Two Dudes That Game Reviews: House of the Dragon

James and Ender discuss the pilot episode The Heirs of the Dragon HBO's new Original series House of the Dragon.

Overview:

With both his sons dead and the succession undecided, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen convenes a Great Council for the Westerosi lords to select a future ruler. Jaehaerys' eldest grandson, Prince Viserys, is chosen over his eldest grandchild, Princess Rhaenys. Nine years into his reign, Viserys organizes a tournament to celebrate Queen Aemma Arryn's pregnancy, confident she will give birth to a male heir. The Small Council disregards Master of Ships Lord Corlys Velaryon's warning that the Triarchy, an alliance of Essos' Free Cities, threatens to cripple Westerosi shipping lanes. Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower, criticizes Viserys's brother and heir, Prince Daemon, for his brutality as the City Watch commander. At the tournament, Ser Criston Cole, a common-born Dornish knight, outcompetes Daemon, while Aemma dies in childbirth, her son, Baelon, dying shortly after. Viserys refuses the council's pleas to anoint a new heir until Ser Otto reveals that Daemon mockingly styled Baelon as, "The Heir for a Day." Outraged, Viserys banishes Daemon from King's Landing and anoints his only living child, Princess Rhaenyra, heir to the Iron Throne.

Episode Director: Miguel Sapochnik

Episode Writter: Ryan Condal