A Son For A Son – The first episode of the second season begins with a narrator explaining how being selected to join the Night Watch has grown into a coveted tradition and immense responsibility. While this is explained, the selection of the newest addition (James Craven) plays out on the screen. Shortly after this, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collet) arrives at the Night Watch to request the aid of the Night Watch Army, on behalf of his mother, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy). With winter quickly approaching, Captain Cregan Stark (Tom Lorcan) refuses to give up his best men but after some debate, acquiesces to providing thousands of Greybeards. Their negotiation ends when the captain receives an urgent message from Dragonstone.

Princesses Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) returns to the King’s Landing, weary from hours of patrolling the seas, and refuses Prince Daemon Targaryen’s (Matt Smith) offer to travel to King’s Landing and kill Vhagar. When she learns that the order didn’t come from Queen Rhaenyra, who is still missing, she is even more adamant about not going. Their conversation not only reveals that Rhaenyra is away, dealing with Prince Lucerys ‘Luke’ Velaryon’s (Elliot Grihault) burial, but Daemon blames Rhaenys for his death.

Lord Corlys ‘The Sea Snake” Valaryon (Steve Toussaint) doesn’t receive the best news about his ship being out of commission for several weeks when he visits Lyn Of Hull (Abubakar Salim) at the docks. His mood further degrades when Lyn returns the small sword/dagger that Corlys had specifically made for Luke. Their brief encounter ends with Corlys thanking Lyn for dragging Luke’s body out of the sea.

King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) frantically visits his wife, Queen Helaena Targaryen, looking for Jaehaerys. Aegon II claims he wants to take him to the Small Council to begin preparation for his time on the throne. Despite Helaena eventually telling him where Jaeharys is, her hesitancy throughout their conversation suggests she is uncomfortable thinking of Jaeharys on the throne. She also implies being scared of ‘rats,’ but he doesn’t appear to take the threat as seriously.

Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) has a brief intimate encounter with Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) before attending the Council meeting. Aegon II shows up at the meeting in a spirited mood with Jaehaerys by his side, but that quickly sours when Ser Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) treats the young heir’s attendance as a burden. After Alicent quickly intervenes, the floor is turned over to Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) and his concerns about Rhaenyra’s blockade. As the members discuss viable options, the meeting is interrupted again by the arrival of Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell). When things finally get back on topic, it appears that both Aemond and Aegon want to use their strength to force the other houses to back them while Otto favors a more patient approach, although their dispatches remain unanswered.

After the meeting, Alicent meets with Lord Larys “The Clubfoot’ Strong (Matthew Needham) to learn that he believes he has successfully located and eliminated all the castle staff who might have betrayed them. Despite the good news, Alicent appears frustrated later that evening during her bath and orders all her handmaidens away.

Aegon II and Otto butt heads again later that day when hearing petitions from the locals. Without giving it much thought, Aegon II immediately agrees to replenish a local sheepherder’s, Jerard (Rasmus Hardiker), flock. Otto forces him to go back on this when he privately tells Aegon II that the sheep are used to keep the dragons fed and agreeing to replenish the supply will only lead to more herders showing up asking for the same. Things only worsen when Aegon II agrees to Hugh’s (Kieran Bew) request to pay the blacksmiths before they complete work. This time he doesn’t let Otto talk him into backtracking.

Lord Larys further complicates matters when he approaches Aegon II after the hearings and says that if he wants to set his reign apart from his fathers, he should take on a new hand. At the same time, Alicent wastes little time tearing into Otto for undermining her authority during the Council meeting. Once she points out that his actions could cause her to lose the little influence she has left over her sons, he apologizes and admits he didn’t initially view things that way. The meeting basically ends with them agreeing that the only path to victory is violence.

Complications arise for Daemon when Ser Erryk Cargyll (Elliott Tittensor) discovers Mysaria/White Worm (Sonoya Mizuno) on a ship that docks in King’s Landing. She is immediately taken to meet with him where she openly admits to selling secrets. Despite this, she claims no allegiance to Otto and tells Damon she knows nothing that will help him. Before joining the returning Rhaenyra at a Council meeting Daemon orders Erryk to lock Mysaria in the cells. Erryk heeds the command but he does claim to know that Mysaria is telling the truth. This only angers Daemon further and leads to him insulting him and a traitorous twin, Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor).

While Daemon negotiates Mysaria’s release with secrets from the Red Keep, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon has a tearful reunion with Queen Rhaenyra. During this time, he tells her about the Night Watch’s Greybeards and Lady Jeyne Arryn’s support. Luke finally gets a proper burial. White Worm’s information leads Daemon to guard nicknamed Blood (Sam C. Wilson) with as much dislike for the Hightowers as him. That guard then leads him to a man named Cheese (Mark Stobbart), who claims to possess an intimate knowledge of Maegor’s Tunnels below Red Keep. Daemon recruits both men to kill Aemond.

At nearly the same time, Aemond discusses strategy with Ser Criston. Much to Aemond’s surprise, Criston claims that Alicent loves Rhaenyra. Aemond claims this makes her a fool but Criston doesn’t get a chance to respond thanks to the unexpected arrival of Otto. After ordering Criston away, Otto practically guarantees Aemond revenge but claims it will require keeping a tight leash on his impulses, which is a trait Daemon does not possess.

Blood and Cheese encounter several problems while navigating the tunnels, including an argument that subsequently scares off Cheese’s dog. They eventually make their way to the top floor of the castle where they find Helaena with the two sleeping kids. She attempts to buy them off with a necklace and although their orders were to deliver the head of Aemond, they settle for the head of Jaeharys.

 

House Of Dragon Review

Although very intriguing, this episode felt needlessly drawn out. There is plenty of suspense, especially once the pieces on the board start coming together but Christ, it took forever. I enjoy all the deceit and learning about the different houses but I can’t help but feel there is a much more efficient way to tell this story. That with the threat of an approaching winter cast a ‘Game of Thrones’ feel. I don’t want to give too much away or be too harsh, being that this was merely an introductory episode, but I’d have to give it a 6 out of 10.

Although the ‘big ending’ felt satisfying enough, I don’t even have the words to describe the idiocy of Cheese and Blood. I couldn’t imagine Helaena would have been left so carelessly. Either way, I guess the ending served its purpose.

Get more House of Dragon recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV shows and movies.