“House of the Dragon” is back
This is how it continues in season two
One side of the conflict in the fantasy series “House of the Dragon”: Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and her son Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett).
© Warner Bros.
The epic fantasy series “House of the Dragon” returns with a second season. This is what viewers can expect in the new episodes.
Almost two years ago, the premiere season of the “Game of Thrones” sequel “House of the Dragon” flickered across the screens. Now the epic fantasy series, which is set around two hundred years before the well-known events surrounding Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow and Co., continues with season two on Sky and Wow. The new episodes benefit greatly from the sophisticated world building that was done in season one and are captivating from the first minute with a bloody intra-family civil war.
What happened in season one of “House of the Dragon”
As a reminder: In the premiere of the HBO series, King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine, 50) promised the Iron Throne to his firstborn child, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy, 31). But when Viserys lay dying at the end of season one, Rhaenyra’s childhood best friend and Viserys’ widow, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke, 30), misunderstood the king’s last words. Together with her father, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans, 56), Viserys’ former advisor, she placed her incompetent son Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney, 29), the firstborn son of Alicent and Viserys, on the Iron Throne.
During this coup, Rhaenyra is at Dragonstone Castle with her uncle and husband Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith, 41). She sends her son Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) to secure the support of House Baratheon. But when he arrives in Storm’s End, Alicent’s second eldest son Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell, 27) is already there with his giant dragon Vhagar. A fight breaks out in the air, and the gigantic beast kills both Lucerys and his much smaller dragon Arrax with one bite. The Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, has begun.
What viewers can expect in the new episodes
The “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon” was met with almost universal approval from viewers and fans. According to HBO, the fantasy series by series creators Ryan Condal (45) and George RR Martin (75) was watched by almost as many viewers as its big predecessor “Game of Thrones”.
But there were also some points of criticism. For example, it was criticized that the plot spanned many years and repeatedly moved forward in large leaps in time, which made it necessary to change some actors. Main characters such as Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent were each played by two actresses; Alicent’s son Aegon was played by three.
In the new, second season of “House of the Dragon,” however, all of this is history. The events begin immediately after Lucerys’ tragic death. This time, the events unfold within a few weeks and months, which guarantees breathless suspense and a gripping story.
In season two, “House of the Dragon” benefits greatly from the world building that has already been achieved and the numerous characters that have already been introduced with their complex relationships to one another. Like a game of chess, the powerful characters of the series have maneuvered themselves into position in season one and are now ready to strike.
A total of 114 wigs, 2,600 arrows, 2,000 pairs of boots and 125 liters of fake blood are According to HBO boss Casey Bloys was used in the second season of “House of the Dragon”. The production values seem to be a little higher than in the previous edition, and viewers finally get to see a big battle with bloody dogfights.
Just like its famous predecessor, the HBO series shows the heinous things the characters are prepared to do to conquer the Iron Throne. With its captivating, exciting and often heartbreaking story, “House of the Dragon” could become one of the rare prequels that even outshines its original.
The German broadcast of “House of the Dragon”
The second season of “House of the Dragon” will premiere on the night of June 16-17 on Sky and its streaming service Wow. Season two will have eight episodes, which will be released weekly.