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TV FEATURE

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IN DA HOUSE The Lannisters, Arryns and Starks are some of the familiar ruling houses during this period in Westerosi history, along with some powerful new Targaryen allies that were unseen in Game of Thrones . House Valeryon This wealthy seafaring house rules the island of Driftmark and is led by Corlys Velaryon (played by Steve Toussaint) – aka the Sea Snake – who commands a formidable navy and is married to Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best).

How do you follow up a global phenomenon like Game of Thrones ?With an equally complex and epic prequel series called House of the Dragon . Let’s take a look at how it stacks up against its mighty parent show. Words Scott Hocking FIRE AND BLOOD

House Hightower This old and noble house favours trade over warfare. Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is Hand to King Viserys I and his daughter is Queen Alicent (Emily Carey), whose son Aegon is one of the rightful heirs to the Iron Throne.

A Game of Thrones spin-off series was inevitable. Possibilities were already being pitched at HBO back in 2015, with the green light given in late 2019 for a prequel series based on author George R.R. Martin’s book Fire and Blood . But unlike the multi-novel series that spawned GoT , this doorstop-sized single volume is written in the style of a textbook, detailing the history of House Targaryen in the fantasy realm of Westeros. And the good news is there’s plenty of material to be mined for multiple seasons of the new GoT prequel series, House of the Dragon . These platinum blonde dragon riders were one of the most incendiary (in both senses of the word) houses in Westeros, and HotD charts the beginning of their downfall. Set almost 200 years prior to the events of GoT , the first season chronicles the events that will ultimately lead to a civil war known as the

‘Dance of the Dragons’. King Viserys I (nicely played by Paddy Considine) sits on the Iron Throne, and once again it’s a hotly contested seat. The primary theme here is succession, and the king’s bold decision to name his daughter, the Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock), as his heir – the first woman to receive the honour – can only result in, you guessed it, fire and blood. Those who have never watched an episode of GoT can comfortably dive into this independent spin-off, while longtime fans will enjoy all the connections and Easter eggs that are scattered throughout the ten episodes. It’s worth noting, however, that with the focus on House Targaryen, all those blonde wigs and similar character names might have

see new actors playing some of the younger regulars. And where GoT didn’t hold back in its depiction of graphic violence, HoTD is a little more restrained, which is good news for squeamish viewers. That’s not to say that there aren’t a few jaw-dropping gruesome moments, however, including several very bloody birth scenes. There’s a lot to take in, and a lot to like about

you struggling at first to sort Rhaenyra from Rhaenys and Aemond from Aegon. While it’s difficult not to immediately compare HotD to GoT , diehard devotees will enjoy it a whole lot more by putting comparisons aside and accepting that this Dragon is a different beast. There’s no despicable villain like Joffrey or Ramsay to hiss at, and while Matt Smith’s ‘Rogue Prince’ Daemon Targaryen fills this role at first, you’ll soon find yourself rooting for him. And with the events of the first season spanning a time period of about two decades, expect to suddenly

House of the Dragon once it gets going. Welcoming fans back to familiar landmarks like King’s Landing and Dragonstone, and introducing newcomers to the fantasy world-building genius of George R. R. Martin, it’s a worthy successor steeped in the kind of conflict, betrayal and politicking that made Game of Thrones so gripping.

• House of the Dragon : S1 is out on Dec 21

FURTHER VIEWING

Matt Smith as DaemonTargaryen

12 DECEMBER 2022

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