House of the Dragon
Warning : curb SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2 , episode 2 , " Rhaenyra the Cruel . "
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2 , sequence 2 , " Rhaenyra the Cruel , " is another whole instalment of theGame of Thronesprequel , as the Dance of the Dragons border closer to truly catching fire . The 2nd instalment picks up like a shot fromBlood and Cheese kill Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen , and it ’s the fallout from it that drives the story and case discharge at play here . It ensue in conflicts on both sides of the Greens / Blacks separate , some of which are better than others .
Cast
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 line and Cheesehad problems , especially in terms of the impact of the picture , but the same ca n’t really be sound out for the aftermath . Whether it ’s King Aegon II Targaryen ’s fury , Alicent Hightower ’s guilt trip , or Helaena Targaryen have to get through a funeral onward motion and deal with the reality of what happened , the show deliver compelling , emotional character work and some superb performance to go with it .
House of the Dragon time of year 2 , episode 1 has a very substantial scene from George R.R. Martin ’s Fire & Blood , but the show ’s version is disappointing .
Tom Glynn - Carney is peculiarly 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 lose in their own dreams . This episode grounds her a piffling more , and while not always well-heeled , 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 well parts ofGame of Throneswas its conversation between two or three characters in benighted rooms , and it ’s somethingHouse of the Dragonseason 2 , instalment 2 gets at in its good minute too . The scenes with Otto Hightower - one involve Aegon and Criston Cole , the other Alicent - are particularly goodin this regard , dead capturing how these conversation where the great power kinetics really change over . This is particularly beneficial for oneHouse of the Dragoncastmember .
Rhys Ifans give his ripe execution as Otto to date , towering even as his function becomes humble , and with a sense of theater as though we ’re view him on stage …
Rhys Ifans give his best public presentation as Otto to date , tower even as his role becomes little , and with a sense of theater as though we ’re watching him on microscope stage , enamour the tragedy of a man doing Shakespeare in a soap opera house . It ’s also very much a credit to writer Sarah Hess , who gives him ( and others ) some groovy dialogue and back - and - forths to work with , and music director Clare Kilner , who stages the scenes like dramatic play , describe us into these minute and let us linger with them .
Alicent Hightower and Ser Criston Cole have an unexpected family relationship in House of the Dragon season 2 , and it reveals a portion about both of them .
I also have to give extolment to the scene between Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen . Like many of their time of year 1 interactions , it cackles with electricity , there ’s a infuriated chemistry , and it always feels flop on the border of boiling over . However , it also highlights a fleck of a problem , in thatthere ’s just not enough of this with Daemon so far this season , and I am apprehensive about fall behind out on that dynamic as he head 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 affect Mysaria did experience a little forced and too convenient for the sake of her redemption , butI liked the inclusion of Rhaenyra in the aspect ( which does n’t happen in the ledger ) .
That ’s not necessarily because it raises the stakes - we acknowledge she wo n’t be killed , so Arryk must be defeated - but more because of how it shows she is so under threat and can easily be start to by members of the Greens . That could well be a powerful motivator for her move through the season .
House of the Dragon Season 2 ’s Full Release Schedule
Episode #
Date
1
June 16
2
June 23
3
June 30
4
July 7
5
July 14
6
July 21
7
July 28
8
August 4
The actual fight itself is mostly well done , and I especially like how it get 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 intuitive brutality as with the Hound and Brienne , nor the grandeur and intensity level of another fight between crony , Cleganebowl .
On the whole , though , this was another gratifying - if not great - outing that continues the tedious build to the Dance of the Dragons really kicking off .
Again , it ’s not speculative at all , the choreography is good , and it make sound use of the outer space of Rhaenyra ’s sleeping accommodation , but I conceive 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 go on the slow build to theDance of the Dragonsreally kicking off .
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Billy Sunday at 9 pm ET on HBO and Max .
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Taking place about 172 year before the events ofGame of Thrones , House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens , the only family of dragonlords to hold up the Doom of Valyria . The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replace by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke , who roleplay the older versions of the characters . Also star in the series is Matt Smith ( Prince Daemon Targaryen ) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra ’s Father-God , King Viserys Targaryen .
