House of the Dragon review: Game of Thrones’ long-awaited prequel lands on Foxtel and Binge this week

House of the Dragon

Monday, streaming on Foxtel and Binge

For someone who can’t stand fantasy TV series set in fictitious, bygone eras, I sure have been watching a lot of them lately. Previews for The Lord of the Rings’ spin-off series (launching September 2) and the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, have both crossed my desk in the past few days. While most of you would slay a dragon for a chance to get your mitts on a first look, I’ve been decidedly underwhelmed about the prospect of dipping in.

But, in the interest of serving you, my loyal subjects, I took a dive. And I can now give you my first assessment of House of The Dragon (you’ll have to wait for LOTR, as that embargo hasn’t been lifted yet). Are you ready? OK, here goes:

It’s good … I guess.

Look, as someone who’s only seen a handful of GOT episodes, and as someone who — *ducks for cover* — never really thought it was that great in the first place, I’m not best-placed for an in-depth assessment. I have, however, watched and reviewed TV professionally for over 25 years, so I can say with some certainty: the production values are great. There are some superb performances — Matt Smith and Australia’s Milly Allcock are sensational — and it looks like producers are on track to right some of the wrongs they inflicted on you all via that dire final season of Game of Thrones (come on, even you can admit it stank).

I can’t add much more than that. Which, let’s face it, is totally fine, because regardless of what I say, GOT fans are going to watch anyway. You know it, I know it — the producers know it. Thankfully they’ve given you some half-decent fare to feast on.

As for me — I’m still unconvinced.

Selling The OC

Wednesday, streaming on Netflix

Now this is a show I can get behind! As its name suggests, this is a spin-off of the massively successful reality real estate series, Selling Sunset. Everyone’s favourite nattily-dressed bald men, Brett and Jason Oppenheim, have opened their new brokerage in The OC, home of Marissa, Ryan, Summer and Seth (if you know, you know). It’s also home to some truly questionable waterfront palaces. $106 million for a home that looks like it could be beachfront at Mindarie Quays? Yeah, no thanks. You’re going to love to hate this.

Vera

Sunday, 8.30pm, ABC

Time to pop on your parka and grab those sturdy walking shoes — we’re joining DCI Vera Stanhope for a spot of crime-solving. She’s investigating a body found in the back of a burnt-out car — it’s grim. Eleven seasons in, I’m still loving this show.

Sherwood

Wednesday, streaming on Foxtel and Binge

Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt stars in this intriguing British crime miniseries, loosely based on real events. This takes viewers in unexpected directions and will leave you guessing as you try to piece everything together. Worth a look.

Gogglebox

Wednesday on Foxtel/Binge, Thursday, 8.30pm, Ten

It’s with a heavy heart that we’ll be tuning in to the latest series of Gogglebox — it just won’t be the same without lovely Di, who passed away a few months back. I’ll raise a glass of Savvy B and think of her as I watch.