What makes a "good" prequel story,

I have read many great prequels. But I suspect that all are doomed to fail no matter how good. Imagine a detective story where you already know what happens, who the culprit is. A prequel is, by its nature, a precursor to a story you have already read. You know the future. You know what happens.

Like many TV watchers who enjoyed “A Game of Thrones” I have been watching “House of the Dragon” and keep thinking to myself, Why? I know what happens. I have watched GOT, I know exactly who has to win. Why then do I keep watching it? Great acting and great television. Yes. But I know what the future holds for all the characters.

Even when the wonderful conglomeration of David Brin, Greg Bear and Gregory Benford produced the prequels to Asimov’s “Foundation" series. Despite each novel being a masterpiece of sci-fi I was still thinking, why write them. We know what happens, we know how each book must end. What then is the point?

So yes some prequels are great but why are they worth it?

fearsome beast, Risen from the dead to take revenge.