‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Review - The War Begins

HBO promised a Targaryen civil war in HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s book and all the build-up of season one comes to fruition in the second season. After two years away, it is finally back and bolder than before. This time, there are no time jumps and we can stay with the cast of characters with more familiarity to deliver the fateful blows, emotional and physical, of the new season. For that, it is stronger than the first season as the jarring time jumps often omitted crucial moments of the characters that would have provided great development. Picking up right where the first season left, the Blacks are grieving the loss of Rhaenyra’s son, and many are out for retribution and blood.

Book readers can assume that in the warring teams of the Greens and Blacks, Martin had a clear favorite, and it was the Blacks. HBO makes it clear they have no favorite other than the conflict and the actions of the characters to create a morbidly fascinating bloody tale. The nuances of the characters shine as they wrestle with war and the cost of it, some willing to play the game and others wanting to hold back but it affects all – not just the main players.

In early scenes, the small folk bear the brunt of the cost of the war but a magnanimous Aegon pledges to help and means it. Any worries that he would be another rendition of Joffrey from the parent series are dismissed early in the season as we see him rage, grieve, and care about those around him but still have a selfish air about him. The series delves into the nature of the characters in every performance, and the storytelling aspect is heightened with a few exceptions.

While everyone else ups their game, it is unfortunately Matt Smith’s Damon Targaryen whose performance is stagnant and offering nothing new to the series. We have seen Damon’s angry outbursts, his scorn at being passed over for heir, and his plotting before and while everyone else begins a new level, his remaining the same is a detriment to an otherwise perfect season.

House of the Dragon delivers an impeccable season with all the traits that cemented its parent series into a household name that people couldn’t get enough of. Although dragons were the selling point, the characters surpass the might of the scaled creatures and show more force and lethal violence. It is another win for HBO and a great look into one of the most catastrophic moments in Westeros history.

Final Score- [9/10]
Reviewed by - Leigh Doyle
Publisher at Midgard Times
Premiere Date: June 16, 2024, on HBO and MAX