Return to Westeros! Season 2 of House of the Dragon arrives, from this Monday, on the new Max platform. Two years later, this prequel to Game Of Thrones is awaited by fans of dragons, dark fantasy and bloody family feuds.
The epic Targaryen saga takes a dramatic turn in this season 2. The family is in fact divided into two irreconcilable camps, the Greens and the Blacks. Even if it mixes fewer characters and territories than the first seasons of Game Of Thrones, House of the Dragon remains a demanding series, which requires knowing who is who, who betrays who, who aspires to what (and possibly who sleeps with whom, of course).
Before you launch into the war of this season 2, here are some essential “weapons”.
Where do we look?
Since 2022, the date of the broadcast of season 1, the offering of streaming platforms has been disrupted in France and around the world. OCS is no longer the broadcaster of HBO series. After a passage via Prime Video and its “Warner pass”, the Max platform was launched last week in France. To access and subscribe to it, there are several paths. Prime Video, always, MyCanal, or the Max site itself.
Where are we?
It’s war (or almost). Season 1 ended with Rhaenyra Targaryen drunk with pain and vengeance after the death of her son Lucerys Velaryon, killed by her half-uncle, the tempestuous Aemond Targaryen who had difficulty controlling his dragon. Before that, tension was already at a maximum between the daughter of the late King Viserys and the clan of his second wife, the widow Alicent Hightower. The latter understood that, on his deathbed, her royal husband had requested that their son Aegon succeed him. Designated heir (until then), Rhaenyra Targaryen had it bad and was preparing for war. The death of his son didn’t help matters.
To this Targaryen hodgepodge Added to this are the Velaryon families (allies of the Black camp of Rhaenyra), Hightower (which gives its color to the Green camp, of Alicent’s son, Aegon II), but also Stark (well, well, a well-known name), Lannister… and many others. The Wedding Games were particularly complicated to follow because Season 1 took place over many years. With in particular a change of female casting in the middle of the season. In addition to the sexism of the process (the male actors remained the same, as if they had no age), House of the Dragon tested our ability to unravel the sometimes incestuous family trees of Westeros.
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The question now is how Rhaenyra will react. A total war? With what support? Or cold revenge? Using what process? The Iron Throne is at stake but also the resolution of conflicting human relationships. Alicent and Rhaenyra were once friends. Their respective children hate each other. There are belligerent uncles and aunts for their own gains.
In short, it’s complicated but everything should become clearer with the creation of two clans. And what’s more, the first episode begins with a rather clever summary of the issues.
What are we waiting for ?
The filming of this season 2 was disrupted by the writers’ strike. At the same time, season 3 has been confirmed. HBO is therefore still as ambitious with this series. We hope that this season 2 will confirm the magnificent dramatic potential established in season 1. Often gory and cruel – especially with the female characters, sadistically punished for their ability to give birth –, House of the Dragon explores the dark souls of powerful lords, but doesn’t stop there. There where Game Of Thrones denounced bigotry and blindness in the face of power, its prequel goes further into psychological analysis.
Now that we know the characters, we will be able to analyze their dilemmas with the delight of a vicious Cornelius…
Is it worth it?
Without spoiling, we can say, based on 4 episodes seen, that the bet is met. For dragon fans, there will be something to satisfy your appetite for fabulous pyromaniac creatures. And for those who prefer court intrigues and low blows, this season 2 takes a new level in the torture that the protagonists inflict on each other.
Still as complicated to follow (if you really want to understand the subtleties of the scenario), House of the Dragon deserves sustained attention. Above all, it defies the expectations of fans of Game Of Thrones. Even dragons will surprise you…