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2 ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA By Dana Simpson TV Media W hile winter may be coming (though hopefully not for a while yet), it isn't the Starks who are currently top of mind for "Game of Thrones" fans. More than three years since author George R.R. Martin's original TV series ended, and nearly as long since a spinoff was announced (October 2019), the newest addi- tion to the GOT franchise begins. "House of the Dragon" pre- mieres Sunday, Aug. 21, on HBO and HBO Max. Set approximately 200 years before the events of "Game of Thrones" take place, "House of the Dragon" — hereby short- ened to "HOTD" for the sake of brevity — is classified as a pre- quel. That said, it doesn't stray too far from the original material as fans of Martin's book series might be able to attest. "HOTD," which centers on House Targaryen and its lengthy rule over Westeros, is based on Martin's novellas "The Princess and the Queen" and "The Rogue Prince," as well as his full-length (736-page) historical novel "Fire & Blood," all of which stand sep- arate from (but are related to) his "A Song of Ice and Fire" series that inspired HBO's "GOT." Martin is once again behind the adaptation of his story for television, as is Ryan Condal ("Colony"), who serves as show- runner on the production. While working together on the new series, Martin took to his blog to praise Condal and his decisions regarding "HOTD." "I've now watched rough cuts of nine of the 10 episodes and I continue to be impressed," Martin wrote. "The acting, the directing and the writing are first-rate. ... I think Ryan Condal and his writers made good choic- es. Even some improvements." (Jokingly, Martin added, "Heresy, I know, but being the author, I am allowed to say so.") As for the plot of the series, fans can expect a lot more than just dragons — although, yes, there will be many of those onscreen, as is evidenced by the official HBO trailer. "HOTD" kicks off around 103 AC (the "AC" stands for "After Conquest," the time when Aegon the Conqueror flew across the ocean with his wives/sisters to take Westeros by the force of his dragons). In 103 AC, the Seven Kingdoms are united under one ruling faction, House Targaryen, for the very first time and have been this way for just over a cen- tury. Of course, diehard Martin fans will know that House Targaryen's reign only lasts for another 177 years or so at this point. Thus the story begins. The new HBO series aims to cover the events leading from 103 AC to the iconic Dance of the Dragons, a battle between members of the Targaryen family that tore the dynasty and the Seven Kingdoms apart and led to the extinction of the dragon spe- cies as a whole — until Daenerys (Emilia Clarke, "Last Christmas," 2019) comes along a couple of decades later in "GOT," that is. And even though Clarke will not be starring in "HOTD," due to Daenerys's birth occurring much later in the "GOT" timeline, there is sure to be no shortage of pale, blond-haired, blue-eyed dragon lovers for fans to enjoy. Chief among them, quite liter- ally, is King Viserys Targaryen, played by Paddy Considine ("The World's End," 2013). Chosen by the lords of Westeros as the kingdom's newest leader, Viserys is described as a "warm, kind and decent man" who "wishes to carry forward his grandfather's legacy." While, in another story, these might be admirable traits, this is the "GOT" universe, where "decent" has very little place. Next in line — though equally as blond — are Matt Smith ("Doctor Who") and Emma D'Arcy ("Truth Seekers") as Prince Daemon and Princess Rhaenyra. While Daemon, the king's little brother, is described as a "peerless warrior and drag- on rider [who] possesses the true blood of the dragon," Rhaenyra, were she not born female, would likely have Daemon matched on all counts. In a battle of succession famil- iar to all "GOT" fans (and even modern-day shows such as "Succession" and "Billions"), viewers must remember that many members of House Targaryen are plagued with a madness from within. Anything could happen depending on how the winds of fate blow. Rounding out the cast are Rhys Ifans ("Snowden," 2016) and Olivia Cooke ("Bates Motel") as Otto and Alicent Hightower; Eve Best ("The King's Speech," 2010) as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen; Steve Toussaint ("Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," 2010) as the "Sea Snake," Lord Corlys Valeryon; Fabien Frankel ("The Serpent") as Ser Criston Cole; and Sonoya Mizuno ("La La Land," 2016) as Mysaria. Audiences looking forward to "HOTD" may also delight to know that Clarke herself plans to watch, though she did admit in an interview with BBC that, hav- ing been the only Targaryen on TV for so long, "it's going to be weird." Schwering Realty 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Olivia Cooke in "House of the Dragon" HBO takes viewers on new 'GOT' adventure in 'House of the Dragon' Chase Center 3 x 2" American Legion Post 60 2 x 3" Thrifty Muffler 2 x 2.5" 230 Burlington Avenue Logansport 574-992-8038 Tired of Shopping Around for THE Right Mechanic? BRAKE SPECIAL $89.95 PER AXLE. 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