House of the Dragon (TV Series) The Rogue Prince (2022) User Reviews

Another absolute banger

[OhItsStefan · 9/10 · 28 August 2022]

Honestly, really impressed with the show so far, this episode was amazing.

Even without 'real action' it was a great episode. A clear showcase of the writing talent they have now, only matched by the earlier seasons of Game of Thrones. With a limited budget, Game of Thrones had to stand out without flashy action so there was a real need write smart and engaging dialogue. House of the Dragon did not have that need but takes after it's predecessor when it comes to it's writing.

Pacing feels just right, not too fast, not too slow. Characters are built upon in a clever and meaningful way. Even though the book lacked concrete details on this, the writers manage to add something that feels natural.

Daemon Targaryen

[fountasalexander · 9/10 · 28 August 2022]

Tension rises in the second episode of HOTD with a war slowly brewing within the depths of the realm as Daemon wishes to claim the Iron Throne, however King Viserys sends the council to Dragonstone to ensure no war is broke.

Viserys decides he shall marry again, to Alicent Hightower. Enraging the Sea Snake, it reveals he seems to be in the works of an alliance with Daemon Targaryen.

A new intro for HOTD with the same classic music from Game of Thrones was such a treat! Confident this series will redeem the legacy GOT left behind for the TV world inside Westeros.

Looking forward to the rest of the season, so far so good.

Going with a flow

[kushagrakdeo · 8/10 · 30 August 2022]

Episode was decent, pacing was slow but not boring. Those people who are commenting boring or a weak episode are expecting epic things right from the start. This episode was a build up for next episode. Politics can be seen. If you want action or battles right from the start then you will not like this episode. Haters gonna hate, House of the Dragon is going good till now. I don't know why there are so many negative reviews. People giving 1star, bro do you even know what 1 star means. It means that it was trash, flop and not watchable. Wannabe critics, you need to grow up...................................................................

Epic

[arjunramesh-02384 · 10/10 · 28 August 2022]

After the absolut mad dash final season of GOT i was a bit main with this show! After watching the first episode i can say that my fear is gone and expectations are raised!

The episode had its moments that took me back to the first seasons of GOT! The actors does a great job of making us invest in the new characters! Great to see Kings Landing doing Targaryen rule! Soundtrack, strangely good and great making and quality

The first episode shows potential, now we can only hope that the quality of this episode is carried throughout! After the absolut mad dash final season of GOT i was a bit skeptical with this show! After watching the first episode i can say that my fear is gone and expectations are raised!

The episode had its moments that took me back to the first seasons of GOT! The actors does a great job of making us invest in the new characters! Great to see Kings Landing doing Targaryen rule! Soundtrack, strangely good and great cinematogrophy!

The first episode shows potential, now we can only hope that the quality of this episode is carried throughout!

Whiny Impatience

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 9 September 2022]

Here we go again. We have a show that may be a total disaster, or it may be spectacular. So after two hours, a host of commentators have begun to whine. With the complexity of the world and the characters in it, it takes some time. I am so tired of the instant gratification needed by some people. For me, the boring parts are often the endless battles and dismemberments. We are getting into the psyches of the characters and learning what drives them. This episode brings the young princess into the fore. It shows us a king who is willing to marry someone who does not extend his power. We see an alliance formed that we need to be privy to. We see both internal and external rebellion. LIke Game of Thrones, we need to know the players before the real game begins. The forces are welling up and now we will see how they will clash.

All Kinds of Shivers

[tristan_19 · 9/10 · 29 August 2022]

The Rogue Prince is even better ! Absolutely insane.

It builds upon the foundation of the pilot. Some of the stuff has been brewing since episode one and we didn't even know it. Corlys being ignored in his worries came back to bite Otto and the King. You suspect all the episode that Viserys might go with Alicent for his next wife, but you're still like ¨Don't you even go there¨. The crabfeeder's presence sure seems to be hyped up and build up a lot !

Rhaenyra comes in absolutely strong when she comes to Dragonstone on Syrax to retrieve an egg from Daemon. She's more comfortable to speak her mind at the council than ever. The music is absolutely glorious, and the cinematography will knock you off your sofa. The fog aspect all surrounding the bridge and the chosen camera shots are so well thought out and displayed.

The way you can see the pieces being moved across the board, and the heartbreaks and betrayals coming is astounding. It is all a dance after all. You know the tension is building and the politics are really influent in the course of the story. Can't wait to see more.

