The Season 2 finale of House of the Dragon set the pieces on the board leading into next season.

 

Episode: “The Queen That Ever Was”

Runtime: 70 minutes

Original Air Date: August 4, 2024

Written by: Sara Hess

Directed by: Geeta Vasant Patel

 

Plot (via HBO)

As Aemond becomes more volatile, Larys plots an escape, and Alicent grows more concerned about Helaena’s safety. Flush with new power, Rhaenyra looks to press her advantage.

 

Best Moment: The final scene

It was a difficult choice between Daemon Targaryen’s vision, his bending the knee to Rhaenyra Targaryen, and the final scene of “The Queen That Ever Was”, but the final two shots of the season give it the edge for best moment. While Queen Rhaenyra has the weight of history upon her as she gets ready to take the Iron Throne, Queen Alicent stands free gazing out at the sea. It was cool to see Daeron Targaryen’s blue dragon Tessarion leading the Hightower army while also receiving looks at the positioning of the forces of House Stark, House Lannister, Daemon’s camp at Harrenhal, and the opposing navies—along with King Aegon and Larys Strong escaping King’s Landing and Otto Hightower as a captive of an unknown party. And before then, the conversation between old friends Rhaenyra and Alicent was a compelling moment, ending with a potential path for Rhaenyra to take her position as heir without much bloodshed—though that plan will seemingly not come to pass with Aegon fleeing the city.

 

Best Quote

“The dragons dance, and men are like dust under their feet.” – Criston Cole

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Sharp Point citizens

 

MVP: Daemon Targaryen

Daemon basically spent the entire season at Harrenhal, and he emerged from the experience as a different, seemingly better, person after his time at the haunted castle. Alys Rivers was randomly sitting at Daemon’s bed in middle of the night, eventually leading him to the godswood and the weirwood tree (which, if you didn’t see or notice, has George R.R. Martin’s face)—where the humbled Targaryen is ready to place his hand. Included in the vision is the Army of the Dead led by a White Walker, dead dragons scattered on the ground, his own apparent drowning, Queen Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne, and—while he doesn’t know who it is—a look at Daenerys Targaryen and three baby dragons. The end of the vision—Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne—is suddenly interrupted by Helaena Targaryen behind Daemon, telling him, “It’s all a story. And you’re but one part in it. You know your part.”

 

The vision seems to have totally changed Daemon’s perspective, as he was set to take his raised army to King’s Landing to take the Iron Throne for himself while saying that Rhaenyra can join him there. Rhaenyra’s uninvited arrival at Harrenhal and a conversation with her husband in High Valyrian showed that Daemon’s perspective has changed following the vision. He put on his most emphatic display of support for Rhaenyra as King Viserys’ true heir in front of the river lords in an awesome moment. Rhaenyra warned Daemon that if he leaves her again, it won’t go well for him—and Daemon says he tried and cannot leave her anyway. The vision of a strong and confident Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne and the changed outlook overall at Harrenhal appears to have made the prince fully confident in being a follower. Daemon has come to realize that there are more important things than his personal ambitions. He even said, “Winter is Coming”, in High Valyrian.

 

Everything Else:

-Helaena appearing in Daemon’s vision as the one to tell him he knows his part in the story is very interesting—and that was only heightened by her second refusal of Aemond Targaryen to ride out to war with Dreamfyre while telling her brother that she “saw” that he burned Aegon. She says that Aegon will be on a wooden throne before telling Aemond, “You’ll be dead. You were swallowed up in the Gods Eye and you were never seen again.” (The Gods Eye is the biggest lake in the Seven Kingdoms. It’s perhaps notable that Daemon’s own vision had him struggling in water.) Helaena has special qualities about her, and her visions should not be taken lightly.

 

-Speaking of Aemond, he’s certainly living up to his reputation. When rebuffed by the presence of multiple dragons at Dragonstone, he lashed out by laying waste to Sharp Point—an enemy in the war, yes, but not actions that’ll gain the respect of the people. Remember, Aemond really hasn’t been challenged since he claimed Vhagar years ago, and we’re seeing his true colors while scared. You could see on his face while talking to Helaena the second time that he’s desperate.

 

-Tyland Lannister did well by getting the Triarchy to the side of the Greens, which was accomplished by holding his own with their leader at sea, Sharako Lohar—a new character that’s certainly a memorable and unique one, bringing a bit to levity into a tense season.

 

-Jace Velaryon is still steaming over lowborn people claiming dragons—and he was particularly angry at the rude behavior of Ulf, not only to him personally but at the table with Queen Rhaenyra. Jace’s angry threat to Ulf felt like how his uncle Daemon might have handled the situation if he were there. Also, at dinner, the Targaryen prince was obviously not thrilled with Rhaenyra—upon receiving a message form Ser Simon Strong—calling Addam of Hull to come with him. Overall, Jace has grown apart from his mother during the war.

 

-Alyn of Hull let Lord Corlys Velaryon hear it over his treatment of him and his brother over the years. It seems unlikely that Corlys, after losing just about everything, can build a good relationship with Alyn—though he might be able to do so with Addam. Corlys also renamed his ship from his own namesake “The Sea Snake” to “The Queen Who Never Was” in a move that honors his late wife Rhaenys Targaryen—while also perhaps indicating that he himself is changing.

 

-Criston Cole looked to be in trouble after Gwayne Hightower confronted him over the improper relationship with his sister, but Cole handled it coolly and frankly might not have cared much if he was struck down. Seeing a battle involving dragons has undoubtedly changed him, and he delivered a great quote: “The dragons dance, and men are like dust under their feet.”

 

-We know now why Larys Strong wanted to push for Aegon to regain his strength quicker than what might have been healthy. It was revealed that he moved a bunch of gold from Harrenhal to the Iron Bank of Braavos, so the plan right now is to bet on mutually assured destruction in a war between dragons and see if Aegon can ride back in as a rebuilder.

 

-Rhaena Targaryen is doing her best to claim a dragon, and she finally came across the wild one in the Eyrie—coming face-to-face with it in a cliffhanger for her storyline heading into Season 3.

The penultimate episode of House of the Dragon Season 2 was excellent from top to bottom.

 

Episode: “The Red Sowing”

Runtime: 64 minutes

Original Air Date: July 28, 2024

Written by: David Hancock

Directed by: Loni Peristere

 

Plot (via HBO)

As Rhaenyra looks to gain an advantage by unusual means, Daemon pressures a young liege lord to raise up his bannermen.

 

Best Moment: The Red Sowing

The entire episode was strong, but the best moment was the Red Sowing—from Rhaenyra Targaryen giving an emphatic speech to the ultimate claiming of Vermithor and Silverwing by Hugh and Ulf. Rhaenyra showed that she can be a very compelling leader, eventually leading all the hopeful dragonriders that came to Dragonstone into Dragonmont. However, being so desperate to find riders for the two dragons, the Queen essentially locked them all in the lair to see if anyone could emerge. The moment was very well done, with Vermithor totally wreaking havoc and destroying people in an intense and chaotic scene where Hugh built up his courage and emerged to claim “The Bronze Fury”. Almost by accident, Ulf was able to claim Silverwing before riding out to King’s Landing and drawing Aemond Targaryen out to Dragonstone—where the prince regent saw that the dragon math has changed in a major way. This was essentially Rhaenyra’s last chance, and the massive gamble—which went against the advice of just about everyone—paid off, leaving viewers with an epic shot to end the episode.

 

Best Quote

“And… may the gods bless you.” – Rhaenyra Targaryen

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Ser Willem Blackwood

-Targaryen bastards/hopefuls

 

MVP: Hugh

After Hugh and Kat lost their daughter, Hugh made the decision to reveal his background as a Targaryen bastard—the apparent first cousin of King Viserys and Daemon Targaryen—and take the chance of going to Dragonstone upon Queen Rhaenyra’s call. With such a close relation to the royal bloodline, it was obvious Hugh would have a very real chance to claim a dragon like Vermithor—but, as we know in Game of Thrones world, anything can happen and might not go as you expect. Yet he came through, and the look on a vindicated Rhaenyra’s face when Hugh made his claim makes her unknown uncle the clear MVP choice of the episode.

 

Everything Else:

-It’s noteworthy that Queen Rhaenyra has the respect and trust of Vermithor, which doesn’t necessarily have to be the case just because she’s a Targaryen.

 

-Prince Jacaerys Velaryon was not happy with his mother’s decision to bring in a bunch of supposed Targaryen bastards, and the reasoning is transparent: He knows he himself is not a trueborn Targaryen—something he brought up with Rhaenyra for the first time since he was a boy when he asked if the bastard talk was true—and having Vermax is something the differentiates himself as her heir. If anyone with some Targaryen blood can claim a dragon and become a lord, he’s wondering where that can leave him in the future—including, as he stated plainly, when his mother dies.

 

-Summoned to Harrenhal by Daemon Targaryen, Oscar Tully—recently thrust into his new leadership position over the river lords after the death of his grandsire—showed great command and ability at a young age. Daemon thought he was going to run roughshod over Oscar, but instead he was totally disrespected and couldn’t do anything about it if he wanted to raise an army. The king consort had no choice but to execute Ser Willem Blackwood for his actions against the rival Brackens. You could see in Daemon’s reaction that it went against what he stands for, turning on someone he essentially had a pact with and was for his cause when others weren’t.

 

-You have to wonder what Daemon thinks of others claiming dragons—particularly given his interest in Vermithor in Season 1.

 

-Addam of Hull quickly rose to a high status at Dragonstone, and the “well done” from his father Corlys Velaryon was very meaningful. Meanwhile, his brother Alyn of Hull seems content to help at sea—which The Sea Snake also appears proud of.

 

-Perhaps it’s as simple as being able to control him much easier than he can Aemond, but Larys Strong is pushing King Aegon to gain strength as quick as possible against Grand Maester Orwyle’s guidance. While in clear pain, Aegon is at least showing that he can get around—and it’s interesting that his damaged appearance is somewhat reminiscent of his father Viserys, who was in another of Daemon’s dreams.

 

-Alicent Hightower was just booted off the Small Council and attacked by the people of King’s Landing, so she just wanted to get away. Queen Alicent appeared to come to some type of realization while floating in the water, so we’ll see what that is.

 

-Aemond’s response to hearing Seasmoke flying over King’s Landing was not thought out, and we saw fear in his eyes for the first time in a while when encountering a few large dragons at Dragonstone and turning back with Vhagar. At the advice of Larys, Jasper Wylde holding back the report of Seasmoke being claimed turned out to be an unwise decision.

 

-We still haven’t seen or heard from Otto Hightower since he left King’s Landing, but the Green Council received word that Daeron Targaryen and his dragon might soon be ready to join the Greens.

 

-Rhaena Targaryen is totally on a mission to claim a dragon, and she’s venturing out for the wild one at the Vale. Meanwhile, babies Aegon “The Younger” and Viserys Targaryen are now on their way to Pentos.

 

-The difference between Hugh and Ulf as they considered the call to Dragonstone was interesting—with both eventually claiming dragons despite difference mindsets heading into the dangerous situation. Despite having very strong Targaryen bloodlines, Hugh kept his background secret. While Ulf—despite sounding genuinely unsure if it was true before being convinced to make the trip—bragged about being a Targaryen and almost seemed content to live off that.

 

-It should be noted that before encountering Silverwing, Ulf stumbled into a dragon nest where we could see eggs—so there are more potential dragons to be hatched at some point.

The latest House of the Dragon episode featured many bold moves.

 

Episode: “Smallfolk”

Runtime: 68 minutes

Original Air Date: July 21, 2024

Written by: Eileen Shim

Directed by: Andrij Parekh

 

Plot (via HBO)

With few options left, Rhaenyra summons a trusted knight for a risky venture and plots with Mysaria to catalyze the smallfolk. Meanwhile, Daemon’s unease grows, and Aemond takes steps to reshape the Green Council.

