The debut of House of the Dragon is almost record-breaking: 9.9 million viewers in the U.S. for this HBO-targeted title, a prequel to the successful series The Iron Throne. The official record still belongs to the mother series with nearly 18 million viewers for the pilot premiere of the last season. Astronomical figures if we think that Euphoria, another driving HBO title, debuted in its second season with 2.4 million viewers.
Anticipation was through the roof; the Game of Thrones finale had left many viewers disgruntled, especially with the death of Daeneris Targeryen (Emilia Clarke). House Targaryen itself is dedicated to House of the Dragon, setting the events almost two hundred years before the birth of the mother of dragons. The elements to hit the mark, at least after watching this first episode, are all there: the locations already known to fans, majestic dragons flying over the rooftops of King’s Landing, blood (so much blood), intrigue and a heroine, Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) who seems to be able to give justice to that death of Daeneris never really digested by critics and audiences. Yes because after 8 seasons of conquests and broken chains, Khaleesi seemed to have served only the narrative development of Jon Snow-the last of the Targaryens-character played by Kit Harrington.
The appointment with House of The Dragon is every Monday on Sky Atlantic and on demand on NOW, for ten weeks, with the original version subtitled at the same time as the U.S. at 3:00 a.m. and in replay at 10:15 p.m., and from August 29 with the Italian version at 9:15 p.m.