'House of the Dragon' Season 2: Why Rhaenyra isn't the only grieving mother

Rhaenyra Targaryen turns her grief into vengeance as she demands a son for a son
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 1 featured a heartbreaking scene as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Syrax grieved the death of their children (@hbo)
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 1 featured a heartbreaking scene as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Syrax grieved the death of their children (@hbo)

Contains spoilers and speculation for 'House of the Dragon' 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 1 premiered on Sunday, June 16, on HBO.

The unpredictable twists and turns of the 'Game of Thrones' prequel kept the audience on the edge of their seat right from the beginning, but it also offered an emotional moment that left the fans deeply moved.

 Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) was noticeably absent during a significant portion of the action involving the Green and Black factions, as Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) took center stage in strategizing and political planning. 

The reason for her absence was her grief after the loss of Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) at the end of Season 1. 

As the bodies of Lucerys and his dragon Arrax are recovered from the sea, we witness Rhaenyra grieving inconsolably. Her sorrow swiftly transforms into a fierce call for revenge against Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).

While viewers witnessed Rhaenyra grieving, she wasn't the only mother mourning the loss of a child.

Rhaenyra's dragon Syrax lost her child Arrax too

A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)
A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)

Rhaenrya and her dragon Syrax shared the grief as mothers as Arrax, who was Syrax's child, died alongside Lucerys. The scene on the beach depicted an enraged Syrax, driving away the common folk who had gathered to witness the dragon's remains.

Rhaenyra then returned to Dragonstone to plan revenge against those who had caused her grief. She urged Daemon and the other members of her team to kill Aemond Targaryen.

It will be interesting to see if Syrax seeks revenge against Vhagar, the dragon who killed Arrax. However, it won't be an easy task, as Vhagar is known as the largest dragon in the Seven Kingdoms.

What happens to Rhaenyra and Syrax in 'House of the Dragon'?

A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)
A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)

Rhaenyra and Syrax achieve victory in the Dance of the Dragons as they successfully capture King's Landing.

As per George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood', Rhaenyra loses control over King's Landing following riots triggered by Queen Helaena Targaryen's (Phia Saban) suicide.

An important event in the rebellion against her is the Storming of the Dragonpit, during which shepherds kill five dragons. Syrax is one of the dragons who dies in the Storming of the Dragonpit. 

Rhaenyra flees King's Landing only to be found later by Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and killed by his dragon Sunfyre. 

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

A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)
A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)

'House of the Dragon' started streaming on HBO Max starting on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Episodes of the series will continue to air every Sunday until August 4, 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' Trailer 



 

'House of the Dragon' started streaming on HBO Max starting on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Paramount+ drops all episodes of the ‘Among Us’ adaptation just after an announcement at the Summer Game Fest.
4 hours ago
Peter McFerrin faces off against Seth McElroy and Jackie Goncalves in Saturday's episode of ‘Jeopardy!’.
6 hours ago
After a lengthy break following Season 2, Paramount+ has shared a major ‘Lioness’ Season 3 update as Joe faces dangers that hit closer to home.
7 hours ago
The three-part docuseries explores the fascinating story of doomsday cult Eternal Values and its leader, Frederick von Mierers
18 hours ago
Throughout the previous episodes, Carter skipped school and looked upon Dwight as some sort of a mentor
19 hours ago
Fan-favorite Netflix show is set to premiere its upcoming season next week on June 11.
19 hours ago
'NCIS' Season 23 finale ended on a cliffhanger after Wilmer Valderrama's Nick Torres confronted Mateo [Patrick Keleher]
21 hours ago
Here's everything we know about Sadie Sink's new FX series 'The Marriage Plot'
21 hours ago
The next season of the crime drama series will see Jon Hamm's Coop deal with the aftermath of Owen Ashe's death
22 hours ago
Katie Robbins and Ellen Pompeo previously collaborated on Hulu's limited series 'Good American Family,' which premiered in 2025
1 day ago