House of the Dragon: Review of a Season 2 that struggled to get going

While the first season released in 2022 had lit the fire, this second season has smothered the blaze. The results of a paradoxically extinguished chapter.

We were dying to return to Westeros. After two long years of waiting, season 2 of House of the Dragon has finally taken up residence (on Max in France) to tell us about the famous “Dance of the Dragons” imagined by George RR Martin. Except that the fiery promises of the first season were not kept. And now the fever has subsided. Spoiler alert!

So what did we see this year? Viserys I (Paddy Considine) is dead. Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), son of Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), childhood friend of Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy), succeeded him. Not accepting that the crown could be on the skull of her half-brother, the Targaryen found herself in conflict with this branch of the family, the one nicknamed “The Greens”. The rivalry between them had worsened when, in the blink of an eye, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), Alicent's second son, accidentally killed Rhaenyra's young son, Lucerys. We imagined the mother ready to do anything to get revenge and regain her throne in the process. The spark was lit. There was no doubt that the second season was going to be a real firecracker… But after 8 episodes (compared to 10 for season 1), this chapter 2 of House of the Dragon has clearly disappointed. If we stupidly compare the score of the two seasons on Rotten Tomatoes, the first explodes at 90% and the second already falls to 84%. The flame flickers. Not enough battles? Endless intrigues? A slower pace? We take stock of this second season of House of the Dragon.

We validate

1. This carefully spun generic

An inseparable element of the series House of the Dragon And Game of Thronesthe opening credits are a work of art in themselves that is difficult to skip. After having gone back in time during the first season, it is with a needle and a thread that the intro is drawn for this season 2. In the manner of the Bayeux Tapestry recounting the Battle of Hastings between the King of England and William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it is through the art of weaving that we rediscover the past of the Targaryens, but also the events of season 1 and even those of season 2. A sort of “previously in House of the Dragon” cleverly hidden in mesh and which gives all its charm to the series. Just like the introduction of Game of Thrones had variations, this one does the same – as if History were being played out before our eyes, or rather woven. Bolder, and more readable, just for this new opening sequence, we say yes. After the dripping blood of season 1 and the thread of History of season 2, what can we imagine for the opening sequence of the next season? Why not flames?

2. Impeccable execution

Just like her elder sister before her, House of the Dragon benefited from a large budget allowing it to produce episodes that were as beautiful as each other, enhanced by the musical compositions of Ramin Djawadi, a veteran of Game of Thrones. Already acclaimed during the first season, the photography of this sequel is carefully worked. From the darkness of Harrenhaal and its mirages, to the grandeur of Peyredragon passing by the sinuosity of the capital, each shot is meticulously composed and nothing is truly left to chance – so much so that some respond to each other, like those of Alicent and Rhaenyra in the last episode.

Each key scene in the novel Fire and Blood from which the series is based is an event in itself that is particularly well-executed: we remember the tension of the first episode when, from the first minutes, Helaena keeps repeating that rodents are hanging around in the Keep, shots of rats and mice swarming in the corridors before discovering with amazement that the young prince's assassin is none other than a rodent hunter. Each episode followed a similar structure, ending on THE expected moment: the fratricide, Rhaenyra's infiltration of King's Landing, the Battle of Rook's Rest… How can we not mention the latter which led to the loss of Rhaenys (Eve Best) and her dragon Meleys. This is a memorable battle. So much so that to this day, episode 4, in which she appears, directed by Alan Taylor – also behind the first episode of this season and a few episodes of Game of Thrones including the season 1 and 2 finale – is the highest rated of all: 100%.

