What constitutes a great series? Many will chalk out different perspectives for a great series such as story, narration, music, and even the CGI effects, but what stands out is the dialogue between characters. If the dialogues are written well, they are multi-edged swords. The viewers get into the characters’ minds, propelling the story forward. And that’s exactly why House of the Dragon is also one of the best series to watch. I really don’t want to be the one who spoils the fun but let me give you an example from Game Of Thrones’s one episode. Here, Varya a shrewd man is trying to push Tyrion( a dwarf) to think clearly about the situation that they are in. Here, have a read-
Varys: “Power is a curious thing, my lord. Are you fond of riddles?”
Tyrion: “Why? Am I about to hear one?”
V: “Three great men sit in a room, a king, a priest, and the rich man. Between them stands a common sellsword. Each great man bids the sellsword kill the other two. Who lives? Who dies?”
T: “Depends on the sellsword”
V: “Does it? He’s not the crown, no gold, no favor with the gods”
T: “he’s got the sword, the power of life and death”
V: “But if the swordsman rule, why do we pretend kings hold all the power? When Ned Stark lost his head, who was truly responsible: Joffrey, the executioner, or something else?”
T: “I have decided I don’t like riddles”
V: “Power resides where men believe it resides, it’s a trick, a shadow on the wall, and a very small man can cast a very large shadow”
I still shudder and get goosebumps when I read about this exchange.
And there are many such excellent exchanges between characters of House of the Dragons. Which leaves an impact on your mind. I just really hope that they don’t mud it up as they did at the end of Game of Thrones. But I guess that is way ahead in the future but for now, let us reason what else makes House of the Dragons(hod) a good series to watch.
Plot review
This is the season 2 of hod. To be able to even understand what the heck is happening in season 2, we have to go back to season 1.
In a simple one-line, the plot is about two friends. One is a princess and the other is the daughter of a very important minister (the hand of the king) in the king’s cabinet.
I find it very hard to remember the character’s exact names so I want to make it simple for the first time viewer. The entire power battle is between Princess (P) and her friend PF (princess’s friend). King is a benevolent one. He has ensured the seven kingdoms are at peace. The only problem in this sweet story is that the king does not have a male heir. King has only one daughter and other male babies were stillborn. He loves his wife but unfortunately, she dies during childbirth complications. So, the realm forces the king to get a new bride. The hand of the king smartly pushes his daughter to spend time with the sorrowful king. The king becomes fond of her and marries her. The princess has no issues with this. King is again forced to procreate with her to give an heir to the kingdom. PF bears multiple children for the king. Meanwhile, the king’s brother also comes into the picture. He starts fooling with the princess.
I’d like to point out that incest is very normal in this entire series so please get used to it.
The princess does not go through with the sexual act with her father’s brother but unfortunately, a rumor starts. The king is livid and throws the brother out of the kingdom. King forces his brother to marry a woman who is from a sea family. The sea family is one of the kingdoms from the king’s realm. This sea family also has a close connection with the king’s bloodline. The king’s cousin’s sister is married into the sea family. This cousin’s sister was in line to become a queen but the throne is given to the current king.
Now king’s brother is forced to marry the king’s cousin’s daughter.
I know, a lot of it is in the family. But let’s get back to the plot.
Now that the brother is out of the kingdom, the king has to declare who is the heir officially. He declares the princess as the official heir. PF who has male children with the king is not happy that the princess is the heir.
Princess is also of the marriage age. The king asks the princess to marry the sea family’s son. But the son is gay. The princess offers him a settlement. She says that you marry me for the sake of it and we will have our affairs for our pleasure. So the princess has an affair with her bodyguard and gives birth to his children. The king comes from the Targaryen family. They all have white hair. The princess’s bastard sons have black hair so they stand out at the king’s dinner table.
One of the king’s children with PF is named Aegon. At the last moment, when the king is dying, the king is reciting an age-old poem. In that poem, there was the name of an old king – Aegon. PF doesn’t know about the old king but she hears the name Aegon and she declares that the king has changed his mind at the last moment. Aegon was declared as the new king.
P is furious and does not accept that her father has changed his mind on the deathbed.
The kingdom is divided. Some support P and some support Aegon.
Now here comes the interesting part of dragons.
Dragons are wild animals who choose their riders from the Targaryen family. Anyone else who tries to tame a dragon gets burned. It is said that the Targaryen family has the blood of a dragon in them. So the dragon can smell them and accept them as riders. Once a dragon has accepted a rider, they will not allow anyone else.
Aegon has a finicky brother, let’s call him Y. Y has the largest dragon in the kingdom. The bastard sons of P also have dragons but they were no match to Y’s dragon. Once the king’s children and P’s children were playing together, the princess’s son (say X) accidentally took out Y’s eye. PF demands retribution by asking for X’s eye but the king denies that request. PF feels justice was denied.
After a few years, Y as part of the revenge, at the end of season 1, brutally kills X in a dragon fight. This adds fuel and a personal angle to the power struggle between the two ladies. Now can you imagine what all could be in store for season 2? Go find out!
Music review –
The background score of every episode is an essential element of the story. It brings the authenticity to the whole scene. For example, if we are watching a princess being counseled in a dim light chamber, we hear the candle flicking, we can hear the cold air passing through the castle, we can hear the door squeaking, we can hear a dragon growling in the distance. These sounds make you part of that room. You are no longer just a viewer but you are there.
Music and background score gets 5/5
Acting
All the actors are brilliant performers. You won’t be able to be cast aside from the role they are playing. It is a treat to watch their performance which aids the story move forward. Not to mention how well the actors have delivered the brilliant written dialogue, to bring them to life.
Overall scores are 4.5/5.
I have cut 0.5 as sometimes the conversation can get too complicated to follow.
Summary
Overall it is a must-watch for anyone who loves the fantasy genre of entertainment for the below reasons –
- Compelling dialogue drives the story forward and provides insight into the characters’ minds, making House of the Dragon a standout series.
- The complex plot revolves around a power struggle between two former friends, Princess and PF, for control of the kingdom.
- Dragons play a crucial role, with their ability to bond with Targaryen riders adding a unique fantasy element to the political intrigue.
- The series excels in world-building, with authentic background sounds and music enhancing the viewer’s immersion.
- Strong performances from the cast bring the well-written dialogue to life, though conversations can occasionally be challenging to follow.