returns to bring the world of Ice and Fire back to life, and House of the Dragon is a series of immense grandeur and spectacle, which rivals the grand old epics of classic Hollywood. Taking audiences back in time to when House Targaryen held complete sway over all of Westeros, this is a kingdom that is at the height of its power. With references to Medieval France, Ancient Rome and the power of Babylon, House of the Dragon fully transports audiences back to a time when dragons roamed through the sky. The scale of this series is enormous and with great creativity and craft, Sapochnik, Condal and their team re-invent the land of Westeros of a bygone era and it’s marvellous to look upon.
In ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’ audiences are brought into a world of colossal palaces, hard-charging knights, beautiful princesses and mythical beasts. House of the Dragon is a pure piece of fantasy with all the trimmings, and its intricate detailing will pull audiences deeper into the start of a deep and powerful drama of plotting, betrayals, tragedy and malice. Sapochnik and Condal have crafted something that will appeal to the eyes and draws upon the senses and everything about this new series is dialled all the way up. The violence is gorier, the action heavier, the sex steamier and all of it serves to glorify the power of House Targaryen and the force that they wield. The events of this 66-minute television event will completely consume audiences and ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’ paints the start of an intriguing new series.
Key to this series is the central character of Princess Rhaenyra, played by newcomer Milly Alcock. As King Viserys Targaryen I (Paddy Considine) eldest surviving heir, she is a fiercely independent dragon rider who soars through the skies of Westeros on the back of her mighty dragon Syrax. Rebellious and independently spirited, Rhaenyra is not content with her destiny to be a mother and solely to provide heirs to her matched husband, and Milly Alcock spurs up the rebelliousness within her. It also must be said that Alcock completely looks the part of Princess Rhaenyra and even though we are only at the beginning of her story, she is a Targaryen destined for equal parts greatness and infamy.
Joining Alcock in the series as her father and King of all the Seven Kingdoms, Viserys Targaryen I is noted actor Paddy Considine, and it’s a terrific part for the actor to play. Best described as a boastful, good-time King, Viserys I is not noted for his iron fist or control of law and order and is not a fitting choice to sit on the Iron Throne. Considine leans into this as Viserys I and there are moments in this first episode where he recognises that he’s completely out of his depth. Considine brings an interesting juxtaposition to the world of House of the Dragon as Viserys I and the tragedies that he faces are sure to change him for the worse.
Standing between Alcock’s Princess Rhaenyra and Paddy Considine’s King Viserys I is Matt Smith as the King’s brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen. A cunning knight of brute power and calculating ferocity, Prince Daemon is commander of the city watch and unleashes his own brand of terror under his own command. Nursing displeasure with living in his brother’s shadow, Prince Daemon is a character of pure impulse and his appearance in ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’ is sure to keep audiences on edge. For Matt Smith, House of the Dragon offers him as an actor a brand new canvas to play on and this is a character we’ve never seen him play before. With rock star swagger, Smith makes Prince Daemon the ultimate fantasy bad boy, he’s a dangerous and intense presence in the series, and he knows how to swing a blade with force.
‘The Heirs of the Dragon’ also introduces audiences to a host of new characters and Houses of the Realm. While the mainstays of The Starks, The Lannisters, The Baratheons and The Tyrells are all accounted for and present for House of the Dragon, the power lies with several other more ancient houses in this series. Chief among them being the Hightower’s and the Velaryon’s. As scheming politician Sir Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower and Hand of the King, actor Rhys Ifans commands the attention of his screen and his beautiful young daughter Lady Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) has much presence in the series as the confidant to Princess Rhaenyra. Then there’s the stoic and forceful Lord of the Tides, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) who is seeking power and control in Westeros and is ready to do what he has to take it.
Along with its intriguing new characters and deep, twisting layers of political intrigue, House of the Dragon delivers on sheer spectacle and there’s a lot to excite audiences in this series. Packed into this episode are some considerable high stake moments, and the scale promised will completely pull audiences in. This full-on feudal society fills out the entire frame and one of the episode’s coolest moments is the appearance of a lavish and opulent tournament that sees horses and knights crashing into each along, along with swords unleashed and the melee of knightly combat in full effect. ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’ is a triumphant return to Westeros and House of the Dragon is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting television event.
The fire roars in House of the Dragon and this is a mighty new television debut that will take audiences by surprise with its drama and intensity. And this is only just the beginning.
House of the Dragon is available to watch on SKY SOHO and NEON.
Image: SKY TV
