There is no worse feeling for me when preparing to watch a new episode of House of the Dragon than to read in the opening credits the words: "written by Sara Hess and directed by Geeta Vansant Patel."

When I read this, I know I'll be in for an episode of side stares, emotional showdowns, courtyard discussions, and dresses pulled up to the ankles as queens march angrily through their castles. In other words, a big-budget episode of a daytime soap series not unlike "One Life to Live."