House of the Dragon finally arrived Sunday, and it has quite a few dragons, plus violence sex and palace intrigue.
House of the Dragon is based on author George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire and Blood”, which traces the origins of the Targaryen dynastry and how it ruled the seven kingdoms.
The new series focuses primarily on two young women in Westeros, Princes Rhaenyra Targaryen, the only child of the King and Alicent Hightower, daughter of the Hand of the King.
The King on the Iron Throne at the start of “Dragon” is Viserys I, who was chosen by a great council of nobles after the old king lost his sons.
The nobles picked Viserys over his cousin Rhaenys, who had a stronger claim to the throne. Rhaenys is seen in Episode 1 with her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon.
Viserys has no sons at the start of the series, so his wild brother Daemon, who pays special attention to his niece.
The first Episode of “Dragon” sets out the power players in Westeros in this period of history, including Alicent’s father Otto Hightower. He is the Hand of the King.
The first Episode also introduces to Ser Criston Cole, a Dornish knight of low birth who bears Daemon in jousting and sword fighting match at a tournament.
As in “Thrones” the reigning royals are protected by knights of the Kings guard, including Ser Harrold Westerling, who dedicate their lives to this service.
Queen Aemma, Viserys’ wife and Rhaenyra’s mother, is pregnant when the series begins, and Viserys hopes the baby will be a boy.
The baby is a boy, but both he and Aemma die after a butchered when the childbirth is going badly. This is not end of the story. Rest may be captured from next story.