“If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention.”
Guess Ramsay Bolton was right after all. You’re not the only one left feeling down in the dumps as eight years of cult-like maelstrom drew close. Game of Thrones concluded in 2019 and left its dedicated fanbase in an array of disappointment. Yes, we are also talking about the unjustified character arcs, unexplained loose ends and the ending this era-defining show deserved. However, thanks to George R.R. Martin and his rendition of the infamous Targaryens, we are ready to be awestruck again.
Dracarys! The dragons are back with fire and fury.
HBO opened the curtains with the long-awaited prequel to GoT, the record-shattering ‘House of the Dragon’(HOTD) this year. Based on Martin’s Fire & Blood, the show depicts the House Targaryen nearly 200 years ago, in all their glory. HOTD keeps up with its predecessor’s penchant for treacherous conspiracies, families locking horns, shrewd politics and the ultimate desire to be the ruler of the seven kingdoms.
The show’s brilliance has also been stamped with their recent win at the Golden Globe Awards 2023 for the ‘Best Drama Series’. Director Miguel Sapochnik embraced the stage with Emma D’arcy and Milly Alcock to take the trophy home for their debut season in 2022. This historic win for the franchise places it a level above its predecessors who never won a Golden Globe despite five nominations. Emma D’Arcy aka Rhaenyra Targaryen was also nominated for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama.
What also stays flawless are the intricate and colossal sets. No stone has been left unturned to honour the architectural brilliance that the original achieved.
Production Designer Jim Clay has been successful in transporting us to the mystical world of Westeros, owing to the acutely crafted interiors. It’s time to dive into the House of the Dragon and the larger-than-life sets redefining television.
Table of contents
The Origin
Expectations are high when you have to run in the shoes in which Game of Thrones walked. The idea was to create an atmosphere similar yet unique from GoT. Why? Since HOTD is set around 200 years before the events of the path-breaking show. The first reference point had to be George R.R. Martin’s book Fire and Blood, which depicts the long, violent lineage of the house Targaryen. Clay and his team ensured that every location spoke its own language and every castle had its own architectural vernacular. The most fascinating aspect of Clay’s interpretation of HOTD sets is that they were actually sketched in a notebook.
In the world of digital creation, Clay’s pen-and-paper approach takes us back to simpler times. His authenticity can also be seen on the screen as numerous samples of architecture have been brought to life referenced from real-life castles. For instance, Castillo de Coca in Spain has been a major inspiration for the show’s historic sets.
The Red Keep
All elements of the Red Keep represent the tumultuous nature of the Targaryen clan. The staircase gives a sense of parliament and the one true government, the protector of the seven kingdoms. Well, rightly so! The Machiavellian intrigue that Cersei brilliantly portrayed in the GoT had to be present in its prequel too. These influences signify that the Middle Ages is the closest period to which the HOTD is based. Hence, the German and Spanish references dominate the interiors of the Red Keep.
Let’s now fly to the dragon hole situated in the Red Keep’s dungeon. What is a Targaryen without his dragon? The Targaryens have always been aware that they would be like all others if not for the fuming beasts. Hence, Clay created an altar of a sort in reverence of Balerion, the Black Dread. We can see Balerian’s skull in season 7 of GoT but the entire cellar was cast away, denoting the new house’s dishonour towards the Targaryen heritage and blood.
The Decor
The Targaryens do not shy away from their sexuality and ‘bloodline’, as you would have already witnessed in the show. Keeping intact the Victorian inspiration, the walls of the Red Keep have been lined with emblematic intimate portrayals. Why wouldn’t it be? The erotic art fits well with the dynasty’s and George Martin’s obssession with Ancient Greece and Roman Empire.
Clay’s team has done an exceptional job in recreating Martin’s ideology of the house Targaryen based on historical conquests, a lost empire, and a centralised government. The art ticks all boxes from the historical perspective translated into fiction. But how about some planet, teddy bear, or rabbit motifs for the kids’ room decor?
The rest of the images at the court mirror the incessantly changing mood which is jovial at first and gradually turns murky as the show progresses. These images are then entirely removed owing to the shift in social mores as the personality of both – the Red Keep and Alicent becomes austere. The interiors as well as the colour scheme of the show, are a gloomy affair as feuds start dominating the family home.
The King’s Chambers
Though featured only a few times, Viserys Targaryen’s chambers are a definition of royalty. A huge setup of Old Valyria embraces a significant part of the space, a detailed structure of the Valyrian capital. Similar frescoes appear on the chamber’s walls as the rest of the Red Keep.
Iron Throne: The Pinnacle of Symbolism
Introducing the Iron Throne. The ultimate pièce de résistance of ‘The House of the Dragon’, the driver of Daenerys’ character arc (Oh! The disappointment), and the reason behind one of the greatest shows of all time. One of the most prominent symbols of the GoT, the Iron Throne, was revisited and revamped by Clay and his team, taking inspiration from R.R Martin’s original text.
The Iron Throne in the prequel is very different from the one in the original series. It sits in the Great Hall of the Red Keep in King’s Landing with a large cascade of swords. Notice how the entire demeanour is a bit gory, and the swords of fallen warriors spread across the stairs. The throne was always supposed to be huge, restricting the sunlight from entering through the window.
| Behind the Throne: According to reports, the show makers had to ask all the other rival studios to lend them any and every sword to make the Iron Throne! A total of 2500 swords were embellished to create the powerful seat. |
Statues in the Throne Room
These statues did not exist in GoT, but if we were to be in the land of the books, then it is justified. The makers believe that a lot can happen in 200 years, and they might have gotten stolen during the attack on Targaryens. (Who called it HOTD and not Money Heist: Westeros?)
Dragonstone
Dragonstone, on the other hand, was as foreboding and intimidating as displayed in the GoT. The aura of the home has been infused with grandeur and Brutalist influences. Clay also derived his inspiration from a seventh-century subterranean church dug out of a cliff in France.
Driftmark – The Sea Snake’s Castle
One of the most influential families in ‘the seven kingdoms’ calls Driftmark their home. ‘The Queen who never was’ and Corlys Velaryon, aka the Sea Snake, are the guardians of their Velaryon blood and the Stepstones. The seaside fortress of Driftmark is a new addition to the many castles that have graced the GoT. St.Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, is the filming location for house Velaryon, which boastfully displays the spectacular cliffs and dramatic seascapes.
Jim Clay has designed Driftmark to mirror its Lord’s ambitions and pride. Lord Velaryon conducts his matters in the Hall of Nine, a grand place with big windows and high ceilings. The palatial feel echoes the Lord’s royal kingdom and asserts his house’s significance. The fortress is also a witness to one of the most intriguing twists in the story. (What do we say to the spoilers? Not today!)
The Colosseum
Tournaments were a great part of GoT and the House of the Dragon keeps the tradition alive. The exhilarating duels that featured Prince Daemon on his mighty horse were truly a treat for the onlookers. The colosseum was custom-made to maintain its authenticity. It also took us a stroll down memory lane with a stark resemblance to the Quidditch grounds from Harry Potter. What would we do without the world of fantasy?
Fire Will Reign!
With only eight episodes out, HOTD has set the tone for what we can expect. As we transcend into the world of Martin’s imagination, here’s hoping that the Dance of the Dragons reckons with fury. With our hearts in our mouths, we can only anticipate what the world of ‘Fire and Blood’ has to offer to our desperate souls.
