House of the Dragon season two is finally here and the tension is overflowing between the Blacks and the Greens. The first episode shows a remorseful Queen Alicent who realizes she’s set the stage for violence to swallow her family whole. On the other side is (THE RIGHTFUL QUEEN) Rhaenyra, who is mourning the loss of her son Lucerys and only speaks four words in the entire episode: “I want Aemond Targaryen.” I know that’s right, sis. This season is in full swing and, if the first season is any indication, House of the Dragon will keep delivering lots of shocking, gross, brutal, and bloody moments.
Jump To: Episode 1 // Episode 2 // Episode 3 // Episode 4 // Episode 5 // Episode 6 // Episode 7 // Episode 8
Episode 1 – “A Son for a Son”
Queen Alicent and Criston Cole Are a, Um, Thing Now
In terms of the Game of Thrones universe, this episode was actually rather tame. The first shocking (well, more like gently surprising) moment was the oral sex scene between Alicent and Ser Criston Cole. (We all hate him, right? RIGHT?!) I felt like there were a few hints that they might get together, especially considering how salty he STILL IS over Rhaenyra rejecting his proposal years ago. But there was nothing outright to suggest that their relationship had turned sexual until now.
It’s even more shocking for poor Helaena to walk in on her mother on top of him after witnessing the brutal murder of her child.
The Murder of Jaehaerys Targaryen By Blood and Cheese
Speaking of that, the death of Jaehaerys Targaryen has viewers divided but it still certainly registers as a shocking moment. Helaena has to watch her baby boy’s head be slowly sawn off and collected by Blood and Cheese. She then flees the room and alerts Alicent about the death. It’s not the first time a child has died in this universe, of course. But this level of brutality happening to a very small and innocent one is jarring. Daemon has really started some mess!
Episode 2 – “Rhaenyra the Cruel”
The Prince Jaehaerys Street Processional
Otto’s plan to use Jaehaerys’ death to 1) frame Rhaenyra for it and 2) drum up support/sympathy from the kingdom’s subjects was gross. It was incredibly jarring to see his little body (with the head sewn back on) as the carriage made its way through the streets. This only proves that there are people on both sides willing to do anything to win this ongoing battle.
The Hanging of the Ratcatchers
What a terrible time to be a ratcatcher in King’s Landing. Aegon acts out of rage after Blood tells him that his accomplice is a ratcatcher and orders all of them to be hung and displayed in the streets. Cheese is one of them but this move also turns many people in the kingdom away from the royal family.
Ser Criston Cole Becomes Aegon’s Hand
Otto rightfully calls Aegon out about his abhorrent actions. Aegon responds that he will not be seen as weak and dismisses his own grandfather as his Hand. He names Criston Cole, which only gives the latter more power to continue his plan to hurt Rhaenyra in any way possible. We bet Aegon wouldn’t be so thrilled if he knew Criston was sleeping with his mother…
The Twin Duel Between Arryk and Erryk Ends in Tragedy
Ser Criston Cole decides to make himself feel less guilty about his actions by essentially sentencing Arryk to death. He sends him to Dragonstone to slay Rhaenyra, knowing it will not end well no matter what. Arryk and Erryk confront each other in Rhaenyra’s bedchambers. Their fight ends with Arryk killing Erryk before he stabs himself with his sword. What an awful ending, indeed.
Episode 3 – “The Burning Mill”
The Bracken and Blackwood Slaughter
The beginning of episode three shows us tension boiling over between two feuding collectives who have also chosen sides in the Black vs. Green fight. An argument over boundary stones leads to a full on slaughter where everyone dies. Yikes.
Aegon Embarrasses Aemond
Aegon goes to Aemond’s familiar haunt to make fun of his brother, who is spending time confiding in a sex worker. Aemond doesn’t have anything to be ashamed of considering his encounters with her are consensual (unlike Aegon’s horrific sexual assaults of staff) but his brother certainly makes him feel like a lesser man (and quietly angry) because he has a fondness for this specific woman. Aemond leaves as Aegon offers his squire to the woman. Terrible.
Daemon’s Vision of Rhaenyra and Jaehaerys
Daemon is off to his own adventure at Harrenhal. He stays there after “conquering” it but finds it hard to relax. Daemon believes someone is at his door to attack him and he goes out to see a vision of a younger Rhaenyra saying he has to clean up his messes as he comes and goes. He sees her sewing Jaehaerys head back on and watches in horror before coming back to reality… or so he thought. He gets an omen that he will die where he is. Hmmm.
Rhaenyra Returns to King’s Landing to Confront (a Very Stubborn) Alicent
Rhaenyra makes one last ditch effort to stop the war. With Mysaria’s help, she disguises herself and gets to Alicent. She tells her that war is not necessary and they even get clarity about what Viserys really meant on his deathbed. Still, Alicent says her son being king is not a mistake and she refuses to help correct things in any way. Sigh.