 

Best Moment: The smallfolk riot

After Elinda Massey was previously sent into King’s Landing, her people fanned the flames of discord toward the Crown—with the example of Ulf (who, keep in mind, claims he is a Targaryen) listening to the tale of a feast in the Red Keep. Overall, the smallfolk are fully realizing that things were much better during the period of peace under King Viserys. Rhaenyra Targaryen wisely followed Mysaria’s lead and had boats with her red-on-black sigil sail onto the shore of the capital. The frantic response by the citizens showed how desperate people can get when they’re hungry, with Hugh—seemingly a good, standup guy—punching someone in the face and taking the food they got from the boats.

 

Meanwhile, the people had enough with the Hightower side, converging on Queen Alicent and Queen Helaena Targaryen while they were praying in the Great Sept of Baelor. This created an intense scene in which the mother and daughter barely got away from their rioting citizens. They may be winning on the battlefield to this point, but the Greens have lost control at home.

 

Best Quote

“You are not the player, but a piece on the board.” – Alys Rivers to Prince Daemon Targaryen

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Ser Steffon Darklyn

-Dragonkeeper

-Grover Tully

 

MVP: Mysaria

Just about everything had been going wrong from Rhaenyra since the start of the war, so it was huge for Mysaria to be able to deliver a win by riling up the people of King’s Landing against the Greens. “The White Worm” has become somewhat of an informal Hand to Rhaenyra, so she’s come quite a long way from her very tough beginnings that she shared with her queen. The two have become dangerously close—with that danger potentially only heightened by Mysaria’s past relationship with Daemon.

 

Everything Else:

-The episode starting with the theme for House Lannister and focusing on the Jason Lannister-led army was cool and another moment that draws a direct line to Game of Thrones.

 

-There were pretty strong hints throughout the season, but Alyn and Addam of Hull spoke more plainly about being the sons of Corlys Velaryon, which is massive considering The Sea Snake has lost all of his closest immediate family one way or another. At the end of “Smallfolk”, Addam claimed Seasmoke in a move the dragon clearly wanted to happen—so Addam has an easy episode MVP case as well. A flummoxed Rhaenyra went riding out with Syrax to check the situation out, and it’ll be interesting to see how everyone handles this situation.

 

-It was a bold move for Rhaenyra to suggest Steffon Darklyn attempt to claim a dragon, and it did not go well. Interestingly, Seasmoke faked like he would allow Ser Steffon to claim him before rising and setting him ablaze. Letting her frustration go following constant second-guessing from her Small Council, Rhaenyra slapped Bartimos Celtigar—and it’s hard to blame her. As she said later, he’s lucky she didn’t have his tongue.

 

-The side-quest-like season continues for Daemon Targaryen, who remains in a trance at Harrenhal. Paddy Considine was back to play Daemon’s brother King Viserys, the subject of the Targaryen prince’s latest visions. Daemon finally had enough and was set to leave the castle before Alys Rivers told him to wait and things will become more favorable. Sure enough, Ser Simon Strong later gave Daemon the news of Grover Tully’s passing (he was seemingly poisoned by Alys), which Daemon believes will make the Tullys easier to control. It was surprising to see Daemon then begin crying, but it’s been an uncomfortable stretch for him. Also, Alys delivered one of the lines of the season by telling Daemon, “You are not the player, but a piece on the board.”

 

-Say what you will about Aemond Targaryen, but he’s in total control and is ruling as he sees fit. That includes ordering his mother Alicent off the Small Council, simply believing she is not contributing much to it. Aemond sounds borderline obsessed with taking on his uncle Daemon, yet he became outraged at the idea that Jason Lannister called for him to join them with Vhagar before the Lannister army (which, it was cool to see, has a lion) marches on.

 

-Larys Strong attempted to pull a fast one and get Aemond to make him his Hand, but Aemond immediately shut that down and told him to send word to his grandsire Otto Hightower to come be his Hand. It’s a wise move by Aemond given Otto’s political ability.

 

-He said otherwise but based on his scared reaction to Aemond entering the room King Aegon does remember how he was put in his horrible condition. After striking out with Aemond, Larys told the story of his background and being discounted throughout his life—likely in part to genuinely encourage Aegon and partly to solidify his standing with someone that could still end up on the Iron Throne. But Aemond is not going to give up his regency easily.

 

-Alicent has not received any word from her father at High Garden or Oldtown, and neither has her brother Gwayne. We learned from Gwayne that Alicent’s fourth child Daeron Targaryen, who was sent to ward at Oldtown years ago, is a good and kind kid. Considering the state of her other two sons, Alicent was very heartened to hear that; and, in short, it sounds like Daeron would be a just ruler. Because we haven’t seen or heard anything from Otto since he was unceremoniously dismissed by King Aegon, it’s hard not to imagine he and the 16-year-old Daeron will play a big role soon if Otto is in fact OK.

 

-While taking a walk with little Joffrey Velaryon, Rhaena Targaryen came across what was unmistakably the scene of where a dragon has been setting fire to its food. Rhaena questioned Jeyne Arryn—who brought news that Rhaenyra’s two youngest sons Aegon and Viserys Targaryen can make the trip to Pentos—about why she was misled about the presence of a dragon at the Vale, and Jeyne revealed that they do have a dragon around—but that it’s wild. Rhaena almost certainly had it cross her mind that perhaps she could potentially claim this dragon.

 

-Rhaenyra’s sons playing with dragon toys while live baby dragons were walking around was cute but also gives a look at how dragons and children can grow up together without the need for a sudden dangerous claiming attempt of a dragon.

Following a highly eventful House of the Dragon episode last week, “Regent” deals with the aftermath and drives ahead toward more battles.

 

Episode: “Regent”

Runtime: 63 minutes

Original Air Date: July 14, 2024

Written by: Ti Mikkel

Directed by: Clare Kilner

 

Plot (via HBO)

Amid whispers of bad omens, the Greens consider how to fill a void on Aegon’s Council, Jacaerys sets out on a rogue mission to strike a deal, and Daemon enlists Lord Willem Blackwood to help persuade the Brackens to bend the knee.

 

Best Moment: Baela Targaryen steps up

From Aemond Targaryen taking command on the Greens side to Baela Targaryen and Jacaerys Targaryen stepping up for the Blacks, “Regent” was much about young people emerging as the Dance of Dragons intensifies. With Rhaenys Targaryen gone, Baela is beginning to fill the void of her grandmother as a trusted advisor to Rhaenyra Targaryen. The Queen sent her niece to bring the offering of Hand to a very depressed Corlys Velaryon, who appears to have been convinced by his granddaughter to accept the role. Obviously impressed by Baela’s dragon energy, the Sea Snake offered to make her his heir—but Daemon’s confident daughter said she is “blood and fire” and cannot accept.

 

Best Quote

“There has been peace in our lifetime. You’ve seen no more battles than I have.” – Queen Rhaenyra to Ser Alfred Broome

 

Notable Character Deaths

-House Bracken members

 

MVP: Jacaerys Velaryon

After already getting men from House Stark for his mother’s cause in the first episode of the season, Jace pulled off an even more unlikely move by getting House Frey to come to their side. The young prince is proving to be a very capable leader and negotiator despite a lack of experience. House Frey was promised Harrenhal if they win the war, so we’ll see how that goes with Daemon Targaryen currently in control of the massive castle. And to end the episode, Jace suggested to Rhaenyra that they explore finding dragonriders—people with Targaryen blood that mixed with other families and basically faded from the primary line—in a move that can turn the tide of the war. Vermithor (King Jaeharys’ dragon and the second largest behind Vhagar) and Silverwing (Queen Alysanne’s dragon) are both currently unclaimed, and you might remember Daemon looking to claim Vermithor in Season 1.

 

Everything Else:

-The people of King’s Landing were appalled by the head of Meleys being paraded around the streets. Expecting excited approval from the masses, Criston Cole miscalculated. Instead, there’s talk of bad omens—and it ultimately might hurt Targaryen standing in the long run to show that they and their dragons are not invincible.

 

-It was as clear as ever in “Regent” that Alicent Hightower thinks her son Aemond is a monster. After the entire Green Council—including Cole—decided that Aemond should rule in King Aegon’s stead, Alicent became angry and despondent. Aemond smoothly slid over to the lead chair on the Council, and he’s set to rule with a heavy hand that includes locking down the city—though he did at least order the hanging ratcatchers finally get taken down. Aemond actually has a plan and is proving much more decisive than his brother was as regent.

 

-An intuitive Queen Helaena knows something is up and glared at Aemond, who was staring at the Iron Throne, in the Great Hall.

 

-Daemon still finds himself in a whirlwind at Harrenhal, including an extremely odd hallucination/dream involving his mother Alyssa Targaryen during which she says it’s him that should have been king instead of Viserys. Alys Rivers somehow knew about the vision, and she certainly seems to have something to do with everything that’s been going on in the creepy castle.

 

Daemon is behaving as if he’s King, and he spoke his intentions plainly to Alys by saying he’s going to take the Iron Throne and Rhaenyra will be free to join him. Also, Daemon is quickly learning that the river lords do things a bit differently and frankly don’t care much that he is Targaryen royalty and has a dragon.

 

-With Rhaena Targaryen arriving at the Eyrie, we were introduced to Jeyne Arryn—who wants a large dragon to protect the skies, the only potential vulnerability at the Vale.

 

-Under the guidance of Mysaria, Rhaenyra sent Elinda Massey into King’s Landing on an unknown mission—but it likely has something to do with turning the common people against the Greens. As Mysaria said, “There’s more than one way to fight a war.”

 

-Aegon survived for now, and his injuries while in Valyrian steel armor are a reminder of just how powerful dragonfire is. A slight call of “mommy” from Aegon after Alicent left his bedchamber makes for an interesting situation. He appears set to regain some strength, and that creates quite the predicament between Aegon and Aemond.

The action picked up in Season 2, Episode 4 of House of the Dragon.

 

Episode: “The Red Dragon and the Gold”

Runtime: 56 minutes

Original Air Date: July 7, 2024

Written by: Ryan Condal

Directed by: Alan Taylor

 

Plot (via HBO)

In Rhaenyra’s absence and with no word from Daemon at Harrenhal, Rhaenys tries to keep the peace on the Black Council as Cole mounts a campaign in the Crownlands. In King’s Landing, Aemond continues to undermine Aegon’s fragile hold on authority.

 

Best Moment: Battle at Rook’s Rest

It was a matter of time before dragons did battle, and the Battle of Rook’s Rest was a watershed moment in the Targaryen civil war. Criston Cole and his army were dominating battles and building their power, but instead of going to Harrenhal he basically set a trap by going for Rook’s Rest. Rhaenyra Targaryen fell for it, deciding to finally send a dragon into the field for direct conflict—and as a good leader, first volunteering to go herself with Syrax before being talked out of it. Instead, Rhaenys would go with Meleys.

 

Cole played the battlefield like a game of chess, with soldiers on the front line acting as pawns to draw out an enemy dragon, knowing that he had a queen in Vhagar laying in the wait with Aemond Targaryen. However, the literal and figurative king Aegon Targaryen decided to venture out onto the board on Sunfyre, upping the degree of difficulty. Amidst a battle between Meleys and Sunfyre (which Meleys was clearly winning), Vhagar entered—and, for those on the battlefield below, the game of chess was chaotically interrupted by weapons of mass destruction in the skies.

