Westeros

The penultimate episode of the first season of House of the Dragon is done, and we’re back with some thoughts, background, commentary on changes, and more in our latest video at the Westeros.org Youtube channel: We’re in the home stretch now, with just two episodes to go. Next up will be “The Green Council”, followed up by “The Black Queen” to conclude the first season of House of the Dragon. https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/HotD_Alicent-Otto-Criston_01.jpg View the full article

A year has passed since the Folio Society released their fourth entry in their illustrated editions of A Song of Ice and Fire, and like clockwork they have now released the fifth volume, A Dance with Dragons! Like the previous volumes, it comes in a beautiful, slipcased two-volume edition with beautiful artwork by Jonathan Burton. Below, you’ll find the Folio Society’s video for the launch, as well as a few images they’ve sent to us share! From the Folio Society: New alliances and fresh conspiracies spawn as the fight for the Iron Throne continues… The fifth book in the most celebrated fantasy series of the 21st century arrives in a resplendent two-volume set. This special collector’s edition of A Dance with Dragons features 16 full-colour illustrations by series artist Jonathan Burton, as well as unique illustrated chapter headings, endpapers printed with emblems of the warring Houses, and a slipcase decorated with a golden monogram on the exterior and a secret image on the interior. Two binding designs, also provided by Burton, capture the drama that runs through the heart of ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ like the blood red sap of the Weirwood tree. To help keep track of the intricate plotlines, this edition comes complete with updated and expanded genealogies. Discover the other titles in the Folio ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series. https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/GT5_1080x1080_02.jpg read on >>> View the full article

On October 25th, The Rise of the Dragon: An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Volume One hit shelves. Based on Fire and Blood by GRRM, the book provides a more condensed account of the events documented in that work of “fake history” while providing over 180 new, full-color illustrations (some were shared in the recent, all packaged in a similar format to The World of Ice and Fire. As we said when the book was first announced, the book is for a very particular set of audiences—those who were daunted by F&B’s size but are interested in something more concise, those who love the artwork, and those who are collectors and completists. If you or someone you know fits that, however… Ahead of the release, George is holding a couple of events, including one that will be livestreamed for those who purchase a ticket. See more details below, as well as an opportunity to get copies with a different set of autographs entirely… ! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/RotD_Rhaenyra-Daemon_01.jpg read on >>> View the full article

Another episode down, and we’re back with some thoughts, background, commentary on changes, and more in our latest video at the Westeros.org Youtube channel: We’re in the home stretch now, with just two episodes to go. Next up will be “The Green Council”, followed up by “The Black Queen” to conclude the first season of House of the Dragon. https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/HotD_Viserys-Ep08_01.jpg View the full article

The official Youtube page for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour at the Linen Mill Studio in Northern Ireland— exclusive home to an enormous assortment of props, weapons, armor, costumes, and even whole sets from the TV show—has released a lengthy video where the show’s weapons master, Tommy Dunne, speaks at length about his work on the show as it relates specifically to the infamous catspaw dagger that has now become so central to House of the Dragon. See below for the video! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Gallery/_medium/GameOfThrones_Dagger01.png read on >>> View the full article

Another episode down, and we’re back with some thoughts, background, commentary on changes, and more in our latest video at the Westeros.org Youtube channel: The next episode will give us what we believe will be a last time jump this season (and perhaps for all the show from here on out), aging up the children a bit further. https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/HotD_Episode-07_01.jpg View the full article

A royal masquerade was an event rarely heard of in the reign of Baelor, blessed be his memory, and that of the late Viserys who had so wisely steered the realm. But the reign of Aegon, Fourth of His Name, is a different one… not least because it was not his queen and sister, Naerys, who organized the event. By all reports, it was Missy Blackwood, the king’s latest mistress, who originated and arranged the event. Despite this, the involvement of the Red Keep’s master of feasts showed that the king himself had given the event his approval, and rumors swirled that Lady Melissa and he would make a spectacular entrance during the event. This led to weeks of the court taxing every skilled seamstress and tailor, who in turn emptied the best drapers of their bolts of finest cloths to execute rich garments that befit their patrons? station (and perhaps even exceeded it, to ruinous cost in certain cases). When the evening came, hundreds had gathered in the enormous feasting hall, a riot of colors, of satins and silks and velvets decorated with costly accouterments and fanciful masks. The theme of the event had circulated among the attendees, and this had guided their choices as they attempted to find heroes of ages past to disguise themselves as. The range of figures was numerous: Galladon of Morne and Florys the Fox rubbed shoulders with heroes of the Rhoyne and ancient First Man witch queens, Garth Greenhand jested with Lann the Clever, an empress of ancient Yi Ti conversed with Daenys the Dreamer, and many more besides. The aforementioned Daenys was none other than Princess Elaena, who along with Princess Rhaena (dressed as the legendary - and entirely non-existent! - Princess Daeryssa, oft rescued by Serwyn of the Mirror Shield) had been cajoled by Princess Daena to attend the event. Daena herself had come as a dragonrider, some dragonlord of Valyria who she was heard to say had tried to find the end of the world and had returned a failure. The princesses were not alone among the royal kin who were present, however. Princess Mariah of Dorne came as none other than Princess Nymeria, her storied ancestress… while the Prince of Dragonstone came as a strange, hunchbacked figure with a mask portraying a less-than-fair face who transpired to be the ancient founder of the Citadel, Peremore Hightower. Grander still, however, was the entrance of King Aegon and Lady Melissa. They were carried in on a platform borne by liveried bearers, and on it were castles of spun sugar amidst a “desert” of more sugar blended with spices, and amidst them were the king and his lady wearing dragon masks. His was black, and hers was bronze, and in their hands were torches. A herald announced the arrival of the Dragon’s Wroth, and together Balerion the Black Dread and Vhagar set their torches to the sugar castles around them, making them bubble and melt. The spectacle of it brought cheers from much of the crowd… but not the Dornish knights and ladies dressed as ancient Rhoynar warriors, and not Nymeria, and not Peremore the Twisted. They remained at the event after the king and his mistress dismounted the platform and sat at the high table, for a time, but it was clear the Dornishmen and women were not eager… and when Prince Daeron at last had occasion to speak with his father, all could see that the king was dismissive of him. Not long after, the prince and princess departed the event, and with them a number of their household and companions, a fact that raised eyebrows and caused many whispers in the crowded hall as it has been the latest sign in a division between father and son. [url={url}]Visit the Site![/url]

