House of the Dragon episode 2 dives deeper into Westeros’s twisted political turmoil as Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) lays eyes on the Iron Throne. But at the Red Keep, Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) faces her challenge as the Heir with King Viserys (Paddy Considine) being forced to face his kingly duties: remarriage to strengthen his claim. Meanwhile, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) begins to make his move, hinting at the impending Civil War but the most controversial elements of the latest episode are Targaryen’s off-putting pedaling of children to unify Houses. Here’s a brief highlight of some of the best moments from the HOTD second chapter, including the GOT-styled opening intro.
As cautioned by the Lord of Blackwater bay in HOTD episode 1, Corlys and several seafarer ships are sinking at Stepstones by Myr pirates led by Craghas Crabfeeder and the name certainly suits him since the latest episode begins with a disturbing sequence of crabs peeling off flesh from merchants washed up ashore. Unfortunately for Corlys, his plea once again falls on deaf ears in the Council, especially since the Seven Kingdoms have never entered an open war with the Free Cities. But Princess Rhaenyra thinks otherwise though that’s until Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) believes her talents can be better suited in choosing the new Kingsguard.
Another surprise of House of the Dragon episode 2 was watching Alicent (Emily Carey) and King Viserys’ secret meetings transpire into love, found through sharing of similar trauma. Unfortunately for Rhaenyra, she drifts in loneliness while the Queen who never was, Rhaenys (Eve Best) watches her from the shadows. Speaking of whom, the Targaryen with her husband Corlys pitch for a marriage ceremony of the King to their eldest daughter, Laena. And viewers can’t be blamed if they were flabbergasted seeing Viserys walk alongside a twelve-year-old, the daughter of Corlys casually referred to as the “eldest”. King Viserys marrying a 12-year-old was business as usual at Westeros.
Even amid the growing conflict around King’s Landing, Viserys’ biggest danger looming around him seems to be tetanus poisoning from the rusty swords on the Iron Throne. But as hinted in teaser images, Daemon proves he’s the bigger thorn to his brother after stealing the Dragon egg meant for the late Baelon.
At Dragonstone, Otto arrives and commands Daemon to relinquish the egg, and disband his army but the Prince does not budge, especially with Caraxes by his side. However, that changes when Rhaenyra makes a surprise Queen-like entrance with Syrax and diffuses the tense situation without bloodshed. It leads to a brief bonding between the King and his daughter but the climax changes the current trajectory pitting friends against friends.
fucking Rhaenyra Targaryen made a hell of an entrance, came for what she wanted, and left. what a queen. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/0eJobzH2o4
— yari (@watrmelonsugarr) August 29, 2022
House of the Dragon S1 E2 without context:#hotd #HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/YkXGLthJnl
— Kayla Whitter (@kaylakedavra) August 29, 2022
Daemon and Corlys #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/IhAtD2js8k
— rosco (@073258952a) August 29, 2022
Just 2 idiots who chose love over duty and forever changed the course of history because of it #HouseoftheDragon #houseofthedragonhbo #HOTD pic.twitter.com/GiYkMrZD89
— Ravi Ahuja (@RaviAhuja20) August 29, 2022
Rhaenyra after leaving the small council meeting #HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #hotd pic.twitter.com/ZJtM6lNRhw
— Stef (@montanostef) August 29, 2022
#HouseOfTheDragonHBO
Alicent Hightower is going to be wayyy worse than Cersei. I can see it now pic.twitter.com/e3WnsL9yM5— Quinn (@Riversauvage) August 29, 2022
Alicent looking at Rhaenyra when her father announced they were going to start having sex. #HouseofthedragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon #HouseTargaryen pic.twitter.com/TgtHjHz3Ry
— Tv.Takes (@show_takes) August 29, 2022
