I love how restrained this episode was. I was worried that emphasis would be put on spectacle, and while there was spectacle the focus of the episode was on the dialogue and setting up plot points, which is what made Game of Thrones great in the first place. Also love how Miguel pointed out that spectacle should add to the story, not be there for the sake of it, which is what D&D seemed to have forgotten in the later seasons of GoT.

Aemma and the C section… I couldn‘t hold back my tears. In the book emotions were missing but the show absolutely did it. Daemon is my favorite character and Matt Smith did amazing in portraying him ❤️

Matt Smith's choices in how he portrays Daemon are spot-on. That moment of utter tenderness during the funeral shows that he is more than just the menace Otto Hightower would convince everyone he is. I also love that the prophecy ties everything together and makes Rhaenyra's motives more than just ambition.

Milly as Rhaenyra, her screen presence is astonishing to me. I love this character already and I’m interested to see how Emma D’Arcy continues in later episodes. And King Viserys is really being set up as a tragic character. His scene with Alicent was extremely well done. So much emotion and so little dialog.

I hope they mention how Viserys, despite seeming so amiable and even pliable sometiems, was Balerion the Black Dread's last rider- and that he claimed the ancient beast for himself when he was a child. To be clear, Balerion was so large he could swallow mammoths whole. Viserys did NOT lack for nerve.

It's not too much to say it's the best opening episode of any series I have seen this year.

The birth scene was amazing, better than I expected. To put it as a battleground also, gives respect to women who give birth. Very important

I think everybody agrees that this episode, this first episode was pure absolutely gold in every way, if they put this amount of hype on this episode, omg I can't imagine the end of this season, amazing job...

Perfect first episode to introduce the story leading to the Dance of Dragons. Milly, Paddy, and Matt all nailed their parts as Targaryens while Rhys clearly established himself as a great conspiring figure in his own game of thrones while involving Alicent

Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in. If that first episode is a sign of things to come then bravo. HBO has another masterpiece it can add to its long list of amazing shows.

It was probably the most information packed, event filled, visually great, greatly acted pilot episode, I ever saw.

Viserys talking about Aegon's dream "The Song of Ice and Fire" gave me chills. Then I remember Episode 6 of the Last Season of Game of Thrones.

The episode was very beautiful, thank you hbo for the legendary series

I feel like Viserys is Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon combined. He's a character most people are going to love despite his flaws but he will only appear in Season 1. Also, I think he should trust Daemon instead of Otto. Daemon might be a troublemaker but at least he has no hidden motive, Otto looks pretty suspicious to me.

My grandmother died at 21 while having my mother the same way Aemma dies: during labour and having a C section. I always think how scared should have been back then. Poor her. She was just a child.

Well done Ryan and Miguel and everyone else involved. You honored GRRM work but still made it your own. I really loved Paddy’s performance.

Rhaenys and Corlys during the tournament was hilarious! I love their dynamic and I can't wait to see their badassery on screen.

I love the small details in this show that add so much to the storytelling. For example when Rhaenyra has to use her dragon Syrax to light the pyre, Syrax hesitates and groans as if he doesn't want to which illustrates the emotional connection they have to their dragons and the dragons complexity

Aemma’s death is so painful to watch, it really gave me that emotion so powerful i was crying up to the end. The secret of the kings passed by aegon was so great too!!

The void which got created from the absence of GOT is now filled. There are mentions of Daenerys Targaryen. We all still miss her. Rhaenyra reminds us of young Daenerys . They started with the episode with the house of dragon theme and ended it with the GOT theme. It was so soothing and promising at the same time.

"Listen daughter, this prophecy is super important and definitely won't be resolved by a girl with a knife who will have nothing to do with us."

Loved this show!!!! I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED!!! I’m already addicted!!! This showrunner is OBVIOUSLY BETTER THAN D&D!! He obviously cares about the story and the fans!!! ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!! Ready for next week already!’

The first episode of HOTD is just WOW. Some reviews DARED to say that it doesn't have that "hook" that the original series did... THEY ARE WRONG. I AM HOOKED.

first episode was stunning, one of the best openings to a series EVER.

I remember how Miguel Sapochnik directed all of the huge action episodes in game of thrones such as Harranhaul, the battle of the bastards and the final battle etc And I love how they’ve brought him in for house of the dragon Fantastic producer and he gets into the detail and every single scene has a purpose to portray a story

Great to be back! Hats off guys, can’t wait for the rest of the eps.

What a brilliant start of a season. Great performances, pacing, music, cinematography and script. I can’t wait for more!! Let’s get ready for SundayHOD 🤩

Everyone, you did a fantastic job with this first episode! I missed this world so much, so thank you all for creating this show!

