HBO’s House of the Dragon season two features brand new opening credits, with dragons squaring off, sparks flying, and Westeros turning red with flames and blood. Season two episode one finds the Seven Kingdoms in chaos as King Aegon II Targaryen attempts to gather support to fight off a challenge from King Viserys’ rightful heir, Queen Rhaenyra. Prince Daemon and Queen Rhaenyra also gather their forces while simultaneously mourning the tragic loss of Prince Lucerys.
And now on to the full spoiler-filled recap of the season two premiere, “A Son for a Son.”
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the new season’s first scene is either a flashback or flash-forward as a crow leads the way to Winterfell. It’s neither. Harry Collett, who plays Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, son of Queen Rhaenyra, has matured between seasons. That, and his new haircut, could cause momentary confusion. However, it’s quickly established that Jace is visiting Winterfell to seek the support of the Starks.
We all know the North never forgets. (Also, winter is coming.) Jace has a friendly visit with Lord Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor), reminding him of the oath sworn to King Viserys and his heir, Rhaenyra. War will soon tear apart the Seven Kingdoms, and Queen Rhaenyra needs House Stark on her side.
Although they never forget their oaths, Lord Cregan believes the North’s first duty is to guard the wall during the winter. Jace gets his first look at the vast world beyond the wall and is stunned into silence. “Do you think my ancestors built a 700-foot wall of ice to keep out snow and savages?” asks Stark. They built it to keep out death.
Stark is willing to send his “greybeards” to defend the throne. They are veterans of numerous battles but too old to hold a watch on the wall. Jace acknowledges that his mother will be grateful to have them join her fight against the usurpers.
A raven arrives with urgent news from Dragonstone, cutting their conversation short.
Death Rocks Dragonstone
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) has only just dismounted Meleys (also known as the Red Queen) when Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) orders her to mount up. Rhaenys disregards his request, exhausted after patrolling hundreds of miles of sea holding the Gullet blockade. However, Daemon almost convinces her when he reveals he is heading to King’s Landing to kill Vhagar and its rider. He can’t do either without Meleys’ help. (Vhagar is the largest dragon in the realm.)
Daemon admits to devising the plan himself and is determined to avenge Prince Lucerys’ death by killing Prince Aemond Targaryen. Instead of being out seeking support from allies, he seeks revenge. Unfortunately, Queen Rhaenyra left after the news of Luke’s death and Daemon’s taken it upon himself to handle matters.
Rhaenys believes Rhaenyra is justified in taking time to search for her son’s remains. It is the only way she’ll be convinced that he’s dead. Daemon, never one to mince words, reminds Rhaenys that she could have ended all this by killing Queen Alicent and her sons when she had the opportunity. Rhaenys doesn’t bother to respond.
Daemon commands her to fly with him. She correctly points out that he’s not the king.
The port’s bustling as Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) carefully makes his way toward his ship. Lord Corlys suffered grave injuries in the battle for the Stepstones, and it also heavily damaged his ship. Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) reports seven ships were just launched to help fortify the blockade, but that’s inadequate given how much territory must be covered. Lord Corlys is determined to get back out to sea as quickly as possible.
Alyn hands Lord Corlys the knife that was commissioned for Prince Lucerys. It’s a beautiful weapon that, sadly, Lucerys will never get a chance to hold. Corlys thanks Alyn for saving his life by dragging him out of the sea and assures him he’s in his debt.
Our first glimpse of King’s Landing in season two shows Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor), the twin who remained loyal to the Hightowers, in charge of the watch as Vhagar arrives with Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). Elsewhere in the castle, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) collects his oldest son, Jaehaerys, for a meeting with the small council. While doing so, Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) reveals she’s afraid of the rats. Aegon never takes any of Helaena’s bizarre statements seriously. It’s a mistake that will come back to haunt him once again.
Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) pleasures Queen Dowager Alicent (Olivia Cooke) before the small council meeting. She warns him, again, that they need to stop their sexual relationship. It’s obvious Criston knows he’ll be back in Alicent’s bed soon.
A ratcatcher makes his way through the castle as the small council assembles.
Prince Jaehaerys pesters Master of Coin Ser Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) to the point where if he wasn’t royal blood, the child would find himself on the receiving end of a brutal spanking. Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King, reports the Vale and the North aren’t responding to their letters. On the bright side, the Stormlands will likely pledge their support and Oldtown is already on the march. They don’t expect trouble until they reach the Riverlands.