An interview long in the making, we finally got to sit down with Ryan Condal, lead writer, executive producer, and now sole show runner of House of the Dragon last week to talk about the show. Scheduling conflicts kept pushing the time of the interview, including one potential time to do it face-to-face in Amsterdam for the European premiere, and most recently we were minutes away from a scheduled Zoom talk when Ryan ended up being delayed due to issues in post-production that he had to deal with. Third (fourth?) time was the charm, however! After Linda had a chance to say hello then headed off to keep an eye on our very rambunctious puppy Lancelot, we started the interview. We open up with a question on post-production, and then get into the weeds on favorite book characters, depictions of violence, heraldry, a forgotten Valyrian house, the change from book canon when casting the Velaryons, whether Ryan will continue with the show after completing this particular story, and more. Click here for the interview! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/HotD_BTS-Ryan-Condal_01.jpg View the full article

Half way through the season, and “The Princess and the Queen” makes the boldest jump yet as a decade has passed since the previous episode, new actors play key roles, and a passel of new young characters appear. Linda and I return with with our usual non-review focus on providing some more background information and changes from the source material to the screen. Lots of background in this particular episode: https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Gallery/_medium/HotD_Laenor-Rhaenyra-Joffrey_01.jpg View the full article

Today features a very notable birthday. No, we don’t mean Sophia Loren’s (though that’s very fine company to be in). It’s in fact George R.R. Martin’s birthday today, making him 74 years young. Six years ago we were invited to write a tribute to George over at Tor.com, that you can read here. We know fans of his work—and fans of the good he’s done for the genre, for fandom, and for the various good causes he has contributed to—the world over wish him well on this auspicious day. One of the nonprofit organizations GRRM has been a major supporter of is the Stagecoach Foundation, which he co-founded to help provide training and work opportunities for residents of New Mexico in the state’s burgeoning film industry. A donation to the foundation would no doubt be very welcome, especially today! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Gallery/_medium/IMG_5079.JPG View the full article

The very eventful “We Light the Way” has aired globally, and we’re back with our usual non-review focus on providing some more background information and changes from the source material to the screen. We even have some dragon facts! If you enjoyed the video, please do consider liking and subscribing, and feel free to comment with your own thoughts or questions! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Gallery/_medium/HotD_EP105-Still_Alicent.jpg View the full article

We’re back to discuss the events of “King of the Narrow Sea”, with our usual non-review focus on providing some more background information and changes from the source material to the screen. It’s an eventful episode, although one distinctly lacking in new dragon facts to discuss: If you enjoyed the video, please do consider liking and subscribing, and feel free to comment with your own thoughts or questions! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Gallery/_medium/HotD_EP104-Still_Daemon.jpg View the full article

The Kingswood is a hard beast to tame, a green vastness where all sorts of secrets and dangers nestle persistently. The Wardenry sees to maintaining order by dotting it with outposts where from troop spills into the wood to uproot poachers, thieves and other ruffians yet. Alerted by an outrider, a small column marched out on this day for such purposes, for apparently some wretched lot of peasants or the other had forgotten their place and were seen preying on supplies meant for the feeding of the King’s men. No more than five or six troop were dispatched, as how could more be needed to deal with cowering smallfolk, who would surely fall on their knees and beg for mercy? Taking a well-hidden—or rather badly kept—trail encroached on by elms, birches and moss, they finally descended on the poachers. They were to find no ragged poachers sporting makeshift bows; instead before them were hardy men, armed with short swords and daggers and hunger, curiously not intent on fleeing. Different tales have circulated between the men of the Warden of the Kingswood since then, but all agree the scuffle was vicious and the patrol repelled ignominiously and forced to stagger back to safety bearing all kinds of injury. The name of a Dornish witch is on more lips by the day, and the stricken outpost has been supplied with some reinforcements. [url={url}]Visit the Site![/url]

