House of the Dragon Is Great, But There's a Way to Make the Franchise Even Better
The audience is most eager to delve into the mysterious past of the franchise's world.
Summary
- House of the Dragon, a popular spin-off of HBO's most popular show, is getting a second installment in the near future.
- Neither HotD nor GoT explore Essos in detail.
- Viewers would appreciate a show that depicts the events that led the Targaryens to move to Westeros.
In the era of streaming TV, few shows are as legendary and influential as Game of Thrones. When it premiered in 2011, GoT made waves with its explicit depiction of violence, gore, and sex. But more importantly, it won audiences over with its compelling story of a world where kings rule and wage war, the undead threaten to wipe out the living, and dragons hold the world's last magic.
Over the course of its eight-season run, Game of Thrones became the most popular show in the world, with the final episode attracting millions of viewers. Based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, the show had an equally popular spin-off, House of the Dragon. And while HotD is a success and fans are eagerly awaiting the release of its second season, there is one story that could make the franchise even more exciting.
Semi-Unknown Essos
Primarily set in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Game of Thrones and House of Dragons chronicle the struggle for power over the westernmost continent, with only occasional glimpses of Essos, the largest land in the world, inhabited by dozens of nations. And while it is exciting to follow the houses and dynasties of Westeros as they vie for control and the Iron Throne in the best tradition of medieval fantasy, it is the events in Essos that captivate audiences the most.
Perhaps for this reason, the Targaryens, who once fled their homeland, are the most beloved and interesting house on the show. And while House of the Dragon explores their history in more detail, we still have no idea of their origins.
An Old Valyria Spin-Off
From what is known of the Targaryens, they left their home in Old Valyria just before the Doom, a mysterious cataclysm that destroyed the place and most of its inhabitants, including the dragons. Needless to say, it would be fascinating to learn more about them.
Inhabited by silver-haired Valyrians and their dragon brethren, Old Valyria has a lot of lore to explore. Since the Targaryens are said to have been a minor house there, it's even more exciting to learn about the way the land was ruled, its complicated social hierarchy, and the ancient magic the Valyrians practiced.
However, it all depends on George R.R. Martin, who hasn't written much about Old Valyria himself. Still, it would be a treat for fans of the franchise to have a show about it.