The battle for Westeros is no longer only happening on screen. It is now playing out between HBO’s two biggest Game of Thrones spin-offs, House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, as fans look for clues about which series George R.R. Martin values most.
Both shows carry the legacy of the original franchise, yet they have taken sharply different creative paths. That contrast has become even more noticeable after Martin’s recent public frustration with House of the Dragon’s direction.
Martin’s Rift with House of the Dragon Has Changed the Conversation
House of the Dragon launched as HBO’s flagship return to Westeros, with massive budgets and a direct connection to the Targaryen civil war. However, Martin has openly suggested that his relationship with the showrunner Ryan Condal has worsened since the first season.
He said that Condal stopped listening to his notes as the series moved forward, describing their current dynamic as ‘abysmal’. Those remarks quickly spread online and added fresh scrutiny to the show’s adaptation choices.
HBO executives have defended Condal’s leadership, yet Martin’s dissatisfaction has still lingered as a shadow over the series. For many viewers, it has raised a bigger question about how closely the author feels connected to the world being built on screen.
Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Feels Closer to Martin’s Original Spirit
While House of the Dragon leans into epic spectacle, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has taken a smaller, more character-driven approach. The series follows Ser Duncan the Tall and a young Egg, focusing on personal honour, humour, and the everyday texture of Westeros.
That shift in tone has resonated strongly with audiences. Critics have praised the show’s warmth and grounded storytelling, and it has quickly become one of HBO Max’s strongest performers.
The latest episode even earned a near-perfect 9.7 rating on IMDb, a level House of the Dragon has not reached so far. It also holds a 95 per cent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing its predecessor’s current standing.
The Theme Song Moment That Highlighted the Difference
One of the most talked-about contrasts between the two spin-offs has been musical. House of the Dragon chose to reuse Ramin Djawadi’s iconic Game of Thrones opening theme, a decision that some viewers saw as safe rather than inspired.
Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, on the other hand, initially avoided relying on that nostalgia. Composer Dan Romer introduced a more folksy, intimate sound, filled with whistles, guitars, and in-world tavern songs.
That made it all the more striking when the show finally brought back the classic theme during a climactic moment involving Baelor Targaryen. The return of Djawadi’s sweeping strings felt earned because the series had spent time building its own identity first.
The moment became symbolic of what the newer spin-off is doing differently. Instead of borrowing grandeur automatically, it uses it sparingly, allowing the story to grow into it.
Why Fans Think Martin May Prefer the Newer Spin-Off
Martin has not directly declared one show superior, yet the public tension surrounding House of the Dragon has made Knight of the Seven Kingdoms look like the healthier creative partnership.
The newer series also aligns more closely with Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas, which are beloved for their quieter exploration of knighthood and morality. That intimacy feels closer to the author’s original strengths, compared with the sprawling political warfare of the Targaryen era.
For HBO, the success of Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has also created an unexpected rivalry. Instead of one spin-off supporting another, the two now compete for attention, acclaim, and cultural momentum.
A Spin-Off Rivalry That Could Shape Westeros’ Future
House of the Dragon remains a major hit, and its future seasons could still regain trust from both fans and Martin himself. Still, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has already proven that Westeros stories do not need dragons and massive wars to thrive.
For now, the question of which spin-off Martin prefers has become part of the intrigue. His criticisms of House of the Dragon, combined with the breakout success of Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, suggest that HBO’s next era of Westeros may depend less on spectacle and more on storytelling that feels true to the heart of his world.
Originally published on IBTimes UK
