'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
UPDATED JUN 20, 2024
'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.

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