Both Linda and I got our first glimpses at the House of the Dragon-inspired beverages from Danish brewery Mikkeller (dubbing themselves House Mikkeller of Denmark, naturally) at the premieres of House of the Dragon in Stockholm and Amsterdam. The red Caraxes cans were very prominent at the afterparty bars, and seemed to be quite popular. Mikkeller Brewery contacted us about trying a sample of the beers, which we were glad to do despite neither of us being experienced with beer (non-alcholic or otherwise!) and we have to say it was a very interesting experience that makes us think we’re going to have to start branching out from the ciders which are normally all we drink when it comes to alcohol. Below, you’ll see our video “review”, which I put in quotes because we’re woefully lacking in knowledge to give thorough and detailed impressions! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/HotD_Mikkeller.jpg View the full article

We’re back to discuss the third episode of House of the Dragon, titled “Second of His Name”. As usual, we discuss some changes from the source material, provide some additional background information for things touched on only lightly in the episode, and finally some dragon facts (quite brief ones, in this case!) https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/HotD_Ep3_Title.png View the full article

Well, this was big, surprising news. The Hollywood Reporter‘s James Hibberd has reported that after three, exhausting years working on bringing the first season of House of the Dragon to the screen Miguel Sapochnik is leaving the show and Ryan Condal will be the sole show runner. However, the very experienced director Alan Taylor—who played a key role in directing a number of early episodes of Game of Thrones—has come on board as an executive producer and director instead. https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/HotD_Miguel_Sapochnik.jpg read on >>> View the full article

Another new episode of House of the Dragon, and another episode of Linda and Elio discussing it! This time we look into some of the changes to a couple of Kingsguard knights, and dive more into House Velaryon now that the episode reveals a change the show has made to their relationship to the Targaryens. You can see the episode below: Share your thoughts on the video, and let us know if there’s any changes or background details you’d like us to discuss in future episodes! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/HotD_Ep2.jpg View the full article

This tweet says it all: Over at The Hollywood Reporter, James Hibberd provides a bit more detail, citing HBO’s report that in the US the show has cleared over 20 million viewers since the premiere, the kind of strong opening they were hoping for. View the full article

Been a long time since we’ve done one of these, and suffice it to say the combination of rusty recollection plus a bunch of new equipment made this a bit of a trial. Add a very lively puppy plus sundry other things, and this video is later than we hoped, but it’s done. As we remarked in our “Not a Review” of the first six episodes, we’re not really reviewing the show (as we did—and then Linda did solo after I quit—with Game of Thrones) but instead discussing some of the choices and changes made in the adaptation, as well as providing some background information and (of course) dragon facts. You can see the episode below: View the full article

We’ve had the opportunity to watch the first six episodes of House of the Dragon, courtesy of HBO Max, and we certainly have some thoughts about the show. We’ve placed our “Not a Review” in our Features section which hasn’t seen much use since Game of Thrones came to an end, so go read it there. https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Gallery/_medium/HotD_Trailer-Official_03.png View the full article

We occasionally highlight really great, A Song of Ice and Fire-inspired fan works, and we’re happy to bring attention to the asoiafanimated instagram where a team of Italian animators led by professional animator Giovanni Ariutti. We have a very brief tease, but you should check the Instagram for a longer trailer, with music and all, and that in turn is leading to something even more substantial on August 23rd. See the teaser below, and the full details of the team working on the project: read on >>> View the full article

A brand new promo ahead of the airing of House of the Dragon... and it includes an excellent look at the last living dragon from the Conquest, Vhagar: View the full article

And here is our last interview from the European premiere of House of the Dragon, with co-show runner and head writer Ryan Condal. Though it’s the last interview from the event, it’s not going to be our last interview with Ryan, who’s agreed to sit down with Westeros.org for a proper interview in the next few days. Feel free to comment on the video below with any questions you’d like to ask and we’ll try and pick the ones we find the most interesting to present to Ryan! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/Euro_Premiere_Condal.jpg read on >>> View the full article

As promised, here are the next two interviews we managed to get from the press pit at the European premiere of House of the Dragon! In this pairing, we talk to Emma D’Arcy (Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen) and Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon). You’ll find the interviews below the image I took of the replica of Balerion the Black Dread’s skull during the Dragon’s Den interactive event. https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/Balerion_Dragons_Den.jpg read on >>> View the full article

Below you’ll find two of the five interviews we, and our good friend Javi Marcos of Spanish fan site Los Siete Reinos who kindly helped us out by bringing along and manning the camera equipment, secured as part of the press pool at the red carpet for the European premiere of House of the Dragon in Amsterdam. We’ll release the other three over the next couple of days. Red carpet interviews tend to be short, and these were no different: there were more than a dozen outlets present and each only had limited time, especially as the screening time drew near. Still, we enjoyed the spectacle, and I even got to sit on the new version of the Iron Throne with Javi perched beside me (I joked he was Mushroom). You’ll find the two interviews below! https://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Images/_medium/On_The_Throne.jpg read on >>> View the full article