Jump To: Episode 1 // Episode 2 // Episode 3 // Episode 4 // Episode 5 // Episode 6 // Episode 7 // Episode 8
Episode 4 – “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
Corlys Keeps Alyn, His Illegitimate Son, a Secret
Episode 4 takes poor Rhaenys on a wild ride before her shocking death alongside her dragon Meleys. She’s disrespected by Rhaenyra’s council while trying to protect Baela and she also acknowledges that one of the men who works under her husband Corlys is likely his son. Having kids outside of wedlock is certainly nothing new for this world (and ours, tbh). But, out of all the men in House of the Dragon, Corlys seemed to be one of the most morally upstanding ones. Blocking his son from having a higher position and refusing to acknowledge him after Alyn saved his life is nasty work.
Criston Cole’s Violent Tour
Criston Cole continues to push forward with his army, heading to Darklyn to give people a choice: choose Team Green or choose death. Lord have mercy.
Alicent Is Pregnant and Chooses to Use an Abortive Tea
Honestly, this isn’t too shocking. If you keep having hetero sex with someone in a world before birth control options, pregnancy is a possibility. But it is still a shock to see her processing all of this while her sons are acting a fool and her child’s father is outside doing the most.
Aemond Barbequing Aegon and Sunfyre
We all know that Aemond is willing to go for blood. And, after dealing with Aegon’s harassment last episode (and his terrible personality in general), Aemond and Criston Cole team up for a battle plan. When Aegon shows up with Sunfyre against all good advice and engages in a fight with Rhaenys/Meleys, Aemond and Vhagar show up to take action. Aemond times his “Dracarys” at a very convenient moment where his brother is in the crossfire. I’m pretty sure he was trying to kill him alongside Rhaneys.
The Entire Battle at Rook’s Rest
Whew. From Rhaenys’ death to the charred fate for Aegon, this entire battle featured some dragons dancing, which is the real reason why we are here. Love to see it.
Episode 5 – “Regent”
Meleys’ Head Takes a Trip Through Kings Landing
In the aftermath of Rhaenys’ death, Criston Cole somehow thought it would be a good idea to drag Meleys head through Kings Landing to show how strong the king is. That, in fact, was not a good idea. It only disturbed others and made them question their current leadership versus what they had under Viserys and could have under Rhaenyra.
King Aegon’s Fried Body
Aegon looks pretty bad. Alicent watches in horror as the Grand Maester and his men pry Aegon’s steel armor off and reveal the bloody, charred, and broken skin beneath. Of course, Aemond is all ready to rule in his stead, which isn’t shocking at all.
Daemon’s Weird Oedipal Sex Dream
Team Black isn’t doing so great either. Daemon continues to lose his mind at Harrenhal with perhaps his most disturbing dream sequence yet. He’s confronted by his mother and they embrace sexually and boy is it weird and stomach-churning. His dream is broken after she takes a dig at him by saying “if only you were born first.” His obvious issues with not being the next ruler fully take over as he starts his own plan to rule as a King. Oh boy.
Jaecaerys Becomes the Real MVP
Rhaenyra’s kids haven’t been particularly useful until now. Jaecaerys (a.k.a. Jace) flies to the Twins and manages to secure the Freys’ allegiance in exchange for Harrenhal. He does this on his own volition, which upsets Rhaenyra to a degree but also makes her proud. At the end of the episode, she’s upset that she’s unable to make any actual moves because she is the Queen. She’s also not happy that they don’t have dragonriders but Jace comes up with a brilliant idea.
He says there are Targaryen descendants in other Houses that could claim and ride a dragon. In other words, go out and look for the “bastards.” The duo begin to go through genealogical records to see whom they can find.
Episode 6 – “Smallfolk”
Aemond Releases Alicent From the Council
Alicent continues to not have a great time in episode 6. After a council meeting, Aemond tells his mother that her services on the council are no longer needed. She chastises him for being young and foolish but he doesn’t care.
Viserys Returns (in Daemon’s Dreams)
We wrote more about Viserys making his return, which wasn’t too shocking. It was Daemon’s real-life reactions to seeing his brother, which included him nearly slicing Simon Strong’s neck and crying.
Seasmoke Barbeques Ser Steffon Darklyn Before Choosing His Own Rider, Addam
Seasmoke is so unserious. Jace’s idea that others with Targaryen ancestry can become dragonriders does not start off very well. Ser Steffon willingly faces Seasmoke, who seems to accept him at first. Just as he begins to approach and try to mount the dragon, Seasmoke is like “sikkkeeee” and lights him on fire. Interestingly, Seasmoke flies off and chooses Alyn’s brother Addam, who is also the illegitimate son of Corlys.
