Search Results for 'house of the dragon review'

There is more done in the first 15 minutes of this episode than 6 hours of Rings of Power. The tension between the Blacks and Greens is clear without 1 word being said and done so with only a few looks. We as the audience were shown and not told. It could be a persons first episode of this series and they would clearly see there is tension and clear dislike between characters and even the use of colors of clothing tell who is being poised against whom.

I really felt for The King, he just wants his family to be one happy or at least content family and Daemon was an absolute dick to him in the best possible way. You can tell he wants to truly be left alone and out of it, but at the same time has not forgiven him for past actions, even though justified. Daemon truly is tired of it all and wants nothing to do with Court. But even in his dick moment you can tell deep down he loves his brother but he just cannot have Viserys compassion, it is not who he is.

The next two scenes are more set-up, though for some reason I found satisfaction in both. Lord Corlys talking with his wife about the Linage a how it was Names and not Blood people remember was so medieval in truth and tone I truly enjoyed it and the grand scale of the room they were in, it conveyed power in the scene.

Rhaenyra and Daemon on the beach and them finally getting together was decent, it was a set-up scene but still well done and again the ability of the show to pull off large outdoor scenes giving us a true grand scale is impressive.

But then we get on to the Dragon Stealing, and the aftermath, I just cannot spoil this for people it was to well done and actually believable. Paddy knocked it out of the park, if there was an Oscar a true Oscar from back when they were given for true Magnificent acting Paddy would get it for this scene. And as an Emmy is all they give now for this type of acting he better get one. Truly the best of his career and one of the best scenes I have seen in at least Ten years.

The next two scenes are the aftermath and Otto and Alicent I just cannot get behind their characters, not in the writing or the lines, but the people playing them. They are trying to make Otto a Littlefinger with a touch of Tywin and which doesn’t work for me and Alicent I am finally convinced it is the two actress’s they found to play her that I just cannot find anything in her acting ability to make me believe her.

Rhaenyra and Laenor were excellent together, believable and the lines were done well, to bad for what happens next but the entire ending scene was incredible, true Game of Thrones tv. Daemon and Rhaenyra being Targaryen’s FINALLY.

This is a short review but so much happened and so little was needed in dialogue, ever last scene meant something and without the dialogue a deaf person could know what was happening and that it had Importance and weight. Gravity and Consequence was in every action.

I will give this episode a 10. How can I not when there is an Oscar worthy performance in it. Nor will I detract for a few nit-picks as that as well would be unfair, when doing a review honesty is important. The episode drew me in from the start and never lost me. It entertained me and isn’t that what it should do beyond all else?

I had to rewatch it this morning to write this, I watched it last night and went to bed satisfied and thinking about what I had just seen. Then now watch again to actually write the review. It was a 10 last night and on second watch I still give it that highest of praises. Even my criticisms of the “actors of Otto and Alicent” I will not detract from the lines spoken for. Paddy gave a performance of a lifetime, Daemon, Rhaenyra, Corlys and the Kids were all excellent.

I have still not forgotten Seasons 5 – 8 of GOT and know this can go off the rail at any time, but to judge this show on it would be just as bad as those who defend bad shows. I will not do that. But I will tell people if even you are not a fan of GOT or HotD, this is a episode worth watching, as it could be a stand alone by itself.

I am going to start out with my score 7.5

This episode actually moved the plot along, had political intrigue that was believable and consequences.

Lets get the Cringe out of the way. People they are Targaryen’s and it was no shock to anyone who knows the story of them from books or the original Game of Thrones, they Marry and Have incestuous sex. So, stop being fake shocked.

Also Spoiled, she Marries her uncle aka Matt Smith better known as Daemon. It is the Targaryen thing to do after-all. Now the Brothel scene was not that great. The Orgy in Conan was better and really the one in Rome is even better than that.

Ok now that the “GASP” omg moment out of the way, Lets dive in to Daemon giving up the crown, yes its in the books. But how he did it is different. But nonetheless is what they did and wasn’t done bad.

