I so wanted to enjoy this. The main challenge initially was one that any sequel to a big hit has to overcome. A new story, without our preloved characters, that doesn't have the advantage of presenting the wonder of a new story world. But I managed to get through this, and over the first few episodes, developed a healthy viewers attachment to the new characters and was enjoying the show.

Then episode 6 lands. A ten year gap, with new actresses playing THE most important roles, and new characters. I spent the first half of this episode trying to work out who was who, what actors remained, what characters remained, who the new actors/actresses were portraying and what the hell was going on. But I plodded through.

Then episode 7. They do the same thing. New actors and actresses in many roles, new important characters & another jump through time. Again, who's who and what's going on?

Episode 8 and they unbelievably did it again. I was at least comforted by the fact that the post episode 5, Alicent actress (Olivia Cook), addressed a guard using the wrong name. At least I wasn't the only one who was completely lost.

Ironically a few scenes later, the post episode 5, Rhaenyra actress says,.... assumably referring to the king, but who knows?..... "He looks like a different person". Now they're just having a laugh, given he was still the same actor.

There is great potential for the second series, but please stop the clunky and jarring jumps in time, characters and actors playing the roles, that require the viewer to play catch-up so often.