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'House of the Dragon': How Luke's death may be the single most important event in HBO's prequel show

Luke's death makes the conflict between Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen deeply personal

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will stream on HBO on June 16, 2024, and as the anticipation among the fans reaches a fever pitch and conspiracy theories start flaring out with speculations and analysis dominating the discourse, an event that occurred in the final stages of Season 1 has been a major topic of discussion. 

The event was the death of Prince Lucerys  aka Luke Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) who was killed by the dragon Vhagar with Prince Aemond Targaryen  (Ewan Mitchell) mounted on the dragon.

Luke who had earlier inadvertently injured Aemond's eye tried to run from the approaching Vhagar but an instinctive fire by Arrax evoked fury in Vhagar, who is widely considered the most dangerous dragon in Westeros with his huge size and potent firepower. Vhagar brutally ripped apart Arrax and Luke. 

The event could end up being the single most important event in the series as the ruling Targaryen house is now on the verge of a civil war. Let us analyze the backdrop and implications of Luke's death. 

Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen's conflict becomes personal

Luke was the son of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D' Arcy) with Ser Lanenor Velaryon (John Macmillan), although the biological father of Rhaenyra's sons is Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr). Luke was responsible for the injury to Aemond's eye and that made tensions escalate between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aemond's mother Queen Alicent Hightower ( Olivia Cooke) 

Rhaenyra and Alicent who started as the best of friends had become political rivals. But now with their sons' actions, their friendship has turned into a conflict that was on the brink of breaking out into all-out war but before Luke's death, the conflict was only political. 

But with Luke's death, this conflict is now going to lose all the restraints of diplomacy and it's now expected to turn into a brutal war that will change the face of the Targaryen house forever. 

Expectations from 'House of the Dragon' Season 2

The first episode of Season 2 is titled 'A Son for a Son' and there's no suspense over what the episode will be about. A rage-filled Rhaenyra is coming for Alicent and her son and this is now going to turn into what the cinematic universe is known for, unhinged violence. 

Both Alicent and Rhaenyra have deep personal hatred towards each other and an army of soldiers and dragons at their disposal. Both sides will be seeking alliances and choosing sides as Luke's death springs a huge battle into action. 

What remains to be seen though is the justification Aemond gives for his actions. He didn't intend to kill Luke and wanted only to avenge the loss of his eye. Is there an outside chance that Rhaenyra may give him the benefit of the doubt? We seriously don't think that's happening. 

How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is going to stream on HBO Max on 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 at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99. 

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Trailer

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will stream on HBO on June 16, 2024