Next is the aftermath of The Princess’s night out. The lines were good between the Queen and Princess, but there is absolutely NO onscreen chemistry between them. The actress who plays the queen just has no presence on screen at all. She is as dead a presence than she was a lay in that scene.

It hurt that scene tremendously, they could not play off each other. Rhaenyra Plays well off other characters, but not off the Queen. Again, the dialogue was good, but Alicent’s actress is just there filling a dead space.

When the King confronts Daemon, it was and OK scene Paddy really has me enjoying him in interactions with Daemon and even with Rhaenyra. I had to chuckle a hung-over Daemon still more believable than Otto or Alicent. The problem with this is I do know the story and both of them should be much more cunning and believable. I just do not buy their performances. Could it be the directors?

The King talking to Rhaenyra… Bunch of BULLSHIT, again the first mention of the prince that was promised was Rhaegar in Danys dream in the House of the Undying. Now we do know the Prophecy is much older possibly 5,000 years old, and originated in Asshai. Many cultures have a story such as that in our own world. But not sure why they would put it in this series because it bears no relevance on it. It is a “member-berry” and does nothing for this series.

Lastly the King and Otto scene, again Paddy does a great job delivering his lines. Otto is like his daughter “a dead lay” no emotions none at all.

All-in-all, I enjoyed this episode, it moved the plot along and did not have any wasted scenes, I wish we had better directors as that might help with the actor’s chemistry, maybe not, maybe we needed both. Luckily or Unluckily, we will be getting 2 new actress’s soon to play Alicent and Rhaenyra, maybe they can have chemistry, or better yet, Let the Civil War start and not need to see them interact.

House of the Dragon Episode 3 Review

The first scenes with Daemon on his Dragon, were what we should have seen in the original Game of Thrones, Beautiful and awe inspiring. It looked like a Dragon and his Rider, even to the point of showing the true Bonding when Daemon was hit Caraxes felt it and reacted as well. This scene felt and looked perfect.

Next we have a Two year time jump to the Kings new son, the Party was ongoing like anyone would have for their child, and we learn the Crab Feeder has been at it 3 years now. We get the typical yada yada do nothing from the lords… Seriously 3 years now and the King does nothing, and the excuse is because Daemond acted. BORING!

Then we get Rhaenyra, sitting under the Weirwood that Sansa clearly didn’t know about in the Godswood at Kings Landing. Then right in to a bumpy carriage ride and dialog that was forgettable. Princess Rhaenyra, definitely is starting to win me over as she is becoming more like her Uncle than her Father. But had I not written this down I would have forgot the scene as it was forgettable.

On to the hunt and the feasting tint, we get more people trying to Provoke Rhaenyra, doesn’t work but she gets her shot in to which I enjoyed. When she leaves, she does meet a Lannister, Jason, who pretty much says she will be his wife. She then goes to her father and they have a nice public fight. Again boring, we have seen this is other shows.

She rides off pissed off and The King-maker, I mean Ser Criston Cole heads off to save/stop her. We have an interesting conversation and then more boring eating.

Jason Lannister goes to the king wanting the Princess hand in marriage, I do believe we can see the King more than a little annoyed by this. Especially when he brings the king naming his son his heir.

I must admit when we finally see the King actually acting like a father and getting pissed about all the politics going on about marriages, I could actually feel for him and like him. His drinking you can see that it is all taking a Toll on him, but the final advises for her to Marry “Laenor Velaryon” you can see he takes it seriously.

Next we get a nice member-berry to Robert and the Bore, make no mistake this was what it was about.

Then back the King and this time with the Queen, she is almost as insufferable as Galadriel IMO. But we get the king drunker than Cooter Brown, questioning if he was wrong to name Rhaenyra his successor. Not a bad performance.

We finally get to the Kill part of the hunt. As a Sportsman, I found this sickening and distasteful. This is personal to me as I hate High Fence Hunts and that is what this scene was only worse. Where was the sportsmanship? The respect for the game and any dignity? I would guess this was Hollywood trying to play a PETA Moment… Well done you show how little you know of Hunts of the Past or even today. No true sportsman would ever condone this or be part of it. Congrats on making me hate the showrunners even More. I am glad Miguel the Activist is leaving.

