Why do characters in Game of Thrones seem more authentic compared to those in House of the Dragon?

I’ve been reflecting on this and wanted to hear what others think. Game of Thrones really drew me in, especially because the characters felt like real individuals with deep motivations. They were complex and not just defined as good or bad.

Take Cersei, for example. As ruthless as she was, her actions always came back to her children. That made her relatable, even when her decisions were horrible. Then there’s Jaime, whose journey with Brienne and return to Cersei in the end sparked a lot of debate. While many disliked that ending, it resonated with me; love can sometimes keep you tied to someone despite knowing it’s not right.

In contrast, House of the Dragon doesn’t give me the same connection. The production quality is excellent, and the acting is top-notch, but the characters seem shallow. I think about Alicent and Rhaenyra; their transformation from friends to adversaries could have been really poignant, but it’s muddled by time jumps. One moment they’re close, and the next, significant years have passed, and their relationship has soured.

I wish we could have seen Alicent’s gradual shift from caring for Rhaenyra to viewing her as a threat to her children. That kind of inner struggle could have added depth, but instead, we’re just told it happened.

Does anyone else think the characters in House of the Dragon exist only to drive the plot rather than feel like they have their own lives, or am I overlooking something?

Totally agree, the time jumps mess with the character development. In Game of Thrones, you really got to see characters grow over time. Moments like Tyrion’s witty one-liners or Arya’s struggle to become a warrior made them real. But in House of the Dragon, it feels like the characters are just there to serve the plot. Their conversations are stiff and lack that natural flow, which is a big letdown.

Yeah, the original series gave characters way more room to breathe and develop naturally. House of the Dragon feels rushed - like they’re just checking off plot points instead of letting the story flow organically.

The original had way more seasons to develop characters. HotD’s cramming too much into fewer episodes.