House of the Dragon | S1 EP1: Inside the Episode (HBO)

Ryan Condal, Miguel Sapochnik, and more discuss why they opened the episode with the Great Council, the juxtaposition between the tournament and Queen Aemma’s birthing sequence, and the motivation behind Viserys choosing Rhaenyra as heir.

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I love how restrained this episode was. I was worried that emphasis would be put on spectacle, and while there was spectacle the focus of the episode was on the dialogue and setting up plot points, which is what made Game of Thrones great in the first place. Also love how Miguel pointed out that spectacle should add to the story, not be there for the sake of it, which is what D&D seemed to have forgotten in the later seasons of GoT.

[chelseavalyria]

Aemma and the C section… I couldn‘t hold back my tears. In the book emotions were missing but the show absolutely did it. Daemon is my favorite character and Matt Smith did amazing in portraying him ❤️

[mellowenglishgal]

Matt Smith's choices in how he portrays Daemon are spot-on. That moment of utter tenderness during the funeral shows that he is more than just the menace Otto Hightower would convince everyone he is.

I also love that the prophecy ties everything together and makes Rhaenyra's motives more than just ambition.

[thedavidj]

Milly as Rhaenyra, her screen presence is astonishing to me. I love this character already and I’m interested to see how Emma D’Arcy continues in later episodes. And King Viserys is really being set up as a tragic character. His scene with Alicent was extremely well done. So much emotion and so little dialog.

[citizenVader]

It's not too much to say it's the best opening episode of any series I have seen this year.

[iansupremo]

I hope they mention how Viserys, despite seeming so amiable and even pliable sometiems, was Balerion the Black Dread's last rider- and that he claimed the ancient beast for himself when he was a child. To be clear, Balerion was so large he could swallow mammoths whole. Viserys did NOT lack for nerve.

[SabbiaVivo]

Well done Ryan and Miguel and everyone else involved. You honored GRRM work but still made it your own. I really loved Paddy’s performance.

[lord-jarc]

I think everybody agrees that this episode, this first episode was pure absolutely gold in every way, if they put this amount of hype on this episode, omg I can't imagine the end of this season, amazing job...

[أبنمرتيفالمهرري]

The episode was very beautiful, thank you hbo for the legendary series

[Luna-iimx]

The birth scene was amazing, better than I expected. To put it as a battleground also, gives respect to women who give birth. Very important

[brendonsmith]

Perfect first episode to introduce the story leading to the Dance of Dragons. Milly, Paddy, and Matt all nailed their parts as Targaryens while Rhys clearly established himself as a great conspiring figure in his own game of thrones while involving Alicent

[BarisPalabiyik]

It was probably the most information packed, event filled, visually great, greatly acted pilot episode, I ever saw.

[Jolie]

I love the small details in this show that add so much to the storytelling. For example when Rhaenyra has to use her dragon Syrax to light the pyre, Syrax hesitates and groans as if he doesn't want to which illustrates the emotional connection they have to their dragons and the dragons complexity

[jo_jo_jo]

My grandmother died at 21 while having my mother the same way Aemma dies: during labour and having a C section. I always think how scared should have been back then. Poor her. She was just a child.

[nocchi.]

Rhaenys and Corlys during the tournament was hilarious! I love their dynamic and I can't wait to see their badassery on screen.

[bowee]

first episode was stunning, one of the best openings to a series EVER.

[artarealmblazer]

"Listen daughter, this prophecy is super important and definitely won't be resolved by a girl with a knife who will have nothing to do with us."

[galenmarek]

Viserys talking about Aegon's dream "The Song of Ice and Fire" gave me chills.
Then I remember Episode 6 of the Last Season of Game of Thrones.

[dviant_seann]

Loved this show!!!! I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED!!! I’m already addicted!!! This showrunner is OBVIOUSLY BETTER THAN D&D!! He obviously cares about the story and the fans!!! ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!! Ready for next week already!’

[DanielRey_NGR]

What a brilliant start of a season. Great performances, pacing, music, cinematography and script. I can’t wait for more!! Let’s get ready for SundayHOD 🤩