At long last, HBO is finally inviting audiences to pledge their allegiance as the internal strife among the warring Targaryen factions reach a crescendo: are you Team Black or Team Green?
With House of the Dragon Season 2’s return at hand, HBO is encapsulating this difficult choice with, not just one but two trailers, which comes roughly 24 hours after it unveiled a series of character posters ahead of its release.
The pair of House of the Dragon Season 2 trailers offer a glimpse into the fierce rivalry that promises to engulf the Seven Kingdoms, told across eight episodes starting on June 16.
Building upon the dramatic events of House of the Dragon‘s debut season, the conflict at the heart of Season 2 escalates following the tragic demise of Lucerys, lighting a fuse under the already tense parties and speeding up the inevitable Dance of the Dragons. This civil war marks a decades-long battle between kin, famously regarded as the most devastating to the realm and to the dragons that have come to symbolize the power of House Targaryen.
The two trailers released by HBO serve to delineate the battle lines between the warring factions within the Targaryen house. Team Black, rallying under the sigil of the “Crown’s Delight” Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, portrayed by Emma D’Arcy, along with her Prince Consort Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith, stands for the claim of Rhaenyra to the Iron Throne, as decreed by her late father, King Viserys. On the opposite side, Team Green supports the usurper Aegon Targaryen, the son of Queen Alicent Hightower, bringing to the forefront the internal conflicts and betrayals that have plagued the dynasty.
As the showrunner Ryan Condal and the creative team delve deeper into the saga, they aim to expand upon the Shakespearean and Greek tragedy elements inherent in every war. With both sides rallying for conflict, the series promises a spectacle of dragon-led warfare that is expected to surpass the already high standards set by its predecessor, Game of Thrones.
George R.R. Martin’s involvement with the production offers an authentic interpretation of the source material, ensuring that the grandeur and complexity of the Targaryen history are faithfully represented.
The choice between Team Black and Team Green is representative of divergent visions for the future of Westeros. Team Black champions a progressive claim by a woman to the throne, challenging the patriarchal Westerosi norms. In contrast, Team Green’s claim reinforces traditional succession through male heirs, a conflict that resonates with contemporary debates on governance and succession.
As House of the Dragon returns, it carries the legacy of Game of Thrones, promising to captivate audiences with its intricate storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and the intensity of its characters’ ambitions and desires. The series promises to continue the exploration of the rich lore of Westeros, which will be expanded on in at least two more seasons, an animated spin-off, and another live-action adaptation.
As the countdown to June 16 begins, the official trailers for House of the Dragon Season 2 sets the stage for an eight-episode run that’s as captivating and contentious as the history it seeks to depict.
