Highlights
- House of the Dragon season 2, based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, explores the first hundred years of Targaryen rule in Westeros. The series precedes the events of Game of Thrones.
- The civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons erupts in season 1’s climax, with Rhaenyra’s faction (the Blacks) going against Aegon II’s faction (the Greens). The war will result in the deaths of key players and dragons.
- Season 2 of House of the Dragon promises bigger battle sequences, intense duels, and a wave of violence, chaos, and destruction in King’s Landing, marking the end of peace and prosperity in the Seven Kingdoms.
George R.R. Martin has hyped up viewers about the upcoming House of the Dragon season 2 ahead of its summer 2024 release. Based on his Fire & Blood, the events of the said HBO series precede those of the original: Game of Thrones. The setting explores the first hundred years of Targaryen rule and their onward journey in Westeros. As described in the show by Princess Rhaenyra herself:
As the first century of the Targaryen dynasty came to a close, the health of the Old King, Jaehaerys, was failing. In those days, House Targaryen stood at the height of its strength, with ten adult dragons under its yoke. No power in the world could stand against it.
Although Jaehaerys ensures the stability of the realm by having his successor elected at Harrenhal, Viserys does quite the opposite. Although he starts strong by breaking precedent and naming a girl his heir (Princess Rhaenyra), he weakens her position by choosing to propagate the royal line of succession by marrying his Hand’s daughter, and heir’s best friend, Alicent of House Hightower. Viserys himself oversees a peaceful reign, interspersed with occasional family conflicts. However, when it is time for Rhaenyra to take the coveted throne, the Greens ensure the Seven Kingdoms plunge into a civil war in House of the Dragon season 1’s climax.
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What To Expect From House Of The Dragon Season 2
Rhaenyra and uncle-husband, Daemon, along with their children from both their previous and current marriages, live in Dragonstone. She is surrounded by a few loyalists and has received declarations from a few Houses, per House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10 “The Black Queen.” Her faction is known as the Blacks. Alicent and her two sons and daughter have the Red Keep and the capital under their control. Rhaenyra is heavily pregnant with Daemon’s daughter when she finds out the Greens have usurped her throne and declared Alicent’s firstborn, Aegon, king. She gives birth to a stillborn daughter, while Daemon leaves to plot his war.
Rhaenyra wants to hold off on the attack even after her coronation and her first war council meeting, believing restraint to be the biggest manifestation of her duty towards the realm. However, House of the Dragon‘s “The Black Queen,” makes a drastic change of stance. After Daemon communicates the news of Prince Lucerys’ death to his mother, Rhaenyra gives the expression that the Greens are now the objects of scorn.
Rhaenyra’s faction is due to strike, causing chaos throughout the realm. The Dance will be fought between the Blacks and the Greens and their dragons. The realm will take sides. Notable Houses such as the Lannisters and Baratheons are on the side of the Greens, while the Starks side with the Blacks. In the end, the Dance will see the deaths of key players such as Daemon, Rhaenyra, Alicent, Aemond, Aegon II, Jacaerys, and nearly all the dragons. This war confirms the Old King Jaehaerys’ fear:
The only thing that could tear down the House of the Dragon was itself.
While Rhaenyra grieves the loss of her son, Daemon wants to see her on the Iron Throne, no matter the cost. In a new blog post, Martin says he has seen episodes 1 and 2 of House of the Dragon‘s second season, and writes (per Not a Blog):
Of course, I am hardly objective when talking about anything based on my own work… but I have to say, I thought both episodes were just great. […] Dark, mind you. Very dark. They may make you cry. […] Powerful, emotional, gut-wrenching, heart rending. Just the sort of thing I like.
Martin teases the preliminary fallout of the war on the Blacks, and the loss of Rhaenyra’s son. As of the episode “The Black Queen,” Rhaenyra was still on the defensive, but she knows that that’s no longer an option and the Greens are indeed coming for her. The Dance of the Dragons has begun, and per the lore, Daemon promises his wife a son for a son. The aftermath of Lucerys’ death entails the incorporation of two minor characters and assassins — Blood and Cheese—- into the storyline. Daemon arranges through his former paramour, Mysaria, the assassination of one of Aegon II’s sons. The war of kin has officially begun, with Princess Rhaenys of the Blacks reminding Rhaenyra in the teaser trailer:
There is no war so hateful to the Gods as a war between kin and no war so bloody as a war between dragons.
The Differences Between House Of The Dragon Seasons 1 & 2
House Targaryen, which lies in shambles in Game of Thrones, is at the zenith of power and the very height of hubris in House of the Dragon. The Targaryens have the resources to cast the realm into a war, and all this build-up to the Dance should have an intense payoff. Bigger battle sequences, such as Battle at Rook’s Rest, and the Battle of the Gullet are expected in season 2. Though it’s just the beginning, the Dance of the Dragons is a civil war that comprises fierce duels.
House of the Dragon‘s season 2 teaser trailer features countless horrific visuals of violence, beheadings, enraged Targaryens and their dragons, and chaos in King’s Landing. It delivers on the promise of Fire and Blood, and waves goodbye to peace and prosperity in the Seven Kingdoms.
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Princess Rhaenys and Meleys put up a good fight, but a battle at Rook’s Rest will deal a blow to the Blacks in House of the Dragon’s future.
