Bizarre and nonsensical is how I'd describe the murderous tourney montage in the first episode of House of the Dragon. Completely broke immersion. Great premiere otherwise.

Rhaenyra was great. I loved them treating her like a cup bearer or whatever when the show was clearly hinting at her as Queen. I was weary of Daemon's character, but it was done well. I've not learned the names, but him yielding to the other knight was a surprise. Normally, bad shows would have him sneak attack kill him right after, and after season 8 I didn't have high hopes. I adored them showing Hightower as he is and then having Daemon say as much to the King only for the King to be clearly oblivious and weak. Writers definitely want us to root for Daemon and Rhaenyra. I hope THAT continues. Have Daemon be as awful as can be, if you must, but keep him rootable.

For the most part it felt like early game of thrones again, but I do worry that a show with that heritage could just devolve into the obvious - everyone is morally grey/evil and does bad things for power, and the things you fear will happen, yeah, they happen. Surpri--oh. That said, I've got high hopes after this first episode. I just hope things aren't super obvious and predictable going forward. Avoid the low hanging fruit.

Low hanging fruit example: the age of Hightower's daughter, best friend of the king's daughter, on a path to be her... mother? Weirdos.