 

While left up to interpretation, it appeared that Aemond—recently furious with Aegon for his actions at the brothel—took the opportunity to attempt to take out his comparatively inept brother, who fell into the forest on Sunfyre after a “Dracarys” blast from Vhagar. Rhaenys and Meleys held their own, but Vhagar was simply too powerful—sending the Targaryen princess and her trustworthy old dragon to their deaths. The episode ends with a crushed Cole and an ambivalent Aemond coming to the scene of King Aegon and Sunfyre, where it’s unclear if they survived.

 

Best Quote

“Do you think simply wearing the crown imbues you with wisdom?” – Alicent Hightower to King Aegon II

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Rhaenys Targaryen

-Meleys

 

MVP: Vhagar

The “Queen of All Dragons” appears to be an unstoppable force based on the Battle of Rook’s Rest, and—while it cost King Aegon dearly thanks to his own actions—the discreet plan hatched by Aemond and Cole (who apparently received the note detailing the strategy from the Targaryen prince) otherwise worked. Vhagar took an opposing dragon and perhaps the most trusted advisor of Queen Rhaenyra off the board, and Team Black might need to act with more hesitation throughout the war knowing Vhagar could be around the corner.

 

Everything Else:

-Queen Alicent aborted Cole’s baby and could not attend the Green Council meeting, which turned out to be another showcase in Aegon’s helplessness. The discussion in High Valyrian between Aemond and Aegon was reminiscent of Michael Corleone and Tom Hagan speaking in Italian in The Godfather Part II during a critical moment of disagreement. Ultimately, as Alicent (while noting that her father Otto Hightower is an elite political mind) became brutally honest about later, the best thing for Aegon to do was “nothing”—just stay out of the way. Aegon has some obvious parallels to Joffrey from Game of Thrones, with both believing that being sovereign makes them a competent leader that should be listened to.

 

-Still at Harrenhal, Daemon Targaryen’s visions continued with another appearance of young Rhaenyra. This time, he beheaded her after she spoke in muffled High Valyrian—which was eventually understood by Daemon toward the end when she said, “You created me, Daemon. Yet you are now set on destroying me… All because your brother loved me more than he did you.” Then he followed a mysterious figure that turned out to be himself wearing an eyepatch like Aemond.

 

Also, Alys Rivers telling Daemon he was going to die there in the previous episode was seemingly confirmed to have been a vision after the two interacted in middle of the night. Whatever Alys gave Daemon, he almost seems “stuck” and ended up in a blur—while trying to rally lords from the Riverlands—and eventually saw his dead wife Laena Velaryon as a cupbearer in a vision as well. All these visions almost certainly have a deep meaning.

 

-It’s unclear at this point who Alyn is and why he’s not able to be given public praise for saving Corlys Velaryon’s life, but he’s clearly someone to note.

 

-Watching from above, Mysaria appeared to possess what could have been valuable input during the Black Council meeting after Rhaenyra’s arrival, but she held her tongue.

 

-Vhagar being the one to take out Rhaenys adds insult to injury given that Aemond claimed the feared dragon after Laena’s death—becoming Vhagar’s rider at the horror of Baela and Rhaena.

 

-After it became front of mind for her following the meeting with Alicent, Rhaenyra finally told her heir Jace Velaryon about Aegon the Conqueror’s dream of the Seven Kingdoms uniting to fight their common enemy, ensuring it is passed down if anything happens to her.

The latest House of the Dragon episode continues to build toward all-out war.

 

Episode: “The Burning Mill”

Runtime: 67 minutes

Original Air Date: June 30, 2024

Written by: David Hancock

Directed by: Geeta Vasant Patel

 

Plot (via HBO)

As ancient grudges resurface, Rhaenys suggests that Alicent may see reason while the men around her seek bloodshed. Ser Criston proposes a bold scheme. Daemon arrives at Harrenhal to raise and army for the Blacks.

 

Best Moment: Rhaenyra meets with Alicent

While the episode started with the Battle of the Burning Mill between the Brackens and the Blackwoods and their ancestral rivalry, “The Burning Mill” largely built toward and entrenched that the Dance of Dragons is set to begin. Rhaenyra Targaryen, advised by Rhaenys Targaryen amidst a war-hungry Small Council, decided to attempt to meet with Alicent Hightower to stop the war—and, with the help of Mysaria, snuck into King’s Landing as a Septa to approach Alicent in the Great Sept of Baelor.

 

Both Rhaenyra and Alicent each believed they were right in their respective positions on King Viserys’ wishes. When they got to talking and Rhaenyra could tell her former best friend was not lying, the Targaryen queen appeared to question her own standing as rightful ruler—until it was accidentally confirmed by Alicent that Viserys mentioned the “Song of Ice and Fire” in the same breath as Aegon. Of course, Rhaenyra was told many times about the importance of the prophesy and realized he was talking of Aegon the Conqueror—so things quickly switched to Alicent’s world getting flipped upside down. Ultimately, Alicent felt it was too late to turn back, so now it’s war.

 

Best Quote

“There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin. And no war so bloody as a war between dragons.” – Rhaenys Targaryen

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Ser Aeron Bracken

 

MVP: Rhaenyra Targaryen

It was an incredibly bold move for Queen Rhaenyra to go into King’s Landing with not nearly enough protection to get out alive if things went south. The decision showed her great capacity for reason and a willingness to avoid bloodshed with many, many deaths on both sides. At least now she knows she did everything she could to prevent war. Also, it must have felt good for her to get firm confirmation that Viserys was—likely in a state of delirium—only talking about Aegon’s dream and not her brother-turned-rival Aegon II being named heir in his final moments.

 

Everything Else:

-Rhaenyra’s Small Council formed an interesting parallel between the power of dragons and the power of nuclear weapons in our world. While the men around her wanted to immediately press the red button, Rhaenyra realizes the risk of mutually assured destruction.

 

-King Aegon, as Ser Criston Cole realizes on his way to the Small Council meeting, has a bunch of idiots around him. Aegon himself, after being convinced wisely by Larys Strong not to go out to war, looked to have a glimpse of realization of the incompetence around him—and perhaps his own incompetence as well. This bad crowd around Aegon led to him embarrassing Aemond in public, which led to Aemond fuming underneath. Not ideal for Aegon to get on the bad side of his dangerous brother.

 

-Daemon Targaryen’s takeover of a falling-apart Harrenhal was much easier than expected, but it was still important. Both sides are going after the Riverlands, and Daemon now has control of the biggest castle in Westeros after Ser Simon Strong—with no love for Larys Strong—didn’t put up any fight. After his blow-up with Rhaenyra, it’s certainly noteworthy that Daemon insisted he be called “your grace” by Ser Simon.

 

-Daemon’s dream or hallucination features the return of young Rhaenyra, who was sowing baby Jaehaerys’ head back on. Daemon was visbly affected by the scene, and we’ll see if that impacts his attitude moving forward. The potential vision (it was not entirely clear if it was real-life at that point) of an eerie Alys Rivers telling Daemon, “You will die in this place,” added to the intrigue.

 

-Rhaenyra sends Rhaena Targaryen to accompany her children Joffrey, Aegon, and Viserys (along with the growing dragons Tyraxes and Stormcloud) to the Vale to meet Lady Jeyne Arryn—with the extremely young Aegon and Viserys potentially moving further to Pentos. Rhaena, still without a dragon, is frustrated and feels like it’s a dismissive task with the war coming and her sister Baela already involved with her dragon Moondancer. However, Rhaenyra and Baela note how important Rhaena’s role is—while revealing the four dragon eggs (including Daenerys’ future three eggs) that must be protected to ensure the family’s future.

 

-The arrival of new entrant Gwayne Hightower—Alicent’s brother—to aid Aegon’s war effort creates an interesting dynamic, particularly with Otto just being dismissed as Hand of the King. Gwayne’s desire to go get drunk on their way to the Riverlands gave insight into his mindset and the stupidity of such a move with dragons in the sky. If not for Criston Cole spotting Moondancer, things could have been bad. The moral corruptness of Cole has led to bad decisions, but he clearly has strong ability and instincts in the field.

 

-That guy (named Ulf) claiming that he’s a secret Targaryen (and totally against Aegon) was an eye-opening scene, as he does look a bit like a Targaryen with darker hair and didn’t sound totally farfetched. Aegon interrupted the conversation, but Ulf might be someone to remember.

The second season’s second episode of House of the Dragon included another extremely eventful moment in the story’s lore.

 

Episode: “Rhaenyra the Cruel”

Runtime: 69 minutes

Original Air Date: June 23, 2024

Written by: Sara Hess

Directed by: Clare Kilner

 

Plot (via HBO)

While Otto schemes to turn the public against her, Rhaenyra questions Daemon’s loyalty.

 

Best Moment: Otto Hightower is dismissed as Hand

In a fit of rage after the murder of his son Jaehaerys, King Aegon—after Larys Strong easily received information from “Blood” that a ratcatcher was also involved in the assassination—beat Blood to death and then hanged every ratcatcher in the city and kept them hanging for the people to see. Sadly, this was a major turn from last week’s episode when Aegon appeared to empathize with the common folk. Otto Hightower let his grandson—and Ser Criston Cole—hear how foolish his actions were to throw away all the goodwill they won from Jaehaerys’ funeral. It was a classic type of scene we expect from the Game of Thrones universe, with King Aegon becoming more brash and forcing Otto to resign as Hand of the King—while saying that Cole will now be his hand.

 

Best Quote

“He is. And we are the poorer for it.” – Otto Hightower on King Viserys being dead

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Ser Arryk Cargyll

-Ser Erryk Cargyll

 

MVP: Ser Erryk Cargyll

The MVP of “Rhaenyra the Cruel” was obvious, and Erryk Cargyll and Arryk Cargyll—each standing on duty and honor—had to duel in the latest tragedy stemming from the war for the Iron Throne. Criston Cole, who is becoming quite the villain, was seemingly deflecting frustration and blame from Jaehaerys’ death by forcing Arryk to sneak into Dragonstone to assassinate Queen Rhaenyra. This set in motion an intense scene after Arryk nearly got to Rhaenyra in her bedchamber, only for Erryk to step in and successfully protect his queen. As stated on the “Inside the Episode”, this was a good exemplification of a civil war, with two brothers having to kill each other almost as pawns within the battle lines. And Erryk taking his own life in front of Rhaenyra after slaying his brother felt like something ripped right out of a William Shakespeare tragedy.

 

Everything Else:

-Not only did Blood and Cheese kill a small child, but they beheaded him to make it even more heartbreaking for Aegon, Helaena, and Alicent—the latter two participating in the funeral—to deal with.

 

-After somewhat carelessly setting up the eventual killing of Jaehaerys by hiring two unreliable people to do the job of killing Aemond Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen—now on his way to Harrenhal with Caraxes—is set to go rogue once again after his blow-up with Rhaenyra. It seems Daemon and Rhaenyra have never really discussed the former male heir being pushed aside for his niece and eventual wife to this extent, and Daemon didn’t really give a straight answer of full fealty to Rhaenyra when asked directly.

 

-It appeared to be the case based on his initial reaction, but Aemond admitted that he feels regret over Luke’s death—adding more gray to a character that many might view as a pure killer. Aemond is also still affected by getting picked on while he was a kid for being “different.”

 

-Cole and Queen Alicent know that their relationship is wrong and dangerous, but they ultimately don’t care—despite spending most of the episode acting as if they did. Cole has grown close to both Aegon and Aemond, and it’s difficult to see much good coming out of the Criston-Alicent relationship.

 

-Daeron Targaryen, stationed in Oldtown, was mentioned by Otto as someone he can advise upon his return—so the fourth son of Alicent and King Viserys is someone to keep in mind. But Alicent decided it best for her father to instead go to Highgarden to ensure House Tyrell is behind them.

