Full season edit: 7/10

I ended up liking the show more than I thought I would. It started to hit its stride by episode 7. I was invested in the characters by the end and looked forward to each Sunday.

I was not a fan of the character changes and time jumps at all. This could've been better handled with flashbacks or dialogue. Changing the actress for Rhaenyra was a travesty, you could've easily de-aged Emma, or aged Milly. Both are great actresses, but this change was too jarring and nonsensical.

Some great characters this season, Vicerys is top of the list. Dragon CGI improved by the end as well.

Still no GoT, but happy to be back in this world!

HBO, please explain why there will be more than a years wait for season 2? Possibly two years isn't acceptable at all. GoT season 2 was one year after season one and it was a lot more riskier at that time.

Episode one review 5/10

First off, never met a prequel that I liked better than the original, this is no different. Half the suspense is gone before you start. Why would I care anything about the Targaryen's knowing the fate of their family? Maybe if Daenerys story had a different outcome, perhaps I'd be more invested in her family and their history.

Secondly, comparing episode one of GoT and ep1 of HotD, I can easily say GoT was light years better. It had stronger characters with way more personality, several exciting storylines that got started within an hour, and to touch on the first point - the excitement of the unknown.

I found the CGI to be a bit lesser than what we saw in GoT - which really is not acceptable. The entire colour palette of this show is quite dreary and unremarkable.

This would've been a below average episode during the first half of the original GoT series. Season 8 destroyed my passion for this World and this episode did not revive it.