HOUSE OF THE DRAGON (Ep. 1 & 2)🐉 REVIEW🐉 

What are your thoughts on House of the Dragon so far? MANGA POLL: docs.google.com/forms/d/1rRIOdjyn2m1SOmsYvqR1rv2c1h9v7DnAz3d0hSYaxV4/edit

Matt Smith going from Morbius to House of the Dragon is the redemption arc of the century 🤣

The scene on the walkway to Dragonstone with the standoff between Daemon and Otto and Rhaenyra is so far the best scene, so good. I also love the contrast of the dragons, their not just different colors, they have completely different characteristics.

They freaking nailed Caraxes. They made his movement look like a worm. Hit that book description perfectly.

Honestly the cinematography on the bridge scene in episode 2 might be my favorite cinematography we've seen in Westeros from either series. Can't wait for the rest of the season!

Daemon may already be my favorite on screen GoTverse character for sure. I hope they keep going down the road of nuance and balance his good / horrid traits.

Emma D'Arcy better bring her A-game by mid-season because I'm falling for Milly Alcock's Rhaenyra already. The reaction she has after Alicent is chosen was priceless.

Poor Viserys, he just wants to paint his warhammer miniatures and play with his model trains :(

About the gore: I think it´s so impactfull because it´s (so far) used sparingly. So when it does happen we remmeber it. Actually, same can be said for as lot of things in HOTD so far. Gore, nudity and even the dragons are all used carefully while also not shying away from it. Although the dragons will dragon a lot more the further into the season we get.

It makes sense to me that this was gonna be good, the source material is fully written by George, and the writers are different, so both the things that lead to the ending of GOT being so bad aren't the case here

I'm so glad you mentioned the costumes. I'm re-reading the books and really thinking about how over the top so much in the universe is, the castles are enormous, the armour gaudy as hell if you listen to the descriptions, full on enameled with winged helmets, lionshead pauldrons, Vardis Egen's rondels are "enameled cream-and-blue in the moon-and-falcon sigil" when he duels Bronn at the Eyrie etc. Rhaegar's war armor had the Targaryen sigil inlaid in rubies on the breast plate, so yeah that's pretty extra. I love episode 1 and 2 and Matt Smith is such a charismatic Daemon Targaryen, I really like that casting so far.

I feel like the dragons emit so much body heat that when flying up above the clouds a dragon rider would actually be decently warm, or at least protected from the cold.

I LOVE the knick knacks! The little balls on the council table? The mini house sigil thingies when Rhaenyra is judging who gets to be Kingsguard? The ornate tourny helmets?? Shout out to the prop masters because those things add so much to the world building while being directly discussed by the characters ZERO times. So cool!

I feel like Rhaenyra and Rhaenys relationship is going to become more interesting as the show continues.

Ok but I need to point that Rhaenys' actor is really selling it in this show🤩

The sounds for the birth scene sounded so real, my dog who sleeps through EVERYTHING in front of our sound system... ran. She booked it and did not come in again until it was done. 😂The sound team needs an award

Your comment on the cricket is funny, but I figured the idea was the conversation was so awkward that you could hear crickets. The cast is nailing it. Daemon toss that dragon egg like no fucks sold me on his performance. I'm in 100%

When you said you thought you wouldn't be able to see Matt Smith as anyone other than "a certain doctor without a PhD" I was wondering if I had somehow forgotten that Dr. Michael Morbius didn't have a PhD.

The lavish is on purpose. This is the height of the Targaeryen empire before a shakespearean tragedy-esque story

Why are people so afraid of feeling things? ITS GREAT, IM ALL IN

The more lavish setting is part of what makes this preferable to me over the GoT show, so much more like the books. I hate the overly nihilistic tone of the GoT show because it's affected even the image of the books.

The armor designs (especially the few suits scene in the tourney) were so refreshingly historical compared to most of what was in GOT. Finally, actually functional looking suits that correctly convey the period. Im moist.

I feel the power of patriarchy in this world so viscerally through Alicent's character. She really has had barely any agency in what she actually does, and is often extremely uncomfortably with the things that she is manipulated into doing. The visual motif of her scratching away at the skin around her fingernails is so good at expressing the stress that this culture is putting her through for the benefit of the important men that surround her.

I'm happy to see the show get such a positive reception so far. I know people where pretty cautious leading up to the premiere, but as someone who was following it's development fairly closely, I could tell there wasn't really anything to worry about. Glad to not only be vindicated, but also to have my favorite fantasy series back again. It might not be the books, but it's good to be back in Westeros.

It's such a grotesque contrast to GoT and im all in for it. Everything is so up front and centerstage, many vibrant colors, and costumes are so extravagant, almost felt a little Wes Anderson esque at times, but make it bloody. I'm really loving the aesthetic and direction so far, my only quips are Viserys just looks like a random guy in a cheap wig, the intro music being the same as GoT was massively dissapointing, and some of the dialogues in the beginning of ep 1 were a bit stale. Overall great 2 episodes and I'm really excited for the rest of the season!

No lie that jousting armor for Matt was BANGER

I for one welcome our new Parshendi characters into GOT

With how good this show have been thus far I can only only hope that this open the door for a Robert rebellion spinoff.

Btw, the whole "freezing becuase they're so high up" nitpick isn't even TRUE. In the opening of EP 1, Rhaenyra isn't that far high up, she was in the low level clouds and those can be at the highest of up to 6,500 ft (Around 2000m) and lowest of around 2000ft (600m). Where you can still breath and function, its going to be harder but not as much as one might think.

6:58 "Matt Smith is just always at this 10." You could say he's taking it... *shades* up to 11.

Can we talk about Caraxes? I wish that Dragonstone scene in Episode 2 had been his first introduction in the series. His dolphin noises were so freaky and unsettling. I kinda loved it. 😄

I thought there were two small(er) moments for Matt Smith that were great. His introspective moments in the pleasure house after the queen and Baelon’s arch before he was encouraged to speak. He said a lot without saying anything. I think the quiet moments between him and Rhaenyra on the bridge were similar. There was certainly a lot swirling around, but those felt really personal and somehow a clear look into his mind space. Also at the beginning when he gave her the necklace, there was a lot going on but it was right after he decided to overstep and sit on the iron throne. Good swings between bombasticism and intimate looks at his character IMHO. Or I’m not getting what you meant by small ☺️

Dragons are indeed heated. And it's not even a luxury addition, they come out like that straight out of the factory.

"It's Targaryin' Time!!!!" -- Matt Smith

Glad to see you back Daniel! I’m only slightly distracting by the ever changing lights :D

Welcome back Chief :D looked liked you really had a blast on your vacation ( hope you feeling refreshed )

Viserys and Rhaenyra having a very serious and awkward conversation The backgrounnd: 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗

It's really amazing. I mean shockingly good. 2 episodes and I'm pretty much all in

Best intro yet. Your work is appreciated.

I’m glad to see your enjoying it!! I’ve definitely been hyped for far too long regardless and even some friends have had criticism of some parts that I have just poo pooed. I couldn’t tell though if my love of what GOT was ended up overshadowing everything. Even till the bitter end of Season 8 I held on so I was so ride or die for HOTD I was glad it lived up to much of the hype and anticipation.

The cricket!! Seriously I had to pause to make sure that there wasn’t an actual cricket in the room while I was watching that scene. Glad I’m not the only person who realized that.

Dude the lighting in this is impeccable.

As of now King Viserys takes the performance crown for me

Thank you for the note about the tattoo because I was gonna ask where it was from. On the subject, you should do a tattoo tour. I know it's not your usual content but I wanna know the context to the ones I don't recognize and hear more about why you chose the ones I do.

The actress for Rhaenyra, Milly Alcock, is literal perfection

Love your videos and I have been so happy with HOT D So far. So glad you’re covering

That dragon tattoo is just so awesome. I want one.

After episode 1, while I remained cautiously optimistic my worries remained. Episode 2 actually got me excited to see where the show goes. This looks very, very promising. The writing was strong, the performances were great, and the CG is passable.

Loads of New tattoos recently! Love them! Really suit you and look awesome ❤️

"The dragon's heated... I don't know what you want me to say" ahahhaha

the cinematography in this show so far has just been fucking incredible, especially episode two. some really talented people working on this

A Song Of Ice 🧊 and Fire 🔥!!! You're rocking it as always Gobblin!

Loving the stache bro

Daniel is back!!

I spot a new tattoo! Looks nice!

I also noticed the cricket chirping loudly in that one scene but I thought they did that on purpose though! XD I thought it commented on the relationship perfectly while still being a teeny bit too much.

Will go check out Amazon tonight.

Both episodes were amazing 😍 They were more faithful to the story than GoT. The gore at the end of the lists felt gratuitous, though, even in the books, that was simple sports competition.

So far this has been everything I wanted and more, it has that early seasons game of thrones vibe with a much higher standard of visuals. I genuinely enjoy fire and blood more than a song of ice and fire and I'm so glad to see this.

Good to know Mr Greene, I am looking forward to visiting this realm again! Still a little jaded after season 1 Wheel of Fish ;-0

Glad you liked it! I noticed the crickets too. I actually almost paused it to see if it was the show or outside before realizing it was indeed the show lol. I’m pleasantly surprised too but one thing I hope for in future episodes is a bit of humor. GOT wasn’t a comedy but it definitely had humorous moments and this doesn’t yet.

I think the main thing missing is that there isn't much fun in the series right now. All of the characters are serious and kinda intense. No Tyrion or Jamie Lannister or light hearted moments at all really that were sprinkled throughout GoT

Mustache Daniel is the ultimate Daniel

Daniel, I don't know how much work it would be to do this, but if it is not to difficult it would be great if you can show a picture of the character/actor you are talking about. I don't really know the names yet so it was not always clear who you where talking about. Love the channel and look forward to more!

