House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 1 Recap

 

Greetings, esteemed lords and ladies! It’s been nearly two years since House of the Dragon graced our screens with its first season, and I am thrilled to journey back into the realm of Westeros. Reflecting on the inaugural season of this Game of Thrones prequel, it had its highs and lows. The pacing felt hurried at times, there were more childbirth scenes than one could count, and the rapid actor changes due to time skips left us bewildered. However, having now watched the season 2 premiere, I can confidently say those challenges are now in the past.

Over the past fortnight, I've immersed myself in everything about House of the Dragon and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood novel. I've become a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge about this fictional fantasy realm and its royal family, known for their dragon-riding and complex relationships. With the highly anticipated premiere of season 2 upon us, I can declare without hesitation that the journey has been utterly worthwhile. This season promises to deliver some of the most astonishing television moments ever witnessed. And in the world of Game of Thrones, you know that means something truly extraordinary is in store.

Let's start with a brief recap. Season 2 picks up shortly after the season 1 finale, which laid the foundation for the series ahead. The pivotal event to remember is the death of King Viserys Targaryen (played by Paddy Considine). His council orchestrated the ascension of his grandson, Aegon II (portrayed by Tom Glynn-Carney), to the Iron Throne instead of Viserys' chosen successor, his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen (played by Emma D’Arcy). Alicent Hightower (played by Olivia Cooke), once Rhaenyra's friend and later her stepmother, asserts that Viserys uttered Aegon's name just before his death. Interpreting this as Viserys' final wish, Alicent moves to secure her family's legacy by supporting Aegon's claim over Rhaenyra's. 

Despite the controversy surrounding Viserys' last words, Rhaenyra retreats to Dragonstone, rallying her forces to reclaim her rightful throne and confront those who have opposed her.

Theo Whiteman

Dragonstone

In season 2, we find Rhaenyra’s son, Jacaerys (played by Harry Collett), venturing north of Winterfell to seek an alliance with Cregan Stark (portrayed by Tom Taylor) at the Wall. The Starks are back in action! Despite Cregan's caution about the impending winter, he agrees to support Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne. The Northern warriors bolster her army significantly. However, there's little time for celebration as Jacaerys learns for the first time that his brother Lucerys (played by Elliot Grihault) was murdered by Aemond Targaryen (played by Ewan Mitchell) in the season 1 finale.

Back at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra mourns her loss deeply. Daemon (portrayed by Matt Smith) urges immediate retaliation against King’s Landing, but Rhaenys (played by Eve Best) and her dragon counsel restraint. Rhaenys reminds Daemon that Rhaenyra must receive confirmation of Lucerys’s death before any actions are taken. Later, Rhaenyra discovers Lucerys’s belongings and a torn dragon wing on the beach. Daemon, consumed by vengeance, blames Rhaenys for not killing Aegon II when she had the chance, arguing it could have prevented these tragic events.

Meanwhile, Rhaenys and her husband Corlys Velaryon (portrayed by Steve Toussaint) maintain a naval blockade to protect Dragonstone and Driftmark. Corlys, commander of the royal fleet and former Master of Ships, chose to side against the crown. Additionally, he is recovering from a recent encounter with pirates in season 1, though this battle occurred offscreen. Alyn (played by Abubakar Salim), a member of Corlys’s crew, presents him with a sword hilt commissioned for Lucerys before his death. This hilt symbolizes Lucerys's claim as heir to Driftmark, a claim that was contested by Corlys's brother Vaemond (played by Wil Johnson) in a dramatic showdown that ended with Daemon killing Vaemond in public view.

The intricate dynamics and conflicts within House Targaryen and their allies set the stage for a tumultuous season ahead, where alliances will be tested and vengeance will shape destinies in the realm.

King’s Landing

In contrast, King Aegon II insists on bringing his young son, Jaehaerys, to a small council meeting, emphasizing the child's future as king. However, doubts linger about Jaehaerys's readiness for such a role.

During the meeting, the council discusses the military strengths aligned with King’s Landing: the Baratheons from the Stormlands, the Lannisters from Casterly Rock, and the Hightowers of Oldtown, all pledging their allegiance. Jaehaerys playfully distracts the council with their marble-like tokens, sparking curiosity about their purpose and significance in discussions.

Impatient for action, Aegon II proposes leading an attack against Rhaenyra, but the council advises against risking the king's safety outside King’s Landing. Meanwhile, Rhys Ifans delivers a standout performance as Hand of the King Otto Hightower, adding depth to the political intrigue.

Elsewhere, Alicent confers with the manipulative Larys Strong (played by Matthew Needham), who reveals disturbing actions taken to secure loyalty, including murders. His treacherous suggestions to replace Otto as Hand with himself underscore his dangerous ambitions, warranting caution from everyone around him.

Aegon II, at times reminiscent of King Joffrey in demeanor, alternates between tyrannical impulses and occasional benevolence toward his subjects. Amidst these tensions, a blacksmith named Hugh emerges, seeking resources for constructing dragon-killing weapons, hinting at future significance in the unfolding conflict.

With these developments, House of the Dragon season 2 emerges as a significant improvement, characterized by better pacing, compelling side characters, and a palpable buildup to an impending war that threatens to engulf the realm in chaos and despair. The stakes are high, and the path forward fraught with uncertainty and impending conflict. 

Blood and Cheese

Mysaria (played by Sonoya Mizuno) returns with a complex plotline that matches her intricate accent from last season, which the show aims to simplify this time around. Daemon tasks her with using her criminal spy network to locate two crucial individuals: a turncoat member of the Kingsguard and the Red Keep’s rat-catcher. These two are hired by Daemon to surprise and assassinate Aemond Targaryen in retaliation, echoing his previous declaration of "a son for a son." In the books, these hired killers are known as Blood and Cheese—the latter being a rat-catcher, hence the name.

In a suspenseful sequence, the assassins navigate through the castle's rat-infested tunnels. They locate Queen Helaena (played by Phia Saban), who is unprotected with her sleeping children. Regrettably, they execute young Jaehaerys in a gruesome manner, including decapitation, fulfilling their grim mission. "A son for a son," Blood coldly echoes, marking a pivotal and tragic event for season 2.

Devastated, Queen Helaena flees and stumbles upon her mother, Alicent (played by Olivia Cooke), engaging in an intimate encounter with Ser Criston Cole (played by Fabian Frankel). This revelation adds a dramatic twist, diverging significantly from the source material but intensifying Ser Criston's character arc. His loyalty and motivations are now poised for a volatile transformation, especially as he confronts the aftermath of Blood and Cheese's heinous act. The unfolding events promise to escalate tensions and unleash chaotic repercussions across the realm.

Share on Google Plus

About somrat

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis.