# House of the Dragon, an HBO prequel series to Game of Thrones **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, hbomax-wb-dc\ **Created:** [May 6, 2021, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521 "2021-05-06T13:17:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 34
**Author:** ![WellHelloThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@WellHelloThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WellHelloThere)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/662 "2022-10-26T20:18:44Z")
The lack of humor is the main difference between the two shows, to me at least. A few solid one liners can make a dull council meeting interesting, or add some depth to characters. Prince Aemond’s toast to his “strong” nephews had some of that, but dour seriousness is just the regular mood of the majority of the characters. I did enjoy the first season though ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/663 "2022-10-26T20:26:31Z")
Yeah, but the problem is none of this characters would be a good fit for the “funny one liner” guy like Tyrion was, so they’d have to shoehorn one in. And having a character without much relevance to the plot just there to throw out funny quips would get old fast. ---
**Author:** ![WellHelloThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@WellHelloThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WellHelloThere)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/664 "2022-10-26T20:30:38Z")
Yeah, true about Tyrion. I thought The Hound, Bronn, and Olenna Tyrell were pretty funny at times though. Its the first season, it isn’t a huge complaint. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/665 "2022-10-26T22:02:48Z")
I didn’t read any of the books. Was humor an element in them? ---
**Author:** ![WellHelloThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@WellHelloThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WellHelloThere)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/666 "2022-10-26T22:22:57Z")
Edit: I do not want to hijack a thread, but yes humor was an important part of the books to me. And the good seasons of the show as well ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/667 "2022-10-26T22:24:28Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > You will have to be a lot more specific than that, there was at least three war room planning scenes at length, not counting the one at the end with the death being told. At 7:57. I think it looks like Idle… I have a screenshot, which the system will let me upload but not post. Suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/668 "2022-10-26T22:43:34Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I didn’t read any of the books. Was humor an element in them? This are more like history books. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/669 "2022-10-26T22:46:09Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > At 7:57. I think it looks like Idle… The timings aren’t quite precise for me, 7:57 the kids were fighting on the beach. There was a war room bit before that, and I did not think any of them looked like Eric Idle. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/670 "2022-10-26T22:59:50Z")
> [@SlipperyPete](#): > > Is attacking another dragon with a blast of fire ever a good idea? Wouldn’t they be basically immune to that? There has been nothing in the show that has said that dragons are immune to fire generally, or to dragon’s breath specifically. ---
**Author:** ![WellHelloThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@WellHelloThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WellHelloThere)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/671 "2022-10-26T23:00:49Z")
That is true, this show is based on a different book. It was written as a sort of encyclopedia of the universe George RR Martin created. ---
**Author:** ![WellHelloThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@WellHelloThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WellHelloThere)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/672 "2022-10-26T23:05:54Z")
I think you could say dragons are resistant to fire ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/673 "2022-10-26T23:07:19Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > The timings aren’t quite precise for me, 7:57 the kids were fighting on the beach. There was a war room bit before that, and I did not think any of them looked like Eric Idle. Here’s the screenshot - I hope this site is acceptable: [https://www.linkpicture.com/q/hotd.jpg](https://www.linkpicture.com/q/hotd.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/674 "2022-10-26T23:14:30Z")
I’d say he only looks slightly like Eric Idle, not much at all. I did think it could be Phil Daniels, who’s credited as a Maester. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/675 "2022-10-26T23:14:42Z")
> [@WellHelloThere](#): > > Yeah, true about Tyrion. I thought The Hound, Bronn, and Olenna Tyrell were pretty funny at times though. Its the first season, it isn’t a huge complaint. Don’t forget Varys, Littlefinger, Tormund, Podrick, Arya, Sam, Lyanna Mormont, etc. A lot of the best parts of GoT were the various “odd-couple road trips”. HoD doesn’t really have those. It’s mostly all Targaryens and you can see where Daenerys gets her sense of humor from. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/676 "2022-10-26T23:21:45Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > I’d say he only looks slightly like Eric Idle, not much at all. I did think it could be Phil Daniels, who’s credited as a Maester. Looking at the cast for this episode on IMDB, it looks more like Mark Collier (uncredited nobleman) rather than Phil Daniels. ---
**Author:** ![WellHelloThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@WellHelloThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WellHelloThere)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/677 "2022-10-26T23:46:31Z")
Yes, that is what I mean. You remembered much more, but there was a lot of levity in GOT that really helped with the slow parts ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/678 "2022-10-26T23:50:57Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Looking at the cast for this episode on IMDB, it looks more like Mark Collier (uncredited nobleman) Mark Collier > **[Mark Collier](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm13420285/mediaviewer/rm2774800641?ref_=m_nm_ov_ph)** > > Mark Collier ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/679 "2022-10-27T01:03:55Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > It’s mostly all Targaryens and you can see where Daenerys gets her sense of humor from. This comment was funnier than anything she ever said. But then I suppose it’s intended. Humor wasn’t a thing for the Targaryens. Now I’m trying to think if there were even minor tidbits of humor anywhere at all in HOTD. I’ll definitely watch Season 1 again to check. I’ll probably need a refresher anyway before the next season starts. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/680 "2022-10-27T01:29:12Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Looking at the cast for this episode on IMDB, it looks more like Mark Collier (uncredited nobleman) Actually he looks a lot more like Michael Elwyn, who is credited as Lord Simon Staunton > **[Simon Staunton](https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Simon_Staunton)** > > Lord Simon Staunton is the head of House Staunton and Lord of Rook's Rest during the Dance of the Dragons. Lord Simon attends the Black Council at Dragonstone, where he bickers with Lord Bartimos Celtigar. In Fire & Blood, Lord Staunton's first... > **[Michael Elwyn](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0255914/mediaviewer/rm3117025025?context=default&ref_=m_nm_ph_1)** > > Michael Elwyn in House of the Dragon (2022) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521/681 "2022-10-27T01:39:58Z")
On rewatch, I am really liking the focus on Rhaenyra and Alicent in this story. These are the perfect characters to focus on. They both make some ruthless choices but it’s hard to be completely against either of them. And I especially am interested in contrast in the parental relationships the two have with their children. You can see that they think they are doing their best, and you see them both being very loving and affectionate. I’m particularly thinking of the scenes between Alicent and Helaena and between Rhaenyra and Lucerys. But things don’t always work out right. It’s also kind of sobering to think that Alicent has given birth four times (Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron). Rhaenyra five times (Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey, Aegon, and Viserys). And each time it’s a roll of the dice as to whether she will survive. Or whether the child will survive. Rhaenyra has experienced at least one stillbirth. And both of them have likely had miscarriages. Chilling. What percentage of Thor lives have they been pregnant? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-the-dragon-an-hbo-prequel-series-to-game-of-thrones/941521.md?page=35)