Anticipation remains high among Targaryen loyalists as House of the Dragon episode 1 is all set for its premiere. With just hours from its release on HBO Max in the US, the debut episode has unexpectedly leaked online, leaving many GOT fans startled by the network’s poor security measures.
GOT fans have kept House of the Dragon trending on social media using celebratory HOTD day posts with its nearing streaming debut. But some fans shockingly shared screenshots of the first episode with the HBO watermark. It seems the premiere chapter has leaked on torrents though PursueNews will not be sharing the details here. However, House of the Dragon’s first episode will air in India at 6:30 AM on Disney Plus Hotstar, as confirmed by the streaming service.
The HOTD leak has been critiqued by many for HBO’s lack of security, especially since Game of Thrones was subject to such leaks too. In 2019, HBO faced a huge security breach which resulted in scripts of unreleased episodes surfacing online. Furthermore, the season’s first two episodes were leaked by HBO’s distribution partner.
The first four episodes of House of the Dragon were sent out to critics for review and reactions so far are positive. Meanwhile, the early watchers are already discussing Daenerys references in the intro as the last Targaryen ruler. Readers can check out the tweets below.
Same Westeros. More dragons.
House of the Dragon, premieres August 22nd at 6:30AM! 🐉🔥 #HOTDonHotstar pic.twitter.com/PAkJQXvNuN
— Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) August 21, 2022
Goosebumps gottt here 🥵💥😍#HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #hotd pic.twitter.com/ryZUPMx8G0
— Ram (@beingWiseGuy) August 21, 2022
Was weak and decided to watch the hotd leak
Very strong first episode and I can’t wait to wait it again tonight on HBO #HouseoftheDragon
— Megan (@whalegiraffe) August 21, 2022
I miss Daenerys Targaryen 😭#HouseoftheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/yBVwKz4Fgk
— Andy LoL (@LolliPop_s69) August 21, 2022
The 1st episode of House of the Dragon begins with the phrase "183 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen….'#GameOfThrones #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/dHnr0gf2d1
— Rishikesh Basnet (@RishikeshBasnet) August 21, 2022
THIS IS THE DAENERYS MENTION ON HOTD Y'ALL WERE TALKING???? 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/LsXqU2OiNf
— anthuanet || hotd spoilers (@lovenemies) August 21, 2022
Viserys Targaryen name dropping “A Song of Ice and Fire” to Rhaenyra Targaryen, in the premiere no less, is the last thing I expected, and has my hype for this series skyrocketed. 10/10 premiere. #HouseoftheDragon #HOTD #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/LAcmo2tmOk
— Chris Montes (@chrismont3s) August 21, 2022
oh this just makes me be even more pissed about game of thrones finale pic.twitter.com/2TTpSWNihj
— anthuanet || hotd spoilers (@lovenemies) August 21, 2022
A Great start for HOTD 💥 pic.twitter.com/6fUZbfXmn5
— YUVI (@theheisenbergg_) August 21, 2022
Damn! Just finished watching the first episode of House of the Dragon.
Set exactly 172 years before Daenerys Targaryen existed, House Of The Dragon traces the rise of the House Targaryen and what they stood for. The episode…#HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/2wSgq7XDu1— Virendra Meena (@Virendra337) August 21, 2022
George R. R. Martin’s adaptation of Fire & Blood will explore the Targaryen family tree from a time when King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) reigned. Unlike Game of Thrones, the prequel series will show a time when the Dragonlord rulers of Westeros were engaged in a civil war for the Iron Throne and nearly tore the dynasty apart.
While Game of Thrones’ final season faced extreme backlash for its controversial ending with Daenerys death, The GOT fandom have still kept their hopes high with the involvement of talents such as Miguel Sapochnik, the director of Game of Thrones’ critically and fan-acclaimed episodes Battle of the Bastards, Hardhome, The Long Night and more.
House of the Dragon also stars Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower. In the first episode, Milly Alcock will play the younger version of Rhaenyra and Emily Carey for Alicent.
