We knew we were in for an epic story battle when HBO and Prime Video both said that they would be releasing their most anticipated programmes in 2022 in the same year. Even if we aren’t complaining, HBO has now revealed a plan that might decrease the number of people who watch the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power debut on the first day. The first episode of House of the Dragon has been posted in its entirety to YouTube by the network today. Coincidence? As if HBO needed any help getting people to watch the Game of Thrones spinoff series: Over 20 million people were eager to return to Westeros after a three-year hiatus, making House of the Dragon the most viewed title on both the network and HBO Max in its inaugural week.
The new season was renewed ahead of schedule due to the show’s overwhelming success.
Another prequel series, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, has also been renewed for a second season before it ever launched. Actually, Amazon Studios appears to be so sure of its success that showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay have already suggested a five-season narrative. It’s easy to imagine, but Middle-Earth films are expensive. It’s the most expensive TV season ever made, costing a total of $500 million ($250 million for licencing costs alone) to create.
The first two episodes released today show just how pricey streaming the series will be, but they also show why Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power needs to keep bringing in new customers if it wants to continue. Or else Jeff Bezos would have to delay his plans to circle the Earth in a plane. Both the hit shows House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring will be at their plot apexes in the next six weeks or so. Fans of epic stories, however, will have an excellent weekend, since new episodes will be available on both Prime Video and HBO on Friday and Sunday evenings, respectively.
While George R.R. Martin’s novels serve as inspiration for House of the Dragon, the bulk of the story comes from the mythology of Westeros, which Martin devised to strengthen the storytelling of his novel series A Song of Ice and Fire. About 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” the Targaryen dynasty ruled for a long time before the Baratheons came to power. Episode 1 is named “The Heirs of the Dragon,” and it introduces the ruling Targaryen dynasty and their fight to choose who will succeed to the Iron Throne.