Is House of the Dragon worth watching?

Submitted by gildedtunes t3_ycn9xd in television

The shows looks interesting to me, but I have heard mixed reactions to the show such as it being boring or that the characters are uninteresting. I decided to wait and see how the rest of the season panned out before watching. However, now that the first season is finished, do you think it is worth watching? How does it compare to the quality of the first four season of GoT?

Edit: Thank you to everyone who responded. I’m definitely going to check it out!

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Droncz87 t1_itn57ow wrote

Yes. Loving it. Never watched the original GOT, started a few HOD episodes and figured I was prime to go back to the first show and tackle that.

17

gildedtunes OP t1_itn5wnu wrote

Good to hear that you are liking HoD! I just watched GoT all the way through for the first time this year. The first 4 season were some of the best TV I’ve seen. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

4

GenericAustin t1_itnuy41 wrote

If you didn't already know Game of Thrones has huge House of the Dragon spoilers so prepare for that or find ways of skipping the spoilers part if possible

3

Droncz87 t1_itnveqv wrote

I’ve already finished both shows. But thanks, hopefully someone else can use your advice!😎

2

NotGodsThrowaway t1_itn7fr6 wrote

It's a character drama disguised as a sword and magic show. It's good. Worth watching.

12

SwagginsYolo420 t1_itoo56i wrote

It is very much top-tier prestige TV. Succession, Mad Men, BCS tier characters and performances, with some fantastic movie-quality sets and the occasional action sequence.

It is different from early GoT, but matches it in characters and intrigue. (Though to be fair, nothing could live up to Peter Dinklage's unique presence in the original.)

It retains the original show's gruesome and lewd edginess, but goes about it in a classier and less tawdry fashion.

And as far as a fantasy setting, it does not get bogged down in lore, and isn't dependent on knowledge of the previous show to understand it.

I was consistently shocked that it never had a single bad/sagging episode. It keeps moving and every aspect feels deliberate and carefully planned.

If the rest of the series is as artfully plotted and executed, it will be considered an all-time great.

Also a contender for some of the best costuming ever in a fantasy production, the occasional eyebrow-raising wig aside.

3

OkayAtBowling t1_itni18b wrote

I definitely think it's worth watching. I hesitate to compare it too much to the original Game of Thrones because there are some pretty big differences (mainly the fact that House of the Dragon more or less follows a single storyline and cast of characters rather than jumping around like GoT did), but in terms of the quality of writing, directing, acting, and overall production values, I think it measures up to the better seasons of GoT. Cinematically it's more on the level of the later seasons, but the focus on building characters feels more like the early seasons.

The first half of the season is a little slower, but I still found it engrossing, and the second half is even better, and really has me excited to see what happens next season.

One criticism I've heard leveled at the show, which I suppose is fair if you think it's a problem, is that there's not really a clear person you want to root for. There aren't any obviously heroic or good main characters like Ned Stark, Jon Snow, or Samwell. To me that's one of the things that makes it interesting (and there are certainly still characters that I liked), but I can see how it might make it harder for some people to get into the show.

2

gildedtunes OP t1_itnjn78 wrote

Thanks for the detailed answer. I can understand why some people may miss having a character that’s easy to root for, but as long as this characters are interesting (which it sounds like they are) then I can enjoy the show.

3

OkayAtBowling t1_itnkw3e wrote

No problem! I highly recommend at least giving it a shot! One other thing that's probably worth being aware of is that there are quite a few time jumps between episodes in season 1, including a big one that results in a few of the main characters being played by different actors. That threw some people off, but I think it was necessary for the story they're telling and was ultimately a good way to do it.

2

mickeyflinn t1_itpt5va wrote

It certainly is worth watching.

> I have heard mixed reactions to the show such as it being boring or that the characters are uninteresting.

I don't agree with either of these critiques. The show does have issues, uninteresting characters and being boring is not among those issues.

2

gildedtunes OP t1_itq4t9b wrote

Yeah, the mixed reactions I saw were from scanning IMDB reviews, but I know that you have to take those with a grain of salt sometimes.

1

ajmethod33 t1_itn6tp8 wrote

Yeah I'd say so. Even for those who haven't seen GOT it works as a standalone. I wasn't feeling it for the first few EPs but by the end it's decent. Will watch it through anyway, but a solid first season and there's a lot to build on.

1

mcgeggy t1_itn7mjj wrote

I love it. Feels more grounded and nuanced than GoT. More character development, less all over the place storylines/locations. Terrifically cast, some really great dramatic beats. It’s all connected to GoT, but different enough tonally to be it’s own thing.

1

gildedtunes OP t1_itn8cxw wrote

That’s really good to hear. That sounds like more of what I was hoping it would turn out to be.

1

mickeyflinn t1_itpt7wq wrote

> That’s really good to hear.

Everything the OP posted is bullshit.

0

gildedtunes OP t1_itpy8dx wrote

I was glad to hear it was more grounded and nuanced. How does that make everything I posted bullshit? I’m confused.

1

OfficialGarwood t1_ito3zdc wrote

>but I have heard mixed reactions to the show

From who?! Whoever they are, their opinions are insane.

The show is fantastic so far, and a breath of fresh air from Season 8 of GoT. It's wonderful to be back in this world again.

1

ceaguila84 t1_ito41ot wrote

Those "mixed reactions" are by minor crowd. Vast majority of people love it. So yes, watch it

1

Every_Repair973 t1_itpto0y wrote

Lol is this a question? Ofc it's worth watching!

1

Chuck1705 t1_itq3a8o wrote

Only you can answer that question.

1

Locutus747 t1_itrffln wrote

I thought this show was great. It’s not an action show but more of a character drama, which I prefer. Good stuff

1