The second episode of House of the Dragon’s second season is filled with crucial intricacies, hidden references, and hints of what is to come. Despite a nearly two-year absence, the Game of Thrones prequel quickly sets the tone for the upcoming season.
Within this story, there is an abundance of political plotting, manipulations, scandalous relationships, and the significant issue of a child’s murder.
10. Chapter 10
A new addition to the cast of House of the Dragon season 2 is Alyn of Hull, a faithful servant to Corlys Velaryon. Alyn has a brother named Addam, who is also set to make an appearance in season 2 and originates from Fire & Blood.
There is much debate surrounding their true parentage in the books. While their mother claims they are illegitimate sons of Laenor Velaryon, this is doubted due to his homosexuality. Other sources suggest they may actually be the bastards of Corlys.
Interestingly, Alyn’s character in the series has a bald head, in contrast to the classic Valyrian locks described in the book. It will be intriguing to see how the show portrays their extravagance.
Ultimately, Alyn openly acknowledges the absence of Lucerys Velaryon as Corlys’ successor to Driftmark. In the end, Alyn is granted legitimacy and assumes the title of Lord of the Tides in the story.
Torrhen Stark & Aegon’s Conquest: House Of The Dragon References The King Who Kelt
When discussing the house’s tradition of sending new recruits to the Night’s Watch, Cregan mentions Torrhen Stark. He also brings up Torrhen when speaking with Jace.
He held a significant place in the Starks’ family tree as the final King in the North, ruling for nearly 300 years until the era of Robb Stark.
Knowing he had no hope of defeating Aegon the Conqueror and his dragons, Torrhen submitted and pledged his loyalty, earning the title of the King Who Knelt. This event may be featured in the potential Game of Thrones spinoff, Aegon’s Conquest.
8 Cregan Stark’s Duty is Sacrifice in Game of Thrones
Cregan receives some wise words from the premiere episode of “House of the Dragon” season 2.
“Sacrifice is an essential part of duty. It holds more strength than any other force, even familial ties. Those who possess honor must be willing to pay its cost.”
This quote functions as a double callback, with the first being a reflection of Alicent Hightower’s words to Rhaenyra in season 1, episode 7 of House of the Dragon: “Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? It seems to have been disregarded once again under your dainty foot.”
Equally appropriate, considering the setting, is the fact that it echoes the words of Maester Aemon to Jon Snow, which Jon later repeated in the finale of Game of Thrones: “Love is the death of duty.”Despite their differing circumstances, both men are referring to the same concept: the sacrifice and challenges that come with fulfilling one’s duty. This cleverly introduces Cregan and brings the audience back to the Wall.
Aemond’s Belief in the Power of Words
In the season 2 premiere, Aemond Targaryen declares, “Words are wind.”This phrase, while commonly used by George R.R. Martin, is believed to have originated from William Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors and carries the same meaning that actions speak louder than words.
In citing it, Martin appeared to have developed a strong attachment to this phrase while writing A Dance with Dragons. He utilized it more than a dozen times, consistently emphasizing the spoken word rather than the written.
This is particularly relevant when referring back to House of the Dragon, where a multitude of words are uttered that lead to misinterpretations, and promises are often unfulfilled. In fact, words are simply empty promises.
6. Lord Dalton Greyjoy Is Mentioned: The Arrival of the Ironborn
The proposal to appoint Dalton Greyjoy as master of ships, to assist in the defeat of the Velaryons, would introduce another powerful House from Game of Thrones into the prequel’s narrative, which was absent in the first season. While his involvement in the civil war is not significant, he will eventually have a role to play—except he will pledge his allegiance to Team Black instead of Team Green.
Out of all the ironborn, Dalton stood out as a particularly ruthless and bloodthirsty individual, but also incredibly talented. He earned the moniker of the Red Kraken after emerging victorious and covered in blood from a battle at the young age of 15, seeking revenge for the death of his uncle.
Winter is Coming
The feeling of goosebumps. Pure goosebumps.
