House of the Dragon Episode 2 Review – New Alliances?

House of the Dragon is a Game of Thrones prequel based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 novel- Fire & Blood. The events of the HBO show is set 172 years before the Mother of Dragons- Daenerys Targaryen. The show focuses on King Viserys I’s rule. His inability to give the realm a male heir has rendered kingdom in a state unsurety. His heir is to be decided between his brother Daemon Targaryen and his eldest daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen. On paper this seems to be the central conflict of the show, although as these events are taking place in Westeros things will never be simple. While pilot established the tone, characters and setting of the prequel the second episode really got in its groove and began telling a new story, a story we know we haven’t heard and want to. All things that the pilot set up is being followed up by in second episode.

The first episode as we’re all aware was a massive success for HBO. It drew almost 10 million viewers on the day of premiere. Until now the pilot has been seen by over 20 million viewers. The pilot was a phenomenal episode and naturally I was looking forward to its follow-up episode. Finally after a week, we’ve gotten the second episode and let me get one thing out of the way… nothing has come closer to become Game of Thrones. This episode felt like it belonged to the GOT Universe and was not forced onto it. So, without any further ado, let’s continue the Dragon Saga. First, check out Episode 1 review here.

Episode – The Rogue Prince (SPOILERS AHEAD)

Rating – ★★★★★

House of the Dragon Episode 2: King Viserys I to take a New Wife for the Realm?

The second episode is titled The Rogue Prince, referring to Daemon Targaryen who was supposed to go to the Vale but instead went rogue and fled to Dragonstone. The episode picks up somewhat 6 months after the Queen Aemma’s demise. Rhaenyra is still the heir to the Iron Throne, however it looks like it is only on paper. Daemon has claimed the seat a Dragonstone, the ancestral home of the Targaryens. He has an army of the gold cloaks (City Watch) that went rogue with him.

The Step Stones have seized four ships, one of the them being Lord Corlys Velaryon. However, Viserys refuses to on Daemon’s treason as well as the Step Stones, as he wants to avoid war. Rhaenyra is once again pegged lesser based on her gender. Although, she does choose a knight for the Kingsguard Ser Criston Cole. The same guy who defeated Daemon in the pilot’s tourney. Alicent’s and Viserys’ bond is growing deeper. Alicent helps Rhaenyra to grieve her mother. Viserys still considers Rhaenyra naive.

Corlys proposes a marriage between House Velaryon and House Targayren, the only surviving Valyrian houses. He offers to marry his daughter Lady Laena to Viserys. However, Viserys is conflicted by this offer. Meanwhile Daemon steals a dragon egg, not just any egg the same egg that was chosen for Baelon’s cradle.

Naturally this drives Viserys mad and decides to take action against Daemon. Otto insists him going to Dragonstone to deal with Daemon. When they get there, Daemon and Otto draw swords and blood was about to shed.

However, Daemon displayed the might of his dragon and Otto was about to surrender but just then out of nowhere Rhaenyra comes flying through the clouds on Syrax (a mesmerizing shot to say in the least). She convinces Daemon to give up the egg in true Targaryen fashion and proves her worth. Viserys and Rhaneyra share beautiful moment. Meanwhile, Viserys despite having full knowledge that taking Laena as his wife is in the realm’s favor but he chooses Alicent as his new wife. Naturally this makes many people unhappy especially Rhaenyra and Corlys.

The episode ends with Corlys forming an alliance with Daemon provided Daemon gets rid of the crab feeders who are funded by the Free Cities. This is a huge moment in the entire show. Now the real games have begun- a game of thrones has commenced.

Verdict

Nothing could’ve been better than this episode after the amazing pilot. The second episode was filled with everything that we love about Game of Thrones- violence, politics and dragons. The episode unlike the pilot opens with an opening title sequence. It is about House Targayren but they’ve used GOT’s music and I’m not going to lie that gave me goosebumps. As much as I wanted some new amazing music from Ramin Djawadi but listening the Game of Thrones title track is a different feeling altogether.

The opening title sequence looks great, I love how they follow through each point with a stream of blood and soon streams of blood. It goes with House Targaryens’ words- Fire and Blood. The episode plays beautifully with nostalgia and an original story. House of the Dragon is looking like one of those shows which will stand on its own outside the shadow of its predecessor. Like Better Call Saul. Until now Rhaenyra is my favorite character from the show. Milly Alcock and Emily Carey are absolutely brilliant by the way.

Their acting capabilities are phenomenal. If there’s anyone I hate it is Otto Hightower, Daemon is fun, I like when he is on screen. Otto is the new Littlefinger not Princess Rhaenys. House of the Dragon Episode 2 is an follow-up to the pilot. It has elevated the quality of the show by a mile. Episode 2 is drum roll please……. 5 out of 5 stars. The betrayals and shocks have not kicked in yet but have certainly began. If you haven’t watched it already, check out House of the Dragon on HBO Max or Disney+ Hotstar.

The GOT prequel has an incredible ensemble cast that includes Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Along with the main cast, the supporting cast of the show includes- Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn, and more.

House of the Dragon’s first two episodes are currently streaming on HBO Max or Disney+. New episodes will debut on every Sunday or Monday on HBO and HBO Max or Disney+ Hotstar depending on the region you live in, at 9 pm or 6.30 am.

If you have any questions regarding House of the Dragon, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!