While this is a good show, it's hard to determine if it's good because we all loved Game of Thrones or if it's good on its own. The show's biggest advantage, adaptation wise, is that its source material is COMPLETE. Unlike GOT we - hopefully - won't have to deal with sloppy, off-book showrunner writing that damaged the later seasons of House of the Dragon's predecessor. Fire & Blood has always reminded me of the appendices of Lord of the Rings and I love the potential that gives House of the Dragon.

What is clear from the first shot after the opening expository scene is that HotD came with a big budget and intended to use it. Seeing a Targaryen swoop through the clouds, down to the Red Keep and fly over the heads of completely unbothered King's Landing residents was impressive. But as the show progressed it felt at times like the inclusion of a dragon in some scenes (the coronation for example) was more spectacular than narrative.

Then, there's the time jumps and recasting. Granted, the casting was excellent - but even well-cast actors can only do their best with what they're given (to paraphrase the late Lady Crane.) Character development was nearly impossible when the characters are dramatically aged just when they are getting in the groove of their storylines. Even Matt Smith - whose Prince Daemon is never recast - doesn't arc so much as zizags from one extreme personality to the next.

The entire season felt like setting up a chessboard (one side black, the other green) which isn't necessarily a bad thing unless you throw the pieces out and switch to checkers halfway through. Fingers crossed that House of the Dragon's sophomore season learns from its mistakes and goes for character development over special effects.