What a great start. I really feel like I'm back in Westeros, exactly as it was (but earlier, of course).

After hearing that jon snow will have a spin-off sequel in the form of a season 9 this will only make me happyer. If the show prison break has managed to come up with a new season after so many years, the best series of all time can do this too to get a redemption arc.

This episode is a great start, I love how detailed this all is, including little things like adding that the king, is king of the Rhoynar aswell, overall I think you guys doing great telling the story!

Tremendous start, this could reach GoT levels of hype, just you wait.

Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse inside this episode. The episode blew my mind. I'm not GOT book reader but I love the shows and having this explained helps a lot. 👍

Idk for me that speech about the prophecy is enough to reboot season 8. GREAAAT EP 🔥🔥🔥

Miguel Sapochnik directed some of the most beautiful episodes of GoT (Hardhome, Battle of the Bastards). I´m glad that he has a big role on HOTD

WHAT AN EPISODE. Miguel and the entire team, you are amazing.

Honestly what a great start and episode. The summary, the character introductions, the dragons everything was perfect.

The dream was clearer than a memory. Our son was born wearing Aegon’s iron crown. And I heard the sound of thundering hooves, splintering shields, and ringing swords. And I placed our son upon the Iron Throne as the bells of Grand Sept tolled, and all the dragons roared as one.

Amazing work, really enjoyed the first episode. I love the direction they took with aemmas death I think it added emotion that was needed and I wasn't expecting it. The character development has been given a great start, I feel I can already somewhat understand some of the characters. Already in love with daemon. Gold star guys x

Mad respect for the jousting POV shots...

The mix of subtlety and on the nose gratuity in the birthing scene felt like peak Game of Thrones. It makes me happy that episode one was as good as it was.

MASTERFUL job tying the 2 series together at the end too

This was a good episode to set the tone and bring old/new fans into the story. It shows specific key parts that makes everyone understand the situation and what this story will eventually lead towards. Interested in seeing how this goes and I cannot wait. My prediction is we don't see the older Rhaenerya, Alicent, and the newfound brothers of Rhaenerya until perhaps later on (6 to 10). Believe that the end of this season will end off towards the main part of this series which I feel could very well be expanded towards 3 more seasons.

Loved the episode tonight! Well done! The Dragons are the Nukes of that era…

Damn!! The background score of "The Prince that was promised" leading to a mix of Song of Ice and fire at the end is splendid.

Just wow! Knocked it out of the park with the first episode! Everything was flawlessly executed and everything great about GRRM's world were put on full display! I especially like the attention to detail when it comes to the house banners and the extravagant armor designs! It was almost a game in itself spotting houses you know from not only the previous show, but also the books themselves! So much looking forward to seeing more!

Man just one episode and bang-on-the-spot screenplay, cast, VFX, background, pace and the mighty Iron throne was mesmerizing.

Had goosebumps watching the opening scene of episode 1, it was well done.

Great work! Love to see how everything comes together!

Episode 1 exceeded my expectations!! I've watched it 2x already. The creators of this new series is doing very well so far. Excited for what's to come. Thank you!!

This first episode was amazing! I was hopeful for it to be good, but this was so much more. I love it, can't wait to see the rest!

Loved it. Can wait to see where the story goes.

This first episode was amazing can't wait to see the rest. ❤️🐉

Absolutely amazing set up to the rest of the season I can't wait for more

The sentimental feelings I had, it was like coming home after a long time. Thank you

I hope we get an intro just like GoT, that was the only thing missing from the episode

Bravo what a great episode, hope they continue this quality of writing in next episodes....really like it all...we need to expand this universe....

miguel was on the ball with cutting the tourney the way he did, amazing editing and i loved every moment

Excellent pilot and superb breakdown of the episode. Thank you

This was a stellar episode!

"just when I thought I was out .. they pulled me back in" Incredible episode.

I loved this episode. What a way to start this series! It amazes me how many thoughts and decisions were made in only 60 minutes. I'm glad to see strong writing back in the GOT universe!

This first episode was suprisingely great, kudos to the team behind it. 🐉🔥Cannot wait for rest of the season. 👍👍👍

Absolutely amazing opening. This is true Game of Thrones! This the dark fantasy we loved and cared for. A masterpiece with just few minor, below average, insignificant things. I was afraid AF going forward but it just made it all the sweeter to say. WE'RE BACK!

Very, very nice! Incredible first episode! 💖

I loved it! So far I’m really loving where this is going. I hope it continues to impress!

YES YES AND YES! Feels good to be back lads!!!

Really got the feeling of when Galadriel speaks about the kings in the first Lord Of The Rings, really impressed with the first episode!

AMAZING EPISODE!

