Score: 8/10
The premiere of “House of the Dragon” Season 2 is finally here, and it’s everything fans have been waiting for. Titled “Son For A Son,” this episode sets the tone for what promises to be a wild and intense season. The series continues to impress despite some notable deviations from the books. The brutality and cunning of certain characters seem somewhat dialed down compared to their literary counterparts, but the essence of the story remains intact.
This episode deals with the fallout from the dramatic finale of Season 1, and it’s clear from the outset that the stakes are higher than ever. The narrative takes a poignant turn as it delves into themes of grief and loss, particularly the devastating impact of a child’s death. While the episode feels more muted and less shocking than its predecessors, with an almost PG-13 vibe, it still delivers the intense moments we expect from a Game of Thrones spin-off.
Despite these changes, the series remains a breath of fresh air, especially after some recent disappointments (looking at you, The Acolyte). The actors continue delivering stellar performances, embodying their characters and adding depth to the unfolding drama. Though the ending of this episode feels a bit subdued, it’s an engaging start to the season, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for Team Green. Overall, I’d rate this episode an 8/10.
Episode Breakdown (Spoilers)
The episode opens with a tense scene at House Stark, where Team Black is rallying support for Rhaenyra. They remind the Starks of their oaths and seek their pledge of allegiance. The gravity of the situation escalates when news arrives that Lucerys has been murdered.
Daemon and Rhaenys have a significant interaction early on. Daemon, ever the warrior, pushes for immediate retaliation, but Rhaenys, displaying her characteristic wisdom, argues for caution and refutes Daemon with an epic mic drop:
Daemon: Fly with me. It is a command.
Rhaenys: Would that you were the king.
Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Serpent, also makes a brief appearance. He speaks with a man named Alyn who saved him from a pirate attack – it must’ve happened off-screen because I don’t recall that from Season 1.
Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, Aegon is frantically searching for his son, Jaehaerys, to bring him to the war council. The Green’s council is a mix of war strategy and family drama. Jaehaerys amuses himself by messing with the Master of Coin, who happens to be a Lannister – because antagonizing your wealthiest ally is a great idea, right? Alicent is visibly frustrated with the reckless behavior of her sons, Aegon and Aemond. All this while The Hand, Alicent’s father, Otto, remains a manipulative force, subtly undermining his daughter’s authority.
One of the episode’s more sinister subplots involves the return of Larys Strong, the weird feet guy. He orchestrates the execution of traitors and installs his own loyalists within the queen’s staff, tightening his grip on power. I have no doubt this move is bound to have far-reaching consequences, especially given Alicent’s growing discomfort with her father’s machinations. Feet guy is basically this show’s Littlefinger.
Rhaenyra’s discovery of her son’s dragon wing and cloak is a heartbreaking moment, confirming his death and fueling her desire for vengeance. Her determination to see Aemond dead sets the stage for the events that would soon follow.
Another returning character is the White Worm, caught during the blockade and brought to Daemon. Daemon offers her a deal – her freedom in exchange for critical information on infiltrating the Red Keep. Enter Blood and Cheese, who use the White Worms’ intel to sneak into the castle disguised as rat catchers. Their mission is simple – kill Aemond or any of the other sons.
While they weren’t able to find Aemond, they did manage to find Helaena, Aegon’s wife, and their children. Here’s where things take a morbid turn. Unable to distinguish between the two children, Blood and Cheese ask Helaena to identify which of the two is the boy. In a chilling scene that gets us pretty close to the brutality of the Red Wedding, Blood cuts off the head of Jaehaerys – the little kid from earlier. The brutality of this act is shocking, though it’s less severe than in the book, where Blood and Cheese force Helena to choose which one gets killed, but they end up killing the one not chosen, much to the horror of Helena.
While that is happening off-screen, Helaena desperately runs away with her daughter to Alicent’s room, where she finds her straddling on top of her noble steed, Ser Criston Cole.
Final Thoughts
“Son For A Son” is a solid start to the second season of House of the Dragon. It sets the stage for the conflicts to come while exploring themes of grief, loyalty, and vengeance. The deviations from the book are noticeable, particularly in the portrayal of certain characters’ brutality and intelligence, but these changes don’t detract from the overall narrative.
The episode’s more muted tone might disappoint those expecting the shock value of previous installments, but it still delivers powerful moments and intense drama. The performances are top-notch, with the actors bringing depth and nuance to their roles. The unfolding storylines promise plenty of intrigue and excitement, and I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the next episode.
Rating this episode an 8/10 feels right – it’s a solid entry that lays the groundwork for what’s to come, but we’ve also seen stronger entries and know that this show is capable of more. House of the Dragon continues to be a bright spot on Sundays, and I can’t wait to see how the season unfolds.
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