'House of the Dragon' Season 2: Aegon assures relief for the Smiths, but Episode 2 hints it's an empty promise
Contains spoilers for 'House of the Dragon' Season 2
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 2 premiered on Sunday, June 23, 2024, on HBO, advancing the gripping saga of the Targaryen Civil War.
Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) strive to gain an early advantage in the conflict.
Aegon is navigating the challenges of ruling King's Landing, where he confronts the pressing issue of scarce resources exacerbated by a naval blockade at Gullet. This is majorly affecting the small folk in King's Landing, including a smith named Hugh (Kieran Dew).
Hugh, grappling with an ailing daughter and dwindling resources, reflects the struggles of the common people of King's Landing amid the ongoing conflict between the royal houses.
In 'Fire and Blood', the lack of resources forces Hugh to take an extreme step that will create a rags-to-riches story.
Hugh the Hammer joins the Blacks and rides Vermithor
Hugh, later known as Hugh the Hammer, emerges as a pivotal figure in the Dance of the Dragons. The scarcity of resources in King's Landing compels him to align with the Blacks and support Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Rhaenyra, searching for Dragonriders to pilot the riderless dragons in the war, offers Hugh the opportunity to ride Vermithor, the largest dragon after Vhagar. A desperate Hugh manages to successfully ride the dragon.
The book 'Fire and Blood' hints that Hugh may have Valyrian blood, which enables him to command dragons. He fights alongside the Blacks as Rhaenyra seizes King's Landing, but eventually turns against her.
Hugh the Hammer betrays Rhaenrya Targaryen
An important event in the Dance of the Dragons is the death of Vhagar, the largest dragon in the Seven Kingdoms. Once Vhagar dies, Vermithor becomes the most powerful dragon in the Seven Kingdoms.
Hugh realizing that he has the biggest dragon becomes power-hungry and wants to reach the very pinnacle and become the King. He becomes one of the two betrayers who betray Rhaenyra Targaryen after the First Battle of Tumbleton.
He is eventually killed in the Second Battle of Tumbleton, where his betrayal contributes to Rhaenyra Targaryen's departure from King's Landing. She is killed by Aegon and his dragon Sunfyre.
Episode 2 foreshadowed these events as Hugh, a commoner struggling with a shortage of food, is driven to take extreme measures to care for his family. Ultimately, it is his lust for absolute power that leads to his death.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 premiered on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024, with new episodes dropping every Sunday. 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 premiered on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