The first episode of Season 2 of House of the Dragon inserted us right into the aftermath of the Season 1 finale.

 

Episode: “A Son for a Son”

Runtime: 58 minutes

Original Air Date: June 16, 2024

Written by: Ryan Condal

Directed by: Alan Taylor

 

Plot (via HBO)

As Alicent grows concerned by Aegon’s Small Council, Rhaenyra arrives at a fateful decision.

 

Best Moment: The opening scene

House of the Dragon is obviously very much a Targaryen show, but—especially for fans of the original series Game of Thrones—a look at the North was a phenomenal way to drop into Season 2. The season debut immediately opens with the unforgettable House Stark theme by composer Ramin Djawadi, with a raven flying toward the unveil of Winterfell. We get a glimpse into House Stark sending one-in-ten men to reinforce the Night’s Watch, while Cregan Stark (with his family’s ancestral sword Ice on his back) hosts Prince Jace Velaryon at the Wall—with the ominous threat of the Others (accompanied by their chilling score by Djawadi) being his primary concern—and pledges 2,000 men to Queen Rhaenyra’s cause. The trip up North was not only a nostalgic sort of return to the familiarity of Winterfell for viewers, but it was a reminder that there are bigger threats to the realm than a civil war over the Iron Throne—and Winter is Coming.

 

Best Quote

“I want Aemond Targaryen.” – Rhaenyra Targaryen

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Jaehaerys Targaryen

 

MVP: No one

A major theme of Season 2 looks like it’s going to be escalation, which should not be a surprise in what is set to become an all-out war involving ultra-destructive dragons. Queen Rhaenyra is reeling after the death of her son Lucerys Velaryon, and she spends much of the episode seeking proof of his demise in the Season 1 finale, ultimately verifying his cloak and the wing of Arrax. Rhaenyra had one line in the episode, basically stating that she wants Aemond Targaryen’s head for what he did. This, of course, led to Daemon Targaryen, aided by the relationships of Mysaria, making a discreet trip to King’s Landing and sending disgruntled guardsman Blood and the ratcatcher Cheese on a mission to sneak into the Red Keep and assassinate Prince Aemond. The mismatched duo took matters into their own hands after not finding Aemond, instead killing baby Jaehaerys—King Aegon II’s heir—in his crib in front of Queen Helaena Targaryen. Overall, it was a son for a son in a horrific manner where things will only escalate from here.

 

Everything Else:

-If there was going to be an MVP from the episode, it would probably be Aemond. Not only did he not get assassinated, but it was stated that he and Vhagar—who is defending King’s Landing—are the most powerful force in the world. We’ll see if he and Vhagar eventually attempt to destroy that blockade—keeping supplies out of King’s Landing—set by Corlys Velaryon.

 

-King Aegon certainly has a comical aspect to his character, including just his general mannerisms and expressions. The Small Council meeting showed that he can be a bit disinterested and aloof, making decisions on a whim. However, a good heart was seemingly displayed when he heard the troubles of the common folk and leaned toward the side of giving them what they requested—until his Hand Otto Hightower stepped in. At least for now, it appears as the saying goes that Aegon might have landed on the good side of that coin the gods flip when a Targaryen is born.

 

-Queen Alicent Hightower showed the goodness in her heart—despite the duplicitous ways of the Hightowers—when reluctantly speaking Luke Velaryon’s name and lighting a candle for him during her prayers after she did the same for her mother and husband. It was a display of the gray area these characters inhabit, with not many true all-good and all-evil figures.

 

-Otto Hightower appears to know something is up between his daughter and Ser Criston Cole. Also, Otto and Alicent haven’t been totally on the same page following Viserys’ death.

 

-Daemon’s interaction with Rhaenys Targaryen, when he couldn’t convince her to ride out with him to King’s Landing upon her return, gave a glimpse of the relative powerlessness of “The Rogue Prince” compared to his Queen. We’ll see if it becomes more frustrating for Daemon to play second to his wife.

 

-The new visual for the House of the Dragon theme, which shows a weaving of Targaryen history and the Team Black and Team Green sides of the Dance of Dragons, was very nicely done:

 

Targaryen history weaved together. pic.twitter.com/FYDMMtFbXe

— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) June 17, 2024

We have an official release date for Season 2 of HBO’s hit series House of the Dragon, along with two new trailers. The Targaryen civil war drama will air on June 16. The two trailers represent each side of the battle, with one released for Team Green and the other released for Team Black.

 

The Green Trailer is here. #HOTDS2 premieres June 16 on @StreamOnMax. #TeamGreen pic.twitter.com/J7DBVrJ6WQ

— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) March 21, 2024

 

The Black Trailer is here. #HOTDS2 premieres June 16 on @StreamOnMax. #TeamBlack pic.twitter.com/OlKEnrXVxI

— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) March 21, 2024

 

It’s interesting that the trailers appear to be diving into Targaryen history in a meta type of way, as people say there are always two sides to a story. Following King Viserys’ death in Season 1, we have the two sides vying for control of the Iron Throne led by Rhaenyra Targaryen (Team Black) and Aegon Targaryen (Team Green).

 

Season 2 posters were released yeseterday, with Team Green featuring King Aegon, Alicent Hightower, Aemond Targaryen, and Ser Criston Cole; and Team Black showing Queen Rhaenyra, Daemon Targaryen, Rhaenys Targaryen, and Corlys Velaryon.

 

Tomorrow. All Must Choose.#TeamGreen or #TeamBlack#HOTDS2 pic.twitter.com/KK57snLGzn

— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) March 20, 2024

 

Tomorrow. All Must Choose.#TeamGreen or #TeamBlack#HOTDS2 pic.twitter.com/Mfh5C1OFDe

— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) March 20, 2024

 

The tagline “All Must Choose” is meant to draw buzz and increase fan engagement online ahead of the Season 2 premiere. The first season ended on a highly tense note, with the Dance of the Dragons getting underway after Lucerys Targaryen was unintentionally killed by Aemond—instantly changing the dispostion of Queen Rhaenyra.

 

This season has eight episodes (two fewer than Season 1), and it should be packed with plenty of action and drama.

 

Season 2 of House of the Dragon premieres Sunday, June 16 at 9:00 PM ET on HBO and Max.

The deep A Song of Ice and Fire universe created by George R.R. Martin is getting another series at HBO. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight has received a straight to series order for HBO and the streaming service Max. The series, which takes place nearly 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, will follow Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg—also known as the duo of “Dunk” and “Egg”.

 

A century before @GameofThrones, there was Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.

Executive produced by George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker, Ryan Condal, and Vince Gerardis, A Knight of the #SevenKingdoms: The Hedge Knight has received a straight to series order. #StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/MRPUke5Upt

— Max (@StreamOnMax) April 12, 2023

 

The longline for the series reads: “A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”

 

And the description for the best-selling book series the show will be based on reads:

 

These never-before-collected adventures recount an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living consciousness. Before Tyrion Lannister and Podrick Payne, there was Dunk and Egg. A young, naïve but ultimately courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals—in stature if not experience. Tagging along is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg—whose true name is hidden from all he and Dunk encounter. Though more improbable heroes may not be found in all of Westeros, great destinies lay ahead for these two . . . as do powerful foes, royal intrigue, and outrageous exploits.

 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is the second Game of Thrones prequel series. House of the Dragon just started production on its second season, which will air in 2024. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is a different type of series set within the same universe, as it should be more of an adventure tale centered around Dunk and Egg as they journey throughout Westeros.

 

The series will be executive produced by George R.R. Martin, Ira Parker, Ryan Condal, and Vince Gerardis. Condal is a showrunner for House of the Dragon, and of course Martin’s influence is huge on what ultimately gets greenlit for a series.

 

According to Variety, a series about Aegon the Conquerer is also being discussed at HBO.

The Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon gives a look at the “Blacks” side in the aftermath of King Viserys’ death and sets up the Dance of Dragons for Season 2.

 

Episode: “The Black Queen”

Runtime: 59 minutes

Original Air Date: October 23, 2022

Written by: Ryan Condal

Directed by: Greg Yaitanes

 

Plot (via HBO)

While mourning a tragic loss, Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together, and Daemon prepares for war.

 

Best Moment: Rhaenyra Targaryen is crowned

The beginning of “The Black Queen” was difficult, with Rhaenys Targaryen arriving at Dragonstone and breaking the news to Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen that King Viserys has died and that the Hightowers usurped the Iron Throne by making Aegon Targaryen king. Daemon was seething, while Rhaenyra was incredibly distraught and lost her unborn baby Visenya shortly thereafter. At the funeral for Visenya, Erryk Cargyll arrived at Dragonstone and presented King Viserys’ crown to Rhaenyra, which was taken by Daemon and placed on his wife’s head by him. Daemon became the first person to bend the knee and call Rhaenyra “my queen”, which is a full circle moment for someone that was brooding at not being named heir in the first episode of the series. Everyone in attendance (aside from Rhaenys) also bent the knee, and Rhaenyra went from a terrible moment to perhaps the high of her life to this point; after years of thinking about her eventual succession and hearing much talk about how she should not be heir, it was a triumphant moment for Rhaenyra. The crowning of Rhaenyra was the top moment of the season finale, and it was reminiscent of both the funeral for Baelon Targaryen at the beginning of the season—and the Season 1 finale of Game of Thrones (“Fire and Blood”) where Jorah Mormont and the others bent the knee to Daenerys Targaryen and her three baby dragons.

 

Best Quote

“Dreams didn’t make us kings. Dragons did.” – Daemon Targaryen

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Lucerys Velaryon

-Arrax

 

MVP: Rhaenyra Targaryen

The conversation between Rhaenys and a recovering Corlys Velaryon (whose demise was in fact exaggerated) gave great insight on what made Rhaenyra the MVP of the season finale. Corlys remembered Rhaenyra causing problems while growing up (and they still believe having a hand in the death of their son Laenor), but Rhaenys said, “that girl is holding the realm together at present.” While Daemon and others were calling for all-out war—including with the rogue prince immediately wanting to use dragons (the weapons of mass destruction in this world)—Rhaenyra’s goal was to keep the good of the realm in mind. When Otto Hightower arrived at Dragonstone with terms, Rhaenyra even said she’d think about it (due in part to her former close bond with Queen Alicent). Based on her initial moves and disposition as a queen, Rhaenyra is looking like a good and just ruler.

 

Everything Else

-However, while Rhaenyra handled herself very well, it looks like that might not last after the death of her son Lucerys at the hands of Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar. The final shot of “The Black Queen”, with Rhaenyra dressed in black, was a very memorable season-ender that gives insight into her changed mindset heading into Season 2.

 

-The split between Daemon and Rhaenyra—centering on how to handle the greens stealing the Iron Throne—is interesting. Again, Daemon was the first to crown Rhaenyra and appeared to truly respect her as queen, but his wrath is clearly still there when he doesn’t get his way. And “The Song of Ice and Fire” is something that Rhaenyra (rightly) strongly believes in, while Daemon—who was never told about it by Viserys—could not care less about it.

 

-Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy starred in Episode 10 and were tremendous, but the acting from the entire cast was fantastic all season.

 

-Episode 9 focused on the “green” side of the Hightowers taking the Iron Throne, and Episode 10 was the complement to that, focusing on the Black side led by Queen Rhaenyra. There was a definite contrast to each side, with the Hightower side playing dirty and acting stealthily—meanwhile, aside from Daemon’s tendencies showing, Rhaenyra’s side showed more of a positive “can-do” attitude with their approach. The Game of Thrones universe has a ton of gray area that leads to viewers rooting for just about anyone, but the Blacks are objectively coming off as being closer to a “good” side after one season.