The Next scene we see Princess Rhaenyra and the Kingmaker confront the real Stag of the hunt, she lets it go. Now this reminded me of several movies. The one that stands out most is from” The Queen” specifically “The Stag Scene. “Helen Mirren, as Elizabeth II, sits on a hill at Balmoral countryside. For those who have not seen this movie its worth it for just that scene.

On to the next act, Otto and the Queen conspiring already to make the Baby the next king, yup who cannot see this coming. The king comes in and we get them talking about Rhaenyra and her marriage. The conversation is obvious and clear about helping Daemon, and the king is sending aid.

The King and the Princess, This scene was great, truly great and believable acting, as such I will not spoil it, but of all the scenes with the King so far, This made me feel like he was both King and Father.

The Letter from the King scene, to say Daemon took it well is an Understatement, he took it like a Taragryen. And then we get more proof no one in this World can shoot arrows worth a damn. And finally when a couple miracle shots find him we are suppose to be shocked that his army is all the sudden there and that Laenor Velaryon has come in on Seasmoke, which looks a lot like Caraxes in many shots. Come on they were just talking about wanting to use Daemon for bait and he obliged them on his own.

And its over. Again the best I can say is “MEH” the writing is picking up at little, but still found myself board. In fact midway through I got up to do some things around the house and cook some food. This is just not a gripping your seat show. Better than Rings of Power yes. But nothing like Seasons 1-4 of Game of thrones.

I think Hollywood has forgot how to write good stories, and if it were not for Matt and his on screen power, I would have already checked out. But as there is really nothing else on TV and no one streaming on Youtube this early in the morning, it was something to watch.

Rating it a little higher because the writing for the King has picked up and Rhaenyra as well is getting better and of course Matt I mean Daemon. This one gets a (6).

Well in non-spoiler reviews it’s hard to really get across the problems and points so from now on I will be doing Spoiler reviews with my points why.

I am going to start now with a review of Episodes 1 and 2 and start off with a qualifier, I am a book reader and know the Lore, but even at that would love some twist and turns and true intrigue, so much so it makes me questions if they will stay with the books or actually change things.

Let me start with King Viserys I Targaryen;

His appearance is different from the books, but that is not a problem, so was Tyrion’s.  My issues are Killing off the Queen, then in the same episode less than 5 minutes we already know who he will remarry.

Come on, take an entire season and build it up, have multiple houses jockeying to have their daughters be the next, give us plotting and maneuvering between the houses. Things that made GOT s-1 through 4 grate to watch. Do it in a way you have even book readers questioning if you had changed it.

But instead, we get a walk through the gardens that was extremely uncomfortable, not just bordering pedophilia but actually openly talking about it (she is 12) yes, the actress is older 22, but none the less cringe. Some have said they were uncomfortable and that is a good description, to me this was over a line when they talked about the “bedding”. That was not called for, we all knew without it being discussed.

Now comes the announcement, were any of you shocked? Surprised? No, of course you were not, this was seen coming from miles away, even the actors did not seem surprised.

Now let turn to Otto Hightower,

They are trying to make him a combination of Varys, Littlefinger and Tywin Lannister. Well first to anyone thinking he is even close to Tywin is a fool. Tywin would never have been so stupid as to go to Dragonstone with 20 house guards, 2 Kings Guard and a handful of other redshirts. There is possibly 1,000 Gold Cloaks on the island, and let us be honest A DRAGON. This fool was about to be dragon doodoo.

Nor is he in the same league as Varys or Littlefinger, they can try to put that lipstick on this pig but its still a pig. Do not get me wrong “Rhys Ifans” is a good actor, but the writing has him less than meh and in fact acting like a Villain and Fool. Again, this could have been fixed by simply not rushing the first season and have many houses trying to marry off a daughter. Also, by not having him try to go up against a dragon that was stupid.

Alicent Hightower;

Meh that is really all I can say about her. She reminds me of a Sansa from GOT, not the books and is being used by her father Littlefinger… I mean Otto. There is not that much there for me to like or be invested in. The actress to play her older-self better bring something to the table or she will be very forgettable.

