House of the Dragon - GoT Prequel Series (non book reader)

Good second episode. A bit more linear and far less complex than GOT was, but moving at a good pace while still setting things up nicely.

Was weird to see the GOT title music at the start and a new take on the mechanical landscape opening along with it.

Serious question: The Targareans have 10 adult dragons and those dragons make them an almost invincible military force.

So why is one of those dragons owned by a teenage princess whose main responsibility is to serve wine at committee meetings?

That's be like a princess having her own fully armed nuclear submarine or something???

If they don't take Rhaenyra seriously at all why is she in charge of a significant part of their military might?

I appreciate that maybe only a handful of people are able to control a dragon, but since she obviously can and since she is in charge of a dragon why doesn't she have lots of power/influence?

The same reason why in GoT, Bran was Lord of Winterfell when Robb went off to war, Lyanna Mormont was Lady of Bear Island, Robin Aryn was Lord of the Vale after Littlefinger offed Lysa Aryn. They get their positions and privileges through their position in their families.

Rhaenyra has a dragon because she's a Targaryen and being raised alongside the dragon bonds the dragon to them (hence why Daemon claimed he wanted a dragon egg for his child though it was just a ploy to antagonise Viserys). She's serving wine at the committee meetings in part to see how the small council operates as she's part of the royal family. But the dragon is hers due to her position in the family, not because she's in charge of part of their military might. The Targaryens are dragon riders, no-one else (as far as I know).

She is the oldest of the King's children (even if Viserys' son lived). She has a high position in the royal family, and she's a Targaryen so the dragon is her birthright. Serving the wine makes her privy to the decisions and discussions of the Small Council. She's not just serving wine, she's learning how to rule.

Presumably because she's about 10 years of age.

https://twitter.com/DEADLINE/status/1565086946417942535?s=20&t=MzvEMa8x--LjFCm2QyssAw

Where was he for all those years ? just chilling out relaxing ?

He was defeated before, though it became legend/stories rather than history as people stopped believing it was true. In the meantime he began building his army. He also appears to have at least some foresight into the future, so he may have been waiting for certain events to occur before he could make his move. At the very least, he knew he couldn't really do anything until he found a way to take down The Wall.

I think HOTD is set about 170 years before the events of Game of Thrones, so I'd say there's a few more generations between the Mad King and the events of HOTD.

Episode 3 was fine. I think what's really missing in this series, compared to GoT, is all the semi related parallel stories. Maybe it will get that once the prequel part is over.

I'd presume its going to jump back and forth. They have old and younger actors cast for the roles, and they receive equalish billing. But just a throwaway away for 3 episodes.

I know it is only done for filming purposes, but why do the horse-drawn carriages look bigger on inside (Tardis)?

It is hard to get invested in characters (actors) with so many of the cast due to get swapped for time jumps.

i.e. Rhaenyra and future husband are been recast.

A teenager is riding a dragon because it is literally her personal dragon. They have 10 or so Dragons. But only 4 Targaryens in Episode 1.

They aren’t weapons to passed around like ships or army’s. Only those of Valyrian blood can rife dragons. The Targaryens being the Valyrian family that brought the dragons to Westeros.

Characters have made a point, on more that one occasion to say the Velarons are Valyrian blood. Plus the younger ones are half Targaryen.

Who's Targaryen on his mother's side, of course. It's well established canonically that the only dragon riders are Targaryens. I think Corlys even mentioned it in E1 or 2.

I thought it was a pretty solid episode. I didn't even notice til several people mentioned it on Twitter that Matt Smith had no dialogue. I wouldn't be a huge fan but that speaks volumes (no pun intended) about his acting ability.

But it is an actual medical condition? Crab Guy isn't some sort of Spiderman-type mutant...

looked like burns to me.

Daemons solo run was all a show of bravado to increase his stake to claim the throne. You can see this leading to conflict and bloodshed because his brother won't want to relinquish the throne to easily especially when he has identified his daughter as the heir.