IR TV Review: HOUSE OF THE DRAGON - EPISODE 1 [HBO]
The perception of a Westeros story is integrated by what the rulers and subjects involved will do to keep power. "Games Of Thrones" set the bar pretty high in terms of its texture and brutality. The new HBO series prequel "House Of The Dragon" based on George RR Martin's "Fire & Blood" series approaches the Targaryen bloodline in a slightly different way but with the same sense of foreboding. The first episode here is setting up the power struggle. The key to this entire thing (like Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) before) lies in a specific way of how Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (played with an almost ghostly transition by Milly Alcock before becoming Emma D'Arcy) makes her path. The movement between the two actresses at on point is so subtle and well done a well trained viewer almost can't even see it. That is brilliant. Like "Dune" in certain ways, it is about seeing the prelude to the fall before its happens. This series takes place 172 years before "Game Of Thrones". Winter is not coming for a while but prophecies have a way of fulfilling themselves even as the fires burn. There are power plays to angle in to be sure.
King Viserys Targaryen (played by Paddy Considine) is a world weary ruler but has to come to bear especially with his violent brother Prince Daemon (played by a scene vicious Matt Smith mixing an almost Orlando Bloom/Lord Of The Rings look with something much darker). Smith knows how to play this and a mid episode scene shows the brutality of the show and his character with exceptional viciousness just when one thinks the series is playing it too safe. The intention is perhaps not as gratuitous as "Thrones" and to a lesser pouint the more sensational/campy "Spartacus" on Starz. "Dragon" has its myths and tones in the right place without showing all its cards out of the gate.
The reluctant path in many ways is always pointed to by the Dragons and at the beginning in the opening moments, we see this. They are not overwhelming but they serve as almost a guardian and precursor of fate. Vicerys knows this is true and, at one crucial point (which might be his undoing), he ponders what that really means. The sequences are not overwhelming (yet) and a jousting sequence goes on a bit long but (in reflection) it does exactly what it needs to do to parallel exactly what is happening in the crowd and in the castle. "Dragon" isn't absolutely stellar coming out of the gate but, unlike most series, it knows what it is and is sure in its footing. And when the "Thrones" theme plays in certain points, you definitely know you are in Westeros. The key is in making it its own. B+
By Tim Wassberg