Despite the snow falling around them at the Wall, it is still just late Summer in Westeros. However, there is a certain comfort in hearing a Stark say those words once again after several years.
The White Walkers are Referenced At The Wall
According to Cregan, the Wall was constructed thousands of years ago to protect against death, which refers to the White Walkers, as Jacaerys is told.
Despite not being a part of House of the Dragon’s story, it is impossible not to envision the White Walkers while in the North, beyond the Wall, near the edge of the map, in the Lands of Always Winter.
It serves as a reminder of Aegon’s prophecy in A Song of Ice and Fire, which played a crucial role in the events of the Dance of the Dragons, whether the participants were aware of it or not.
3. New House of The Dragons Opening Title Sequence
The second season begins with a fresh set of opening credits, featuring the tapestry being created with the use of blood. The credits also showcase significant moments for the Targaryen family, including the division between the Blacks and Greens, as well as the reign of Rhaenyra and Aegon from their individual thrones.
It seems that the current form presents a few noteworthy events, including:
- After Daenys had her dream, the Targaryens relocated to Dragonstone.
- The Destruction of Valyria
- Some significant events during Aegon’s Conquest were:
- Aegon, Visenya & Rhaenys’ landing in Westeros on Balerion, Vhagar and Meraxes
- King Harren the Black and burning of Harrenhal
- Aegon was able to gain the loyalty of houses Stark, Arryn, and Tully as they all knelt before him.
- The Seven Kingdoms are currently under the rule of Aegon, the sigil of House Targaryen.
- Maegor the Cruel dying on the Iron Throne
- King Jaehaerys I and Alysanne Targaryen are the rulers of Westeros during the Great Council of 101 AC.
- For Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding, Alicent Hightower was dressed in a stunning green gown.
- After the Greens and Blacks divided, Aegon II and Rhaenyra were both crowned.
- In the final episode of House of the Dragon season 1, viewers witness the deaths of Lucerys Velaryon and Arrax at the hands of Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar.
Chapter 2: Introduction
At the start of this week’s episode, Jacerys arrives at the Wall and is greeted by its familiar grandeur. He then seeks the support of Cregan Stark for the upcoming war.
He not only promises to enlist his trusted allies, but he also cautions Jace about a well-known enemy they may encounter along their journey.
Cregan reminds him that his ancestors had built the wall to keep out “death”, or as fans of Thrones may know them, the White Walkers, as he declares that winter is approaching.
Big Blood & Cheese Clues Throughout the Episode
The final scene of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 shows Blood and Cheese infiltrating the Red Keep and assassinating Prince Jaehaerys. The Mother of the prophecy is originally described in the book, but with some alterations.
Although it served as a crude and humorous reference, Cheese’s statement about his knowledge of the Red Keep being superior to his own genitalia was actually lifted directly from book testimony by Mushroom.
Curiously, there were two hints about Blood and Cheese in the earlier episode. While Aegon was considering bringing Jaehaerys to the Small Council, Helaena expressed her fear of rats. Although Aegon and the others were puzzled, Helaena’s frequent prophetic visions suggested she had foreseen some sort of trouble involving rats.
In season 1, she made a similar remark about Rhaenys, referring to her as “the beast beneath the boards”while in the Dragonpit. However, this statement also applies to Blood and Cheese.
Shortly after, it further established its foundation by depicting Cheese setting rat traps in the Red Keep with his loyal dog by his side.
Although the camera only focused on him briefly, it was enough to catch a glimpse of him. However, it would have been difficult to predict the extent of the cruelty he would display in the premiere of House of the Dragon season 2.
About House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is the prequel series to the popular HBO show Game of Thrones, which is adapted from George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
Taking place three hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will depict the reign of the Targaryen family in Westeros before the dragons became extinct. The series will center around the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between Aegon II and Rhaenyra, the siblings who vied for the throne after their father, Viserys I, passed away.
Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik directed the show, which features a talented cast including Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Craney as Aegon II Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish.
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