The creators of House of the Dragon assured us of a second season of fire and blood, and from the show’s first look, it will certainly not disappoint. HBO has finally revealed the official teaser for Season 2, which promises to continue the Targaryen tale of dragons (and their downfall) with incredible brutality.
I’ve not heard a bigger understatement than the opening line of the 60-second teaser: “Errors were made in the hours following King Viserys’ death.” Thank you, Captain Otto Obvious. Not only did you and your cronies crown an immature man-child as the illegitimate king way before Viserys’ body was cold, you also topped it off by starting the Dance of the Dragons with the vicious murder of poor old Beesbury.
I digress. After Otto finishes his foreboding statement, which sets the stage for a tumultuous and dangerous power struggle in the realm, Alicent Hightower ominously declares that a war is brewing, one that will claim many lives before a new ruler claims the Iron Throne. Concurrently, Ramin Djawadi does his thing, adding to the grandeur and tension of the impending conflict.
The only sensible Targaryen in the show, Rhaenys Targaryen, warns of the devastating nature of wars between kin, especially when dragons are involved. Her words echo as the teaser showcases dramatic scenes, including intense battle montages, several beheadings (if you guessed ‘Ser’ Criston Cole is holding the sword in at least one, here’s your cookie), and the terrifying roars of dragons.
So, what will House of the Dragon Season 2 entail? Before you stop reading this article, fear not; I will honor the oath of “no spoilers!” Recounting the events of Season 1, we saw half the characters spending their energy trying not to call Rhaenyra’s children by the forbidden ‘B’ word, while the rest were trying not to get killed by the loverboy, Criston Cole. As everyone knows, wine and scheming are the perfect recipe for tragedy, which unfortunately befalls Harwin Strong, loving father of three two.
Meanwhile, Laena Velaryon decides to become Dragon Toast after complications arise during her pregnancy, making Prince Daemon the most-wanted bachelor in all Seven Kingdoms once again. However, this being a story written by George R. R. Martin, it comes as no surprise that Daemon ends up with his niece, Rhaenyra, you know, keeping it in the family.
A few moons pass, children grow up, and the conflict begins. After Aemond Targaryen gets tired of being the runt of the Targaryen litter, he decides to grow a pair, bag himself an absolute unit of a dragon in the form of Vhagar, and cap off the new look with a badass eyepatch.
As all this is happening, King Viserys’ body is turning to mush, which means he won’t be king for long. Realizing this, Daddy Hightower begins to conspire to take away Rhaenyra’s birthright and gift it to his reluctant daughter, Alicent. Though he’s old, Vizzy T is still “The Man,” a fact he proves by walking up the Iron Throne with his flailing body like a boss.
Tired of all the bickering in his court, he lays down the law and restores power to Rhaenyra. Vaemond Velaryon decides enough is enough and drops the B word, prompting Daemon to summon his murderous aura and separate Vaemond’s tongue from the rest of him.
Soon enough, Viserys bids adieu to the mounting Targaryen drama, giving the Greens the chance to finally usurp the throne. Alliances are formed, allegiances pledged, and campaigns launched, the first being winning the support of the Baratheons. At Storm’s End, the real showdown of the season takes place when Aemond and Lucerys, aka Luke, (Rhaenyra’s son who took out his eye) accidentally find themselves vying for Lord Borros allegiance.
After Luke epically fails to impress Lord Borros, he hastily leaves his castle on the back of his dragon Arrax, while Aemond follows in pursuit. The famed reciprocal justice “an eye for an eye” does not apply to Aemond here, who ends up asserting revenge through Vhagar by chomping Arrax in half, along with Luke. Inevitably, Lucerys’ death becomes the spark that ignites the barbaric, merciless civil war that will encompass Season 2.
No release date has yet been announced for House of the Dragon Season 2, but your summer next year is sure to be filled with poetic Targaryen warfare.