Steady

[Kingslaay · 8/10 · 30 August 2022]

I found episode 2 to be a slower episode. Not all bad but more strategic in laying the pieces of the story and context. The slower pace allowed us to settle into this time and world a bit more and get to know the new players of this realm a little more. It is not as strong as its first episode but still quite decent. The writing, adaptation and dialogue seem strong. We see a King struggling to make the best decisions he can for himself, his daughter and the realm. Meanwhile the rebellious brother is being difficult. Matt Smith is excellent and seems a natural fit for this role. I feel this show still has potential to be great.

Even stronger than the first episode; The dragon show is great!

[thefoochie · 8/10 · 29 August 2022]

This episode was much slower than the series premiere, but that's honestly a good thing. It's good that they're giving the series time to breathe so that the characters can get some development. I was engaged the whole way through.

Corlys and Rhaenys are given much more to do this episode. I liked them last episode, but I love them even more now. We learn much more about Corlys and how he has his own agenda. We also get a great interaction between Rhaenys and Rhaenyra, where Rhaenys gives her the hard truth about how she'll never be queen.

Daemon has much less screen time this episode, but all his scenes are great. The scene in Dragonstone was so intense, I was genuinely worried that he was going to harm Otto and his men! Fortunately tho, Rhaenyra saves the day and stops Daemon from hurting anyone. Also, they somehow made me care about Daemon's future wife from just one scene.

Viserys also had some amazing scenes, especially the one with lyonel, where he tries to convince him to marry Corlys' daughter, and the one with Rhaenyra, where they finally have a heart to heart for the first time in 6 months. But by far the best part of the episode was the last 10 minutes. I was shocked when Viserys chose Alicent Hightower. The fact that this scene was shocking but you could also see it from a mile away makes it brilliant. Then Corlys decided to team up with Daemon. I did not expect that either! So many shocking moments in just one episode.

Overall, this was fantastic, even better than the premiere. I'm giving it an 8/10.

Another surprisingly good episode

[Trey_Trebuchet · 9/10 · 30 August 2022]

I just love how fed up Rhys Ifans looks in everything. He's actually not having a good time in this show which makes it even funnier.

I wasn't excepting the time jump, and it looks like we'll be getting more of that this season. I'm not even mad. As long as the drama remains this engaging, do whatever.

I do like that the drama was particularly compelling and interesting. The real game for the throne is approaching, and the drama leading up to that could be potentially juicy. Sophomore episodes often feel like sophomore episodes, this one didn't. It was unpredictable and highly engaging.

Typically great acting and production, and what looks to be a new horrifying foe around the corner.

Predictable events hold back the story's flow

[etherealreviews · 6/10 · 29 August 2022]

A decent follow up to the well made pilot. A new intro with the Game of Thrones theme poses a strong start only to be followed by matters of the council that moves at a dreaded pace.

Dialogues seem stiff with no heart and most of the new plot points seem predictable. Very little is revealed about the forthcoming troubles that are to come which I'm wishing will pay off in the subsequent episodes

A long road lies ahead and the stage is being set. The actors have done a fine job with Matt Smith and Paddy continuing to shine. Hopefully the remaining episodes offer the content that this saga deserves and is worthy of.

A Great follow-up!

[and_mikkelsen · 9/10 · 28 August 2022]

Once again we are treated to a great episode that further develop tur events from the premiere in a great way! The writing is surprisingly good! The actors are great and we actually care about the characters! Everything feels real and organic! Just like early GOT the characters are what drives the show!

Overall the quality is high and it feels like the people making this show actually cares! There are many examples of where it just feels like the people making the show doesn't care and it all feels rushed and lazy! I feel like that is not the case with this show! We all know the legacy will be determined by how it ends, but for now i am invested and excited to see where this goes!

Expected more

[pablo_moriano · 6/10 · 31 August 2022]

It was ok. Not gonna say it was boring or inconsequential but maybe some of the issues were not fully developed as far as I am concerned. I'd say it was quite lame for me and although the finale of the episode was a perfect clickbait for number three. Hope next one has way more action and less conversation so I can help yawning from time to time. And I still think the resemblance of Game of Thrones is even more obvious.

And now as the review must go up to six hundred characters I'll keep writing about costume design, photography, production, visual effects (they're great regarding the way dragons are displayed on screen).

...and switch

[student-sfv · 5/10 · 29 August 2022]

First episode was on track but this one dropped the ball. So the rogue prince who nails the role of a killer (I'm rooting for him) steals a dragon egg, decides to start a war basically against all odds, and then goes right to 2022 for a while to get educated on what's acceptable and normal, returns. What does he do upon returnal? Gives back the dragon egg when his young female niece asks and gets lectured by his woman (her job in the movie cannot be written here as it's profanity) on some stuff.

We also get to be shocked by how long ago some kings would behave but not this one. This king also tries to school his daughter a bit but she's not having it and he being from from the future accepts it because that's life. This one is a people pleaser, surely a king's defining trait.

