For three years following the controversial end of HBO’s Game of Thrones series, fans have been patiently waiting for the new prequel, The House of the Dragon,  which has now finished and has begun its run on the air.

The new show, The House of the Dragon, is set 172 years before the beginning of Game of Thrones and centers around the Targaryan family dynasty and is focused on who the crown will pass to when King Viserys Targaryen eventually passes, for he is sonless. The heir title is disputed between his daughter, Rhynarea Targyan, and his brother, Daemon Targaryen.

 As the excitement for the prequel builds, so does worry about the quality of the show, considering how Game of Thrones concluded. John Farrell, Emery’s Cinema Club founder noted that he “ would like to think they will make an effort to make up for their mistakes and make [House of the Dragon]better than the [Game of Thrones] ending.” 

The world-renowned show was harshly criticized for a rushed and badly written ending, and many fans put off the idea of any further potential prequels or sequels. However, three years later, the excitement has returned.

20 million viewers tuned in for the first episode, making it the highest viewed show on HBO Max ever. Due to the franchise’s acclaimed history, many fans were already excited about the show, and the highly anticipated first episode lived up to expectations. After watching the first episode, Senior Sophie Lewis noted, “I hope it goes on for a while.” HBO saw the excitement as well, as only a couple of days after the debut episode, a second season has already been confirmed. 

As House of Dragon continues to air every Sunday night, the show will be a true test to the future of the Game of Thrones franchise. “I am here for an expansion,” says Lewis, “as long as House of the Dragon is good.”The franchise has already teased other sequels and prequel shows, such as the continuation of Jon Snow’s or Arya Stark’s storyline. Whatever will become of House of the Dragon, fans are relieved to see the world-renowned Game of Thrones continue.