Really enjoyed this episode. I can't wait for the next one

Good video thank you , updated visual studio and everything worked. I'm really glad I found a working crack

I admit, I got chills when I heard the _Game of Thrones_ theme during the end credits.

"Aegon called his dream the song of ice & fire" I WAS SCREAMING AND SLAPPING MY SUNBURNED THIGHS WE'RE BACK BABY

Fantastic first episode. I love the symbolism with the tourney and the birthing scene. It was so visceral. And I kind of really love Daemon. Matt smith did a fantastic job by really layering Daemon and showing the complexities of his personality. Paddy did a great job with Viserys too. You can tell he is under so much strain and yet he keeps it together for everyone else's sake. Amazing performances.

Loved it can't wait to see more episodes... 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Good first episode, let's see what happens next Sunday.

The Best And The Most Epic Opening episode in entire history. HBO max I Love You So Much ❤️❤️❤️

That was an amazing start/episode. I loved it.

So pleased with the positive feedback 🥰 so well deserved

Simply amazing and awesome. Hated season 8, but episode one was amazing and a great re introduction to what game of thrones season 7 and 8 should’ve been. I’m sure this story will deliver and respect the source material, unlike Amazon’s garbage and disgrace to Tolkien.

Those soundtracks. Ramin Djawadi. Oh God the chills!

thought this was a great episode for sure, a ton of setup, great exposition, and world building

The secret of the song of fire and ice passed from king to its heir gave me goosebumps ! Didn't expect that !

Great episode! That how you do a series! Screw Wheel of time and Ring of power.

What a opening 🔥 That childbirth scene just broke me 💔 Daemon with the gold cloaks and punishing the criminals was chilling 💛 Those interesting small councils ❤️ Brotherhood of viserys and deamon 🫶🏻 Those dialogues 💪🏻 Those visuals 👁 “The heir for a day” scene was just full of goosebumps 🙌🏻 And the climax with the the best BGM you will ever hear which is “The prince that was promised” track by ramin djawadi 🔥🔥 It was just fantastic and full of greatness 👏🏻 We are back in the westeros 🔥😁 This show is gonna be epic nd the greatest of all time ✨

Fantastic first episode!! The intro gave me goosebumps, as did the references to the Song of Ice and Fire. Not to mention Ramin's tunes. THANK YOU for using the proper music and not doing a Star Wars on us. Can't wait for the rest!

Started off amazing loved it can't wait for episode 2

Muito bom esse início de série, parabéns a equipe dos criadores da série!!!

was truly pleasantly surprised! the cgi could do way better but everything else was quite what you should expect! keep it up!

I knew it for the very first look of HOTD that this show was going to be awesome! thankssssss for this, Im really grateful

It's the subtle details of how the Iron Throne is not easy to sit on one slightly wrong movement and you will get cut immediately and not like some sofa/couch like how Jofferey used to sprawl on it

I've watched twice episode 1 it was epic and brutal in it's own way

The C section scene was terrifying,poor Aemma.

I am satisfied with the first episode that was so well done.

A really good first episode! Love the way Matt Smith portraits Daemon and i adore young Rhaenyra

Dragons went from 4K to 144p real quick lol Amazing start tho!

I've been reading Fire & Blood recently, and while the prophecy itself is fine (it is hinted at plenty of times that Aegon had these dreams, along with plenty of other Targaryens), I do have a problem with it being Rhaenyra's driving force. I feel like in the book it is quite clear she does just want power; she wants what she believes is hers, by right. The only parallel I can think of is Stannis: he wanted to claim his birthright, while also believing himself to be a prophesised hero. However, Stannis' camp loudly proclaims that he is "Azor Ahai", while Rhaenyra keeps the secret close, apparently. Why would she hold such a vital secret close to her chest? Maybe because in the end she does only care about power. It just strikes me as a little strange. The rest of the episode was great, the proper portrayal of the colour and vibrancy of the time is demonstrated very well. In the books it is stated clearly and often that these people love colour, and colour always surrounds them. I loved how the tourney was juxtaposed with the birthing, really hammering home how different the world is for men and for women. Matt Smith and Paddy Considine steal the show, but Rhys Ifans is very convincing as Otto Hightower as well. Much like with Game of Thrones, the casting is on-point. I hope the series continues in form after such a strong start.

Amazing work guys!!!

I was so disappointed with the last season of G.O.T. that I was set to not watch this show. Saw the trailer and was impressed. So I watched the episode and was blown away. The child birth seen did me in. Couldn't hold back the tears. The whole episode was amazing. I can only hope that the rest of this season is like this. Thank you. I also loved that you kept the breaking down of the episode for those of us who haven't read the books. Helps explain a lot.

I need a History and Lore series for this