Stream It Or Skip It: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 on Max, The Return Of TV’s Gold Standard Fantasy Epic, Now With More War

House of the Dragon is on a war footing as it returns to Max for season 2. For us, it’s been a year and change since we were privy to what’s going down in Westeros, 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. But for the characters of HOTD, it’s only been a few weeks, and all of the principals are processing and preparing in the wake of a prince’s recent violent end. Everybody who didn’t die the first time around is back, including Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Eve Best, Olivia Cooke, Fabien Frankel, and Rhys Ifans; even Sonoya Mizuno has returned with her evolving accent. But in a big budget series like this, there will also be a host of new additions – human and creature – some of whom we’ll meet right away. After all, it takes bodies, not just dragons, to fight a war. And in Westeros, war, like winter, is coming.            

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON – SEASON 2: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT? 

Opening Shot: The song remains the same. But the visuals for HOTD’s opening titles have received a stunning refresh worthy of what’s at stake. Needlework in motion forms dragons, and banners of fire, and the suggestion of blood soaking every inch of the Seven Kingdoms. It’s like an illuminated manuscript, woven from magical thread.  

The Gist: Season 2 of House of the Dragon opens on a place Game of Thrones viewers will know well: Winterfell, the fortress of the north, where the forces of House Stark patrol a 700-foot wall of ice. Prince Jacaerys “Jace” Velaryon (Harry Collett) has arrived on a diplomatic mission, seeking an alliance with and warriors from Lord Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor). Jace’s mission is similar to that of his little brother, Prince Lucerys “Luke” Velaryon (Elliot Grihault), who their mother Rhaenyra Targaryen (D’arcy) sent to Storm’s End in search of support from House Baratheon. But while Jace secures the promise of 2,000 seasoned fighters from Lord Stark, we all know what happened to Luke. It is the still fresh gobbling of the younger prince and his winged steed by Prince Aemond “One-Eye” Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) and his humongous dragon Vhagar that has truly set the wheels of war and vengeance turning.

As a GOT prequel, HOTD is adapted from George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, and tells the story of House Targaryen. In season 1, the treachery of King’s Hand Otto Hightower (Ifans) and Queen Alicent Hightower (Cooke) that made Alicent’s son Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) king and rejected Rhaenyra’s claim as rightful heir to dearly departed Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine) made a struggle for succession inevitable. But man, with Aemond killing Luke, the Blacks (Team Rhaenyra) and the Greens (Team Alicent) are now braced for outright civil war.

At Dragonstone, the Blacks’ base of operations, crazytown Prince Daemon Targaryen (Smith), Rhaenyra’s husband-uncle, is of course pushing to immediately burn all of their enemies. But Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Best) urges restraint while Rhaenyra mourns Luke. In King’s Landing, Aegon II is leaning into his new role as ruler, Otto sees conflict as the only path to securing a Green victory over the Blacks, and Alicent is feeling ignored at the Small Council. “Rhaenyra has dragons as well,” she tells her son as he crows about going on offense. “Mine are bigger,” retorts Aegon II. And as everyone in either stronghold talks alliances and tactics, no one sees the smaller, quieter moves made that will surely enflame this already tense situation.  

What Shows Will It Remind You Of? The epic fantasy of House of the Dragon is a standard bearer as it continues to uphold the Game of Thrones mantle. But it’s by no means the only worthy game in fantasy TV town. This August, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will return for its second season, and a third season of The Wheel of Time is also on its way.   

Our Take: The collective weight and reach of the books on which they’re based, numerous characters with awkward names and unstated aims, and the connectivity between storylines obscured, either by opaque, wordy exposition or literally not being able to see the action. At various times, these have all served as impediments to enjoying House of the Dragon. And at various times, those arguments have all been valid. But here’s what’s up: people choosing sides in a life or death battle for succession has a way of clearing out the gripey cobwebs. In its second season, HOTD’s stakes are defined. Its parameters are clear. Its characters have chosen. And while the outcomes will be definitive, they’re sure to keep the drama pulsing, even for any viewers familiar with the George R.R. Martin source material. In the season 2 premiere, when Princess and would-be Queen Rhaenyra comes in for a daylight landing (TC 23:00) on her dragon Syrax, the smallfolk scatter in fear. But from a safe distance, they also stand and observe in awe. We are the smallfolk in that moment. We’re all transfixed by the grandeur. And here in season 2, House of the Dragon is set to embrace the full weight of what it’s equipped to bring to this thrivingera of fantasy television.     

Sex and Skin: The suggestion that Alicent Hightower was always in love with Ser Criston Cole – or at least in lust – is, shall we say, made less of a suggestion here in season 2. 

Parting Shot: Plans made with a mind toward vengeance have a way of going awry, and in its final few moments, the opening episode of House of the Dragon’s second go-round offers a horrifying example of this. Do not underestimate vengeance as becoming the primary driver of the entire second season. 

Sleeper Star: It’s a testament to Tom Glynn-Carney’s craft that there is anything glimmering inside King Aegon II Targaryen beyond his well-known loutishness and profound depravity. But as the installed king learns on the job, Glynn-Carney lets us see more in Aegon. Sure, he still uses the Iron Throne as a backdrop for binge drinking with his mates. But there’s a new dimension of wonder, of excitement at living and ruling, that makes a character who was just a basically terrible person into someone much more interesting to watch.   

Most Pilot-y Line: “The realm will soon tear itself apart if men do not remember the oath sworn to King Viserys and his rightful heir.” Some certainly will remember. Some definitely won’t. And control of Westeros hangs in the balance.

Our Call: STREAM IT. In season 2, House of the Dragon returns with the promise of armed conflict, even more fiery beasts, and a rage in the hearts of women and men that will not be quenched without vengeance. 

Johnny Loftus (@glennganges) is an independent writer and editor living at large in Chicagoland. His work has appeared in The Village Voice, All Music Guide, Pitchfork Media, and Nicki Swift.