 

-Another interesting thing to note is how Daemon—while he didn’t listen to Jacaerys Velaryon giving commands—took his nephew/stepson under his wing in teaching in a little something about loyalty and the power of dragons.

 

-Daemon talked about the unclaimed dragons and their overall advantage even without them, but he went into the volcanic tunnels—while singing in High Valyrian—to attempt to claim Vermithor (“The Bronze Fury”). Vermithor was ridden by Jaehaerys and is the second largest dragon behind Vhagar. After locking eyes, it looks like Daemon might have successfully added Vermithor to his arsenal. HBO’s official guide and its Dragon Index help clarify the characters and connections in House of the Dragon.

 

-Borros Baratheon not only broke his father’s oath to Rhaenyra as heir, but he did it in such a manner that was disrespectful and selfish. The marriage alliance between his daughter Floris and Aemond Targaryen gives the greens a powerful ally as the Lord of Storm’s End. It was nice to hear the Starks mentioned, and it’s likely that they will not break their vow. And not only is Corlys doing OK, but it was revealed that he won the Stepstones, giving Rhaenyra a stronghold to help cut off supplies to King’s Landing.

 

-Overall, “The Black Queen” did a superb job of showing the importance of alliances, using the awesome table at Dragonstone to map out the situation. Another strong moment was when Corlys and Rhaenys pledged their loyalty to Rhaenyra.

 

-Instead of using slower ravens, Jace suggested he and Luke take their dragons to confirm the loyalty of families sworn to Rhaenyra. (The use of the classic Dany score from Game of Thrones with the three dragons flying from Dragonstone was awesome; all the connections to the original series throughout the season were enjoyable.) It was supposed to be a safe, diplomatic mission—and Rhaenyra warned them both not to fight, as they were to be messengers only. Ultimately, the presence of Vhagar and Aemond at Storm’s End made you realize something bad was going to happen. After demanding Luke’s eye under Borros’ roof, the Targaryen prince instead chased Luke and Arrax with Vhagar. The unintended consequences (as you could see by the look on Aemond’s face) led to the deaths of Luke and Arrax—and the unofficial start of the Dance of Dragons.

 

-I am trying to avoid spoilers from the source material for the most part (though Joffrey Baratheon made that a challenge), but I assume this is from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood and is a great line:

 

“Then the storm broke, and the dragons danced.” #HOTDFinale pic.twitter.com/B0pNsc0PxS

— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) October 24, 2022

The penultimate episode of the first season of House of the Dragon delivered a thriller.

 

Episode: “The Green Council”

Runtime: 57 minutes

Original Air Date: October 16, 2022

Written by: Sara Hess

Directed by: Clare Kilner

 

Plot (via HBO)

While Alicent enlists Cole and Aemond to track down Aegon, Otto gathers the great houses of Westeros to affirm their allegiance.

 

Best Moment: Aegon Targaryen is crowned as king

The tense “Green Council” meeting was also great, but the top moment from the episode was probably Aegon Targaryen’s coronation—which was done without the named heir Rhaenyra Targaryen even knowing her father was dead. Aegon was basically a no-good drunk up to this point, and he seemingly really did not want to be king—he even looked somewhat dead inside while marching up to be crowned. But you could see a switch in his demeanor when he was crowned with Aegon the Conqueror’s crown and given his sword Blackfyre along with the catspaw dagger. However, that triumphant moment turned quickly when—in typical Game of Thrones fashion for a penultimate episode of a season—Rhaenys Targaryen arrived on her she-dragon Meleys (“The Red Queen”) to blow things up. It seemed unlikely she’d take Aegon, Alicent and Otto Hightower, and the others out (the viewer knowing that a civil war is coming), but it looked like Meleys was going to light them all on fire right then and there; it was ultimately a screech that acted as a warning and a show of strength ahead of Rhaenys going to Dragonstone to warn Rhaenyra’s party.

 

Best Quote

“Have you never imagined yourself on the Iron Throne?” – Rhaenys Targaryen to Alicent Hightower

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Lyman Beesbury

-Allun Caswell

 

MVP: Rhaenys Targaryen

Rhaenys was immediately made a prisoner upon the king dying, as the Hightowers essentially locked everything down to form a successful coup to install Aegon as king. The Queen Who Never Was played the conversation with Alicent well, and her eventually escaping to get Meleys (initially with the help of Erryk, who just wanted to get her out of King’s Landing as soon as possible—so without her dragon) is a major victory that will undermine the Greens’ plan to assassinate their adversaries.

 

Everything Else

-The small council meeting after King Viserys’ death—which included Criston Cole shockingly and accidentally killing Lyman Beesbury by slamming his head into the stone ball on the table—felt realistic to how a usurpation might really go. Queen Alicent was left in the dark for years about most of the council’s plan to install Aegon as king upon Viserys’ death, and then the debate came to what to do as the named heir Rhaenyra Targaryen and her family—with Alicent wanting mercy while Otto and the others in on the plot wanting an assassination. This moment showed that Otto is clearly a power-hungry force, while Alicent isn’t at that level. Alicent was obviously conflicted about the entire situation, despite her insistence that Viserys’ last wish was to have Aegon as king.

 

-Lord Commander Harold Westerling showed his honor in refusing to carry out the murders at the order of Otto. Remember, Westerling was Princess Rhaenyra’s sworn protector, so that certainly played a role. But it seemed like something Westerling refused mostly out of principle.

 

-Otto continued to show that he is totally ruthless when rounding up some of the lords of Westeros that were in King’s Landing and making them bend the knee to Aegon as the new heir (in this instance in the Great Hall, to Otto himself, which is interesting). Anyone that did not follow orders was given the King’s Justice. Otto is quickly becoming an awesome villain type of character.

 

-The centerpiece of the episode was the search for Aegon, with both Alicent (Criston Cole and Aemond) and Otto (Arryk and Erryk Cargyll) being sent to search for the prince. Cole almost seems like a robot at this point, programmed to do whatever Queen Alicent asks.

 

-The search for Aegon also gave more insight into the way he is—and it’s not good. There is obviously a cruelness to Aegon, who didn’t want the Iron Throne at first. Given Aegon’s propensity for meanness, it’s a bit scary to think about how he’ll be a ruler. Meanwhile, Aemond keeps his emotions internal, but he believes that Aegon will not be a good king and that he himself would be better suited for the crown.

 

-Mysaria, the former close associate of Daemon Targaryen, apparently had Aegon under her thumb to some extent. She presented herself as a for-the-people type of force in her negotiation with Otto, potentially shedding some light on what has been a mysterious character.

 

-Larys Strong always gave uneasy feelings, but it’s been revealed that he’s basically a complete creep. Strong is arguably the most unlikeable character at this point because we don’t even know what he tangibly wants. He can be a valuable resource politically, but I still wonder why Alicent puts up with him when she probably could’ve had him killed at any moment in the past several years.

 

-The installation of the new king very quickly after the king’s death was very similar to Season 1 of Game of Thrones, but this time it happened on a much larger scale. In a show of power and legitimacy, Otto wanted to force the people of King’s Landing to see Aegon as their king.

 

-Rhaenys arriving on Meleys was epic, but she unfortunately killed hundreds if not thousands of people in the process. That part was a big surprising, although the citizens being rounded up like cattle shows what those in power think of them. And as Rhaenyra said before, people say that “Targaryens are closer to gods than to men”. The opposing powers might not care about peasant casualties during the coming civil war.

 

-The opening score of the episode was an instant classic, and it help set the mood of the aftermath of the death of King Viserys.

House of the Dragon delivered another sensational episode during its first season while continuing to establish itself as perhaps the best drama currently on television.

 

Episode: “The Lord of the Tides”

Runtime: 68 minutes

Original Air Date: October 9, 2022

Written: Eileen Shim

Directed by: Geeta Vasant Patel

 

Plot (via HBO)

Six years later. With the Driftmark succession suddenly critical, Rhaenyra attempts to strike a bargain with Rhaenys.

 

Best Moment: King Viserys arrives at the Red Keep

As Hand of the King, Otto Hightower was representing the crown in the throne room for the hearing of the claim over the Driftmark throne (with Corlys Velaryon suffering an injury that may lead to his death or make him unable to command). It appeared certain that Vaemond Velaryon would be granted claim over his ancestral home given that everyone knew Lucerys Velaryon was not a true-born son of Laenor Velaryon and that strength was needed with another war breaking out in the Stepstones. Earlier in the day, King Viserys Targaryen declined milk of the poppy—claiming to not want it for a dinner he called with his family—to keep his mind right despite the agonizing pain. Viserys’ surprising appearance in the throne room caught everyone by surprise, including most notably Otto and Vaemond. The king was in a very weakened state while near death, but he showed major drive and strength in working his way up to the Iron Throne—with the help of his brother Daemon near the top—to preside over the debate.

 

Best Quote

“Set aside your grievances, if not for the sake of the crown, then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly.” – King Viserys

 

Notable Character Deaths

-King Viserys Targaryen

-Vaemond Velaryon

 

MVP: Viserys Targaryen

As Viserys said previously, he was no hero in battle and was somewhat of an uneventful king; but he showed major kingly status one last time in his arrival at the Great Hall. Then he truly appeared to bring his family together during the dinner he called in the Red Keep, giving a tremendous speech that got Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower to come together and speak nicely of one another after years of coldness and hostility. Though he was not emphatic enough about it, King Viserys continued to defend his daughter and heir Rhaenyra and her claim to the Iron Throne in his final days. He did his best to keep the family together in the end, and it looks like he would have done so if not for an uncontrollable lapse when he believed he was speaking to Rhaenyra and not Alicent on his deathbed, leading Alicent to believe Aegon is to be king. Ultimately, Viserys kept the song of ice and fire prophesy going, and we know that from Game of Thrones it works out in that regard. The seeds of civil war were blooming during his reign, but Viserys oversaw a mostly peaceful time in the realm and was a good king if not a perfect or legendary one.

 

Everything Else

-The six-year time jump led to more big changes. Most notably, the crown is basically run by the Hightowers at this point given King Viserys’ health. The changes include a more muted King’s Landing, with the Faith of the Seven religion taking a more prominent place—including in the architecture—instead of the fire and blood of the Targaryens.

 

-Queen Alicent is giving off some Cersei Lannister vibes, and the costuming was pretty direct with that in this week’s episode, with Alicent’s attire looking very similar to Cersei’s when she became queen. Alicent has a coldness to her, but she did show mercy to Dyana, who was apparently taken advantage of by Aegon, when she easily could have had her killed for the trouble.

 

-Daemon Targaryen was a little too quiet through “The Lord of the Tides”, so his sudden top-half-of-the-head-beheading of Vaemond Velaryon (after his challenge of “say it”) was even more shocking. Then in typical Daemon fashion, he gave a witty response stating that Vaemond could keep his tongue.

 

-When Rhaenys Targaryen was called by her cousin to speak on her husband Corlys’ will, she told the truth while bettering the status of her house and family name by accepting Rhaenyra’s marriage proposal for her children—which is exactly what Corlys would have wanted. Rhaenys displayed earlier in the episode that she did not want to work with Rhaenyra (believing she and Daemon had her son Laenor killed), but the princess spoke truly about her husband’s will. I wonder what Rhaenys was thinking while watching Vaemond’s body get cleansed—perhaps that it would be different if she spoke the truth on the other end of the spectrum, knowing that Jace and Luke are not really her grandchildren by blood.

 

-Aemond Targaryen has quickly become a fantastic villain—and he’s quite powerful, too. Criston Cole is a great fighter that already beat Daemon in one-on-one combat, but he was not match for Aemond, who he has been training for years. When Vaemond resumed the hostilities between the grandchildren after King Viserys left the room, I thought there might be a duel when Daemon stepped up to end the scuffle—perhaps that’s something to come in the civil war. Meanwhile, Aegon is obviously still not living up to his namesake as a careless drunk—so that makes it even more concerning that Alicent is now apparently going to push for him to be king.