Alicent and Helaena Nearly Die During Riots
Rhaenyra and Mysaria’s plan to turn the smallfolk against the royals is working like a charm. They are starving and hear rumors that the royals are having feasts. And, after Rhaenyra sends ships of food to them, they are in the streets fighting and unhappy with their current leadership. Alicent and Helaena are in the midst of lighting candles and praying when guards whisk them out into the streets. We see a couple of royal guards go down against the smallfolk and Alicent is even hit in the face with food. Yikes.
Mysaria’s Confession and Her Kiss With Rhaenyra
Rhaenyra is still uncertain that she will win this war and claim the throne. Mysaria reveals that she trusts her completely, which is a big deal considering her past. She opens up to Rhaenyra and says her own father raped her, resulting in the birth of a son. Mysaria was left for dead but survived it all. Rhaenyra embraces her and they share a passionate kiss.
Episode 7 – “The Red Sowing”
Lord Oscar Tully Gives Daemon the Business
Oscar Tully is in charge now and he’s not taking any s**t from Daemon. They confront each other at Harrenhal and Tully takes Daemon down a peg in front on everyone, calling him loathsome among other things. In the end, Daemon has to kill Willem Blackwood for the crimes he allowed to happen against the Brackens. Maybe Daemon will get himself together now.
Jace Confronts Rhaenyra About His Biological Father
Jace is not cool with Targaryen bastards who are smallfolk taking dragons. He believes they will come for the throne following Rhaenyra’s death, as they have the trademark silver hair and he does not. He asks his mother if she thought he would have dark hair when she took Harwin Strong into her bed. Oop. She doesn’t chastise him nor argue against what he is saying, so they move on with the plan.
The Big Dragon BBQ
Rhaenyra warned the Targaryen bastards that many of them would die trying to claim a dragon. Still, they went into the pit and, well, Vermithor wastes no time taking just about everyone out. Hugh the Hammer manages to tame this great beast but not until a fiery mess is made.
Aemond Stands Down in the Face of Rhaenyra
After Ulf the White takes Silverwing on a ride through King’s Landing, Aemond quickly mounts Vhagar to figure out what’s going on. He doesn’t get too close before he can see Rhaenyra standing with THREE dragons behind her. It’s truly about to go down in the finale.
Episode 8 – “The Queen Who Never Was”
Aemond Burns Up a Whole City ‘Cause He’s Mad
Chile, what’s wrong with my little pirate son? Aemond is upset about Rhae and those dragons so he takes Vhagar to crisp up Sharp Point. It seems to be an impulsive reaction but this area is Team Black so it seems he’s sending a message that things will get ugly.
Criston Cole and Alicent Admit Their Trysts to Others
Criston Cole is out in the world with Alicent’s brother, who challenges him. He accuses Cole of sleeping with his sister and, shockingly, Criston admits the truth. He tells everyone that Alicent saved his life more than once and she is therefore the “beacon” he follows. He says that perhaps all men are corrupt and his fellow Kingsguards know the truth.
A Mud Wrestle to Prove Your Worth
We wrote about Admiral Lohar and Tyland Lannister‘s beyond hilarious interactions but it has to be mentioned here. From the mud wrestle to Lohar asking Tyland to sleep with his wives, their scenes are the funniest in this episode.
Daemon’s Visions of Game of Thrones Events Lead Him to Bend the Knee
This is yet another shocking moment worthy of its own post. From seeing Daenerys with her three dragon hatchlings to the White Walker, there was enough to make him understand the truth. He was not meant to be on the Iron Throne so he bends the knee to Rhaenyra.
Alyn Gives Corlys a Piece of His Mind
Corlys tries to give his (unrecognized) son Alyn a piece of advice but the latter has had enough. He gives his father a piece of his mind, telling him that he had to struggle to eat and live while watching his father drape his son in furs. Now that Corlys’ acknowledged son is dead (but not really) as well as his daughter and wife, suddenly he wants to “help” his “bastard” children. Corlys really cannot say but so much because Alyn is right. Love to see it.
Alicent Is Willing to Offer Aegon’s Head to Live a Peaceful Life
After stirring up so much mess, Alicent wants out of the power struggles and battles. She’s so desperate that she goes right to Rhaenyra and ends up offering Aegon’s literal head to her in order to stop all of this war. She simply wants to take her daughter and grandchild and go live in the woods like a hobbit. Girl, no. It’s too late for all that.
Otto Hightower, Is that You?!
Otto, is that you playa?! We now know why Otto wasn’t answering any ravens. They had my guy locked up for the last several episodes. We have some ideas about what’s going on, but we will have to wait and see in season three.
We cannot wait to see what other shocking, bloody, and gross moments will happen in House of the Dragon season three.
Jump To: Episode 1 // Episode 2 // Episode 3 // Episode 4 // Episode 5 // Episode 6 // Episode 7 // Episode 8
Originally published June 17, 2024.