Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2 is finally underway, with a trailer for the weeks ahead offering insight into the deadly Dance of Dragons. Considering the first season of HBO’sGame of Thronesprequel was so popular, many were likely reassured byHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s positive reviews. The critic reviews of the continuation seemed to imply that the HBO show was continuing with the quality it left off with, andHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 1 proved this to be the case as theSong of Ice and Firebook adaptationcontinues.
The episode, titled “A Son for a Son,” continues the political intrigue set up in season 1, with the Targaryen civil war looming on the horizon. Themajor families ofHouse of the Dragonreturn, committing to either the Blacks - led by Rhaenyra and Daemon - or the Greens - led by the Hightowers - for the future of the Iron Throne. WithHouse of the Dragon’s core cast of charactersestablished in season 1, season 2 has the benefit of getting into the meat of the Dance of Dragons, and the trailer released by MAX teasing the weeks ahead of the season 2 premiere reveals a lot about the upcoming episodes.
10Blood & Cheese Will Have Consequences On Both Sides
The Climactic Involvement Of Blood & Cheese Will Cause Trouble In House Of The Dragon Season 2
Since the death of Lucerys Velaryon inHouse of the Dragonseason 1’s finale, book readers were aware of the dark events that would likely be depicted at the beginning of season 2. As it turns out, book readers were right to be wary asHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 1 ended with the infamous Blood and Cheese moments from George R. R. Martin’sFire and Blood.This involved two conspirators, a ratcatcher dubbed Cheese and a city watchman known only as Blood, sneaking into the Red Keep to kill Aemond Targaryen on behalf of Dameon.
Aemond was the subject of Daemon’s plot due to the young prince unwittingly killing Lucerys with his dragon Vhagar.
However, the two hired by Daemon quickly fail at their mission by capturing Helaena Targaryen and killing her son, Jaehaerys, whose father is King Aegon II. TheBlood and Cheese sequence had some book changesinHouse of the Dragonseason 2 but is suitably grim, disturbing, and laden with consequences for the future of the show. The “week’s ahead” trailer teases this, with Aegon rightfully outraged and committing to war with the Blacks, and Rhaenyra scolding Daemon for his vengeful act, citing she cannot trust him any longer.
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9Otto’s Time As Hand Of The King May Be At An End
A Change In Aegon’s Small Council Seems To Be In Order
Another element teased byHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 1’s endingconcerned Otto Hightower. Leading on fromHouse of the Dragonseason 1, Otto is the Hand of the King to Aegon II, helping lead the young ruler through the beginnings of war with Rhaenyra. That said, one scene between Larys Strong and Aegon inHouse of the Dragonseason 1 hints that Otto may not be in the job much longer, with the former stoking the king’s distrust of his Hand.
In the trailer forHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s subsequent episodes, it seems these teases will come to fruition. A selection of scenes in the trailer show Criston Cole telling Otto that he should speak to his king with more respect before Otto is shown looking visibly distraught. This hints at the events ofFire and Bloodcoming to pass, specifically the replacement of Otto with Criston as Hand of the King. In the book,Aegon dislikes Otto’s seeming inactivity in the war, replacing him with the more militaristic mind of Criston Cole.
8The Battle At Rook’s Rest Is Teased
A Major Dance Of Dragons Battle Is Hinted At For House Of The Dragon Season 2
One of the major battles of The Dance of Dragons in Martin’s universe is the Battle at Rook’s Rest. This battle takes place at the titular location, with Criston Cole using Rook’s Rest as both a trap for the Blacks and a way to force Crownlands houses that supported Rhaenyra into submission. In the trailer forHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s coming episodes, the Battle at Rook’s Rest is hinted at.
The following paragraph contains a major spoiler for the Battle at Rook’s Rest and, therefore, likely House of the Dragon season 2.
From the various shots of Green-aligned armies on a fiery battlefield to the teases of Vhagar - one ofHouse of the Dragon’s titular dragon characters- in battle,House of the Dragonseason 2 is expected to have more action sequences than its predecessor. These shots can be linked to the Battle at Rook’s Rest, a conflict that saw the Greens lay a trap for Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys. The two are ambushed by Aegon atop Sunfyre and Aemond riding Vhagar, resulting in the deaths of Rhaenys and her loyal reptilian mount.
7The Brackens Vs. The Blackwoods
Two Ancient Westerosi Houses Will Be On Opposite Sides Of The War In House Of The Dragon
House Blackwood and House Brackenwere first teased inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 4. This episode saw Rhaenyra touring to find a suitor to be her husband, leading to a deadly duel between Willem Blackwood and Jerrel Bracken. The two houses these men belonged to are two of the oldest in Westeros, sharing the blood of the First Men, and have long shared a rivalry.
Soldiers bearing the sigil of House Bracken, a red stallion on a yellow field, are shown fighting with soldiers clad in black and red, the colors of the Blackwoods…
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2,the feud between the Houses Blackwood and Bracken will deepen. The former will align with Rhaenyra, while the latter will side with Aegon in the coming civil war. This will lead to open conflict between the two, with this fighting teased inHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s “weeks ahead” trailer. Soldiers bearing the sigil of House Bracken, a red stallion on a yellow field, are shown fighting with soldiers clad in black and red, the colors of the Blackwoods, showing how the Targaryen civil war affects all Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
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6Jacaerys At The Twins
The Riverlands' Importance To House Of The Dragon Continues To Be Highlighted
From the inclusion of the Brackens and the Blackwoods to the teases that controlling the Riverlands is vital to the war,House of the Dragonseason 2 is placing a lot of focus on the central kingdom of Westeros. The Riverlands will undoubtedly be a major object for both the Blacks and the Greens, with both sides desiring to secure the support of a kingdom that is surrounded by many others. InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, the lords and leaders of the Blacks and Greens will vie for the aid of House Frey.
