In preparation for the upcoming House of the Dragon, HBO has just released a rather nice video in which George R. R. Martin himself, author of A Song of Ice and Fire and co-executive producer for this show, tells us all about the history of the Targaryens, Velaryons and Hightowers—everything you may need to know before embarking on this new journey set two centuries before Game of Thrones.
You can see how the seeds of war are sometimes planted in a time of peace. People die, and sons take over for fathers as lords, and they don’t necessarily think they’re bound by their fathers allegiances, or decisions, or vows. So, little by little, the seeds are spreading. — George R. R. Martin
Dragons will rule the Seven Kingdoms for the next hundred years, just as they did the last. — King Viserys I Targaryen
Alongside Martin’s wonderful history lesson, we get a few lightly-animated illustrations of King’s Landing as it grows, a weirwood on fire, Oldtown and its Hightower, the Velaryon Fleet (on Driftmark? It looks more city-like than I’d expect), and three dragons breaking a siege against a castle.
There are also a few new shots from the show, although nothing mindblowing:
So, what do you think about this? Personally, I could hear Martin talk all day!
I hope the actors are not as boring as they seem. Apart from Matt Smith, they look so boring. But I know I will watch with great enthusiasm nevertheless. Not long to go.
Oh, and… HODOR!
Ulf the WolfQuote Reply
Ulf the Wolf,
I thought Paddy Considine was entertaining on the Comic-Con panel but maybe I’m prejudiced because he’s from Staffordshire (Burton-on-Trent) though Burton is right by the Derbyshire border.
Dame of MerciaQuote Reply
Dame of Mercia,
“….but maybe I’m prejudiced because he’s from Staffordshire (Burton-on-Trent) though Burton is right by the Derbyshire border.”
The miserable half of Derbyshire?
https://youtu.be/LHv4eHp_gUM
at 1:41
Ten BearsQuote Reply
Ten Bears,
‘Twould have to be the cheerful half if it’s bordering Staffordshire, TB. Actually my late parents were both working in Derbyshire when they met and my Dad ‘popped the question’ in the Derby Dales. I haven’t seen that version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I think Keira Knightley is a decent actress but I don’t really see her as Lizzie. I watched the first series of ‘Wheel of Time’ the show (which is different in some ways to the first book – the only one I’ve read of WoT). I thought is Jane Moraine Sedai? Jane in 2005 is indeed played by Rosalind Pike – who is a natural blonde but goes wiggy for WoT the show.
Dame of MerciaQuote Reply
Dame of Mercia,
”I haven’t seen that version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I think Keira Knightley is a decent actress but I don’t really see her as Lizzie…”
It’s worth the watch. (I really liked it.)
Added bonus: Tamzin Merchant (Daenerys Targaryen 1.0, in the unaired GoT pilot) as Mr. Darcy’s sister Georgiana.
Clip from “Pride & Prejudice” (2005): Elizabeth meets Georgiana (Tamzin Merchant)
https://youtu.be/3bKXc_6CtC8
Starting at 4:05
Ten BearsQuote Reply
Ten Bears,
I never thought Tamzin Merchant was a bad actress like some of the “thank goodness we got Emilia” folk have made out (though like Emilia and never thought she was cr*ppy at acting). I haven’t watched ‘The Tudors’ series because it allegedly diverts from what really happened in history. I liked Keira Knightley in ‘Bend it Like Beckham’. I read somewhere that she (KK) accepted less acting work when she became a mum, a bit like Jennifer Ehle stepped back from accepting the part of Caitlyn in the show GoT because she was a mum.
Dame of MerciaQuote Reply