On to Rhaenys Targaryen;

Is their any doubt in anyone’s mind they are trying to make her Lady Olenna Tyrell? That vibe hit me instantly in her talk to the Princess.

And that brings me to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen;

In the first episode she was “ok” at best, but knowing they are going to bring in a second actress to play her “older-self” had and still has me concerned if it will work. I would like to get invested in her as the story is really about her in many ways. Yet I do have pause knowing the other actress will be coming in. Aging her up with make-up might have been smarter, but we will see.

I did enjoy her youthfulness and her clear ability to think and be herself. She was being a young girl in a court as a princess. No issues there. Her interaction with her uncle in the throne room was nice and I appreciated they spoke in High Valyrian, it did add to the scene.

Her coming in to save Otto was just bad writing. But the scene with her and her uncle was very well done. Again, High Valyrian spoken added to the scene as did the clear affection the two have for each other. Oh yes in that Very Targaryen sort of way.

But when she returned and the scene with the King being mad at her for all 30 seconds, it was unbelievable to me. He acted (and might I add bad acting) anger or was it concern? I sure could not tell, as she quickly dismissed him and it and went and sat down.

Let’s do this, Prince Daemon Targaryen:

Matt Smith was born to play this part. He has nailed every bit of the Book and Lore of Prince Daemon Targaryen. A quote I loved about him from the cannon’s is this:

“Over the centuries, House Targaryen has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both. In his day there was not a man so admired, so beloved, and so reviled in all Westeros. He was made of light and darkness in equal parts. To some he was a hero, to others the blackest of villains.”

This sums him up and we have seen it. His love for his family and even to the people, yet his ruthlessness toward criminals and those opposing him. He brings High Valyrian to life (Imo better than even Emilia Clarke) It is much more polished from him and his delivery is Nobel.

He has the arrogance of a ruler yet the compassion of a loving Brother and Uncle. Let’s face it Matt is the true star of this series so far.

Every scene he is in he nails and makes believable, the chemistry between him and the Princess is there and hinted subtly at. This is how it should have been done between King Viserys and Alicent. Build it up take your time and surprise the viewers.

So that is the characters I want to make mention of. On to the other aspects. Onto the other parts.

Starting with pacing;

Have you guessed I am no fan of the speed they are moving this at. It is to fast and really heading for a S-8GOT disaster if they do not slow down and tell a good story building up suspense, intrigue and getting us invested in what should be key players and motives.

CGI;

For the most part it is good, however twice I have been less than impressed, both times with Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon. They better fix the look of riders and dragons before the Dance or it will be laughed and destroyed on every social media platform and what Youtubers will do to it will make even Rings of Amazon look pale in comparison.

Music;

Not much to say, it is GOT quality. Very well done and fitting for the show.

Acting;

Meh, that is it “meh” with the exception of Matt smith and a little bit of Milly Alcock starting to shine when they are together. The rest is seeming the writers looked at the original show and are trying to make these actors hybrids of the characters we loved on it, instead of giving us new characters to love.

I am not knocking the actors; I am knocking the hell out of the writers. I cannot be the only one to see this, though right now it’s a new shiny thing that is pretty and people are wanting to like it. But sooner or later the shine will age and people will see through it.

Action;

I am really not looking for much action, until we get to the Targaryen Civil War (aka) “The Dance of the Dragons.” I am perfectly fine with great story and intrigue, give me twist and turns I could not see coming. Have build up and pay-off. Make me question things and speculate.

But Action, I can wait for the massive dragon battles or even some decent use of the Dragons. This is the height of Targaryen power. Many are Riders and we can be given little bits of their power, so when that civil war comes, we understand the power of the dragons and how dangerous it really can be wielded by true dragon riders, well bonded with their mounts and in control of them.

The tournament was well done and had they stuck to it instead of the death of the queen, it would have been hundreds of times better. I dislike cut-a-ways like that, it might be just me personally, but give me action and stick to it. Give me other scenes and do them well, but do not do the mingling of them it Detracts from both.