In Westeros, House Frey is a noble house of the Riverlands and resides in the Twins. This castle serves as a vital crossing point across the Green Fork of the Trident and is often utilized in times of war as a strategic benefit when armies are traveling north or south. As such, gaining the support of House Frey will be a priority for the Blacks and the Greens.House of the Dragonseason 2 is set to explore this, with a shot in the newest trailer showing Jacaerys at the Twins, likely petitioning for the Freys to support his mother and the other lords pledged to the Blacks.
The Twins were also vital to Robb Stark’s war effort in Game of Thrones seasons 2 and 3, with his disrespect of Walder Frey by breaking marriage vows leading to his tragic death at the Red Wedding.
5Daemon Targaryen Takes Control Of Harrenhal
The Control Of The Riverlands Leads Daemon To A New Castle
Even more so than the inclusion of the Blackwoods, Brackens, and Freys,House of the Dragonseason 2 will detail the importance of the Riverlands to the Dance of Dragons through the castle of Harrenhal. As is known fromGame of Thronesand Martin’s books,Harrenhal is the biggest castle in the Seven Kingdoms and lies at the center of the Riverlands. Whoever controls Harrenhal has big implications for the overall control of the Riverlands, withHouse of the Dragonseason 2 teasing which faction will achieve this.
The trailer has Criston Cole outlining the castle’s importance:“The Riverlands are the key to the war. Harrenhal is the key to the Riverlands.“This is accompanied by shots of Daemon, aboard his dragon Caraxes, landing on top of Harrenhal. Daemon is then shown holding a council with the various lords at Harrenhal, hinting that he gains control of the castle in Rhaenyra’s name.
4Riots In King’s Landing
The Capital Of Westeros Remains Unruly In House Of The Dragon
Several shots in theHouse of the Dragonseason 2 “weeks ahead” trailer show the people of King’s Landing in turmoil. Riots and revolts are shown on the streets of Westeros' capital, hinting at trouble for the Greens. This is likely in response to the various scenes inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 1, in which the citizens of King’s Landing addressed Aegon about their various issues.
King’s Landing’s common folk are shown suffering from the war between the Targaryen factions…
In these scenes, it was made clear that the war was having negative effects on the people of King’s Landing. From the taxation of food sources to feed the Greens' dragons to the lack of payment being made to blacksmiths, King’s Landing’s common folk are shown suffering from the war between the Targaryen factions. This suffering is only set to worsen as the Dance of Dragons escalates. These troubles will similarly escalate, likely leading to the riots shown inKing’s Landing in the trailer forHouse of the Dragonseason 2.
3Sunfyre & Vhagar In Action
The Dragons Begin To Dance In The Sky
One of the bigger differences betweenHouse of the DragonandGame of Thronesis the abundance of dragons in the former. Each major member of the royal family, on both sides of the civil war, has their own dragon, as shown at length in season 1.House of the Dragonseason 2 is only set to continue this difference fromGame of Throneson a more exciting level, by showing how the Targaryen dragons lent themselves to the name of the civil war.
In the Dance of Dragons, the creatures will be vital to warfare. In the trailer forHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s coming episodes, Sunfyre and Vhagar specifically are shown in battle. These dragons belong to Aegon and Aemond respectively, proving the brothers will be vital in the coming war. This could link to the aforementioned Battle at Rook’s Rest in which Sunfyre and Vhagar fight against the Blacks' forces, led by Rhaenys and Meleys.
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2The Duel Of The Cargyll Twins
The Blacks vs. The Greens Is More Personal For Two Characters
While the Dance of Dragons and the factions of the Blacks and Greens span across the entirety of Westeros, the rivalry impactsHouse of the Dragonon a more personal level too. This is shown via the story of the Cargyll twins, Erryk and Arryk, with the former siding with Rhaenyra and the latter with Aegon. The rivalry between the two sides of the Targaryen family will continue informing the rivalry between the Cargyll brothers, as proven byHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s “weeks ahead” trailer.
House of the Dragon’s Cargyll twinswill confront one another in season 2. InFire and Blood, Arryk is sent to infiltrate Dragonstone under the guise of his brother by Aegon to get revenge after Jaehaerys' murder. While it is never mentioned what Arryk’s orders were, he never carries them out after being discovered by Erryk. The unreliable narrators ofFire and Blooddescribe this meeting differently, though one constant is a duel between the two. This duel is briefly shown inHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s trailer, hinting that their fraternal rivalry will come to a head.
1The Dance Of The Dragons Has Properly Started
The Prelude To War Is Over In House Of The Dragon Season 2
For much ofHouse of the Dragonseason 1, the prelude to the Dance of Dragons was explored. The various character connections, motivations, beliefs, and ideals were set up in season 1 before the death of Lucerys in the finale led to all-out war. WithHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 1 dealing with the aftermath of Lucerys' death and the dark revenge gained by Daemon, the Dance of Dragons will properly begin in the coming weeks of the show.
This is evident by the various battle sequences and character rivalries hinted at in theHouse of the Dragonseason 2 “weeks ahead” trailer. Although the action and bloody battles will showcase the civil war in all its gruesome glory, nothing sums up the beginning of the conflict more than Criston Cole’s final line in the aforementioned trailer. The character is shown telling Alicent that"we have given war to the dragons,“truly highlighting howHouse of the Dragon’s central conflict is finally underway in season 2.
New episodes of House of the Dragon release every Sunday on MAX.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