I do not recall these non-sense scenes in GOT so my hopes have gone down but hey, who knows how the winds will blow? Maybe we'll get more teen drama to go with our cat simulation games or maybe the show will not try to educate us and will instead just tell a good and realistical story. You can't place a show in a fantasy medieval world and make the characters act like from 2022.

Also I don't recall a single issue of women in GOT being offended by the lack of rights they had, it was a medieval setting that was a given, why change that? Not realistic.

Drama Builds

[danesvsu · 9/10 · 29 August 2022]

Another solid episode, this one with no real action behind it.. instead carried by a building tension that culminates to a reveal at the end showing the conflict on the way. Great visuals which is no surprise, and acting is still a selling point. Loving the casting as of now and still excited to be learning more of the nuances to each character as the story builds. Overall, the story is moving along very well so far and I'm hopeful that it continues to impress. Noting that the series has already been renewed for a 2nd season, it shows that their end goal for season 1 leaves more room for us viewers to anticipate where this part of the story ends and where it picks up.

My rating: 8.6, so we'll round up to a 9.

A Masterpiece.

[elidonbreshta · 10/10 · 28 August 2022]

Already watched the 2nd episode, this show is dark, eerie, visually impressive with some gold performance's by the actors, it literally brings you in another world, glued to the screen. Wish the dialogues were more vivid but it was clear that this episode was made with the sole purpose of setting things in motion and prepare us for what's coming next, just like the first episode that served for introducing us to these new characters, everything seems to have its purpose and they're certainly not rushing it. If i have to be honest the only disappointment so far was the soundtrack, barely heard throughout the entirety of 2 episodes, that's just not what i expected from Ramin.. hope things will change in the future episodes.

Much Needed Dialogue

[eueagles · 10/10 · 30 August 2022]

After the action packed and thrilling pilot episode this was a great follow up with witty dialogue that introduces us further to the main characters and their intentions. It appears that the events that took place in this episode will set in motion the remainder of the season through the decisions that were made and the impacts they will have. One thing that is certain is that this show has a stellar cast who performances pull you into their world. Also, the music just like in Game of Thrones is superb and should win awards just for it. I have never seen music set the tone of a show like it has in both GOT and now House of the Dragon. This will be a show we talk about for a long time and look forward to each and every week. I can't wait to see what is yet to come. Dragons, fire, small councils, what else could you ask for???

Smart. Writing.

[thomasheinrich · 10/10 · 30 August 2022]

It's crazy (and refreshing) what this rich universe looks like again when it's being realized by competent storytellers. Episode 2 is even more intelligent than the premiere, and this show is displaying immense promise. The dialogue and acting is superb, and the setup for next week is fantastic. The show is taking its time while not being monotonous, and it's a joy to watch.

Anyone who is letting the train wreck of Season 8 of Game of Thrones (or Season 7, for that matter...) deter himself or herself from watching this is QUITE misguided. Because we are back to rich, intelligent storytelling, and it's due to one thing more than any other:

Good. Writing.

Building!

[ska_man-48781 · 9/10 · 29 August 2022]

I know we are only two episodes in but this is building so well! The cast is so small and yet you can only feel that something big is about to blow up.

When I read the book I was not really fussed and when they announced the show, I was baffled, why would they make this a show and not the Night King back story... I do take the latter back after these episodes. Gripping and excellent all round. (I still want a Night King story).

The cinematography on DragonStone Bridge is hands down incredible! The setting of the mid-day, hazy sun.... Wow... the intensity of the scene to top it off.

Safe to say, HoD is performing well and I look forward to how this show plays out.

expected twist

[alhamzahmanuted · 8/10 · 29 August 2022]

Spoilers*

Liked the episode wasn't better than the first one the ending was actually a bit expected since the first episode

Scenes between viserys and rhaenyra weren't so important felt like a filler

The rest is actually decent daemon is my favorite til now tbh

The cgi and dragon stuff were better done than the first episode and the directing and the scene in DragonStone was my favorite of the episode

I expect the next episode to be better than both of the previous one as they were building up for what to come

Ps* The queen that never was is actually a bit annoying and she got a cersei-like character.

Still not hooked

[Lefteris-Anagnostopoulos · 7/10 · 29 August 2022]

My main problem with the first episode was that while I liked it (as this one) and the production is great (as in this one) the story lacks a compelling hook to anticipate the next episode. In this one we sorta got it in the very end but I'm sorry it's not enough, it's mediocre at best and I don't know why I'd recommend the show to anyone besides the GoT brand. This and previous episode are like middle of the season filler not first two episodes of a saga. Great productions do not excuse mediocre story-telling. If this behavior continues on, my rating will lower to 6s and 5s undoubtedly. I still give it a pass because I want to see where it leads, if it leads anywhere.