I want to like the show as I did enjoy the Dance of the Dragons and the lore to it. Even going in knowing this is like the Titanic and what happens in the end. I do have a massive distrust for HBO, they proved they can screw up a wet dream more than once. And again, they are so far making me have concerns for that to happen again. What is it they say about insanity? Doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different outcome. How many times will we trust HBO? I also have a bad taste in my mouth now from recent comments from people associated with the show. Did y’all not learn your lesson from D&D? Tell these people shut their cock-holsters about “identity politics and social agenda” You are going to put off the fans quickly by shooting your mouths off.

Two episodes in and “Meh” is the best I can say. Barely scraping a 5 on a scale of 0 to 10. Without Matt Smith it would be a 2.5 to 3 at best.

Can I just say Photocopy of the last review?

Really another “Meh” episode.

I wish there was a lot to discuss, but in this episode we have more of “The King must remarry”  And when he finally does announce who, no viewer will be shocked. Honestly from the look on the actors faces neither were they.

We also got more of Daemon bad, Why couldn’t we just got his story as it is the only one so far that is interesting or fun. But anyways Who did not see the princess coming in to save the day? Like Otto two Kings Guard and 20 house Guards could go to Dragonstone and take on a Targaryen and his Adult Dragon, lol.

Now the CGI when the Princess came in to save the day did not look right as she dismounted, something HBO usually does well was not so good in that scene. I must point out they brought up Vhagar and made point they had not clue where Vhagar was. Yes we do.

I just cannot get in to this series, it is predictable and with the exception of scenes with Daemon in it, its very forgettable, nothing makes me say I want to re-watch either of the first two episodes.

House of the Dragon Review.

Well, when you wake up and go to your favorite Island after a long night at sea and the local tavern has acquired a early copy of the New Show and you have a fresh cup of coffee, you might as well watch and see.

So First off we have a Narrative to tell you what we are going to see. The narrative is also very clear in the fact it is trying to separate itself from the original Game of Thrones.

Now I will say I liked Harrenhal, looked very much the description from the books. The narration was ok, nothing special, like I said making a point to separate this show from GOT. You know 172 years before.

Next we get to see a Dragon, If this show does anything right it is actually the look of the Historical Dragons of the Books. Syrax was Beautifully done and Princess Rhaenyra looked like a Targaryen. Beyond than she did not impress me as the Princess from the books.

Her Father, Viserys I Targaryen was very forgettable to me. They took the book Viserys and made him more a buffoon than anything else. Though he was not a Powerful man in description and in fact did not like conflicts and like to make people happy, the portrayal in the show has him really a lesser man.
The rest of the High Council was again very forgettable. Even Otto was just Meh.

As to Alicent Hightower, again a Meh performance and reminded me more of Missandei, than who Alicent should be. BTW Littlefinger jetpack has come in to play already as she is already making Bedroom advances to Viserys. Yes, it happens but damn talk about speeding things up. Could we have taken at least 2 maybe 3 episodes for it to happen.

Ok, the Bright Point Prince Daemon Targaryen, Now this was as close to the Books as you can get so far, and seeing Dark Sister was a treat. I find no fault in this adaptation of Daemon (so far).

The tournament, was ok I did like it and the way they actually made it seem like a true jousting and weapons fight. But again Daemon makes the scene.

Keeping this spoiler free, the scene with Viserys and Rhaenyra in front of the Skull of Balerion was not bad at all, but reminded me of “The Presidents book of Secrets.” Hate to say it but again very Meh.

There were also a few scenes that reminded me of the Pot Changing scene from G.O.T. at the Citadel. And I had the same reaction; WHY?

All in all. I have to rate this Episode a 5.5, there is just no way I can give it a higher rating. Had it not been for the Tournament and the Cinematography being excellent, I would have given this an even lower rating of a 3. Out of 10.

I must also address what will surely be on everyone’s lips (the race swap) Yes it happened. Why I can only imagine HBO like Amazon has some stupid racial and diversity policy in place. Because this was in NO way the best actor for the job. At least IMO, but there you have it, this is what happens when there is no reason for it other than probably some stupid policy. Worse there are plenty of races in This world and they can be used instead of doing it to a legacy character.