House of the Dragon reaches the halfway point in its first season's 10-episode run, in its fiery reintroduction back into the Game of Thrones universe that was initially met with cautious optimism from fans and critics alike.

Spoilers Ahead

House of the Dragon is next in the line of books written by George R.R. Martin to be brought to screen by HBO (Home Box Office). Directed by Miguel Sapochnik, the show is a prequel and follows the Targaryen dynasty and their reign over the seven kingdoms, 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.

The enthralling start to the series will give fans of the original what they had been longing for since the heavily criticised ending of Game of Thrones season eight. The show starts with a brief narration of the Targaryen’s history and reveals that recent tragedies have put the succession of the Iron Throne, in doubt. As a result, the king has been made to choose a new heir. Viserys Targaryen, (played by Paddy Considine), the king's oldest male descendent. Once chosen, the show begins and we follow the new kings' reign with the House of the Dragon.

The show jumps right in with episode one showing a soaring dragon over King’s Landing supported by iconic Game of Thrones music. The dragon rode by one of our main protagonist’s, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys daughter (played by Milly Alcock). The CGI of this beast flying overhead is a beautiful sight and lets the viewers know what is to be expected, from a Targaryen house at the height of its power ruling over Westeros.

Episode two continues positively following the narrative set in the first episode, with an exciting but tense stand-off between two parties including the king’s brother Daemon Targaryen, (played by Matt Smith), who is seen to repeatedly butt heads with Viserys. This comes from being stripped of his title as heir to Viserys and replaced by none other than the king's daughter Rhaenyra.

This leads into episode three, featuring an epic battle between Daemon and the Crabfeeder Drahar, a warlord who is running rampant around the Stepstones with an army of his followers. Meanwhile, news of the king’s newborn son Aegon Targaryen, creates tension among those who believe a woman is not fit to sit on the Iron Throne and that the king’s son should be his heir.

Episode four sees Rhaenyra’s search for a husband, a duty of her stature that the king has deemed necessary. A rumour plagues King’s Landing and puts Rhaenyra's virtue into doubt, leaving Queen Alicent Hightower (played by Emily Carey) to question Rhaenyra on tales her father Otto Hightower (played by Rhys Ifans) reported to the king.

As we reach episode five of the series, we are preparing for a lengthy time jump which will see many actors recast and others aged up with the use of prosthetics and makeup. Episodes prior have been jumping forward in time in shorter segments with a six-month and three-year time jump from when the show began. The fifth episode will see a 10-year time jump from when we last left our characters as tensions rise within the house. Rhaenyra now wedded to her cousin, Young Ser Laenor Velaryon (played by Theo Nate) and Queen Hightower beginning to resent the house she has married into. All while King Viserys health is seen to be rapidly declining.

Going forward, viewers should expect more of the same exhilarating action and family politics that has already begun to create tensions within the House of the Dragon. The king's imminent death will also see many staking their claim to the Iron Throne and potentially leading to all-out war to prevent Rhaenyra from becoming queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

Episodes air every Monday at 2am BST on Sky Atlantic and NOW. -★★★★☆

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