New tattoos Daniel? hadn't noticed the Dragon before. Looks cool.

I think the cricket was so loud for a reason but it was super distracting 😂 As a person who hasn't seen the original show or read the books I've been enjoying it so far. Episode one was a little rough but I'm thoroughly invested and definitely have favorite characters and love the sets and costumes!

that damn cricket!! I stoped the episode and even looked out the window!

Comment number 2. I also just really wanna say I love the way you critique. The way you talk about it is really engaging yet you still make sense at all times. It's just really enjoyable.

If only Amazon Prime had done Wheel of Time like this....

I had to pause to see if the cricket was coming from the tv or outside my house🤣

I paid attention to that cricket as well ))

I had to pause my tv because I thought the cricket was in my house! It was so loud.

I'm so glad i'm not the only one who got really distracted by the crickets. I thought the sound was coming form a cricket in my house and not the actual show.

OMG I also found the cricket distracting! I thought we had one in our house!

Thank you Daniel, great review.

Despite hating the later seasons of GOT I had high expectations going into this, the source material is amazing and they have new writers. It's exceeded my expectations so far and it's been kind of funny seeing so many people surprised by its quality, I think people really weren't looking at it objectively.

"We need more Cricket!!"-House of the Dragon Sound guy.

I love the mustache so MUCH!!

I forget whether Screenrant or New Rockstars but I liked them talking about how the king and his brother sit on the thrown. While the king leans left and is being cut, which is a bad omen, on the left side of his body. It being a sign he was not born to sit in the thrown and he doesn’t know what he is doing. It also shows the thrown taking pieces of him with the infection on his back and finger. On the other side his brother leans right and is not cut so his general persona is more built to be on the thrown. Just a cool thing as the finger infection episode two was on the left hand and his back was on the left side

I noticed the cricket too

So far it’s been pretty good, my only complaints are a lack of levity where characters can just interact. And the stuff that’s tying it back to the old show hasn’t been done that well. I.e. Prophecies and the new opening.

Been loving the show so far, it's been great to return to Westeros and I'm excited to return to Middle Earth at the end of this week with the new Rings of Power series, 2022 is such a time to be alive

Loved it so far, the Hand Hightower seem to be the sneaky "villain" behind the veil so far

since i know from watching your videos and how you're already a reader of high quality tastes im gonna go on a limb here and recommend a manga, actually manhua, that is up there with the best of the medium. Imo it is the best in the medium. The Ravages Of Time, an adaptation of the three kingdoms period, combining the romance novel with real life events and also many of the author's own twist, it excels imo in every facet of story telling imaginable. The only true negative i'd say the series has is how intimidating it can be at first, since its style of writing is less explaining more figure it out for yourself. Personally i love this aspect of the story a lot, because of the endless re readability it offers. And also the story has so many layers to it that there is more than enough to enjoy on the surface to make u get through ur first read. But yea man, if u want a manga, manhua really, of true quality i highly highly highly recommend the ravages of time. also there's a discord for it that has a nice little community to help you get through any roadblocks. I hope u try this series out sometime truly.

Dan, I gotta say your list of Manga is INCREDIBLE. Straight up, so many of those manga are all time greats. If I could have a wall of manga, many of those would be on it. 20th Century Boy is a nostalgic masterpiece and might be under represented in the vote. Regardless if you do videos for it or not. It's one of my all time favorites. Vinland Saga, Monster, Vagabond are dark and enticing and play the line between history and historical fiction. Hunter X Hunter, One Punch Man, Bleach are incredible, but more page turner-y. If you're going for humor, manga I didn't see on your list are Ranma 1/2 and Angel Densetsu. Both masterpieces. Angel Densetsu is short. Ranma 1/2 is long. Depends on what you wanna jump to after trucking through the medieval fantasy and grim darkness that is Berserk. Thanks for the video!

You know that that dragon is a heated carseat times 10. Not an issue

Love your unbiased interview Also mustache looks good on you :)

There's an actual cricket that I can hear cricketing away in my backyard as I'm watching this lol

Funny, I also had a moment where the sound-designer distracted me with his to loud background sound. The scene i am talking about is where Princess Rhaenyra is talking while eating with her father viserys and the food she rips is waaaay to loud. Funny that we critizised the same thin in diffrent spots

The loud cricket, if I remember correctly, was during the selection of the seventh member of the Kingsguard

Love this review and so glad you liked the show. Agree with your points!

Pls do episode by episode reviews for House of the Dragon and TROP! I’d love to see them!!

Whens the next read along for Crown of Swords coming out? I desperately need it!

I like the new dragon tattoo.

Yes! The dang cricket!!!!!

That cricket was so freaking loud ✌️ 🦗

very good review. I found myself agreeing almost point for point.

wish the goblin master would do more book reviews and tbr

Welcome back mr Goblin!

Hi 👋 always good video!! 🍂🍃