Chockfull of unlikeable characters and generally lacking what many enjoyed about Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon seems to serve very well as a companion series for those who have read Fire and Blood. However, for viewers who haven't read the book, the series falls flat. Let's be honest: if this wasn't a Game of Thrones spin-off, only a fraction of us would be watching and it would definitely end after a dismal first season.

PROS -- The rich history of Westeros, as written by GRRM... Increased real world diversity and representation in their fictional universe... High production value. Costumes are excellent, wigs are getting better, and the (real and CGI) scenery looks beautiful.

CONS -- Numerous time jumps and recastings. It's jarring for the viewer and to the story, often skipping years of the aforementioned lore... Conspicuous lack of dragons in House of the Dragon... Character development, intriguing politics, sharp dialogue, and decent action scenes are all few and far between.