Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon praised for seriously ‘gay vibes’
Milly Alcock as Princess Rhaenyra and Emily Carey as Lady Alicent. (HBO/Sky)
The long-awaited Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon has dropped its first episode to huge praise – and intrigue over some tangibly queer vibes between two main characters.
House of the Dragon follows the beginning of the Targaryen dynasty as between Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) feud for the thrones, and is set centuries before Game of Thrones
This George RR Martin epic fantasy will see dragons, huge battles, toxic relationships and family tragedy as the events unfold – everything you might expect from a Game of Thrones prequel.
In the first episode we are introduced to the main players and storyline, which goes a bit like this: Current king, Viserys (Paddy Considine), is unable to produce a male heir. He summons a council to decide his successor between his brother Daemon and daughter Rhaenyra, but declares he “will not be made to choose between my brother and daughter”.
As the show unfolds over multiple decades, Princess Rhaenyra’s older version is played by non-binary actor Emma D’Arcy.
The spin-off has drawn high praise from fans, who called it a return to form after the shaky final season of Game of Thrones.
One fan wrote: “Wow House of the Dragon what a phenomenal first episode. It really feels like Game of Thrones is back. The acting, writing, and cinematography were fantastic. Great start to the season. Can’t wait for next week!”
Another added: “House of the Dragon was f**king incredible!! The ending gave me chills. Yes yes yes, Lets goooo.”
And another said: “Very solid start for House of the Dragon and Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen stole the show! Milly Alcook playing Rhaenrya also did not disappoint. Writing is what you’d expect of GRRM, political intrigue, tragedy and gray morality at it’s finest.”
Princess Rhaenyra has already captured the hearts of many fans, with one person writing: “First episode, yet I have already fallen in love with Milly Alcock and her character.”
Another added: “Not me supporting Rhaenys and it’s just the beginning.”
The gayest aspect of the first episode was by far the dynamic set up between Rhaenyra and her stepmother Lady Alicent, played by Emily Carey. Olivia Cooke will play the older version of the character.
In the season premiere, we see the two are of a similar age and are extremely close – although that seems set to fall apart as they bitterly clash over the future of the throne.
“The first time Rhaenyra and Alicent made eye contact i immediately said ‘oh lesbians!’ out loud,” one fan wrote.
While another simply put: “We all agree that Alicent and Rhaenyra have serious chemistry right?”
“Me watching Alicent and Rhaenyra interacting when I know the story, Gay is in, Gay is hot. I want some gay. Gay it’s going to be,” another viewer wrote.
“Rhaenyra and Alicent are so gay, like baby Rhaenyra only wants to go fly on her dragon and eat cake with her girlfriend; if that ain’t the gayest thong ever…” someone else added.
Cooke seems to agree about the intense vibe between Rhaenyra and Alicent. In an interview with ET, she said: “The younger versions are in love, they love each other so dearly… There is possessiveness and passion.”
House of the Dragon airs every Sunday at 9pm on HBO Max and Sky.
