This is a spoiler free review of the first four episodes of House of the Dragon Season 2.
The legacy of Game of Thrones was fascinating to watch unfold. What once started as an arguably revolutionary piece of television ended on a sour note. That note involved the series ending with a rather anti-climatic whimper over a bang, which left the once-devoted fandom scratching their heads. Even with a lackluster conclusion, the world of Game of Thrones is a vast and expansive place. Flash forward three years, and the series returned in 2022 with the prequel House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon takes from parts of writer George R.R Martin’s book Fire & Blood. Following the decline of House Targaryen, season one followed friendships, leading to rivalries and eventual enemies. Throughout season one, we followed the rise of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’arcy), daughter of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), and her attempts for the throne. This includes her younger years with a former friend, Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). At the end of season one, these two friends became massive enemies. That is the jumping-off point of season two. Now, the war between Alicent and Rhaenyra is full steam ahead.
Political Intrigue Continues to engage in House of the Dragon Season 2
The moral back-and-forth between Rhaenyra and Allicent delivers fascinating results. While there may be “Generals” in both armies, Rhaenyra and Allicent are the masterminds behind the scenes. It’s a classic Game of Thrones dichotomy of characters delivering the essence of what viewers loved about the original series. While the action is present, the political intrigue remains just as engaging. There’s no denying this is not on the same level as the classic series, but this battle of wits shows promise.
That being said, those looking for straightforward action will not be disappointed. This season of The House of the Dragon has some of the series (yes, including Game of Thrones) best action yet. The action set pieces were one of the fans’ initial loves of this franchise. They offered a grimy, bloody, and brutal look into the fantastical world. Season two delivers genuinely gripping and exciting moments that raise the bar from what came before. It’s a rare case of a television show, making me wish I could have seen it in a theatrical capacity. For its mere epic scope, House of the Dragon delivers thrilling results. Those fans of Game of Thrones will surely be along for the ride.
House of the Dragon Season 2 has a little too much to keep track of
One of this season’s cardinal sins comes from one key factor. There will simply be too much to keep track of for some. Both sides have numerous players within their army, with some getting more to do than others. That does not mean the series has a “bad” performance amongst the bunch. These actors deliver the proper scenery-chewing moments, keeping the story engaging. It’s an exciting set-up that takes time to get going in season two. The beginning sets the audience’s expectations relatively high, but some could find it disjointed.
On both sides of this war, there are a multitude of characters. At 60-70 minutes an episode, many character motivations have to be portrayed. Instead, certain characters, Dameon Targareyan (Matt Smith) or the sons of Alicent and Viserys, have moments of well-rounded characterization. Each of these actors delivers said moments with both grace and proficiency. The problem is with so many, viewers are never left to sit in impactful moments in ways that could stick with them. It takes some time in season two for those moments to truly resonate. Once things progress, those moments begin to pack a punch.
The first half of the season given to the press does reach an exciting crescendo. This leaves an idea that some may feel bored by the first half of the season. Those willing to go along with it will reap the rewards. It’s the wandering through the numerous character motivations that could feel challenging. For the fans of this world, this will seem like a non-issue. The multiple bits of political intrigue still offer engaging and exciting television content. For those fans, such moments may be enough to forgive the scattershot nature of this first half.
Season 2 gets right into the conflict
Some lukewarm fans of Game of Thrones (or those who had only seen House of the Dragon) could feel daunted by the first half. Unlike Season One of House of the Dragon, Season Two immediately throws viewers into the conflict. It can almost overwhelm, which can deliver severely tense sequences. With so many characters having different agendas, every decision can feel frantic. Audiences know that some of these moments can reach an unintentional boiling point. While some can feel overwhelmed by how many stories are being placed on the board, others can be sucked into the intrigue.
House of the Dragon season two mostly delivers in this first half. Where the narrative struggles is in its copious amounts of table setting; the narrative messiness could serve as a benefit. As this first half progresses, tensions reach some dangerous highs. It’s a rewarding payoff that left me wanting more. For some who struggle with the chaotic story structuring in earlier episodes, the later portions can help you forgive it. While not perfect, this new season thus far offers a grandiose, beautiful-looking, exciting, and occasionally overwhelming endeavor. What’s undeniable is that there is nothing else like House of the Dragon out now.
House of the Dragon Season 2 is now streaming weekly on MAX.
Learn more about the season at the series’ official website.
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