We got a full intro WITH The Thrones theme…..#HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/ItXRLktBDo
— Mike Honcho (@Miike_Honcho) August 29, 2022
This is the same fucking person if you ask me🤷🏾♀️ #hotd #HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/z5d7iUATS5
— 🐯Mani ⁷ (@Aniiii_bbi) August 29, 2022
Otto Hightower seeing his daughter win the tournament of child brides 😩#DemDragons #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/pXIhDke6u4
— Militant_momma (@Kalesha81) August 29, 2022
Alicent and Rhaenyra next episode 😅 #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #houseofthedragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/skwF4PRC5D
— Ravi Ahuja (@RaviAhuja20) August 29, 2022
IF YOU’RE NOT TEAM CORYLS AND DAEMON THEN GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!! #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/0Mxw9VyRyY
— AD (@ADredemptionSZN) August 29, 2022
So everybody just pimping out their kids to the king? #HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/GHONGSNPua
— sam (@indimindofbrad) August 29, 2022
Alicent Hightower acting shocked when King Viserys pledges to marry her. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/aYs99PvjI9
— yari (@watrmelonsugarr) August 29, 2022
These Reach hoes are all the same#HouseOfTheDragonHBO #DemDragons pic.twitter.com/bY37uxu7HP
— Abhijit (@Abhijit75035897) August 29, 2022
It’s the way Rhaenyra looked back…ohh I know he was physically sick 😂😂 #HOTD #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/exnNtfSecB
— Darling💜 (@JustforSmilesss) August 29, 2022
Daemon after seeing rhaenyra pull up with syrax #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/AV36eAzhg3
— dre1. 𓅓 (@vndre_lgt) August 29, 2022
Every week on #HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/JTyNri8K0V
— Salvo Caccamo (@SalvoCaccamo) August 29, 2022
this fucking intro bro #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HOTD pic.twitter.com/psUBckGagV
— yari (@watrmelonsugarr) August 29, 2022
#HouseOfTheDragonHBO
The fucking Crab Feeder is stressing me the fuck out y’all. We are not paying enough attention to that whole situation pic.twitter.com/98weQK6nky— Quinn (@Riversauvage) August 29, 2022
This scene ..Rhaenyra coming to Dragonstone with Syrax is so cool..🥵🤌🏾🔥#HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/o58Y1sDrzy
— N (@Ni4344) August 29, 2022
Always calculating. Always plotting. Not buying the innocent act Alicent. We see you. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HOTD#HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/4AirU0pzWM
— EMiLY (@EMiLY_thebold) August 29, 2022
Caraxes and Syrax the Stars of
#HouseOfTheDragonHBO Episode 2 🐉 pic.twitter.com/ZSrH6aIY9G— House Of The Dragon (@HOTDtv) August 29, 2022
I won’t lie. I freaking love Daemon. I want to see the world burn at his feet. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/yPH7eYwKuJ
— Iris West-Allen (@model_type_bre) August 29, 2022
SAME ENERGY! 🤣🤣#HouseoftheDragon #HouseTargaryen #HouseoftheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/kGnQWz0mOE
— Chris ✘ (@ChrxsHerrera) August 29, 2022
Viserys shocks the Council by announcing his marriage to Alicent Hightower. Unfortunately, it creates a rift between the current heir/daughter Rhaenyra and House Velaryon. Fans think Rhaenys is sowing the seeds of conflict like Olenna Tyrell did in Game of Thrones. Whereas some compared Viserys’s decision to choose his newfound love over duty to the throne to Robb Stark, a decision which led to the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones. One can only wonder about the aftermath of this consequence as Corlys sides with Daemon.
Meanwhile, HOTD fandom is convinced Alicent Hightower is a Cersei in the making, plotting her plans in the shadow. While others felt her personality was more in the likes of Margaery Tyrell. Nonetheless, fans are not shying away from their GOT comparisons, especially with Rhaenyra being the foundation for Daenerys’s rise. Nonetheless, the Game of Thrones has begun in House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon episode 3 will air next Thursday on HBO Max in the US and Disney Plus Hotstar in India.