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3. The dragons danced beautifully

With more and more dragons on screen, the production faced a huge special effects challenge, which it met with flying colors. Each winged creature has a look, a style, a personality. The CGI was designed with magic fingers. And at no point does it give the impression of digital mush. A feat in itself. To the point that we want to believe that they are just as real as the actors who mount them. And when the fight begins, it is even more impressive, like the trio dancing in the sky of Rooksrest: Meleys, Sunfire and Vhagar gave us a great show. Then it was Vermithor who made us shiver in the Dragon Pit of Dragonstone. Now, we can't wait to meet the new kids: Sheep Thieves, discovered by Rhaena in the Vale, and Tessarion, the dragon with purple scales, belonging to Daeron, Alicent's last child who has not yet shown his face…

4. Rhaenyra and Alicent at the top

All these beautiful images would be in vain, if the whole thing was not carried by a gallery of exciting characters, embodied with force, while the novel remains rather evasive on the behavior of the protagonists. Thus, Ser Criston Cole, although detestable in all respects, took on an unexpected dimension this year, tipping into an astonishing existentialist speel after having understood the insignificance of his being in the face of the dragons. But above all, the Rhaenyra/Alicent duo crystallized the plot. More erased in Fire and Blood – where the story was written by men – this second season allowed them to take their place, both as mothers, strategists, and friends torn apart by power. This is where all these added scenes where the duo meet come into play – essential in the construction of their personality. Everything now revolves around these two women and these two actors: Olivia Cooke and Emma d'Arcy, at the top.

We do not validate

1. War… and above all peace

Even before this season began, all the promotion revolved around the impending conflict. Green and Black faced off in the promotional posters, and fans were invited to choose their side. It seemed obvious that the second season of House of the Dragon was going to be particularly bloody and violent. However, at the end of the eighth episode, the spectators are still waiting. Lucerys is dead, war is about to break out. Rhaenys is dead, war is about to break out. New dragons are entering the ring, war is about to break out… As if the narration was only conjugated in the future, even if it means tempering the present pleasure. The war is for tomorrow and in the meantime, the series strings together restricted advice, indecisions and other procrastinations that have clearly weighed down this season 2. Too much discussion and too little action, House of the Dragon has fallen into a somewhat dull and devilishly repetitive political whole. Like Daemon, stuck in Harrenhal. It took him 7 episodes to raise an army, stuck in a vicious spiral of nightmares and other visions, to end up with a poor epiphany at the end of the 8th hour: in fact, he really is ready to serve Rhaenyra… Ok. To fill the gaps and extend the narrative of Fire and Blood, The production has clearly made this season 2 a transitional season, where the diplomatic solution has been favored for (too) long, to arrive at the conclusion that everyone knew: war! Everyone then sharpened their weapons, rallied their troops and the big show will break out… in season 3. Did you say frustrating?

2. A heavy pace

The second part of season 2 suffered in particular from this sluggish pace. To the point of regretting the enormous jumps in time of season 1 which, however, had destabilized more than one viewer. At the time, House of the Dragon didn't hesitate to skip 1 year, 2 years or 10 years to advance the story of this succession that goes wrong. Time has slowed down abruptly in Westeros this year. Be careful that the last two seasons (3 and 4) do not fall into the opposite excess: in accelerated mode, to catch up!

3. Where did the magic go?

Unlike its big sister, House of the Dragon has fewer mystical elements – something we already noted in the first season. Alys Rivers – a sort of potential Melisandre at Harrenhal – carries the only magical elements on her shoulders. Too few. Adding a White Walker to a Daemon vision is not enough.

4. A trailer-like finale

The culmination of the frustration of this season 2, the last episode, expected at the turning point after hours of palaver and negotiations, was not up to par. And that is an understatement. Very far from the epic conclusions to which Game of Thrones had accustomed us, “The Queen Who Ever Was” was content to tease the sequel. The war to come. Like a long trailer for what season 3 will have in store for us: armies on the march, new dragons, a king on the run, a rediscovered Otto Hightower… There will be a great show… but in two years!

Initially planned for ten episodes, this season 2 was shortened to eight and leaves us with the feeling of a flash in the pan, inevitably very mixed.

Let's bet that House of the Dragon will be able to make up for it in a season 3 that will know how to fire from all angles. And until then, fans will be able to console themselves with the next spin-off series Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdomwill introduce us to new characters from the dragon dynasty…