Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are two different breeds of cat. If GoT is a lion, then HotD is a leopard. The lion is more majestic but runs the danger of being more cartoonish than the down-to-earth leopard. HotD is a detailed treatment of the potential difficulties involved in the transfer of power when the monarch dies. As an example of those difficulties, consider the historical conflicts in England between King Harold and William the Conqueror, Empress Maud vs. King Stephen, Richard III and the boys in the Tower, Lady Jane Grey, etc., as well as the several Wars of Succession on the Continent. It gets even more interesting when leprosy (remember King Baldwin of Jerusalem?) is involved. It is refreshing to see these historical details dramatized. The big message of both GoT and HotD is to beware the potential dangers of a white-haired ruler. Beyond that, the HotD cinematographer has taken the use of natural light, including candles, in interior scenes to a new level.

For the many critics who think HotD is boring, I suggest a thought experiment. Compare HotD with a biopic of your own life. Which is more boring?