The House of the Dragon sequel gets off to a strange start. The first episode was excellent and heartbreaking with its merciless ending, but the second episode could have been prescribed by doctors instead of sleeping pills, but nothing really happened in 70 minutes. But how did the new episode, released on July 1, turn out? Spoiler: also very specific.
“House of the Dragon”: information about the series
Name: Dragon House. Directors: Claire Kilner, Gita Vasant Patel, Greg Yaitanes and others. Actors: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke and others. Season 2 Release Date: June 17, 2024. Season 2 finale: August 5, 2024. Gender: fantasy, theatre. How many episodes: 8 episodes. A country: USA
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Not much happens in the second episode of House of the Dragon. But it’s still interesting to watch.
“House of the Dragon”: where to watch?
“House of the Dragon” has been released on the Max online cinema. In Russia, Amediateka is showing the first season legally. Unfortunately, it is too late: only two episodes are available so far.
The video is available on Max’s YouTube channel. Video rights belong to HBO.
Rhaenyra against the usurper and logic
Western critics, who reviewed almost the entire second season, compared the plot to a powder keg that finally exploded. Therefore, inspired spectators waited for the rapid development of events, and in vain. In the first three episodes nothing exploded and the fuse burns far from the barrel.
House of the Dragon is still preparing us for big battles, and it does so carefully, reliably and slowly. Here there are small houses fighting for the true ruler or for an old feud. Here are armies quietly marching to the place of the next battle. But here there are pawns, who will eventually become queens, but for now they are sent to the rear. The scriptwriters arrange the figures so competently that this time I do not want to criticize the slowness.
The series looks amazing
Photo by: HBO
Unfortunately, immersion breaks at the seams when logic combines with inexplicable stupidity. Consider the end of the episode, where the key character enters the lions’ den. So that? The reason, to put it mildly, is not convincing. What is the probability of success? Around zero, this is clear from the beginning. Is there any risk? Yes, maximum. That’s why at the end of the scene you want to exclaim, “What the hell was that?” Probably not even the wind has the answer.
Such a ridiculous eight-minute episode shakes faith in House of the Dragon. If the writers created such nonsense, what else can they come up with? Will George RR Martin’s well-researched story be ruined? We hope for the best, but with anxiety in our hearts.
Alicent is completely confused.
Photo: HBO
What exactly happens in episode three?
The passions in Westeros are slowly boiling over. This is demonstrated by the bloody skirmish between the Houses of Blackwood and Bracken. They have been at odds for many generations and are always looking for a reason to fight, but the official reason for the massacre was disagreement over the question of the legitimate ruler.
King Aegon believes that the first battle officially begins the war, so Criston Caul leads an army into the Riverlands, where the Blackwoods and Bracken live. He is joined by Gwaine Hightower, Alicent’s brother. But they don’t take dragons with them: if Aemond flies over Vhagar on horseback, Rhaenyra will use his fire-breathing monsters. She just has more of them.
By the way, Aegon still wants to fly into battle on a dragon, but Laris Strong dissuades him. According to him, power will be seized in the king’s absence. Then Aegon leads his guards to the brothel, where Ulf the White, an illegitimate descendant of the Targaryens, is already resting. In the future, Ulf will play an important role in the plot.
Aegon lacks judgment
Photo: HBO
Baela Targaryen patrols Westeros on the back of a dragon, notices Criston Kohl’s detachment and reports everything to Rhaenyra. Her lords persuade her to defeat the enemy or, better yet, burn her with dragons. But the girl is afraid of starting a big war. Rhaenys advises him to talk to Alicent and avoid her bloodshed.
First, Rhaenyra sends Leyna Targaryen, her three young children, two growing dragons, and four dragon eggs to the Vale. This is the safest place in Westeros. Then, with Misaria’s help, she figures out how to meet Alicent in person and settle the matter of war.
Rhaenyra dresses in a nun’s robe and, together with a guide, arrives at the cathedral, where Alicent usually prays. She approaches the former queen and speaks with her for a long time. Alicent claims that Viserys chose a different heir before his death, but it soon becomes clear: he was only quoting Aegon the Conqueror’s prophecy. Alicent understands her mistake, but she can no longer stop the war: she has no control over her children. As a result, the heroines disperse without accomplishing anything.
The meeting between Rhaenyra and Alicent changed nothing
Photo by: HBO
Damon arrives at the ruined Harrenhal. This castle is the key to the Riverlands and Aemond wants to have it in his hands. The owner of the citadel, Simon Strong, warmly welcomes the guest and offers his support. But the guardian of the Riverlands, Grover Tully, must gather troops, he is old and has no power over the lords.
That night, Damon has a dream. First, young Rhaenyra sews the head of Maelor, killed by Blood and Cheese. The woman in black then says that the hero will die at Harrenhal.
Damon has terrible dreams
Photo: HBO
When will the fourth episode be released?
The House of the Dragon story will continue on July 8.
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