House of the Dragon vs Game of Thrones: Which had the better series premiere?

Dramatic Moments

House of the Dragon is a family feud, and in family feuds, things get nasty. Memorable moments abound in “The Heirs of the Dragon,” such as the reunion scene between Rhaenyra and her favorite uncle Daemon and the gold cloaks ridding King’s Landing of its legally rebellious citizens.

Daemon’s unseating in the Heir’s Tournament joust being intercut with the devastating sequence of Queen Aemma Arryn’s agonizing death is unforgettable, as is the scene where the bereft Viserys exiles Daemon and terminates his claim to the Iron Throne. It’ll be hard to shake the disgust felt when Otto Hightower sends the innocent Alicent to initiate a seduction of the vulnerable king.

Fans will never forget the heartfelt scene where Viserys turns, apologetically and forcefully, to acknowledge Rhaenyra as his legitimate successor. The ending of “The Heirs of the Dragon” is powerful, a tight shot on the newly anointed heir Rhaenyra Targaryen as she feels the weight of the kingdom slowly moving onto her shoulders.

The Game of Thrones premiere kicks off with the haunting White Walker chase north of the Wall, a perfect appetizer for the great struggle to come. Other memorable scenes include the beheading of the Night’s Watch deserter and the discovery of the direwolf pups, who will quickly become fan favorites as they and their owners get older.

The great fanfare of King Robert Baratheon’s arrival in Winterfell is classic, as is the quiet scene of Tyrion and Jon Snow’s first meeting where the Tyrion reminds Jon that in truth, they are both “bastards.”

Hands down, the most memorable scene is Bran’s “fall” from the Broken Tower, one of the most disturbing and unexpected shoves in the history of TV that instantly set a high bar for Jaime Lannister as an irredeemable bad guy.

Which episode has the best dramatic Moment?

Awash in dramatic moments, the premieres of both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are compelling, surprising and rich with story. Both episodes contain fabulous cinematography, great writing, wonderful acting and plenty of dramatic moments.

Of course, “Winter is Coming” ends with one of the most famous concluding shots in the history of TV, where Jaime’s shocking shove changes the course of Bran’s life and of Westerosi history. Score three points for Game of Thrones.

Results

Ranking one of these fine first episodes over the other is difficult, and every comparison is open to endless debate, but based on the elements included in our scoring system, “Winter is Coming” receives three points, edging out “The Heirs of the Dragon” with two points. But no matter which way the points are awarded, both episodes are a thrill to watch.

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