6 most disliked episodes in House of the Dragon

As a devoted fan of George R.R. Martin’s epic saga, I must confess that the latest episodes of House of the Dragon have left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed – like a Maester with a hangover after a long night at the Meadhall.

Since the conclusion of “Game of Thrones”, studios have been struggling to fill the void it left behind. One of the most notable attempts is “House of the Dragon”, a prequel series to “Game of Thrones” based on George R.R. Martin’s fictional history book, “Fire & Blood”. This series delves into the intricacies of a period known as the Dance of the Dragons, during which the Targaryen family, split into factions called the Greens and the Blacks, devastated themselves in a power struggle over succession.

To what extent has each show managed to fill that gap? While both series share a comparable quality, it’s worth noting that Game of Thrones received an impressive 89% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, with House of the Dragon earning a slightly lower 87%. However, when we exclude the controversial eighth season from the calculation, Game of Thrones boasts an average season score of 94%. In contrast, the two seasons of House of the Dragon released so far have maintained more consistent mid-positive scores of 90% and 84%.

Based on HBO reports, the average viewership for Game of Thrones was around 22.4 million per episode, ranging from a low of 9.3 million in Season 1 to a high of 46 million in Season 8. On the other hand, House of the Dragon has garnered between 9.3 and 10.2 million viewers in its first season, and between 7.8 and 8.9 million in its second. This represents a noticeable decrease from the previous season’s viewership, which is typically not a positive trend for television ratings.

Comparing these two data sets indicates that “House of the Dragon” is performing quite well, yet not reaching the same heights as its predecessor. It seems that some viewership decline might stem from fans who ended their affiliation with the franchise after the final season of “Game of Thrones.” However, there’s been a recurring theme of criticism regarding the series’ pace.

In this discussion, we’ll examine some of the least popular episodes from “House of the Dragon”, hoping it sheds light on why it hasn’t achieved the same level of acclaim as “Game of Thrones”. While the original series had its fair share of unpopular episodes, the weakest episodes in “House of the Dragon” seem to have recurring issues, which could guide the showrunners in crafting the final two seasons with more precision.

Season 1, Episode 9: “The Green Council”

Although generally well-received by many fans, a significant portion of them dislike “The Green Council.” The second-to-last episode of season 1 swiftly follows King Viserys’ demise, focusing on the Greens as they jockey for power in King’s Landing. Alicent Hightower and her father Otto hasten to locate Aegon, aiming to shape his reign. During his coronation, Rhaenys Targaryen, who had been considered excessively loyal to Aegon’s rival Rhaenyra and imprisoned for it, manages a daring escape by riding Meleys through the floor.

In a departure that left many viewers perplexed, some felt the race to locate Aegon lacked significant impact on the story’s progression. However, it was Rhaenys’ actions during this episode that stirred the most controversy. She held the power to bring an immediate end to the conflict, but instead of capitalizing on this opportunity, she showed leniency towards Alicent, a decision that ultimately sealed the fate of her own house and the realm.

In this particular scene, there was a significant departure from the original storyline, which often stirs up debates. The main issue, however, was that it appeared to have no repercussions or impact whatsoever. For instance, Rhaenys’ choice to spare the Greens seemed questionable, given she ended up causing the deaths of numerous innocent people during her escape. Yet, these deaths seem to hold no significance within the storyline, which is unusual and could be detrimental to the Blacks’ standing. However, this apparent consequence-free action seems to have been overlooked entirely in the narrative.

As a devoted fan of House of the Dragon, I must admit that this recent episode wasn’t the absolute worst, but it did feature another significant event that seemed to lack any substantial impact. Just like many Game of Thrones fans lamented about Cersei’s destruction of the Great Sept failing to spark a widespread uprising from the smallfolk, I can’t help but feel that Rhaenys’ senseless killings should have been labeled as acts of terrorism, not just an overdramatic farewell.