 

-The mysterious Mysaria figures to be a major wild-card moving forward after it was revealed that Queen Alicent’s lady-in-waiting Talya is working for her, especially because Mysaria is a former associate/lover of Daemon.

 

-The makeup and prosthetics, as you would expect, did an amazing job with the look for King Viserys, who looked halfway to death because of his illness. The golden mask was a regal appearance for the Targaryen, but the loss of his eye and the serious damage to the right side of his face was eerie and hard-hitting. Throughout “The Lord of the Tides” there was a bit of a spooky and dark feeling to it, and it was fitting that this episode aired in October.

 

-The rumor is that the Sea Snake might have lost his mind due to an injury in the resurgence of the war in the Stepstones—leading to many of the events in this episode. But it wouldn’t be shocking if the great explorer and richest man in Westeros defied the rumors and turns out to be OK.

 

-Regarding those dragon eggs from Syrax, are they eventually the petrified dragon eggs gifted from Illyrio Mopatis to Daenerys Targaryen: Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal?

 

-Paddy Considine was extraordinary as King Viserys during his eight-episode run. George R.R. Martin even texted Considine: “Your Viserys is better than my Viserys.” Pretty cool, and an Emmy should be headed Considine’s way for his role.

The seventh episode of House of the Dragon might have been the best yet, with an eventful hour further lining up the sides in the coming Targaryen civil war.

 

Episode: “Driftmark”

Runtime: 58 minutes

Original Air Date: October 2, 2022

Written by: Kevin Lau

Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik

 

Plot (via HBO)

As the families gather on Driftmark for a funeral, Viserys calls for an end to infighting and Alicent demands justice.

 

Best Moment: Laenor Velaryon’s “death”

“Driftmark” was an awesome and memorable episode from start to finish, so a few moments could have been the choice here. But the final scene of the episode—with Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen getting married while staging the death of Laenor Velaryon, who ultimately is revealed to have escaped with his paramour Qarl Correy—is the choice for best moment. The death of the only remaining child of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen appeared to be another highly tragic moment in the Game of Thrones story, so the final reveal of Laenor alive and well with a shaved head was the type of chills-delivering twist that Thrones has become so known for over the years.

 

Best Quote

“History does not remember blood. It remembers names.” – Corlys Velaryon

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Man at Driftmark (passed off as Laenor Velaryon)

 

MVP: Rhaenyra Targaryen

This certainly could have gone to Aemond Targaryen, who was daringly able to claim Vhagar to give himself a dragon (and power) after the funeral of Laena Velaryon—admitting that his loss of an eye was well worth it to obtain a dragon. Daemon is also a strong MVP choice, as he has had his eye on his niece for quite a while. However, the Targaryen marriage was the biggest win for Rhaenyra, as it strengthens her claim to the Iron Throne when King Viserys dies. It felt like only a matter of time before Daemon and Rhaenyra got together somehow, and now they are both squarely allied together. Also, Rhaenyra stood strong in the face of (true) accusations about her children, and she made Queen Alicent look bad during the tense situation following the aftermath of the violent scuffle between the kids.

 

Everything Else:

-Aemond claiming Vhagar could have been the top moment from the episode, and the use of the Targaryen score from composer Ramin Djawadi was excellent as usual. And then it was quite the twist to have Aemond quickly turn into a bit of a villain in arrogantly confronting his four relatives about it; it speaks to how much grey area there is with all these characters in this world.

 

-In the aftermath of Aemond losing his eye and Queen Alicent demanding justice, it was finally spoken plainly and publicly in front of everyone that Princess Rhaenyra’s children are bastards. King Viserys was still hearing none of it and will come down hard on anyone that speaks of it again. The entire confrontation with the climax of Alicent charging Rhaenyra with the catspaw dagger was typical Game of Thrones, with some similarity to the Season 1 scene from the opening season where Ned Stark, Cersei Lannister, and the others were arguing over what to do about Arya’s direwolf Nymeria attacking Prince Joffrey.

 

-The opening funeral scene was also tremendous in capturing the uneasiness everyone felt toward each other—for various reasons. Daemon’s sudden laugh was interesting and speaks to his unpredictability.

 

-It was heart wrenching to see Rhaenys react to her son’s supposed death just days after losing her daughter. Pretty unfortunate and messed up that Laenor couldn’t tell his parents before he left, though perhaps he thought they would not let him leave—and maybe he’ll get word to them when he arrives to his destination (though the only way the marriage between Daemon and Rhaenyra works is if Laenor is “dead”).

 

-Otto Hightower is back as Hand of the King, and it looks like he has a major role to play based on the preview for next week’s episode. Otto takes strong involvement with his grandchildren, reprimanding Aegon Targaryen for behaving like a drunk—and he’s quite proud of Aemond’s mindset on losing his eye but getting a dragon.

 

-Corlys is no doubt ambitious, as his talk with Rhaenys unveiled, but overall has behaved like one of the good guys through seven episodes. It’s obvious that Laenor’s supposed children are not really his own, but Corlys still treats them as if they were his own blood.

 

-Episode 7 of House of the Dragon also had some parallels to Episode 7 of Game of Thrones. The catspaw dagger was featured prominently in both episodes, and there was a twist ending in the final seconds (Littlefinger turning on Ned; Laenor turning out to be alive).

 

-We’ll see how the Velaryons figure into things (likely going to the side of former son-in-law Daemon and their grandchildren), but the sides appear pretty clear ahead of a “hot” war stemming from this current “cold” war. The “greens” are Queen Alicent and her allies, while the “blacks” are led by Rhaenyra and Daemon.

 

-The scenes in middle of the night were extremely dark—I’d imagine many people had trouble seeing them (fortunately I have an LG OLED—which was still difficult to see these night scenes on—to watch on and highly recommend them). I liked it, as things really are difficult to see at night, and it made the light brought by Vhagar’s fire breath more impactful. The great Miguel Sapochnik (“The Long Night”) directed this episode, and clearly he’s in the camp that wants to film what looks truest and best for the show and did not listen to the critics during Game of Thrones.

Episode 6 of House of the Dragon picked up with a ten-year time jump that gave the feel of another pilot episode for the second half of Season 1.

 

Episode: “The Princess and the Queen”

Runtime: 67 minutes

Original Air Date: September 25, 2022

Written by: Sara Hess

Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik

 

Plot (via HBO)

Ten years later. Rhaenyra navigates Alicent’s continued speculation about her children, while Daemon and Laena weigh an offer in Pentos.

 

Best Moment: Courtyard scene

The ending of the episode has a case for best moment of “The Princess and the Queen”, but the tense courtyard scene—with Ser Criston Cole training the grandsons of King Viserys, who was watching from above—did a great job of showing where things stood for Cole ten years after the banquet outburst. After having his heart broken, Cole has become incredibly cold, at least toward Rhaenyra Targaryen’s children—then he baits Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong into an outburst of his own that makes it difficult for people to deny rumors that he’s the father of Rhaenyra’s children. This also put in motion the rest of the episode and the deaths of Lyonel and Harwin Strong at Harrenhal.

 

Best Quote

“Truth has many flavors.” – Larys Strong

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Laena Velaryon

-Lyonel Strong

-Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong

 

MVP: Rhaenyra Targaryen

The episode begins with Rhaenyra in childbirth, and Queen Alicent immediately called to see the new baby—named Joffrey by Laenor Velaryon—a call that is answered by Rhaenyra showing her strength by personally bringing the baby to the Queen. Alicent makes it known that she is aware of the parentage of Rhaenyra’s children, which is a dangerous situation for the princess, Harwin Strong, and the realm. Despite Alicent basically wanting to destroy or at least cut Rhaenyra off, the Targaryen princess proposed a marriage between her son Jacaerys and Alicent’s daughter Helaena. Finally, sensing the brewing storm, Rhaenyra decides to leave King’s Landing and take her family to Dragonstone. At this point, Rhaenyra clearly looks to be on the “good” side, and she’s the MVP of the episode by showing that she was strong yet open to compromise while Alicent seems only interested in winning the power struggle.

 

Everything Else:

-It was obvious that Larys Strong was a schemer in the mold of those we saw in Game of Thrones, but he really emerged as a definite villain in “The Princess and the Queen”. Larys decided to hire trash from King’s Landing to pull off an assassination, and he had the tongues cut out of the men, presumably so that they cannot speak of the deed—though he also appeared to take pleasure in watching it happen. Someone that would have his own father and brother assassinated to help his own future standing can do just about anything. Larys appears ruthless and power hungry.

 

-The events in Pentos with Daemon Targaryen and his wife Laena Velaryon and two children (it appears he can have children, after all) gave insight on what the rogue prince has been doing over the years, seemingly giving up politics yet reading about the exploits of legendary Targaryens of the past. Unfortunately, Laena fell victim to childbirth, which was very dangerous in this period—but she went out like a warrior, with a Dracarys call to Vhagar, the biggest known living dragon. It remains difficult to get into Daemon’s head, but he’s now freed up to some extent—he’s perhaps also headed to Dragonstone, and a potential pairing with Rhaenyra, who lost Harwin and still has a mutual understanding of free reign with her husband, feels like a possibility.

 

-As for Daemon’s two daughters Baela and Rhaena, they do not appear to have a natural connection with their father—nor do they have a natural connection to their homeland after being raised away from home. Rhaena’s dragon egg has not hatched, which apparently causes her not to be as close to Daemon, so her lack of a dragon is something to watch—maybe Vhagar will become hers.

 

-The insight to the training of dragons and the dragon pit was interesting, as is the fact that Aemond also currently does not have a dragon—and was teased about it by Aegon, Jacaerys, and Lucerys.

 

-Aegon (the son of Viserys and Alicent) appears to be becoming a skilled fighter, but he seems a bit aloof and cruel—we’ll see if he can grow out of that and live up to his namesake.

 

-The princess and the Queen are obviously not friends anymore after being so close growing up. Otto Hightower being let go as Hand of the King along with Rhaenyra’s behavior that was looked down on by Alicent seemingly led to the cold relationship, with the turning point from the previous episode when Alicent entered the wedding banquet wearing a green dress and calling her former best friend “stepdaughter”, making it clear where she stands.

 

-I thought the black-haired children of Rhaenyra would be from a continued relationship with Criston Cole. I’m looking forward to the conversation if and when Criston and Rhaenyra ever discuss the past in future episodes. And we’ll see how Rhaenyra and her sons handle the sudden death of Harwin.

 

-It’s notable that people didn’t want to actually speak it plainly that Rhaenyra’s sons are bastard sons of Harwin—and that helps Viserys willfully ignore it. And Lyonel Strong would not speak the truth and was kept on as Hand, while Otto Hightower previously did try to tell the King the hard truth and was let go as Hand.

Season 1, Episode 5 of House of the Dragon, “We Light The Way”, included another unsurprisingly eventful wedding in the Game of Thrones world.

 

Episode: “We Light the Way”

Runtime: 59 minutes

Original Air Date: September 18, 2022

Written by: Charmaine DeGraté

Directed by: Clare Kilner

 

Plot (via HBO)

Daemon visits his wife in the Vale. Viserys and Rhaenyra broker agreements with the Velaryons. Alicent seeks the truth about the princess.

