Matt Smith's 2-Part Fantasy Series Can Only Get Better

Game of Thrones set the standard for quality fantasy TV shows, until the last season, but so far, the spin-off series, House of the Dragon, has continued to get better with each new season. The series began airing in 2022 and takes the story of Westeros back 200 years, prior to the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.

Overall, the series explores the fall of House Targaryen, which had long reigned over the Seven Kingdoms, only to lose their power due to in-fighting and disease that would take them from the most powerful house to reign in King’s Landing, to the most divided and fractured.

House Of The Dragon Improves Upon Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones broke new ground in fantasy television with an epic story that captivated audiences from the beginning. The story explored a vast fantasy realm, with several competing houses, and an expansive narrative that saw these groups come into conflict as the story juggled romance, war, politics, betrayal, and so much more.

Unfortunately, the story fell apart in later seasons when the show overtook the novels, and it began to make increasingly bizarre choices concerning the central characters, only to resolve in a way that, fair enough, no one expected, but also one that no one wanted or felt fit the characters as they had been portrayed.

On the other hand, House of the Dragon has left behind the in-depth analysis of several houses across Westeros in order to focus on one family, the Targaryens. This simple change, along with incredible performances and more focused storytelling, allows this series to improve on GoT.

The Best Parts Of The Dance Of The Dragons Are Still Coming

The first two seasons of House of the Dragon have done a fantastic job of setting up the characters and the conflicts brewing within the Targaryen household. However, some of the most exciting parts of the storyline are yet to come. House of the Dragon is based on events covered in George R. R. Martin’s prequel novel, Fire & Blood.

While the first two seasons of the adapted series cover some ground from that story, many of the most influential and exciting moments are still to come. From the downfall of central figures in the Targaryen House to the ensuing civil wars, there is a lot still to explore. And House of the Dragon can confidently develop all of these moments while still relying on Martin’s source material.

House Of The Dragon Is Not Without Flaws

Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy as Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2

Now, none of this absolves House of the Dragon of its issues. Critics and fans alike have called out the show for having a slow, meandering pace, and developing several characters without any appearing all that likable, leaving audiences struggling to find someone to root for.

In addition, time jumps in season 1 did come off as somewhat jarring and confusing, but that appears to have largely settled down in the second season. Hopefully, the improvements will continue as the show is refined, and as they move towards some inevitable moments that have fans of the books hanging on the edge of their seats.

All things considered, House of the Dragon is in a unique position. Having spun off from one of the most beloved shows of all time, and recognizing where that show fell apart, there is an opportunity to stick the landing here and make the show better with each new season.