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House of the Dragon director doesn’t think other fantasy shows “do the work” to create compelling characters

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House of the Dragon director doesn't think other fantasy shows "do the work" to create compelling characters

As a dedicated gamer and fantasy series enthusiast with a deep appreciation for intricately woven narratives and complex character development, I have been thoroughly engrossed in the current wave of epic fantasy shows that have graced our screens in recent years. With Jeff Bezos’ ambitious mandate to create the next “Game of Thrones,” we have seen an influx of new series, each vying for the title of the best fantasy show on television.

Game of Thrones was a once-in-a-generation pop culture phenomenon, and Hollywood noticed. A few years back, billionaire Jeff Bezos famously told the heads of Amazon Studios, basically, to bring him the next Game of Thrones. That led to fantasy shows like The Wheel of Time and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Over on Netflix, we got The Witcher. And of course HBO made its Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon, which is airing its second season right now.

Among these fantasy series, each has its devoted audience, making it challenging to label one as the ultimate best. However, it’s worth noting that House of the Dragon has garnered significant praise from critics and minimal fan controversy. Some fans express disappointment with other shows like The Witcher due to Henry Cavill’s departure or The Rings of Power deviating substantially from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works. House of the Dragon, so far, has escaped such widespread criticism, but given its connection to Game of Thrones and its contentious finale, it may face backlash in the future.

The HBO series, specifically “House of the Dragon,” seems more solidly constructed than some similar shows currently airing. According to director Alan Taylor, who excelled in the episode “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” this is due to other programs investing time and effort into creating intriguing characters. He shared his thoughts with The A.V. Club.

I won’t name other huge fantasy shows out there, but I think there are shows that don’t quite do the work that Game Of Thrones and House Of The Dragon have always done, which is to make these incredibly three-dimensional characters you care about as individuals. So when you do step onto a dragon fight, the outcome is epic but also very emotional. I was happy that in episode four, which is consumed by this fight in the last several minutes, I got to do other things like introduce Oscar Tully, played by Archie Barnes. I also got to properly introduce Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) and spend time with her. These are pivotal characters who are going to have their own stories.

As a longtime fan of George R.R. Martin’s intricately woven narratives, I’ve been thoroughly captivated by HBO’s House of the Dragon. The show has indeed crafted an elaborate and engaging tapestry, leaving me in awe of how they’ve managed to keep such a complex narrative under control – almost as if they’re expert weavers, skillfully maneuvering each thread with precision.

Additionally, if Taylor chooses to call out names, I’m more than happy to listen. The same applies if Jeff Bezos decides to criticize “House of the Dragon”; I’ll be eagerly waiting with a large bowl of popcorn.

House of the Dragon director doesn't think other fantasy shows "do the work" to create compelling characters

Alan Taylor will not return for House of the Dragon season 3

Prior to “House of the Dragon,” Alan Taylor helmed several notable episodes of “Game of Thrones.” Among these are “Baelor” from season 1, which features Ned Stark’s beheading, and “The Red Dragon and the Gold.” In my opinion, these are Taylor’s finest contributions to this fictional world. Although he didn’t contribute to “House of the Dragon” season 1, he joined the team for season 2 following the departure of original co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik.

As a television critic with over a decade of experience under my belt, I’ve seen many a shift in creative roles behind the scenes of beloved shows. The recent announcement that Taylor was working alongside Ryan Condal as co-showrunner for “Snowpiercer” Season 2 piqued my interest. However, upon further investigation, it appears that Taylor will not be returning for Season 3.

For now, we can put thoughts of “House of the Dragon” season 3 on hold, as plans are underway but not yet ready for release. In the interim, catch up with the latest episodes of season 2 every Sunday night on HBO and Max.

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2024-07-16 17:41

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