 

Best Moment: The royal wedding

We knew something big and game-changing had to happen in Episode 5, with the ten-year time jump coming next week. A wedding was the perfect setting to make that clear for viewers familiar with how they often go in Game of Thrones. The climax of the first-day festivities were the highlight of the episode and set up the big time jump that occurs between now and Episode 6. From the entrances of guests (and Queen Alicent) to King Viserys Targaryen getting sicker to key characters giving uneasy looks around the Great Hall, the tension was built throughout the evening—with Ser Criston Cole ultimately exploding and savagely beating Joffrey Lonmouth to death. Thanks to the horrible situation, King Viserys decided to forego the several days of planned celebration and to quietly wed his daughter Rhaneyra and Laenor Velaryon to forge the important political alliance—while at the same time the Queen stopped Criston Cole from killing himself. “We Light the Way” ends with a weakened King Viserys fainting right after the marriage.

 

Best Quote

 “The time is coming, Alicent. Either you prepare Aegon to rule, or you cleave to Rhaenyra and pray for her mercy.” – Otto Hightower to Alicent Hightower

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Rhea Royce

-Ser Joffrey Lonmouth

 

MVP: Alicent Hightower

It’s difficult to pick an MVP from “We Light the Way” because no one really won, but Queen Alicent might have quietly laid the foundation to help herself down the road. By showing mercy to Criston Cole after he confessed his sin of breaking his vow, she should have his loyalty to some extent. And then after she apparently stopped him from killing himself in shame at the end of the episode, he should be further in her debt—and a potential person to manipulate in the game of thrones. Also, the Queen showed her strength more than she previously had in her entrance to the Great Hall, wearing a green (the color the beacon on the Hightower glows when Oldtown calls its banners to war) dress that subtly voices her thoughts on the dismissal of her father and the marriage between the current heir and Laenor.

 

Everything Else:

-Daemon Targaryen gets more interesting by the episode. Episode 5 started with him meeting with his estranged wife Rhea Royce, who suffers an “accident” that ends with Daemon finishing her off with a brick. Then Daemon’s arrival and actions left the viewer wondering what he was thinking; while most others around him were uneasy throughout the banquet, he looked carefree and in complete control. He even again tried to woo his niece Princess Rhaenyra before her marriage, making his case in High Valyrian. Some weren’t happy with the Matt Smith casting, but he’s putting in the type of performance that makes it difficult to envision anyone else playing the role—of which there were so many of in the original Game of Thrones series.

 

-The Velaryons have essentially been in quiet rebellion against the Crown, but their reception of King Viserys was pretty ridiculous and surprising. Normally, the King would have the red carpet rolled out for him. Viserys later asked his Hand Lyonel Strong what type of king he would be remembered as; clearly, he is not one that commands unquestioned respect.

 

-When Criston Cole basically spilled his heart to Rhaenyra on the ride back from Driftmark, the cold side of Rhaenyra was on display. Given how Targaryens can be, it’s something to note.

 

-Sticking with Ser Criston, his sense of honor—despite his lapse in judgement one night with Rhaenyra—was a bit reminiscent of Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. That made it more shocking that he snapped and was the one to cause the chaos. Presumably, Cole thought that Ser Joffrey could put Rhaenyra in danger by knowing the secret and talking so openly about it to him. Cole’s suppressed anger came out and cut off a loose end in the process.

 

-Laenor did not at all look like he wanted to get married after Joffrey Lonmouth was killed. It will be interesting to see how this marriage will work between Rhaenyra and Laenor—and whether Laenor’s secret of being gay comes into play, as his mother Rhaenys fears.

 

-The banquet scene was very well done in tracking key characters and their perspectives, making the entrances impactful, and displaying the chaos of the climax when it was unclear what was going on. Game of Thrones had a similar scene with the Purple Wedding in terms of tracking many important characters in one place and seeing how they would react.

 

-The ending score by composer Ramin Djawadi was again great. House of the Dragon is fortunate that he is helping keep the same mood and feeling via music.

The latest House of the Dragon episode includes Daemon Targaryen exerting heavy influence on his niece Rhaenyra Targaryen.

 

Episode: “King of the Narrow Sea”

Runtime: 63 minutes

Original Air Date: September 11, 2022

Written by: Ira Parker

Directed by: Clare Kilner

 

Plot (via HBO)

After Rhaenyra cuts short her tour of Westeros, Daemon introduces the princess to the Street of Silk after dark.

 

Best Moment: Daemon returns to King’s Landing

Following Rhaenyra Targaryen ending her tour in search of a husband two months early, “King of the Narrow Sea” focused on the aftermath of her decision—with her uncle Daemon returning to King’s Landing at the same time, arriving on Caraxes. King Viserys’ accepting of his brother’s arrival in the Great Hall could have gone in just about any direction, as it started with Daemon wearing a crown as King of the Narrow Sea and getting the sword of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Harrold Westerling pointed at him. However, it became a calm affair, with Daemon giving up his crown and telling his brother to throw the Crabfeeder’s hammer in with the other swords of the Iron Throne. Viserys and Daemon then embraced, but the rogue prince had other plans that impacted the rest of the episode and future events in the soon-to-come civil war.

 

Best Quote

“You are my political headache.” – King Viserys to Rhaenyra Targaryen

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Bracken trash talker

 

MVP: Viserys Targaryen

We saw the “dragon” in Viserys come out when he confronted Daemon in the throne room for his actions with Rhaenyra, and the Targaryen king has shown he can be competent and strong when necessary. Another potential best moment from the episode was when Viserys fired his Hand of the King Otto Hightower after Rhaenyra made him do so as a condition for marrying Laenor Velaryon. Otto was clearly operating as a power-hungry schemer, and Rhaenyra helped her father see that after the Hand reported her activities with Daemon that were not fully true (saved by Daemon’s impotence). In the end, Viserys was able to get Rhaenyra to agree to the marriage to a needed ally, which is something he’d been lacking for a few years after turning down the marriage to Laena Velaryon. Now the question becomes whether Viserys is left unprotected after letting his Hand go, as Otto—who really might have the good of the realm in mind—appeared to do a solid job under multiple kings despite his recent selfish faults.

 

Everything Else:

-While Daemon played nice with Viserys publicly, he quickly flipped the switch and tried to get to the King by getting to Rhaenyra—romantically, politically (even proposing a marriage between he and his niece to Viserys), and in terms of control. A big part of the episode and the journey Daemon took his niece on throughout the Street of Silk was basically the indoctrination of the young princess—and it appears Daemon was successful in doing so, as evident with Ser Criston Cole later that night. The possibility of marriage between Daemon and Rhaenyra looks like a realistic scenario and the potential best path for them if the Iron Throne is their primary concern and objective—and remember, Targaryens marrying each other is common. But it is noteworthy that Daemon does not and potentially cannot have any children—especially when talking to Rhaenyra about her duties as heir.

 

-There was another time jump from the end of the War for the Stepstones to the beginning of this episode, and it appears Rhaenyra has forgiven her best friend Alicent Hightower for marrying her father. This allowed Alicent to warn Rhaenyra that King Viserys was told about her and Daemon. When Queen Alicent questioned her friend, it was interesting that she made clear her disgust for the “queer customs” of her family when it comes to relationships.

 

-The sores on Viserys are getting much bigger, and they could eventually spell the end of him.

 

-Daemon’s new haircut helped make the time jump clearer, and we’ll see if there is any explanation or reasoning for him cutting his trademark Targaryen hair short.

 

-It was again nice to hear about the “Song of Ice and Fire” discussed while Viserys and Rhaenyra were looking at the Valyrian steel catspaw dagger. Viserys revealed that before the dagger belonged to Aegon the Conqueror, it belonged to Aenar Targaryen—but that it is “difficult to know” the owner of the dagger before then. Also, the way Viserys has been talking about The Prince That Was Promised (despite the potential gender-neutral translation as discussed with Daenerys in Game of Thrones) again makes it seem as though Jon Snow is The Prince That Was Promised; they might have had a better understanding of the prophecy around 200 years earlier.

An even bigger time jump of three years took place between the second and third episodes of House of the Dragon, with the War for the Stepstones coming to its conclusion.

 

Episode: “Second of His Name”

Runtime: 58 minutes

Original Air Date: September 4, 2022

Written by: Gabe Fonseca & Ryan Condal

Directed by: Greg Yaitanes

 

Plot (via HBO)

Daemon and the Sea Snake battle the Crabfeeder. The realm celebrates Aegon’s second nameday. Rhaenyra faces the prospect of marriage.

 

Best Moment: War for the Stepstones

The prologue-feeling first scene of the episode included Daemon Targaryen on his dragon Caraxes assaulting the Stepstones before ultimately having to flee. The setup that the Crabfeeder and the Triarchy had allowed them to hide in the caves and avoid dragonfire, leading to a prolonged war that’s lasted a few years. With the men—mostly from House Velaryon—questioning Daemon’s leadership and King Viserys sending a royal letter to his brother promising aid of ten ships and 2,000 men, the rogue prince snapped, beating the messenger and deciding he would go on a daring mission to create an opening for his army to attack.

 

It felt unlikely that Daemon would actually surrender, and his use of the white flag as a ploy to draw out his enemies before cutting them down on the beach was a dirty trick showing that honor might not be that important to him—though it’s hard to follow honorable conventions when the enemy is feeding its captives alive to the crabs. The skill of Daemon was on full display, with his speed and strength helping buy enough time for his allies to join the battle while the opponent was drawn out of the caves. With dragonfire from above, the Velaryon forces were easily able to win the battle, which ended with Daemon chasing the Crabfeeer into a cave and coming out with half his body. The episode-ending shot of the bloodied Targaryen showed that he’s not the person to mess with.

 

Best Quote

“The road ahead is uncertain, but the end is clear.” – Otto Hightower

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Crabfeeder

 

MVP: Daemon Targaryen

This one is a no doubter. Daemon needed a win—not just by winning the war but by showing that he can be a leader in Westeros. His fearless and dangerous attack on the Stepstones, ending with him killing the Crabfeeder himself, earns the second son a ton of credibility.

 

Everything Else:

-The “Inside the Episode” discussed Episode 3 being about characters growing up and Viserys, Daemon, and Rhaenyra Targaryen in particular having more set perspectives after the events of the episode. Viserys admitted that he wavered, but he seems squarely behind his named heir Rhaenyra continuing as such and eventually sitting on the Iron Throne—at least for now.

 

-The episode gave a good look at what a king might have to deal with politically, which can certainly get tiring and annoying. Viserys drank a ton during the royal hunt, which was like King Robert Baratheon doing that (with the help of Lancel Lannister) before his death nearly 300 years later. I thought for a bit that a similar tragedy might strike Viserys.

 

-The scope of the royal hunt was on display in House of the Dragon, which George R.R. Martin was disappointed was unable to happen (because of budget constraints) during Season 1 of Game of Thrones. Aegon’s second nameday party and the royal hunt was a massive event with key houses like House Lannister showing up.

 

-It was a nice moment when Rhaenyra decided to let the white stag go. Killing the white stag probably would have been pretty legendary for the princess, but she decided to have mercy on the majestic creature—perhaps a sign of her good heart and her landing on the good side of the Targaryen coin flip.

 

-The dragonrider during the battle looked like Laenor Velaryon. While Targaryens are the ones with dragons, others from Valyria can also ride them.

 

-Daemon emerging from the battle with his face covered in blood was reminiscent of Jon Snow doing the same in the Battle of the Bastards. The insane fighting ability was also similar.

The second episode of House of the Dragon picks up six months after the events of Episode 1.

 

Episode: “The Rogue Prince”

Runtime: 54 minutes

Original Air Date: August 28, 2022

Written by: Ryan Condal

Directed by: Greg Yaitanes

 

Plot (via HBO)

Rhaenyra oversteps at the Small Council. Viserys is urged to secure the succession through marriage. Daemon announces his intentions.