Season 2, Episode 5: “Regent”

In this short series with just eight installments, the fifth one is expected to delve deeply into the primary storyline, maintaining viewer interest as we approach the finale. Considering how significant the previous episode titled “The Red Dragon and the Gold” was, it appeared that the conflict between the Blacks and Greens would intensify significantly in the next episode. Yet, surprisingly, “Regent” ended up being more subdued.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Rook’s Rest, both factions are grappling with its repercussions: The Blacks, mourning Lady Rhaenys and her dragon, while the Greens search for a regent for King Aegon, who was severely injured but not slain. This situation offers ample room for political maneuvering; however, the Greens overwhelmingly select Aemond as regent, leaving Jace in a predicament regarding his disagreements with Rhaenyra about their next steps.

Filler episodes aren’t necessarily problematic; they provide a breather for both characters and viewers following significant events, and can contribute significantly to character growth. However, in the case of “Regent,” it fell short because several scenes intended to engage the audience with the characters were repetitive, as these elements had already been explored previously.

Beyond the recurring central storylines, Daemon’s narrative is a blend of his discontent from season 1 about not being an heir and scenes that seem unnecessary. Few viewers found the dream sequence involving Daemon and his mother incestuous appealing, as the frequent occurrence of these visions diminishes their impact. Although it’s a fairly good episode on its own, many viewers haven’t developed enough emotional connection with the characters to find this type of episode enjoyable to watch.

Season 1, Episode 6: “The Princess and the Queen”

In the latest episode of “House of the Dragon,” a significant time leap occurred, taking us ten years forward since the previous installment. During this period, the Targaryens have undergone substantial changes. Rhaenyra now has three sons, whom Alicent doubts are legitimate, while Daemon shares two daughters with Laena Velaryon. The political climate at court is strained, and it becomes even more volatile when both Rhea Royce, Daemon’s wife, and Harwin Strong, Rhaenyra’s lover, pass away.

The overall leap in time was aggravating since it prevented fans from witnessing the gradual development of the war between the Greens and the Blacks, a key aspect of the storyline. Specifically, viewers missed out on understanding how Aegon posed a threat to Rhaenyra, which is a pivotal piece of the conflict. Moreover, the lack of family dynamics among Viserys’ children makes it harder for us to empathize with their eventual estrangement when tensions rise. However, the main issue lies in the time jump itself as it created challenges, if not impossibilities, in developing emotional attachments to certain characters, particularly those who perished!

The character Laena Velaryon was initially presented as a potential queen for Viserys and later as Daemon’s love interest, but viewers may not feel emotionally invested in her due to the way she was portrayed. While the books show Rhaenyra and Daemon having a close relationship, the TV series kept them apart. The series emphasized that Daemon loved his wife, but it primarily used Laena as a character to give birth to Baela and Rhaena before ultimately killing her off in a similar manner to Aemma’s death.

Essentially, Harwin Strong is believed to be Rhaenyra’s heart’s desire, a vital figure in her court, and father to three of her children. Notably, his father held a position of great power as Hand of the King. However, their demise occurs without much ceremony, which isn’t inherently an issue, given it was orchestrated by Alicent and Larys. The problem lies in the narrative jump, as it leaves viewers with minimal emotional investment in Strong. Consequently, his death serves primarily to advance the plot, rather than eliciting a strong emotional response from the audience.

Season 2, Episode 3: “The Burning Mill”

As a cinephile immersed in the captivating world of House Targaryen, I found myself grappling with the intricate web of events unfolding in “The Burning Mill.” While the initial episodes of season 2 were masterfully concentrated on the familial tragedies intensifying the war, this episode seemed to expand the narrative landscape by introducing a multitude of new plotlines and characters.

Though numerous viewers appreciated this episode, some found it dull as the ongoing storylines seemed insignificant. Characters like the dragonseeds, who’ll ride dragons later in the tale, may hold great importance, but their introduction is subtle. Similarly, the youngest Green and Black children will play crucial roles later on, so they were temporarily absent from the plot to focus more on the current central figures.

It appears that the actions taken aren’t making a significant impact, as they seem to align closely with the storylines we expect for these characters in the final episode of the season. Questions like “How do we get more dragons?” or “Can Alicent and Rhaenyra prevent the war from escalating?” or “What role will Daemon and Jacaerys play in the conflict?” are not addressed substantially yet. The narrative doesn’t advance much on these topics until later.

