For millions of dedicated fans and me, the last season of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” was a complete and utter disaster. The quality of writing went out the window, character arcs were destroyed and the ending was extremely unsatisfying. The show, which had been so dominant in pop culture for nearly a decade, fell entirely from public praise and relevance for the past three years.

But HBO is coming back to Westeros, the world of “Game of Thrones”, with “House of the Dragon”. Taking place some 200 years before the start of “Game of Thrones” and based on George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire and Blood”, “House of the Dragon” is a welcome development in the beloved franchise. It features an entirely new production staff, headed by writers Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal, as well as a talented cast that is well-suited to their roles. The show has also managed to preserve many of the best aspects of “Game of Thrones”: its music, composed by Ramin Djiwadi, is as epic and immersive as ever, and the special effects, scenery and CGI are all on point, creating a world that feels as engaging as the original series.

The first five episodes of the show have been excellent television, although perhaps not on par with the first seasons of “Game of Thrones.”But it is not just an addition to the original series or a way for the fandom to move on from the disappointment of the later seasons. “House of the Dragon” is a fascinating story in its own right, and it is one that has immense potential.