Also, in this episode we got our opening and it's frustrating and cements my main problem with Ramin Djawadi composing for shows. Why they don't let him compose something original, why it's the same main theme as GoT? It's like they have only one melody with different versions. Better Call Saul hadn't the same theme as Breaking Bad, why this has the same theme as GoT? Are they so desperate to relive the glory of the first season of GoT, that they forget that along with great production and music it also had a compelling narrative? Before they drove it to the ground that is.

Nailed it again.

[mattwalsh91-893-231603 · 10/10 · 30 August 2022]

They've done it again. Fantastic episode full of building conflicts and tension. All the pieces are being moved into place to get the main plot point started, yet it doesn't feel rushed or too fast paced. Masterfully done. This episode even looked better than episode 1, clearer and more refined. The costumes are absolutely amazing. Rhaenyra is definitely going to be a fan favourite, and Daemon/Corlys partnership is shaping up to become epic. The Crabfeeder looked INCREDIBLE. Such a unique look. And to those upset with the intro, they were never going to be able to top GoT intro music, so why not just keep it the same? I certainly am not going to moan that I have to listen to that epic theme song every week! Again, it feels great to be back in this world. There's truly nothing like a show set in Westeros.

Episode 2 - still waiting for it to get good

[sofia36 · 6/10 · 30 August 2022]

I'm still waiting for this show to get good.

I'm hoping they are saving some big surprise for the next episodes.

The pace is still super slow - even slower than episode 1.

We are now two hours in and not much has happened.

Still no humor and not a lot of action.

Just a lot of scenes that feel minutes longer than they should be and so much talking.

By this point in GOT most people had a favorite character. With HOTD I still don't have one.

All the characters are more ordinary - none are particularly memorable (at least not yet).

Maybe I should have read the book before watching the show.

Still waiting to be hooked

[rayjenks · 5/10 · 30 August 2022]

I wanted to be drawn in with this episode. I tried to connect with a character but they all seem to have the personality of a stone . Where's the characters like Little Finger with his mischievous nature or King Robert Baratheon with his bellowing laugh and fearlessness. Or the characters you start to despise like Cersi or prince Joffrey ? It seems like all the characters in house of the dragon fall into the middle of admired and despised, which results in me losing interest since I'm not rooting for or against anyone. The heavy dialogue in this episode really doesn't help either .

The plot moves forward a little in this episode but I find the story still difficult to grasp and two episodes in , I'm starting to get a little worried. Daemon's plot line is most interesting to me so far but it is still missing the "why" factor. We all know he wants to be heir to the throne but his motive is not clear and obvious enough to easily understand. All of the other threads in the story are uninteresting or hasn't picked up yet or at all .

I really hope that this episode is just a setup for something big to happen when the character arch's begin to take shape .

Content-driven and Cinematic

[ghoshi-kol · 10/10 · 29 August 2022]

This prequel has taken the script, character development, dialogues, and the performances to a new level. And it is also setting the stage for an impending battle that is surely going to be fiery. Paddy Considine to Matt Smith to Milky Alcock to Rhys Ifans to Eve Best to Steve Toussaint to Emily Carey, each have been exceptional in putting up a comprehensive display of acting prowess and in bringing the characters alive on screen. I, in particular, liked the introduction to Lady Laena, bringing the necessary smiles with her innocence. Also through dialogues and onscreen portrayal we are getting step by step development of the characters of Syrax and Caraxes, both of whom are to play important roles later on in the drama. The opening credit with new visuals and the original "Game of Thrones" theme added a new flavour to the show.

Pre War Tension Builder

[fahadjalil · 8/10 · 29 August 2022]

This episode isn't full of all that action and climaxes like the GOT style season premiere but it has it's own style and pitch. I call it an average GOT style episode. First episode was spectacular (no doubts) , we all actually needed that to get immersed back into westros and it did a great job for it. But what now??, they can't just throw us into a war directly and give us all that action. GOT has been about strategies , slowly building rebellions,how mistakes are made and how stability is created in realm. This episode does a great job of slowly building that tension for upcoming war and action. The introduction to Crabfeeder is very good and brutal. Cinematography and VFX here have a standard of perfection here that can't be challenged (it is just so beautiful) . The scenes in Dragonstone are spectacular, the cinematography, fear of bloodshed, terrifying look of CARAXES and finally the entrance of Rhaneyra and SYRAX .The downfall of king, his struggle for marriage and it's effects on his family and council are well portrayed. Now we await the war to come.