House of the Dragon, Season 2: What To Remember

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by Ashas Bukhari

House of the Dragon, Season 2: What To Remember Before Watching

19 Jun 2024

Here is what you need to know before returning to Westeros. Unless you have been living under a rock, you might have heard that Episode 1 of Season 2 dropped on June 16 (more on that later). As promised, it brings the Dance of the Dragons civil war into focus.

The first season was packed with numerous elements: a slew of new characters, intricate family dynamics, and a decade-long time jump that saw actors changing roles. It can be overwhelming to keep it all straight, especially after nearly two years since the series premiere. We are here to simplify things for you with a concise recap of "HotD" Season 1, reminding you of all the key players as we dive into Season 2.

Be warned: this article will spoil the seven hells out of Season 1 and mild spoilers for Episode 1 of Season 2.

Succession, succession

The narrative is set 200 years prior to “Game of Thrones,” beginning with the demise of Old King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. A council gathers to determine the next ruler of Westeros, ultimately selecting Viserys I Targaryen (played by Paddy Considine) over his cousin Rhaenys Targaryen (portrayed by Eve Best), despite her having a more legitimate claim.

Viserys’ reign is mostly tranquil until a tragic attempt to secure a male heir results in the deaths of both his son and his wife, Aemma Arryn. Instead of naming his brother Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) as heir, Viserys makes the contentious decision to declare his only surviving child, his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock/Emma D’Arcy), as his successor. This choice to place a woman on the throne sets off a series of events that eventually lead to civil war.

Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock). Source: IMDb

The many schemes of House Hightower

After Viserys made his announcement, numerous influential houses started urging the king to remarry and father a son. Leading this effort is Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), the Hand of the King. He strategically places his daughter, Alicent Hightower (Emma Carey/Olivia Cooke), in Viserys' proximity, and it isn't long before the king begins to develop feelings for her, having previously seen her merely as Rhaenyra's friend.

Although the Velaryons attempt to sway Viserys with their own young daughter, Laena Velaryon, Viserys ultimately chooses Alicent. The two marry and eventually have a son, Aegon II.

Alicent Hightower (Emma Carey). Source: IMDb

Rhaenyra’s incredibly messy love life

True to Westeros fashion, incestuous relationships are present from the start, with young Rhaenyra showing an evident attraction to her uncle Daemon. Their bond is strong until a tournament sees Daemon bested by a young knight named Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). This event leads to Rhaenyra starting an affair with Cole, despite being betrothed to Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan).

Cole eventually proposes that Rhaenyra abandon her claim to the throne and run away with him across the Narrow Sea. She declines, ending their relationship and prompting Cole to create a scary scene at Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding. His rejection fuels his obsession with ensuring Rhaenyra never ascends the Iron Throne, leading him to side with Alicent and Team Green.

A decade later, Rhaenyra and Laenor remain married but have three children who are widely rumoured not to be Laenor’s but rather the offspring of Rhaenyra and her secret lover Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr). Alicent grows suspicious after a proposed Targaryen/Hightower marriage and instructs Larys Strong – Harwin’s brother – to investigate. Larys responds by orchestrating the deaths of both his brother and father.

Soon after, following the death of Daemon’s second wife, various intertwined families gather at Driftmark for her funeral. During this event, a clash between Rhaenyra and Alicent’s children results in Alicent’s second son Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), losing an eye. Subsequently, Daemon helps Laenor fake his own death so he can escape across the Narrow Sea. With Laenor out of the picture, Daemon and Rhaenyra marry, bolstering her claim to the throne just as tensions peak between her and Alicent.

Source: IMDb

The death of King Viserys

In the midst of all this chaos, Viserys was also facing serious health issues. He was suffering from whatever passes for leprosy in Westeros, and it was taking a toll on him. By the eighth episode of the season, he could barely get out of bed without using a cane and wearing a golden mask to hide his ghastly appearance.

Years ago, before declaring Rhaenyra as his heir, Viserys revealed to her a secret known only by the rulers of Westeros — a prophecy passed down from Aegon the Conqueror called "A Song of Ice and Fire." This prophecy predicted a looming darkness that would require the entire kingdom to unite and defeat it. As events unfold in "Game of Thrones," it becomes clear that this prophecy is coming to fruition.

Moving back to the present, Viserys gives an emotional speech at what will be his final dinner with his family, urging them to come together and put their differences aside. The atmosphere seems to shift as Alicent and Rhaenyra cheer, the children dance, and there is a sense of reconciliation.

On that fateful night, Viserys passes away in the presence of Alicent. She hears him muttering about "Aegon" and "Prince That Was Promised", leading her to believe that he wants their son, Aegon II, to take the throne instead of Rhaenyra, unaware that his thoughts were actually on the prophecy of "Ice and Fire". Alicent immediately informs her father, Otto, and together, they form The Green Council, devising a plan to place Aegon on the throne and eliminate anyone loyal to Rhaenyra. Despite their success in crowning Aegon as king, loyalties throughout the kingdom remain divided.

Source: IMDb

The kin slaying finale of Season 1

Now that Aegon II sits on the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra refuses to give up her claim as Queen. She and her council plot their next move on Dragonstone, where she was brought the crown in secret.

To strengthen her position, Rhaenyra sends her two sons, Jace (Harry Collett) and Luke (Elliot Grihault), as envoys to Winterfell and Storm's End. Her hope is to gain the support of the Starks and Baratheons in her bid for the throne.

However, when Luke arrives at Storm's End, he finds that Aemond and his massive dragon Vhagar are already there. Alicent and Viserys' second child has beaten him to it and offered a marriage alliance. With no better offer to make, Luke leaves, only to be followed by Aemond and Vhagar.

In the air, Aemond and Vhagar cruelly toy with Luke and his much smaller dragon Arrax. But when Arrax manages to burn Vhagar, the larger dragon disobeys Aemond's commands and ends up taking the lives of both Luke and Arrax. The season ends with Daemon informing Rhaenyra of her son's death, leaving her vowing revenge in blood-curdling screams.

Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy). Source: IMDb

Making sense who is who

If you haven’t figured it out already, Season 1 was half a prologue and half a first act of the Dance of the Dragons, or Targaryen Civil War. With Season 2 and the extended kin slaying featuring a certain Blood and Cheese, the war has well and truly begun. Though the first episode was rather slow and may not be winning over more fans, it will, without a doubt, leave you wanting more.

In case you have forgotten, here is a list of the alliances for both warring factions (dragons not included).

Team Black:

— Rhaenyra Targaryen

— Daemon Targaryen

— Rhaenys Targaryen

— Lord Corlys “The Sea Snake” Velaryon

— Jacaerys “Jace” Velaryon

— Baela Targaryen

— Rhaena Targaryen

— Mysaria — “The White Worm”

— Erryk Cargylle

Team Green:

— Alicent Hightower

— Otto Hightower

— Aegon II Targaryen

— Helaena Targaryen

— Aemond Targaryen

— Ser Criston Cole

— Larys Strong

— Tyland Lannister

— Borros Baratheon

— Arryk Cargylle

by Ashas Bukhari