Here’s our House of the Dragon episodes ranked for season 1 — although it was nearly impossible as this is peak Game of Thrones, and an incredible season.
House of the Dragon Episodes Ranked (Season 1)
House of the Dragon season 1 is peak Game of Thrones. Nearly every single episode is perfect, giving fans exactly what they want. That makes it nearly impossible to rank them, but we will do our best. Here is our House of the Dragon episodes ranked — for all ten season 1 episodes.
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 1 – The Heirs of the Dragon
House of the Dragon welcomes viewers back to Westeros with everything they know and love about the Game of Thrones series. If one were to stumble on the series knowing absolutely nothing about it, it would only be minutes until they realized it is related to Game of Thrones.
Still, this first episode sets up its own story with its own characters, and doesn’t feel repetitive or like an imitation. The visuals are quite stunning, for the most part. Viewers will gasp, scream, shield their eyes, and perhaps even shed a tear — all during the first episode.
Full Review
Rating: 4 out of 5
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 8 – The Lord of the Tides
Overall this is a really great episode. It is more set up for the future, but also is able to weave in some blood, gore, and death. The King’s face is truly grotesque. The prosthetic / VFX work that went into it is impeccable.
There were times we had to turn away from the screen, especially when he was talking with his mask removed. Really incredible work done there. No dragons made an appearance but there were some dragon eggs, so perhaps we have more flying creatures to look forward to.
Full Review
Rating: 4 out of 5
House of the Dragon Episodes Ranked (Season 1) continued…
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 9 – The Green Council
House of the Dragon episode 9 is not filled with action, but it is still fast paced because of the feeling of urgency to figure out how they will take over the throne without much of a blowback. It is suspenseful and intense, and certainly reveals quite a bit about most of the major players. It seems there is another game for the throne afoot — no pun intended.
Full Review
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 2 – The Rogue Prince
House of the Dragon episode 2 is more about the story than the action, but it is completely captivating from start to finish, leaving no time for the pacing to drag or things to feel slow and dull. There is drama and deceit around every corner, in true Game of Thrones fashion.
This episode has proven that the success of the first episode of House of the Dragon was not a fluke. The writing is smart and familiar enough for Game of Thrones fans without feeling like a carbon copy.
Full Review
Rating: 5 out of 5
House of the Dragon Episodes Ranked (Season 1) continued…
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 3 – Second of His Name
Each episode of House of the Dragon so far has had some action in it, most of which has been filled with gore. But if you thought THAT scene in episode 1 was dark and brutal, just wait. Because House of the Dragon episode 3 gives Game of Thrones fans what they love most — blood, guts, and fire. The best battle sequence yet is showcased at the end of this episode, which doubles as more incredible moments from Matt Smith.
Full Review
Rating: 5 out of 5
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 5 – We Light the Way
Once again Milly Alcock and Matt Smith shine. It makes us sad knowing the time is coming soon when Rhaenyra will be aged up and recast. These two have a powerful chemistry on screen that will be missed. House of the Dragon episode 5 proves that yet again.
Full Review
Rating: 5 out of 5
House of the Dragon Episodes Ranked (Season 1) continued…
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 4 – King of the Narrow Sea
Things are heating up in the fight for the Iron Throne and in Westeros — winter is not coming anytime soon. The best episode of the entire series so far, House of the Dragon episode 4 ends on quite the cliffhanger that will have fans wondering exactly what is going on, and what will happen next.
Full Review
Rating: 5 out of 5
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 6 – The Princess and the Queen
This episode has insane drama, detrimental whispers, and a whole ton of dragons (finally!). There is a lot to love about it, and even though Milly Alcock and Emily Carey are gone, their legacy lives on in their characters. Things are just heating up, and we cannot wait to see what happens next.
Full Review
Rating: 5 out of 5
House of the Dragon Episodes Ranked (Season 1) continued…
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 10 – The Black Queen
Overall, this is an epic finale of House of the Dragon season one. Getting to explore these characters and their reaction to the death of the King and the start of the war really works. It was brilliant to split the reactions into two separate episodes so we could really spend some time with them and feel their grief. Things are going to get crazy, understandably so.
House of the Dragon episode 10 sets up for an intense season two, we just wish we didn’t have to wait so long to see it.
Full Review
Rating: 5 out of 5
House of the Dragon Episodes Ranked (Season 1) continued…
House of the Dragon: Season 1 Episode 7 – Driftmark
The writing for this episode is brilliant. Every single accusation thrown and snide remark feels earned. It is easy to see all sides in this situation, as every character plays their role perfectly. The final moments of House of the Dragon episode will have fans squealing. We won’t say why in an effort to avoid spoilers, so you will have to tune in on Sunday night to see how it all unfolds.
Full Review
Rating: 5 out of 5
NEXT: House Of The Dragon Review: It’s Good To Be Back
About House of the Dragon
The reign of House Targaryen begins. House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, airs Sundays on HBO and HBO Max. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, which is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen.
House of the Dragon airs on HBO & streams on HBO Max weekly on Sundays at 9pm.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.