Want to see Game of Thrones again? Yes? Then watch the new series, House Draco, which tells the story of House Targaryen before the most famous and last descendant, Daenerys Targaryen.
Two hundred years before the death of Targaryen, the last ruler of House Draco, we find ourselves once again in a power struggle. The current ruler is Viserys I. Targaryen, who was chosen to succeed his father as ruler. Viserys is experiencing his own unhappy marriage and during a tournament, in honor of his nascent son, his dream of having only his son become the continuation of his lineage collapses. To defend himself against his brother, he chooses an heir, his only offspring, his daughter Rhaenyra.
The first episode of the new series from the world of the Game of Thrones book series gave us our initial introduction to the royal family that rules the dragons and has hereditary rights to the Iron Throne. It's a glamorous introduction, when else would we get to know the family, their daughters, the Hand, and the dragons than during a royal tournament and during the birth of the heir to the throne.
The introduction to this imaginary historical family was pretty good. In the course of an hour, we learn a lot of important things about the characters, who is driven by love, who is driven by a taste for battle, and who only desires sex and money.
The heroes are well chosen. The cast is very good. Experienced English actors from many stage shows and British films are the exact cast for a serious historical series. We enjoy Paddy Considine in the lead role, the heir, with Milly Alcock playing his daughter and Matt Smith playing the successful brother who claims the throne. Other roles will see the likes of big-name stars Rhys Ifans and Graham McTavish.
It's a good thing the creators didn't choose well-known actors, as they would have driven fans away from the story between the ruling houses with their fame. The actors are well chosen for the characters, with perhaps only Matt Smith standing out a little incongruously, but that's an unfortunate gift for having played the famous Doctor Who (Time Lord) for several years.
There is plenty of blood and sex in the episode, but the creators certainly haven't properly let loose yet, as there's not enough of it compared to selected episodes of Game of Thrones. The first episode focuses on putting the characters on the chessboard, in a basic position. It's important to get to know the characters so that fans can find their favourites.
The first episode did it all, so I'm excited to see what else we'll experience in King's Landing with characters who either love or hate each other and are either after money or just sex.
I also have to mention a bit about the technical execution of the show. Unfortunately it suffers from the „dark picture – almost dark“ syndrome. (Like the last major episodes of Game of Thrones), everything dark, murky and in some shots not quite right to see. I do have a 4K with HDR TV, but just too much darkness. But it's awfully good that from the very first episode the series has dubbing, so one doesn't have to laboriously read the subtitles. We must also mention the music by Ramin Djawadi, who has revisited the world of the Targaryens and uses some popular themes.
To start with, the series is hilarious, but there is too much of that "political" and explanatory bullshit to get to know the characters.
Original article August 22, 2022 – Kritiky.cz
