The second episode of House of the Dragon provides us intrigue, marriage, and an intro.

After a fairly robust begin, House of the Dragon is again with a second episode. Overall, it’s one other attention-grabbing episode with some nice visuals. While it lacks a number of the punch that the primary episode introduced, it additionally prevented a number of the dumbest features of episode one.

***BEWARE, HERE BE SPOILERS***

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XilSEYZ9CbY

Intro Time (It’s No GoT)

So let’s speak about that intro. The final episode didn’t include one, however House Of the Dragon episode two introduced again a traditional GoT fashion intro. It’s in all probability the very first thing folks discover in regards to the episode. Certainly, folks complained in regards to the lack of an intro within the first episode. Sadly, nevertheless, this new intro is simply not excellent.

Aping the unique GoT intro this one is ready to the primary theme track, and reveals a type of clockwork scene, zooming round. This one appears to be a mannequin of Old Valyria. Flowing by it are rivers of blood that appear to unlock clockwork seals. The seals appear to be a Targaryen household tree, noting no less than a number of the kings and queens. Maybe. The situation is that basically nothing within the intro is tremendous clear, particularly to newcomers. The authentic Game of Thrones intro was not solely visually catching but additionally informative. It confirmed folks the world and gave a pleasant geography lesson.

This intro is simply type of complicated. I don’t assume anybody who isn’t a brilliant fan would be taught rather a lot from it. Even many of the tremendous followers I’ve seen are extra confused than something by the intro. By being in the identical fashion because the GoT intro, it begs comparisons, and albeit, it’s missing. It’s lengthy, bizarre, and doesn’t inform you a lot. It simply type of sucks.

The Plot Thickens in House of the Dragon Episode Two

Episode two has two fundamental plots it follows. The first is the necessity for King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) to remarry after the demise of his spouse final episode. Throughout many of the episode, he’s pushed to marry Laena Velaryon. Laena is his cushion and the daughter of the Sea Snake, making her a robust match from a political perspective. However, at 12 the King feels she is just too younger for him. In the background, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans)  and his daughter Alicent (Emily Carey) are additionally making their strikes. By the tip of the second episode it pays off, Viserys rejects Laena and pronounces he’ll marry Alicent.

The different main plot thread is the brewing bother within the Stepstones. From the beginning, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) is pushing for the crown to do one thing in regards to the area. Troops from the Triarchy have occupied the islands and are sinking ships from the Seven Kingdoms. Viserys retains placing him off, nevertheless. After his daughter is rejected Corlys seems for an unlikely ally to take issues into his personal palms: Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). 

Family Matters are Big in Episode Two

by way of Ollie Upton/HBO

A few household threads run within the background by the episode. The fundamental one offers with Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock on this episode) and Viserys. For the six months for the reason that final episode, they haven’t actually spoken. Greif appears to have pushed them aside. Rhaenyra is perhaps inheritor however she doesn’t really feel safe within the place or that anybody takes her critically.  She tries to tackle some minor duties, similar to appointing Criston Cole to the Kingsguard. However, in a dialog together with her cushion Rhaenys (Eve Best), she is advised that males won’t ever let her rule. Rhaenys’ ought to know, in spite of everything, that she was twice handed over for the throne.

Things come to move when Daemon, having seized Dragonstone, pronounces that he’s going to take a second spouse, and provides her unborn little one a dragon egg. Enraged the King sends Otto, his hand, to take again the egg and punish Daemon. It goes poorly, Daemon has extra males and a dragon and doesn’t appear interested by giving up the egg. At this level, Rhaenyra reveals up on her personal dragon and challenges Daemon both quit or assault her instantly. Daemon appears to don’t have any coronary heart to maneuver in opposition to her, nevertheless. He provides up the egg and Dragonstone (the wedding and little one change into lies). Driven from Dragonstone Daemon joins up with the Sea Sanke to combat their very own warfare.

The motion lastly positive factors Rhaenyra recognition and respect. However, the announcement of her father and Alicnet’s marriage on the finish of House Of the Dragon episode two crushes her. She storms out of the small council room crying.

A Small Story So Far

Overall this was a slower, much less impactful episode than the primary. It focuses much more on characters and their growth. With much less time spent on an enormous catch-up information dump, the present can breathe somewhat extra and introduce some new components. While that is good, it’s additionally a significant departure from the Game of Thrones we all know. Whereas GoT had a large sprawling story and wove collectively a ton of places and plot strains, House of the Dragon goes the opposite manner. So far the present has been very centered. Most of it has taken place within the Red Keep and close by. The brief jaunt to Dragonstone took us a bit extra into the world, nevertheless it didn’t introduce any new characters. I’m positive issues will begin to sprawl out, however for now, the present is telling a good, private story.

Let us know what you considered the episode, down within the feedback! 

Abe is that uncommon factor, an Austin native born and raised right here. Though he retains on shifting round, DC, Japan, ETC., he at all times appears to seek out his manner again finally. Abe has a long time of expertise with a variety of tabletop and RPG video games, from historicals, to Star Wars to D&D and 40K. He has been contributing to BOLS since nearly the beginning, again when he labored at after which owned an area gaming retailer. He was massive into the aggressive Warhammer match scene however age has mellowed him and he now appreciates informal match. He at the moment covers 40K techniques and lore, in addition to all issues Star Wars, with occasional dabbling in different subjects. Abe stays in mourning over the lack of WFB to today.

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