It's inevitable that this series would be compared with GOT, and to some extent it doesn't disappoint. There's a host of intriguing characters and the CGI is adequate and broadly speaking it includes a lot of the aspects that made its predecessor entertaining.

However, there are no real characters to root for with the possible exception of Rhaenyra and Lucerys (compare that to Bran, Arya, Jon Snow, Samwell etc in GOT) everyone in House of The Dragon seems to be villainous, although I've already taken sides on who I want to see win the battle for the throne.

Also, the first series only focuses really on the goings-on in King's Landing, Dragonstone and Driftmark and the other kingdoms barely feature. Plus, the dragons and the CGI must have used up a lot if the budget, but do not compensate for character and plot. In addition, the existential threat from beyond the wall is alluded to, but we know in this series we're not going to face anything as catastrophic and frightening as the whitewalkers.

Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to the next season and accept that series 1 was only setting the scene and that the real action and character development is to come and things will really kick off in the second series.