A significant criticism revolves around the ease with which Rhaenyra can infiltrate King’s Landing; this season, it seems anyone can freely enter and exit enemy territories. The recurring movement between Rhaenyra and Alicent has left viewers questioning who is supposed to be protecting these strategic locations. Following the Blood and Cheese incident, it’s challenging to accept that an adversary could so effortlessly gain access to the dowager queen.

Season 2, Episode 6: “Smallfolk”

In the episode titled “Smallfolk,” a common criticism was that there wasn’t enough focus on these small characters. While the riot in King’s Landing was the main event, it didn’t get as much attention compared to Aemond strategizing and making changes within his Small Council.

In the aftermath of the conflict, Daemon persists with his visions, serving as one of his primary roles this season. On the other hand, Rhaenyra takes significant actions, however, some viewers feel that the morality behind these actions could have been portrayed as more complex. Together with Mysaria, she orchestrates the uprisings in King’s Landing, and allows one of her followers to be slain by a dragon. Yet, instead of highlighting her as a cunning tactician, these events are presented from a sympathetic perspective.

Although some viewers have expressed disapproval over the scene involving Rhaenyra and Mysaria, a more significant issue leading to dissatisfaction with this episode is the perception that the plot is dictating the characters’ actions, rather than the reverse. Characters like Daemon seem to be largely inactive, while other figures appear to be driving Rhaenyra’s decisions. While it’s clear that Aemond is making his own choices, the show’s focus on Alicent’s loss or lack of control makes it challenging for viewers to remain engaged.

The events in this episode seemed to unfold as if by destiny, lacking a personal connection that allows us to empathize with the characters. In contrast, “Game of Thrones” captivated audiences due to its relatable characters, both loved and despised, and a plotline that felt authentic. This installment, however, falls short in creating such connections between viewers and its characters, making it challenging to invest in their outcomes.

Season 2, Episode 8: “The Queen Who Ever Was”

The least favorite episode of “House of the Dragon” thus far appears to be the season 2 finale, titled “The Queen Who Ever Was.” In this installment, armies are prepared for war; Tyland Lannister consolidates the Triarchy for Aemond and Daemon pledges his Riverlands army to Rhaenyra. However, rather than the anticipated conflict unfolding, Alicent makes a surprise move by infiltrating Dragonstone, proposing she surrender King’s Landing to Rhaenyra and allowing her to execute both of their sons.

Viewers found this episode disappointing because it seemed like season 2 wasn’t leading to anything significant, despite hints that it would mark the start of a war. However, the season lacked consistent momentum, with many interruptions and not much action in the early episodes compared to the Battle of Rook’s Rest. Furthermore, “The Queen Who Ever Was” didn’t offer any exciting developments, leaving fans wanting more.

The part of the episode that caused the most distress was the departure from the book’s storyline where Alicent handed King’s Landing to Rhaenyra. This action seemed out of character for her, as it made her appear to be giving her enemy her sons’ lives and the throne out of pity rather than through a battle or struggle for power. In essence, it reduced the conquest of King’s Landing to nothing more than a woman granting control without a fight.

One Reddit user noted that the entire season encompassed just 30 book pages of action and only a few weeks in the storyline. It seemed to be overextended, and “The Queen Who Ever Was” failed to convey a sense of a significant turning point. If it hadn’t been the season finale, but instead the last episode for many years, it would likely have been better received. However, as the final episode we’ll see for a while, it was quite disappointing.

In a surprising twist, Helaena Targaryen appears to possess omniscient abilities, predicting Daemon’s future knowledge not only about the impending war but also the arrival of Daenerys. This aspect, unfortunately, fails to resonate and transforms Helaena into a character less relatable and human. Similarly, Daemon, much like Rhaenyra, seems driven by prophecy rather than personal motivations. Instead of standing independently as an engaging narrative, House of the Dragon begins to feel like a prelude to Game of Thrones, diminishing its appeal as a distinct entity worth exploring on its own merits.

The upcoming third season of “House of the Dragon” is now gearing up for pre-production in this year itself, with actual filming scheduled for 2025. This implies that viewers may not get to see it until 2026. Although such a long wait might be annoying, fans can only cross their fingers and hope that the writers will take into account feedback and improve upon the story’s pace and character development in the future.

2024-10-28 17:42

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