House of Dragons and Game of Thrones

A comprehensive comparison 

In this article, I will compare the TV shows House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones. I will focus on their themes, production, and reception and analyze how House of the Dragon expands the Game of Thrones universe and diverges in storytelling approach.

Themes and Storytelling

House of the Dragon mainly centers on House Targaryen and their civil war, providing a more focused storyline. On the other hand, Game of Thrones explored various houses and storylines throughout Westeros and Essos, giving a broader view of the series world. In the upcoming paragraphs, I will compare three main aspects of the two shows.

• Game of Thrones covered multiple houses and storylines across Westeros and Essos, providing a broader worldview.

Power Dynamics:

Both shows explore themes of power, succession, and political intrigue. House of the Dragon delves deeper into internal family conflicts and the complexities of Targaryen rule, while Game of Thrones presents a wider range of power struggles between different houses and factions.

• House of the Dragon delves deeper into internal family conflicts and the complexities of Targaryen rule.
• Game of Thrones presented a wider range of power struggles between different houses and factions.

Character Morality:

House of the Dragon showcases morally ambiguous characters, with shifting allegiances and complex motivations. Game of Thrones, especially in earlier seasons, featured more precise distinctions between protagonists and antagonists.

• Game of Thrones, especially in earlier seasons, had clearer distinctions between protagonists and antagonists[14].

Period and Setting:

House of the Dragon is set in a more stable era of Westeros, focusing on internal power struggles[15]. Game of Thrones depicted a world facing external threats (White Walkers) alongside political conflicts[15].

• Game of Thrones depicted a world facing external threats (White Walkers) alongside political conflicts[15].

Production and Visuals

Visual Effects

House of the Dragon benefits from advances in CGI technology, especially in dragon scenes[15]. Both shows set high standards for visual spectacle in television production.

• Both shows set high standards for visual spectacle in television production.

Filming Techniques

House of the Dragon uses virtual production techniques, allowing for more dynamic and fantastical sets[16]. Game of Thrones relied more on physical sets and on-location shooting, especially in earlier seasons.

• Game of Thrones relied more heavily on physical sets and on-location shooting, especially in earlier seasons.

Dragon Portrayal

House of the Dragon’s narrative features a central role for dragons, with more frequent appearances and detailed lore[15]. Dragons were gradually introduced in Game of Thrones and became more prominent in later seasons.

• In Game of Thrones, dragons were introduced gradually and became more prominent in later seasons.

Reception and Audience Engagement

Viewership

House of the Dragon’s first season garnered an average of 29 million viewers per episode, a figure that is on par with the viewership numbers of the later seasons of Game of Thrones. As a point of reference, Game of Thrones saw a growth in viewership over its run, culminating in the final season which averaged 44 million viewers per episode[9].

• House of the Dragon’s first season averaged 29 million viewers per episode, approaching the later seasons of Game of Thrones[9].
• Game of Thrones’s viewership increased over its run, with the final season averaging 44 million viewers per episode[9].

Critical Response

House of the Dragon has garnered praise for its focused storytelling and character development[1]. Game of Thrones received critical acclaim throughout most of its duration, especially during seasons 1-6, but faced mixed reviews for its final seasons[10].

Fan Engagement

Both shows have sparked considerable online discussion and fan theories. House of the Dragon benefits from an established fan base familiar with the world of Westeros.

• House of the Dragon benefits from an existing fan base familiar with the world of Westeros.

Expanding the Game of Thrones Universe

Prequel Context

House of the Dragon provides backstory and context for events and lore mentioned in Game of Thrones, enriching the overall universe.

Targaryen Focus

The show explores Targaryen history, dragon lore, and the roots of their power in Westeros.

World-Building

While set in familiar locations, House of the Dragon showcases these places at different historical points, expanding viewers’ understanding of Westeros’ evolution.

Differences in Storytelling Approach

Source Material

House of the Dragon is based on the completed work “Fire & Blood,” which allows for a more structured narrative[14]. Game of Thrones eventually outpaced its source material, leading to more original storytelling in later seasons.

Pacing and Time Jumps

House of the Dragon’s first season covers a longer period of history using significant time jumps [1]. In contrast, Game of Thrones typically followed a more linear timeline, with events unfolding in a continuous manner.

Character Development

House of the Dragon focuses on fewer main characters [8]. This approach enables a deeper exploration of their motivations and relationships. In contrast, Game of Thrones managed a broader ensemble cast, distributing character arcs across various storylines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while House of the Dragon maintains continuity with the Game of Thrones universe, it offers a distinct viewing experience through its focused narrative, advanced production techniques, and deeper exploration of Targaryen lore. The show expands the Game of Thrones universe by providing rich historical context and showcasing a different era of Westeros while adopting a storytelling approach that balances familiarity with fresh perspectives on power, family, and legacy.

Citations

[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/gameofthrones/comments/15zwlnx/how_good_is_house_of_the_dragon_compared_to_game/
[2] https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php
[3] https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Differences_in_adaptation/House_of_the_Dragon:_Season_1
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/HouseOfTheDragon/comments/wzuk5m/house_of_the_dragon_intro_but_its_the_targaryen/
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/HouseOfTheDragon/comments/10h0hwz/is_house_of_the_dragon_season_1_better_than_game/
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/cinematography/comments/x0yno6/can_someone_explain_specifics_on_why_house_of_the/
[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/gameofthrones/comments/x64hv6/the_cgi_and_special_effects_are_terrible_in_house/
[8] https://www.reddit.com/r/HouseOfTheDragon/comments/16le0jm/does_anyone_else_feel_house_of_the_dragon_is/
[9] https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/xjfivq/house_of_the_dragon_averaging_29_million_viewers/
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones
[11] https://www.theringer.com/house-of-the-dragon/2024/6/7/24173330/game-of-thrones-expanded-universe-house-of-the-dragon-dunk-and-egg
[12] https://www.buzzfeed.com/karltonjahmal/house-of-the-dragon-full-targaryen-civil-war-history
[13] https://www.amazon.se/-/en/George-R-Martin/dp/1984859250
[14] https://www.ign.com/articles/how-season-1-of-house-of-the-dragon-stacks-up-against-game-of-thrones
[15] https://tmff.net/6-differences-between-house-of-the-dragon-and-game-of-thrones/
[16] https://theconversation.com/house-of-the-dragon-how-virtual-production-is-helping-actors-say-goodbye-to-green-screens-190469
[17] https://deadline.com/2024/07/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-episode-4-viewership-hbo-1236004634/