'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Review: HBO show may have been slow-burner but one character swept all away
Contains spoilers for 'House of the Dragon' Season 2
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 premiered on HBO on June 16, amid huge fanfare and anticipation, and the epic 'Game of Thrones' prequel has delivered a season that will go a long way in making the show achieve legendary status in the years to come.
Showrunner Ryan Condal and his team of writers had the mammoth task of adapting 'Fire & Blood' by George R.R. Martin into a screenplay that can be as effective in captivating the audience as the book was, but they have created a season that has lived up to the hype.
Fans will certainly feel a void in their lives next week and beyond when they don't have a 'House of the Dragon' episode to look forward to. Here is a detailed review of 'House of the Dragon' Season 2.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 features brilliant setups and fulfilling payoffs
The writers of the show faced a major challenge in Season 2 as the pacing of the show had to be different from its first season which had multiple time-leaps and also different from 'Game of Thrones' as the show was concentrated essentially on one family.
They were certainly up to the task and focused their narrative on creating intriguing character arcs and planting seeds for the battle sequences. The season did receive some criticism for having too many conversations and fewer battle sequences, but it was those conversations that made the battle sequences feel more important.
For instance, the events leading up to Rook's Rest and the animosity that was brewing between Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) and Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) paid off in the fourth episode when the battle ultimately took place.
The writers did a fantastic job of introducing new characters and gradually building them in the plotline. The adaptation of Hugh the Hammer (Kieran Bew) for instance differs from the book but as the episodes wear on, he begins to feel more and more important.
Through him, the writers represent the sufferings of the smallfolk with a battle taking place and the consequent repercussions it has on the war.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 creates a world full of morally grey characters
If you're a fan of a character in the show, you will ultimately end up morally questioning your favorite at some point in the show.
Shireen Baratheon (Kerry Ingram) in 'Game of Thrones' talked about the Dance of the Dragons and discussed how choosing between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Aegon cost the realm.
You understand the gravity of those words in Season 2 as you see characters distorting versions of the truth to favor them and their claim to the Throne. You see characters desperate for power and giving themselves justification for their actions in the quest for that power.
'House of the Dragon' significantly differs from 'Game of Thrones' in this one aspect. 'Game of Thrones' had a Jon Snow (Kit Harington) who was the prototype of a protagonist and could do no wrong in the show.
'House of the Dragon' doesn't have that one major character who can be called morally good and that is what sets it apart from any other show.
Rhaenyra, Alicent, and Daemon's beautifully sketched character arcs
While all characters are important in the show, Rhaneyra Targaryen, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) are the backbones of the plot and all three of them have been sketched to perfection.
Rhaenyra Targaryen was crowned Queen by her supporters at the end of Season 1 but in Season 2, her biggest challenge is to prove herself worthy of the position. She finds a hard time trying to handle her supporters and finds it even harder to gain any semblance of control over her husband Daemon.
Rhaenyra's journey is one where she started as a young and carefree girl, to being someone who is fighting for the biggest position in the world, and as the season progresses, she gradually finds a way to do that. She lives in a continuous conflict between who she is and who she needs to be as a Queen and that creates some beautifully vulnerable moments.
Alicent Hightower begins the season with a conflict between duty and desire. She has a lustful affair with Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) which costs the Greens heavily. Her character evolves into becoming detached from the proceedings once she realizes the truth about Aegon's succession and is gradually removed from the decision-making council of the greens. She lives with the grief of being a part of the war.
The adaptation of this character from the book provides an in-depth look into the vulnerabilities of a figure stuck in a place where everyone thinks she doesn't belong. Her ambition and her desire create a beautiful contrast in a character that grows on you as the season progresses.
The most impressive character arc arguably is that of Daemon Targaryen who is in Harrenhall for the majority of the season battling physical manifestations of his guilt and grief. He is established as an unpredictable nonchalant character but he finally comes face to face with his deeds in Harrenhall.
From orchestrating the murder of a child in the first episode to facing his innermost demons, the character progresses into someone who is now even more cerebral and self-aware.
The cinematography and editing are on-point in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2
An underrated aspect of the show is its visual storytelling which often gets lost amidst the high-scale battle sequences. The cinematography in the interior sequences is phenomenal and establishes the world of the characters.
The use of candles and sunlight as light sources to create visual poetry in the scenes at the Red Keep and Dragonstone adds a lot to the story subconsciously. While 'Game of Thrones' had the advantage of the snowy landscapes of Winterfell and the Wall, 'House of the Dragon' is shot in and around King's Landing so the cinematography and art direction needed innovation, and the technicians delivered.
Having said that, the battle sequences are phenomenal and the whole sequence of the Battle at Rook's Rest will be remembered for years to come with great VFX and brilliant action-cinematography.
The editing of the show conveys a visual story apart from the ongoing narrative. Take for instance the scene in Episode 6 where Seasmoke's scene transitions to Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) in a cut that gives a precursor to the partnership between the two later in the episode.
Ramin Djawadi's music is a highlight
From the iconic opening theme to the music that compliments the mood of many scenes, Ramin Djawadi has outdone himself in the second season.
There are fewer battle sequences, so maybe the music will go underrated but the music during the first episode where Rhaenyra tells Daemon that she wants Aemond to die, and the sequence where Daemon takes Harrenhall is orchestrated to perfection.
There's also the music during Battle at Rook's Rest which adds to the aura and pathos of the battle.
Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, and Fabien Frankel give exceptional performances
As far as the performances are concerned, Emma D'Arcy carries the show on her able shoulders. She appropriately manages exaggeration and subtlety to give a performance that conveys subtext through every muscle she moves in her body. Her performance in the scene where she argues with Daemon after Blood and Cheese is exceptional.
Matt Smith has made Daemon Targaryen his own and it is difficult to imagine anyone else playing this character. In this season, he has a lot to do as we see a vulnerable and sometimes fearful side of him and Matt conveys those emotions effortlessly.
Fabien Frankel plays Criston Cole and you know an antagonistic character has played it well when the world hates him. Criston Cole has become one of the most hated characters in the show and it is because of the unhinged menace that Fabien has brought to the character.
A special mention must go to Tom Glynn-Carney who made Aegon somewhat likable. Also Phia Saban in her limited role as Helaena excels, particularly in the scene where she has to be a part of a parade.
Slow burner sets up an intriguing 'House of the Dragon' Season 3
Season 2 was a slow burner that had limited yet fulfilling payoffs but perhaps the biggest benefit of investing a season to set the plot up will come in the third season when the high-scale battles take place.
The viewers are invested deeply in the characters and every victory or loss from now on will begin to feel personal. As the watch ends for a while before Season 3 is out, we can only look back and appreciate the work of some of the best technicians who have wonderfully put their craft into use and created a season that will be remembered for ages.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO