‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Premiere Recap: Rage Unleashed in ‘A Son for a Son’

On the planet of Westeros, the Targaryen identify has traditionally carried a ton of weight and energy all through the realm. Although the household is in shambles when Home of the Dragon returned on Sunday night time, its debut episode, A Son for a Son, reminds us some oaths shall be stored — it doesn’t matter what. 

HBO rolled out a mega marketing campaign to gasoline the upcoming struggle between Staff Inexperienced and Staff Black, signifying that the prequel collection will set TV screens ablaze with stress, monstrous acts of violence and naturally, dragons. As we revisit King’s Touchdown and Dragonstone, put together to fulfill a lineup of recent characters who will play pivotal roles in “Dance of the Dragons,” and the battle for the Iron Throne. 

Step into the household feud with our recap of season 2’s premiere episode beneath, and do not forget to learn our refresher on season 1. Be warned: Spoilers forward, and it might be a bit of too early to decide on sides on this drama.

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Winter is coming within the North

An overhead shot of a chook hovering from the woods over coastlines, mountains, knolls, and to a stone stronghold lands within the North. A narrator explains the which means of obligation and sacrifice, and the way the North owed a terrific obligation to the Seven Kingdoms — for the reason that days of the primary males. Because the days of outdated, “We’ve got stood as guardians in opposition to the chilly and darkish.” It is the Night time’s Watch. Beneath his ancestor, King Torrhen Stark, one in 10 males was to be chosen to fortify the watch. It is an honor and obligation for many who serve the North. The North should stand prepared, as winter is coming, he warns. 

We meet Cregan Stark who’s explaining their ancestral obligation to Jacaerys. The prince brings up the oath made to King Viserys and the way unity within the kingdom is underneath risk. Cregan says his obligation’s torn between North and South. He is nervous about guarding the wall — particularly within the winter. Even dragons refused to cross the wall, and Cregan asks Jacaerys, “Do you suppose my ancestors constructed the wall to maintain out snow and savages?” and the prince quickly learns it retains out demise.

Cregan affords his graybeard pressure. As they chat, Cregan is handed a message from the queen, and he seems at Jacaerys. Clearly, it is information about Lucerys’ demise. 

Grief and anger at Dragonstone

Jacaerys is away, however issues are taking place again at dwelling. A dragon lands at Dragonstone; it is Rhaena.

Daemon is able to kill Vhagar and tries to persuade Rhaena to double-team with him. “A son for a son,” he says. Rhaena advises him to not act on vengeful impulse. Daemon retorts that if she’d acted on impulse, she would’ve ended Aegon and his line, referring to the season 1 finale second when she and her dragon burst by way of the ground throughout his coronation and refused to roast all of them. 

For a second, we see Queen Rhaenrya, who’s looking to sea from a cliff. Her face is rife with anger, sorrow and guilt.

Corlys is proven strolling to the docks — utilizing a cane. He sees ships getting cleaned up and readied, and one other new character is launched: Allyn Hull.  Allyn briefs him on the ships’ standing, however their dialog is awkward. This man is who dragged Corlys out the ocean, bringing him to security when he was sick in season 1. He says he is indebted to Allyn.

Worry at King’s Touchdown

Issues minimize to King’s Touchdown with Vhagar hovering in for a touchdown. The military is advised to face down, demonstrating they’re prepared for an assault from Staff Black at any given second. Contained in the citadel, Aegon is in his chambers on the lookout for his inheritor to offer him “king” classes. His sister-wife Helaena says she’s afraid — not of the military, however of the rats. It is not apparent what she means by that, but. 

Elsewhere within the palace, Alicent and Criston are being extraordinarily intimate earlier than they go meet with the council. They dress and scurry to the assembly the place her dad, Otto Hightower, says letters to the North are unanswered. Nevertheless, Prince Aemond’s pact with the Baratheons within the Storm Lands ought to solidify their allegiance. There’s an issue although, as Rhaenyra’s blocked the Gullet with Corlys’ sea fleet. The council can be determining that “Princess Rhaenyra” does not need to negotiate. 

As a result of her blockade is affecting how issues roll in King’s Touchdown, they need assistance from the Lannisters and Hightowers to interrupt it. They want the River Lands assist as nicely, and Aegon says he’ll simply use Vhagar to burn everybody who does not aspect with him. Alicent tries to discourage that, and with a glare towards Aemond, says Vhagar should keep at King’s Touchdown to stop Rhaenyra’s retribution for her son’s demise. 

After the assembly, Larys Sturdy, the sneaky manipulator, shares with Alicent that he is killed her outdated workers and handpicked new folks for her. He is the unique Littlefinger in each approach. 

Lucerys is honored and revenge is afoot

Rhaenyra and Syrax land on a seaside the place folks discovered a dragon wing. In a tragic scene, she finds Lucerys’ clothes is wrapped up the web and wails — as does Syrax. Her ache is palpable.

At King’s Touchdown, inexperienced King Aegon struts into the throne room the place he begins to listen to the townspeople’s petitions. The primary bemoans his flock being taken forward of winter, and the king needs to return the person’s sheep however Otto advises in opposition to it. He mentioned folks ought to tithe livestock to feed dragons for struggle. Aegon protests however Otto — ever controlling — says no.

Subsequent is Hugh, a blacksmith who asks for an advance to allow them to purchase iron to make weapons. “Our victory depends upon the efforts of the small people,” says Aegon and grants the person’s petition. Otto does not prefer it. Clubfoot (Larys Sturdy) pulls Aegon to the aspect to plant doubt in his ear about Otto. They each need to management Aegon however he is convincing the child that his grandfather is a nasty thought, and he ought to be “The Hand” as a substitute.

Alicent, who’s additionally underneath Clubfoot’s affect, argues together with her father about him undermining her throughout council conferences. She additionally justifies Aemond’s psychopathic conduct by saying Luke was by no means punished for slashing his eye. Bah.

Plotting ratchets up at Dragonstone when a crew finds Mysaria, the White Worm, stowing away on a ship. Daemon confronts his former lover about promoting secrets and techniques to Otto. She says she goes with the very best bidder and is shipped to the dungeon. He then confronts Ser Erryk about working for Otto. Erryk as soon as once more pledges his loyalty to Rhaenyra and admits that the Hightowers turned he and his twin brother in opposition to one another. Daemon walks out and heads to the struggle room.

Rhaenyra enters the room the place everybody’s gathered across the Painted Desk. All of them give updates, and the one factor she says is “I would like Aemond Targaryen.” Understood.

Daemon visits White Worm within the dungeon and he or she does not budge. He then makes a proposal for her information in alternate for her freedom. We discover out later that she accepts. 

Jacaerys approaches his mother in her non-public chambers, giving her a report about who’s serving to, together with Lord Cregan who’s pledged 2,000 males. He can barely get by way of it and begins sobbing as talks to his queen/mom. The household will lay Lucerys to relaxation. 

Again at King’s Touchdown, Alicent lights a candle at an altar, and hesitates to say Lucerys’ identify. On the similar time, Rhaneyra and the household mild the pyre for her son. She tosses in what she discovered on the seaside — Lucerys’ cloak — however the younger Joffrey has small a toy which he throws within the hearth to honor his large brother.

Blood and Cheese enter the fray

At daybreak, Daemon arrives on the shores of King’s Touchdown in a disguise. He bribes a guard who hates the Hightowers to take him inside. He speaks with the citadel’s rat catcher, and makes an attempt to rent him as a hitman for Aemond. We already know this may not work out how everybody thinks it is going to, however he accepts the gig.

Aemond and Criston are within the prince’s room speaking about struggle technique, and Aemond complains that his mom and grandsire are being too cautious. He needs to be extra aggressive, however Criston says his mother has a gentle spot for Rhaenyra.

Criston departs as Otto walks in, and grandpa already is aware of how Aemond feels. He tells him Vhagar and Aemond are a robust group, however he wants to relax as a result of different elements are at play. To nail that time dwelling, he tells him his brother does not know the way to hold his impulses in examine.

A tense scene unfolds as we observe the rat catcher who’s within the tunnels with a canine and one other man he is employed out to do the job. In A Track of Ice and Hearth books, this pair is called Blood and Cheese, two unscrupulous assassins. They climb into the citadel and find yourself within the throne room the place they overhear Aegon and his mates speaking smack and brainstorming. The king is clearly distracted. After a squabble about not being allowed upstairs the place the royals are, the 2 hitmen creep up into Aemond’s quarters. 

With the prince nowhere to be discovered, they lurk. However they can not discover any royals besides the sister-queen and Aegon’s children. The rat catchers put a knife to her throat and debate over killing her children. They pressure her to level out which one is the male inheritor, and he or she tells the reality. In a horrifying flip, they minimize the kid’s head off.

Helaena runs out the room traumatized and heads to her mom’s quarters the place she’s having relations with Criston. Although it isn’t Aemond, a son for a son is what’s delivered.