Alicent sent a letter to Queen Rhaenyra in an attempt to negotiate terms and avert war. Rhaenyra hasn’t replied and Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) believes war is inevitable. The blockade is already impacting King’s Landing, and Ser Otto (Rhys Ifans) points out there’s no longer an element of surprise working in their favor.
The only way to break Lord Corlys Velaryon’s blockade is to bolster the Lannister and Hightower navies. Grand Maester Orwyle suggests that they name Lord Dalton Greyjoy the new Master of Ships.
Aemond arrives at the small council at King Aegon’s request. Aemond, their best fighter, is good at strategizing and believes Harrenhal is crucial to making it through the Riverlands. Aegon is horrible at strategizing and prefers to just wipe out the Riverlords with Vhagar and Sunfyre, if they refuse to bend the knee. Alicent advises caution. Aegon disagrees. Lord Tully will join them or burn.
Alicent and Criston Cole combine forces to convince Aegon that Vhagar needs to remain at King’s Landing to prevent Rhaenyra from attacking. Alicent pointedly looks at Aemond as she reminds them Rhaenyra will want revenge for the death of her son.
King Aegon reacts to Ser Otto’s request for patience and restraint with a frustrated sigh. They’re still gathering supporters and Aegon needs to wait for their replies.
Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) approaches Alicent after the meeting and reveals that he found all the traitors among her staff and disposed of them. He personally chose her new staff.
Fishermen are busy grabbing what they can from the remains of Luke’s dragon, Arrax, as Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) briefly watches from a nearby hill. She sends them scurrying away by landing Syrax next to Arrax’s dead body. She drops to her knees and gently touches the remains. Rhaenyra sobs as she finds Luke’s cloak caught up in a fisherman’s net. Syrax lets out a mournful wail, matching his rider’s sobs.
King Aegon arrives to hear petitions from the citizens, and for the first time, we hear his full title announced out loud. “Aegon the Magnanimous, Second of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.”
Even Aegon’s surprised by the “magnanimous” title.
Just one petition in and Aegon quickly realizes he’s going to hate this part of being a king. Every action he takes is met with a correction by Ser Otto. Aegon has no grasp of politics and apparently no desire to learn. He was also unaware that everything he says and does will be known to all in the kingdom.
Hugh (Kieran Bow) stands before King Aegon and speaks for the smiths. Their work is vital to the realm, but they haven’t been paid. Iron costs are increasing, and they are struggling to purchase the materials needed to forge scorpions and other weapons. King Aegon acknowledges the importance of the smallfolk in his victory and confirms the smiths will be paid well. It’s not the answer Ser Otto wanted him to deliver, but King Aegon ignores his Hand and wins this round.
Lord Larys is, as always, lurking nearby, and after the session ends, he grabs a quick moment with King Aegon. Larys sows the seeds of distrust, wondering if Ser Otto is working in the king’s best interest. After all, Ser Otto was Aegon’s father’s hand. That doesn’t mean he needs to continue in the role. Aegon won’t be able to set himself apart from his father if he continues to take advice from Otto.
Alicent demands that her father stop attempting to cut off her influence over Aegon. She wants a peaceful solution and it’s obvious Otto seeks power – for himself and his family – no matter the cost. Otto acknowledges things haven’t gone as he planned following Viserys’ death. Alicent expresses concern about her sons, and Otto claims Aemond is loyal and wishes only to please his mother. Alicent asks her father, again, to stop undermining her with her sons.
Otto believes the only path to victory is violence. Alicent agrees … but not wanton violence.
Lord Corlys Velaryon’s men board a ship and find Mysaria, aka the White Worm, hiding on board. She’s brought to Daemon and he demands to know how long she sold secrets to Otto Hightower. Her answer angers Daemon and he insists she’s responsible for putting Aegon on the throne.
“My arrangement with the Hand was purely transactional. I held no loyalty to him,” says Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) who, thankfully, no longer speaks in the bizarre accent from season one. Really, what was that anyway? Such a weird choice. She insists she knows nothing helpful about Otto’s plans.
Daemon orders Ser Erryk Cargyll (Elliott Tittensor) to take Mysaria to the cells and treat her as a traitor. Erryk resists and takes Mysaria’s side. (Huge mistake.) Daemon, as usual, lashes out and insists Erryk is also a traitor. Erryk stands his ground and reminds Daemon he abandoned the King’s Guard to pledge his support to Rhaenyra. Daemon has nothing to say when Erryk points out that he swore an oath to the Royal family and didn’t know what to do when they turned against each other.
