'House of the Dragon': 5 ways Dance of the Dragons could've been avoided
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will be streaming on HBO from June 16, 2024. The fan-favorite series is gearing up for a high-octane season where the Targaryen house sees itself go to war for the succession of the Iron Throne.
This Targaryen civil war is called the Dance of the Dragons as the Targaryen house boasts many dragons who will look to breathe fire on each other and warriors as houses pick their sides between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) who lead the Black and Green factions into war.
Many wonder though, if it really had to end up this way. At many points in the first season, you do feel that there could have been an easier resolution and a few decisions could have been avoided to prevent the house from going to war after the death of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine).
Here's a look at a few ways that the Dance of the Dragons could have been avoided.
1. If Daemon Targaryen was named the heir to the throne
The series begins with the peaceful rule of King Viserys and the turmoil begins when a quest for King's successor begins. The King's small council advises him to name his brother Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) the heir to the throne in the absence of a male offspring. However, he deems Daemon to be unpredictable and names Rhaenyra Targaryen the heir.
While the move is appreciable from a feministic standpoint, it begins a chain of events that would lead to the house going to war. Also, Viserys is still patriarchal at heart and always desperate for a male child so the action of naming Rhaenyra was more about rejecting Daemon than accepting Rhaenyra as the heir.
Daemon has shown the qualities of a ruler albeit one who rules with an iron fist as he did when he re-instated the gold cloaks. With him at the helm of the throne, there would have been no question about succession or anyone else's claim to the throne.
2. If Ser Otto Hightower was less power-hungry
Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is the hand of the king for Viserys and he sees an opportunity when Viserys' wife dies. He sends his daughter Alicent to get closer to the King while she is still a child.
Otto has a vested interest in having his lineage on the throne through Alicent and he has no qualms about using his daughter as a pawn to gain the throne.
Even Alicent criticizes her father for his actions and dismisses him for using her as a pawn. Ser Otto's lust for power has created a scenario where his daughter and her former best friend Rhaenyra are now sworn enemies.
3. If Targaryens respected Velaryons more
An aspect of 'House of the Dragon' that often gets ignored is how much the Velaryon house has been disrespected despite being the wealthiest house in the seven kingdoms.
First, Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) was ignored for the throne and Viserys was favored. Then Viserys chooses Alicent over Laena Velaryon (Nova Foueillis-Mosé) as his second wife.
And finally, how Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan), gets taken away from the Velaryon house after Rhaneyra marries Daemon. If any of these events didn't happen, it would have probably changed the course of the fictional history of Westeros.
4. If Alicent and Rhaenyra could have been more restrained
Alicent and Rhaenyra start the series as friends and if anything, you would expect your friends to understand your perspectives better than anyone else.
The lust for power and constant oneupmanship get the better of Rhaenyra and Alicent as they become hell-bent on destroying each other politically and personally.
This lack of restraint will prove to be costly in the second season.
5. If Aemond could have controlled Vhagar better
The final act of Season 1 that might also prove to be the most defining event of 'House of the Dragon' was the death of Prince Lucerys Targaryen (Elliot Grihault).
It happened at the hands of Vhagar, the dragon that Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) rides and has no control over. Vhagar is the biggest dragon in the seven kingdoms and Aemond isn't equipped enough to ride or command Vhagar who acts on his own will to kill Lucerys.
The consequences of Aemond's incompetence will be severe as Rhaenyra will respond in kind to the loss of her son.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' is streaming on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024. To watch the series, you will need a Max Subscription
The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.
The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99 annually. Meanwhile, the third package, titled Ultimate Ad-Free, costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is premiering on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024