Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2, “Rhaenyra the Cruel.”
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2, “Rhaenyra the Cruel,” is another solid installment of theGame of Thronesprequel, as the Dance of the Dragons edges closer to truly catching fire. The second episode picks up directly fromBlood and Cheese killing Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen, and it’s the fallout from it that drives the story and character arcs at play here. It results in conflicts on both sides of the Greens/Blacks divide, some of which are better than others.
The Aftermath Of Blood & Cheese Is Better Than The Moment Itself
Aegon And Helaena Both Have Standout Scenes
I thoughtHouse of the Dragon’s version of Blood and Cheesehad problems, especially in terms of the impact of the scene, but the same can’t really be said for the aftermath. Whether it’s King Aegon II Targaryen’s fury, Alicent Hightower’s guilt, or Helaena Targaryen having to suffer through a funeral procession and deal with the reality of what happened,the show delivers compelling, emotional character work and some superb performances to go with it.
I Can’t Believe How House Of The Dragon Changed THAT Scene After 6 Years Of Hype
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 has a very significant scene from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, but the show’s version is disappointing.
Tom Glynn-Carney is particularly terrific here, as we get to see a lot more not only of his acting range, but of Aegon’s emotional range. The rage he has is great, but even more so is his tearful breakdown later on, which makes him feel much more human.Phia Saban is also excellent as Helaena, conveying so much with her eyes and nailing the complexity of a grieving parent with someone who is so often lost in their own dreams. This episode grounds her a little more, and while not always comfortable, it really shows her pain and loss.
House Of The Dragon Nails Some Key Character Scenes (But Misses Others)
Otto Hightower Shines, But HOTD Needs More Daemon
One of the best parts ofGame of Throneswas its conversations between two or three characters in dark rooms, and it’s somethingHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2 gets at in its best moments too.The scenes with Otto Hightower - one involving Aegon and Criston Cole, the other Alicent - are particularly goodin this regard, perfectly capturing how these conversations where the power dynamics really shift. This is particularly beneficial for oneHouse of the Dragoncastmember.
Rhys Ifans gives his best performance as Otto to date, towering even as his role becomes smaller, and with a sense of theater as though we’re watching him on stage…
Rhys Ifans gives his best performance as Otto to date, towering even as his role becomes smaller, and with a sense of theater as though we’re watching him on stage, capturing the tragedy of a man doing Shakespeare in a soap opera. It’s also very much a credit to writer Sarah Hess, who gives him (and others) some great dialogue and back-and-forths to work with, and director Clare Kilner, who stages the scenes like play, drawing us into these moments and letting us linger with them.
WTF Is Going On With Alicent & Criston Cole In House Of The Dragon Season 2?
Alicent Hightower and Ser Criston Cole have an unexpected relationship in House of the Dragon season 2, and it reveals a lot about both of them.
I also have to give praise to the scene between Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen. Like many of their season 1 interactions, it cackles with electricity, there’s a furious chemistry, and it always feels right on the edge of boiling over. However, it also highlights a bit of a problem, in thatthere’s just not enough of this with Daemon so far this season, and I am worried about losing out on that dynamic as he heads to Harrenhal.
The Duel Of The Cargyll Twins Doesn’t Match Game Of Thrones' Best Swordfights
The Fight Between Arryk & Erryk Is Nonetheless Pretty Good
House of the Dragonseason 2 has its first action sequence with the duel of the Cargyll twins, which results in thedeaths of both Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk. Overall, I think this was pretty good: the decision to involve Mysaria did feel a little forced and too convenient for the sake of her redemption, butI liked the inclusion of Rhaenyra in the scene (which doesn’t happen in the book).
That’s not necessarily because it raises the stakes - we know she won’t be killed, so Arryk must be defeated - but more because of how it shows she is so under threat and can easily be got to by members of the Greens. That could well be a powerful motivator for her moving through the season.
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The actual fight itself is mostly well done, and I especially liked how it got into the emotion between the two brothers. However, it’s also lacking compared to thebest swordfights fromGame of Thrones-there’s not the same tension as the Mountain and the Viper, the same visceral brutality as with the Hound and Brienne, nor the grandeur and intensity of another fight between brothers, Cleganebowl.
On the whole, though, this was another enjoyable - if not great - outing that continues the slow build to the Dance of the Dragons really kicking off.
Again, it’s not bad at all, the choreography is good, and it makes good use of the space of Rhaenyra’s bedchamber, but I think it could’ve been longer, which would’ve allowed more of that intensity and emotion, and made for a stronger battle. On the whole, though, this was another enjoyable - if not great - outing that continues the slow build to theDance of the Dragonsreally kicking off.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
