All of the groundwork has been set, relationships have been built and shattered, and a dynasty is at stake \u2013 it\u2019s finally time for House of the Dragon season 2<\/a>.<\/p>\n We return to House Targaryen as civil war has become an inevitability. Lucerys Velaryon<\/a> (Elliot Grihault), the son of Rhaenyra Targaryen<\/a> (Emma D\u2019Arcy), is dead at the hands of Aemond Targaryen<\/a> (Ewan Mitchell), the son of Alicent Hightower<\/a> (Olivia Cooke). Regardless of whether or not it was intentional, it was the move that would begin the Dance of Dragons<\/a>, a war that could rip an entire house apart.<\/p>\n Rather than rush straight into the fiery clashes to come, the new episodes take the time to deal with the aftermath of Lucerys\u2019s death and we find both sides plotting for the inevitable war. Rhaenyra is broken, as she simultaneously has to deal with a mother\u2019s grief and a queen\u2019s duties, desperately searching for tangible proof that her son is dead. Elsewhere, Daemon<\/a> (Matt Smith) has his mind set on revenge.<\/p>\n Following the death of Lucerys at her son\u2019s hand, we find a less sure Alicent, but one who\u2019s resigned herself to what\u2019s to come, and who\u2019s clamouring to keep both sons within her reach. But when one is a naive, self-centred Aegon Targaryen<\/a> (Tom Glynn-Carney) placed on the throne and the other is, well Aemond Targaryen, it\u2019s all she can do to stop them actually destroying the realm. She\u2019s dependent on her calculating father Otto Hightower<\/a> (Rhys Ifans) \u2013 but can the pair of them agree? And just how long can they keep control of the fiery pair of brothers?<\/p>\n After dealing with the aftermath of Lucerys\u2019s death, we see both sides spring into action, providing plenty of the jaw-dropping shocks we\u2019ve come to expect from a Game of Thrones series. There\u2019s only so much we can say but a particular sequence at the end of episode 2 will have everyone holding their breath.<\/p>\n Westeros feels bigger in House of the Dragon season 2. We encounter a bigger cast of players and see more of what civil war will mean for the ordinary citizen \u2013 but the focus is still sharply on the Greens and Blacks and, crucially, on the women of the show. There\u2019s no doubting that the entire cast are stellar but D\u2019Arcy and Cooke remain in a league of their own. We see both Rhaenyra and Alicent more vulnerable than ever before, reeling from the violence that\u2019s already happened yet resigned to the brutality that must surely be ahead.<\/p>\n Smith is just as ruthless as Daemon and, while his scenes with D\u2019Arcy are limited, they\u2019re mesmerising when they happen. The pair have a unique chemistry and, while we\u2019re not expecting it to dominate as much as it did in season 1, purely due to the storylines coming our way, it\u2019s a treat seeing them back on screen together after so long.<\/p> But there\u2019s also more of a focus on the next generation of the Targaryen dynasty \u2013 and it pays off in a big way so far. Glynn-Carney comes into his own as Aegon after being crowned king at the end of season 1<\/a>. The first half of the season sees his internal battle with becoming king \u2013 and the price that inevitably accompanies the crown. Meanwhile, Phia Saban thankfully gets more shining moments as Helaena Targaryen, with chilling and beautiful parallels made between Alicent\u2019s daughter and Rhaenyra.<\/p>\n Compared to season 1, the opening to season 2 intentionally feels much slower. Instead of paving the way for what\u2019s to come, we\u2019re very much settled in the here and now, with focus on the intricacies of each storyline. Where season 1 had to race ahead with time jumps and casting changes, season 2 so far very much takes its time. While some might find the season opener a little too slow, seeing the detail in these moments is essential, adding depth to each and every character. Visually, it\u2019s beautiful \u2013 these are episodes you\u2019ll want to revisit over and over because you\u2019ll notice something new with every watch.<\/p>\n The first half of season 2 is masterfully handled, taking the time to reacquaint us with not only the key players, but those who will have greater importance going forward. It\u2019s slower-paced but never dull, action-packed yet in-depth, and violent yet beautiful.<\/p>\n![\"Emma](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/0187HOTDS02-f14154a.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"Emma")
\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>![\"Olivia](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/0159HOTDS02-41f2938.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"Olivia")
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