Kicking off for the old faithful fans, the premiere of season two is a slow burn that is sure to please seasoned viewers even if it doesn’t intend to win over any new fans. Let’s break it down!
Marking its own legacy in a larger universe
Remember Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trying to come into his own after the events of “Avengers: Endgame”. Sure he’s Avenger. But just who is Peter Parker on his own and outside of the Avengers? Curious how that was explored. TGON’s Russ Milheim has got that covered in his review of Spider-Man: Far From Home!
Showrunners George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal faced a similar dilemma when defining the style of House of the Dragon. Set in the Game of Thrones universe, how does it function as its own? What separates it from anything we’ve seen before?
Where it could have gone was a toss-up. With all due respect, Game of Thrones went wherever it felt like. Ice zombies, societies of face-swapping people, witches, time-travel. Do you remember hold-the-door Hodor? Maybe that was just a really, really convenient use of retcon.
At any rate, House of the Dragon is a more subdued spin-off. It’s in a time where Dragons are abundant, but it still manages to feel more grounded. The premiere, “A Son for a Son”, uses elements that run rampant in season one. Diplomacy, dinner talk, and secret conversations held in the shadows.
A homecoming
How fitting that the season should open up on the Starks of Winterfell. Yes, it’s not the ones we grew to know and love, but it certainly evokes nostalgia. Lord Cregan Stark gives Elder Valeryon a tour of The Wall. Here’s where the diplomacy checks in and handily pushes the plot forward.
Stark pledges his loyalty to Rhaenyra but is unable to spare soldiers. Winter’s coming, but you knew that. Of course, the threat of wildlings, weather, and mystical threats are nothing but a joke to those who aren’t Starks. It’s not all for show either. In the rollout of season two, Cregan Stark was described as a major player in this ongoing season. We’ll be patiently waiting to see how the Starks factor into the conflict between the Targaryens and the Hightowers.
Choosing a side
Game of Thrones laid out all of its cards for the audience to clearly root for a side. It was far too easy to love the Starks and hate the Lannisters. Where the original had its heroes and villains, House of the Dragon is far more grey in terms of how it presents its players.
Targaryens and Hightowers. The similarities between the two houses are almost comical. Knights and fair ladies with good intentions are on both sides. Wicked and ill-mannered ladies and knights also exist in both houses. Oh yeah, both also have dragons. Lots of them. Just who are the “bad guys” and “good guys”? Would neither be the fairest answer? Probably.
Aegon and the Hightowers take up a majority of the first episode. The young king holds a court for the small folk to voice their concerns. In an attempt to mirror his late father, Aegon initially approaches the court with generosity and empathy. It’s not long before the Hand, Otto Hightower, begins to steer his grandson-king into a direction that benefits his motives.
As magnanimous as Aegon aims to be there’s someone there to pull him back. It’s only the first episode of this season, but it’s fair to expect these struggles of good and evil on the Targaryen side as well.
So long, baby Jaehaerys
And here is the closer. As instructed by Rhaenyra, Daemon hastily hires two vagabonds to infiltrate the Red Keep and slay Aemond. Daemon clearly describes the target as an adolescent with an eyepatch. But of course, Blood and Cheese, the pair of scoundrels, don’t hear any of that. Or maybe they just didn’t care.
In a scene that is horrific even by Game of Thrones standards, the pair behead a young child. A hearty and heavy shoutout to the sound department. It’s a death we don’t even see but we sure do hear it. Carelessness and miscommunication have caused problems all throughout time. To some extent, it’s truly a son for a son. The son they choose is sure to cause heavier implications. We’ll just have to wait and see on that as well.
