This review was made possible by advance screeners of House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1. House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1 is now available to watch on HBO and Max. New episodes are released every Sunday.
After what has felt like a lifetime of waiting, House of the Dragon has finally returned to our screens, and what a wait it has been! The show took the world by storm in 2022, myself included, as it introduced audiences to a new era within the Game of Thrones universe – offering the chance to bear witness to the Dance of the Dragons. Season 2 is set to raise the stakes, with the threat of war and even more conflict than presented in the show’s first season. It was recently renewed for a third season, which is excellent news given how big of a fan I am…
All Hail the Queen
I could honestly go on for hours about how incredible Emma D’Arcy is as Queen Rhaenyra. The role could not have been cast as well as they’ve got, from their performance in Season 1 to now, every scene is acted with so much emotion and talent. D’Arcy’s portrayal of Rhaenyra is marked by a strong, commanding screen presence that captures the complexity of their character so well. When Rhaenyra is at her utmost highest, D’Arcy brings an interesting and regal authority that makes it incredibly hard to look away from the screen, however, in moments of certain vulnerability, we’re imbued with a nuanced grace and hostility that adds vast layers to their character. This ability is such a talent, and I would not be surprised if this masterclass in acting sees Emma D’Arcy up for yet another Emmy next year.
Having been someone who was a passive viewer of Game of Thrones, I never found myself absolutely hooked to the original show, dipping in and out whilst it was airing towards the end of the show’s life, which is the complete opposite of how I reacted to House of the Dragon. I don’t know what is more enjoyable or gripping in comparison to GoT, but I adore the storytelling in this show, both the story and the characters we watch week in and week out are so diverse and fascinating. It starts slow but once it kicks off, you’re in for one hell of an episode usually.
Season 2’s premiere builds upon the world introduced in Season 1, inching closer to all-out war, which is always an exciting prospect. Good television comes from enjoying it weekly with the knowledge that something huge is coming, which the premiere does well at selling. Developments from Team Black and Green, more specifically the Greens, who get a lot of the spotlight.
Some of the best duo acting comes from the power held between Tom Glynn-Carney and Ewan Mitchell as Aegon and Aemond Targaryen. Mitchell, of course, spent the end of last year starring in Saltburn, a terrific and hilarious supporting role which is mesmerising given how different it is to his menacing, patch-eye appearance as Aemond. Mitchell is absolutely terrifying as Aemond, easily one of the show’s best-supporting roles.
Fans of Game of Thrones will be introduced to a very familiar accent and catchphrase as soon as Season 2 begins as we see Jace visit the Night’s Watch, in an attempt to negotiate with Lord Cregan Stark (played by Tom Taylor) to assist Rhaenyra in recruiting an army. It’ll be a nice touch for familiar audiences, giving yet another familiarity to the original.
Blood and Cheese
Season 2’s premiere introduces one of the darkest chapters from George R. R. Martin’s original novel A Song of Ice and Fire. The Blood and Cheese storyline sees Daemond recruit the pair to assassinate Aemond, though both end up killing Prince Jaehaerys instead.
Phia Saban, who plays Queen Helaena, delivers an outstanding performance that captures the sheer terror of the situation. The scene is chilling, with Saban’s portrayal of Helaena’s fear and desperation making it difficult to watch, especially as she flees the scene. Her wide-eyed panic sits with you long after the episode has ended. The assassination itself is incredibly hard to watch, with Saban’s performance and the dark nature of the events paired with the disturbing noise of murder makes a vastly impactful moment. Concluding the episode with the murder is certainly an interesting choice, though a strong one.
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Premiere – Final Thoughts
House of the Dragon‘s Season 2 premiere focuses on continuing the story from Season 1’s conclusion and does so in an engaging manner. The pace of storytelling feels natural, moving away from refreshers, and it ends up being a highly entertaining reintroduction despite the lack of action the show is known for. The inclusion of Blood and Cheese is a strong move, highlighting just how brutal Westeros can be, making for a dramatic ending.