 

Best Moment: The Dragonstone showdown

The Small Council meeting where the members decided what to do about Daemon Targaryen, who had taken over Dragonstone with the City Watch, was an intense meeting that is among the moments that deserve mention—as was the later Small Council meeting where King Viserys announced that he would be marrying Alicent Hightower, angering both Rhaenyra and Corlys Velaryon. But it’s aftermath, with Otto Hightower declaring that he would go to Dragonstone because it is too dangerous for Viserys, was probably the top moment of “The Rogue Prince”.

 

Hightower obviously holds a feeling of disdain for Daemon, the rogue prince that stole Dreamfyre’s egg (which was to be placed in the cradle of Baelon, per Targaryen tradition) while shamelessly lying about why he wanted it, and he made his feelings known during the showdown on the steps to the castle. Otto’s side, which included new Kinsguard member Criston Cole, arguably had the advantage on the ground—but Daemon had Caraxes at his back. Rhaenyra really saved the day by arriving on her own dragon Syrax to step up and talk to her uncle, eventually getting the valuable dragon egg back. It was cool to again see a Targaryen use a dragon in a key moment like we saw in Game of Thrones, and the princess’ actions helped avoid bloodshed and the potential first skirmish of a civil war.

 

Best Quote

“Men would sooner put the realm to the torch than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne.” – Rhaenys Targaryen to Rhaenyra Targaryen

 

Notable Character Deaths

-None

 

MVP: Otto Hightower

Rhaenyra could have been MVP for her actions on Dragonstone, but she took a major hit at the end of the episode when it was announced that her father would be marrying her best friend. Instead, Otto Hightower played the game of thrones extraordinarily well, with his daughter now set to become Queen and continue the royal line of succession. Otto was already very powerful as Hand of the King, but he is now virtually indispensable after out-playing Lord Corlys, who wanted the King to marry his even younger daughter Laena Velaryon.

 

Everything Else:

-After the prologue in the first episode, it was expected that opening credits would enter the picture in Episode 2. There was anticipation about the direction they would take considering Game of Thrones’iconic opening credits. It was great to see House of the Dragon use the same song (just slightly shorter to accommodate the shorter length of the credits) as its predecessor. I thought a new score might have been created, but sticking with the legendary GoT opening tune makes too much sense—and it’s something that should continue for all other potential successor shows.

 

-It was nice to see a lot of Dragonstone again, and some of the shots used gave a different perspective and angle than we saw in Game of Thrones. Unsurprisingly, the cinematography has been superb in House of the Dragon.

 

-The twist of Corlys Velaryon talking to Daemon Targaryen about an alliance was intriguing, and director Greg Yaitanes did a nice job with the reveal. At first, I thought it might have been some new character that was being introduced before it turned out to be the rebellious prince. While Daemon is not happy with his brother, it’s worth noting that he defended King Viserys when Corlys spoke poorly of him. Perhaps there’s room to come to peace at some point. And the alternating shot of Daemon and Corlys with the look at Craghas the Crabfeeder gave an eerie feeling of what’s to come and the outside threat of the Triarchy on the Stepstones.

 

-Based on the preview for next week, it appears that Episode 3 will make another jump forward of at least several months. This accelerated pace might go until at least the midway point in the season when the two female leads (Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower) jump in age.

 

-During his walk and talk with Laena Velaryon, King Viserys discussed the status of the missing dragon Vhagar. We’ll see if Vhagar comes into play down the line.

 

-The use of older English has been surprising (most notably the use of “mine” instead of “my”). I’m assuming it wasn’t a stylistic choice and instead shows the progression of language from the House of the Dragon period to 200 years later for Game of Thrones—reflecting the progression of English in real life.

Is appointment television viewing back? HBO’s House of the Dragon is off to a solid start, heightened by its willingness to stand on the shoulders of the giant that was Game of Thrones.

 

Episode: “The Heirs of the Dragon”

Runtime: 66 minutes

Original Air Date: August 21, 2022

Written by: Ryan Condal

Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik

 

Plot (via HBO)

Viserys hosts a tournament to celebrate the birth of his second child. Rhaenyra welcomes her uncle Daemon back to the Red Keep.

 

Best Moment: The Targaryen secret

“The Heirs of the Dragon” was a strong pilot throughout, introducing interesting characters including Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Prince Daemon Targaryen, and King Viserys Targaryen and laying the groundwork for how the rest of the season and series will unfold with a Targaryen civil war. It felt very connected to Game of Thrones throughout, but the connections were taken up a notch for the final scene, with King Viserys telling his daughter Rhaenyra that she would be his heir (almost out of necessity at this point given that he had no son and his wife tragically died during childbirth, and that his brother Daemon could not be trusted to become King) and then revealing the Targaryen secret that’s been passed down from king to heir for generations. The secret came from a dream of Aegon the Conqueror, who foresaw a dark threat from the North that the people of Westeros must band together to fight:

 

When the Great Winter comes, Rhaenyra, all of Westeros must stand against it. And if the world of men is to survive, a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne. A king or queen strong enough to unite the realm against the cold and the dark. Aegon called his dream “The Song of Ice and Fire.” This secret, it’s been passed from king to heir since Aegon’s time. Now you must promise to carry it and protect it.

 

It appears Viserys and Rhaenyra are the only two people aware of this secret, so that ups the stakes moving forward ahead of the civil war. Aegon’s dream also is a hint that might confirm that Jon Snow was “The Prince That Was Promised”, as he was a Targaryen that rallied together the houses of Westeros to stop the Night King in the Battle of Winterfell 200 years later—though an argument can still be made for Arya Stark, who ultimately delivered the fatal blow to the Night King with the catspaw dagger; and for Daenerys Targaryen, who agreed to help Jon in the Great War as his necessary ally.

 

Best Quote

“The gods have yet to make a man who lacks the patience for absolute power, your grace.” – Otto Hightower

 

Notable Character Deaths

-Aemma Targaryen

-Baelon Targaryen

 

MVP: Rhaenyra Targaryen

King Viserys obviously had to deal with a lot throughout the episode (a bickering small council, his brother Daemon’s ruthless actions while leading the City Watch, and most of all the death of his wife and newborn son), and he finally made up for the lack of attention toward his daughter while craving a male heir for years. But Rhaenyra is the MVP of the first episode. After the prologue, the series starts with Rhaenyra riding her dragon Syrax, and the first episode ends with her officially being named heir to the Iron Throne while learning about Aegon’s dream and the Targaryen secret. The princess also seems to have a firm grasp on the status of things and a good head on her shoulders even at a young age, and she delivered the first “Dracarys” of House of the Dragon to light the funeral pyres of her mother and brother.

 

Everything Else:

-The prologue was excellent, and it was smart to have a nod to the future by making it clear to the audience that this current story took place 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, who is one of the most beloved television characters of all-time.

 

-The credits listed Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin as the series creators; but Miguel Sapochnik, who directed some of the most epic Game of Thrones episodes and directed this pilot, is also a showrunner. It’s great that Sapochnik has the connection to Game of Thrones, and he helps deliver that same feeling to this successor prequel series. And having Martin, who started this entire thing by publishing A Game of Thrones in 1996, heavily involved is a major positive.

 

-It is also fantastic to have composer Ramin Djawadi overseeing the music in House of the Dragon, just as he did for Game of Thrones. The amazing use of the track “A Song of Ice and Fire” for the end credits was probably intentional—it was the same end credits song used for the final episode of Game of Thrones, which many believe was unfairly criticized by a vocal faction of critics online. Sapochnik—who, again, directed this HOTD debut—is notably among those that have defended Season 8.

 

-The Game of Thrones world has mostly gray-area characters, which is reflective of how things are in real life. After “The Heirs of the Dragon”, it looks like we’ll see a lot of politics throughout this series. Daemon Targaryen (played by Matt Smith) really stood out in Episode 1, displaying his deplorable tendencies—while also stepping up and showing a bit of a softer side during the funeral scene. Also, Hand of the King Otto Hightower is more ambitious than expected, and he’s already using his daughter Alicent as a pawn for power.

 

-The tough-to-watch birth scene will no doubt bring a lot of controversy, just as Game of Thrones had controversial moments that brought heat on co-creators David Benioff and Dan Weiss.

 

-The Valyrian steel catspaw dagger eventually used to kill the Night King is another direct connection to Game of Thrones. You just have to wonder how it eventually falls from House Targaryen into the hands of Littlefinger, and we’ll see if that question is eventually answered in House of the Dragon.

 

-There were no opening credits, but one would think that there will be moving forward considering the first episode kicked things off with a prologue, perhaps instead—and considering that the Game of Thrones theme is the most iconic in television history.

Streaming the world of ice and fire just got clearer. WarnerMedia announced that the groundbreaking HBO series Game of Thrones is officially available to stream in 4K Ultra HD on HBO Max. The press release reads in part:

 

Rally the realm and watch Daenerys’ dragons take flight in new dimensions – HBO Max has released all eight seasons of “Game of Thrones” in 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos globally, on select devices (users in the U.S. must be subscribed to the ad-free plan).

 

From epic battles like Blackwater and The Battle of the Bastards, to emotional scenes like Hold the Door, and the shocking twists of The Red Wedding and The Great Sept Explosion, fans will be immersed in the world of Westeros in ways they haven’t seen before. Whether subscribers are watching the series for the first time or in anticipation of the premiere of “House of the Dragon,” these formats make the episodes look sharper and showcase deeper, richer colors, while boasting atmospheric audio.

 

It’s been nearly two years since Game of Thrones has been available in 4K UHD, and it is a sensational upgrade from what you saw on cable. You can read our full review of Game of Thrones in 4K here. You can also check out our Top Ten Tuesday highlighting some of the best Game of Thrones episodes to watch in 4K, but it’s probably worth re-watching the entire series in UHD if you haven’t already. The detail provided in 4K UHD is extremely realistic, and you can get a finer appreciation for things like the costumes and sets.

 

You’ll need the ad-free HBO Max plan ($14.99/month vs. $9.99/month for the plan with ads) to watch Thrones in Ultra HD. But it will work globally on many devices, including Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Apple TV 4K, Xfinity 4K boxes, and 4K LG smart televisions.

 

Not only does the Dolby Vision and HDR10 help deliver a better picture in the 4K format, but Dolby Atmos makes noticeable improvements to the sound quality of the show.

 

The Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon will also be available in 4K UHD on HBO Max. House of the Dragon premieres on Sunday, August 21 at 9:00 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Just over one month from its debut on HBO, the official trailer for the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon has arrived.

 

 

We already had good previews of the series with character posters and images as well as a teaser trailer, but this official trailer gives more insight on the type of story we’ll be following. House of the Dragon focuses on the Targaryen civil war, and much of it appears set to take place in the Red Keep. The political intrigue will certainly be a focus of Season 1, just as it was for Thrones.

 

There also looks like there’ll be plenty of action, which will include 17 different dragons. James Hibbard of The Hollywood Reporter gives great insight on the approach from series creators Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik (and A Song of Ice and Fire creator George R.R. Martin) in a two-part series. Basically, this story will feature a couple of different timelines, jumping ten years forward with four actors—a younger version and a slightly older version—playing two of the main characters (Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower). Judging by the trailer, it looks like much of the season will be tied around the relationship between Rhaenyra and Alicent.

 

House of the Dragon is obviously looking to build off of what Game of Thrones did in creating the most highly acclaimed and most awarded television series in history. Condal and Sapochnik (who directed some of Thrones’ best episodes like “Hardhome”, “Battle of the Bastards”, “The Winds of Winter”, and “The Long Night”) are doing their own thing, but they won’t shy away from all that worked with GoT. To note, Ramin Djawadi is composing the score like he did for Game of Thrones, so that’ll be huge in helping set a similar tone for the series.

 

House of the Dragon premieres Sunday, August 21 at 9:00 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max.