HBO’s new series, “House of the Dragon” has taken new strides in the “Game of Thrones” universe.
House of the Dragon had the biggest premiere in HBO’s history. The Game of Thrones prequel features new characters, new conflicts, and new romances. However, the spin-off also possesses something far more important: less misogyny and more diversity than its counterpart.
Game of Thrones is one of the most successful series in television history. During its final season, the series reached 44 million viewers across all platforms. However, the series has been repeatedly criticized for its treatment of female characters and its intense lack of diversity.
Game of Thrones displays countless scenes of grotesque imagery and behaviors. However, among these scenes, viewers have largely disapproved of the countless depictions of sexual assault most of all.
The main characters, Sansa Stark and Cersei Lannister were both violently raped. Main character, Daenerys Targaryen was raped in the very first episode.
Aside from depictions of violent sexual assaults against female characters, Game of Thrones also features an enormous death toll. A total of 6,887 deaths have occurred within the series, most of which are severely graphic.
Although House of the Dragon still features graphic imagery including sex, nudity, and grotesque murders, it is incredibly toned down in comparison to its counterpart.
Among viewers, House of the Dragon’s intimate scenes were praised. The series’ choice to feature significantly less sex scenes than Game of Thrones has proven to be an effective decision.
The House of the Dragon’s intimate scenes are intentional, relevant to the plot, and have much less nudity. Furthermore, both the female and male characters’ emotional reactions to the intimacy are depicted over the physical act of sex.
House of the Dragon’s praise accounts from its inclusion in relation to diversity as well. The spin-off features an elite all-black family, known as the Velaryons: something completely absent in Game of Thrones.
Furthermore, House of the Dragon opts for a female-centered perspective, as opposed to its counterpart. The series centers around Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, who is played by Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy in the younger and older versions, respectively.
Viewers have voiced their approval for non-binary actor, Emma D’Arcy as the lead of the series. They bring heightened levels of representation as the first non-binary lead within the Game of Thrones universe.
The improvements in House of the Dragon can largely be attributed to its diverse crew, something Game of Thrones severely lacked.
Within House of the Dragon’s first season, which is comprised of ten episodes, there have been four female writers, with co-executive producer and writer, Charmaine DeGraté being the first Black woman to write for the series.
Criticism of Game of Thrones extends to its crew in addition to its writing. Over 73 episodes, there were only two female writers and one female director out of 19 hired.
House of the Dragon creators, Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik, succeeded where Game of Thrones creators, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss failed.
A new era of fantastical television is here, and this era does not uphold unnecessary sexist and racist structures.