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The first episode of the second season of House of The Dragon — a prequel to Game of Thrones — is finally here and it begins with a harrowing twist, culminating in a brutal murder of one of the young sons of King Aegon II and Queen Helaena, an event known in Thrones lore as ‘Blood & Cheese’. The first season ended with the onset of war, foreshadowing the bloody conflicts to come in Westeros. As tensions escalated toward the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, the lines were drawn between factions led by Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon II Targaryen, each vying for the Iron Throne.
After nearly two years without Targaryens or the cold icy winters, House of The Dragon Season 2 plunges back into the fiery family drama. The new season picks up shortly after the first season’s finale, where Rhaenyra Targaryen’s claim to the throne was dismissed in favour of her half-brother Aegon, leading to the murder of her son Lucerys by his uncle Aemond. The war between the Greens (supporting Aegon) and the Blacks (supporting Rhaenyra) is now inevitable.
For those missing Winterfell, season 2’s episode one titled A Son for A Son begins in the Stark stronghold. Rhaenyra’s son Jacaerys seeks the North’s support for his mother, negotiating with Cregan Stark, who takes him to the Wall, hinting at greater threats than those posed by men. Stark pledges thousands of “greybeards” to Rhaenyra’s cause, just as Jacaerys receives the devastating news of his brother’s death.
The first episode sets a dramatic tone with significant consequences for the series. Much like the premiere episodes of Game of Thrones, it lays the groundwork for the unfolding events. With A Son for a Son, House of the Dragon delivers a brutal and gripping return. Having laid the groundwork for the Targaryen civil war in season one, this episode wastes no time, plunging viewers into a relentlessly dark hour where every character, highborn or lowborn, faces the chilling prospect of death.
The new season begins by revisiting key moments from the first. Alicent Hightower and Otto Hightower strategise against the Targaryens while Rhaenyra mourns her son Luke’s death. The opening episode establishes a grim atmosphere, with an eye-for-an-eye (a son for a son) mentality leading to further brutality, complex subplots, and, of course, dragons. Daemon Targaryen and Aemond Targaryen plot together, while Queen Alicent awaits word from her old friend Rhaenyra.
Although the season starts on a sombre note, a series of events soon rekindle the intrigue, leading to twists and consequences. The slow-burn intensity might disappoint those expecting immediate action, but it builds a compelling narrative. In terms of performances, Emma D’Arcy (Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen) excels as a grieving mother, Matt (Daemon Targaryen) commands the screen with his presence, and Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), with the most screen time, showcases a range of emotions with finesse. The first episode, with its layered storytelling and stunning cinematography, promises an impressive continuation of the saga.
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Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of The Dragon aims to match its predecessor’s grandeur with epic battles and action sequences. Political intrigue and family drama continue to play significant roles, with the cast divided into the Black and Green factions, inviting audiences to choose sides in the looming conflict.
Staring from where season 1 left off, season 2 will chronicle the war between two warring factions of the Targaryen family led by King Aegon II and Queen Rhaenyra in the fight for control of Westeros. Season 2 will consist of eight episodes, a reduction from the first season. Showrunner Ryan Condal believes this will benefit the story’s pacing. The source material, Fire & Blood, is a condensed “fictional history,” requiring the show’s writers to expand on character arcs while focusing on key events. The shorter season also allows for more cinematic episodes, some stretching beyond an hour. With a weekly release schedule, the season finale is set for August 4, 2024.
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