If your biggest complaint of House of the Dragon season 1 was that it dragged, you’ll be pleased to hear that the opening of the upcoming instalment is the absolute inverse.
Season 2 of the Game of Thrones prequel series is not bogged down with exposition, time skips or endless character introductions. Like the heyday of the original show, we’re thrust into action almost immediately with minimal handholding, as the final moments of season 1’s ramifications catch up on the Targaryens and Hightowers.
Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 1 below
If you need a reminder, Rhaenyra Targaryen sent both her sons across Westeros to garner support for her claim to the Iron Throne against King Aegon II, whose coronation was shrouded in confusion due to the final uncertain words of late King Viserys Targaryen III, unreliably relayed by his wife, Alicent Hightower.
Her middle son, Lucerys, arrived at Storm’s End to try and convince the Baratheons but was beaten by Aemond (the second son of Alicent and Viserys), who had already won Lord Borros over. These two share a fraught history, as Luke took Aemond’s eye during a confrontation many years ago.
Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
As Lucerys leaves on his dragon Arrax, he’s chased by Aemond and the domineering giant, Vhagar, in an intimidation ploy. However, both riders lose control of their beasts, and when the smaller dragon starts to defend itself, Vhagar snaps and brutally tears Luke and Arrax apart. Aemond is stunned, realising that he may have started a war by accident.
While the political ramifications of this act are serious, the parental grief from Rhaenyra overshadows everything else. Emma D’Arcy only has one line in the first episode, A Son for a Son. And yet, that’s all that’s needed to show the chasm of despair that the Black Queen has sunk into from losing her boy.
Grief and mourning are common themes in the opening episodes, with more calculating characters pulling on the strings of the most vulnerable, forcing them into performative actions to try and gain the upper hand in the eyes of the public. Human empathy is at odds with logical power plays – the conniving Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, remains one of the biggest puppet masters.
These dark feelings also cause characters to lash out and make rash decisions. Some do it in the hope of strengthening their position, while others mask their sense of guilt and unfairly place blame elsewhere.
Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
As in real historical battles, some of the most dire consequences in the opening of House of the Dragon are born from mistakes and misunderstandings, particularly from some of the most detestable men in the show, whose egos get in the way of measured judgement. These errors only serve to deepen the animosity between the Greens and Blacks and in turn, plunge the realm into further chaos.
With that, of course, comes plenty more violence. Thankfully there are no unnecessarily traumatising childbirth scenes (fingers crossed later episodes won’t prove me wrong), but House of the Dragon still delivers on its gruesome nature, making you want to watch from behind your fingers, particularly during the climaxes of both episodes.
The second episode’s most bloody scene is slightly absurd – the writers are asking us to suspend our disbelief here. However, as soon as the action started, I was suitably gripped. It reminded me of how I felt when I watched ridiculous battles with the Mountain, or when Tywin Lannister was killed by a crossbow bolt as he sat on the bog.
We also – finally – get to see other Houses that have been neglected, such as the Starks, albeit quite briefly. Nonetheless, the world of Westeros feels at last like it’s expanding beyond the core lineages that dominated season 1. Dragon fans are also treated to a little action and the promise of new beasts and riders.
Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
Verdict: Should you watch House of the Dragon season 2?
Many of my friends gave House of the Dragon a miss, either because they were still burned from the car crash ending of Game of Thrones, or because they started it and gave up midway through when the plot seemed stagnant or downright confusing.
If you’re one of those people, I implore you to get caught up on this epic show while you still can. These opening episodes left me on the edge of my seat, and the war hasn’t even truly started yet.
House of the Dragon returns on Sunday 16 June on HBO and Max in the US, and on Monday 17 June on Sky Atlantic and Now in the UK
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