Queen Rhaenyra, The First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, returns to Dragonstone. She found what she needed and is ready to address her council. Daemon’s ready to fly to Harrenhal and Princess Rhaenys reports Ser Corlys’ blockade of the Gullet is cutting off King’s Landing. Rhaenyra listens and coldly replies, “I want Aemond Targaryen.”
She exits the meeting without any further comment. You can almost see the wheels turning in Daemon’s head as he watches her leave.
Daemon visits Mysaria in her cell and cuts a deal. He’ll set her free if she provides the information he needs.
Prince Jacaerys has returned from Winterfell and joins his mother in her chambers. Voice shaking, he does his best to maintain a professional manner as he reports Lady Jeyne Arryn has pledged the Vale’s support in exchange for a dragon to stand guard. Jace makes it through that okay, but his voice cracks and his eyes fill with tears as he confirms Lord Cregan Stark has pledged 2,000 men. Rhaenyra rises from her seat and Jace collapses into her arms, sobbing. They hold each other tight in shared sorrow.
Later, the family attends Luke’s funeral. Rhaenyra lights the funeral pyre, burning the only piece of clothing she recovered. Jace and his younger brother also place items in the fire in remembrance of their beloved brother.
Simultaneously, Alicent lights a candle for her mother, Alyrie Florent, and Viserys Targaryen. Her final candle is for Lucerys Velaryon.
The flames of the funeral pyre pale in comparison to the fire burning in Rhaenyra’s eyes as she says goodbye to Luke.
Daemon makes his way to King’s Landing in the dead of night. He pays off a member of the King’s Guard who the White Worm told him hated the Hightowers. The guard smuggles him in to see one of Aegon’s ratcatchers. Daemon is willing to pay off the man’s debts, and the ratcatcher confirms he knows the way around the Red Keep and Maegor’s tunnels. Daemon introduces him to the guard and orders them to slay Aemond, the prince with silver hair and one eye. Both men agree.
Elsewhere, Aemond and Criston are plotting how to bring the war to an end quickly. Aemond’s anxious to stop wasting time waiting for their allies to gather. He’d rather use Vhagar to vanquish their enemies, while Criston leads the army on the ground. They continue to plot, and Criston believes they should get Aegon to secretly agree to their plan.
However, Aemond doesn’t think Aegon will agree. Alicent and Otto have Aegon’s ear, and they’re advising caution. Aemond thinks his mom blames him for the war, even though she actively plotted to usurp Rhaenyra’s throne. Criston defends his secret lover and blames Rhaenyra for drawing Alicent into her web.
“She holds love for our enemy. That makes her a fool,” declares Aemond.
A short while later, Otto advises Aemond not to act on his own without Aegon’s consent. Otto thinks Aemond doesn’t see the whole chessboard and needs to keep his impulses reined in.
Queen Helaena’s Prophesy Comes True
The guard and ratcatcher make their way through the tunnels and even pass by King Aegon holding court on the Iron Throne with his friends. Aegon and his compadres are busy coming up with a new nickname to replace Magnanimous and don’t acknowledge either the ratcatcher or the guard as they walk by, eyes on the floor.
The guard and ratcatcher have a brief argument about the route to King Aegon’s chambers. After a heated exchange, they arrive on the floor where the royals maintain bedrooms. The guard steals a few items from a room and orders the ratcatcher to set a trap as cover. He also reminds the ratcatcher that Daemon won’t pay them unless they return with Aemond’s severed head.
The guard is seen by a maid and quickly leaves a trap before catching up with the ratter holding Queen Helaena at knifepoint. The assassins have made a disastrous mistake. They were meant to kill Alicent’s son Aemond and instead are targeting Aegon and Helaena’s children asleep in nearby beds. It’s impossible to tell the children’s sexes so they force Helaena to point to her son. Helaena considers her response for a minute and then points to a child.
The guard assumes she wouldn’t point to the king’s heir, but something in her eyes makes the ratcatcher believe she’s telling the truth. The gruesome murder is heard but the actual decapitation takes place off-screen as Helaena flees with her daughter.
She runs through the halls but doesn’t cry out for help. Helaena pushes open the door to Alicent’s room, catching Alicent and Criston having sex. Alicent is shocked and asks what’s happening. Helaena replies, “They killed the boy.”
- House of the Dragon Season 2 Character Descriptions
- Showrunner Ryan Condal Talks Dragons and George R.R. Martin’s Fantasy World
- House of the Dragon Season 2: Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith and Harry Collett Interview
- House of the Dragon Season 2: Olivia Cooke, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Fabien Frankel Interview
- House of the Dragon Season 2: Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, and Bethany Antonia Interview
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10: “The Black Queen” Finale
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