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Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
HBO’s House of the Dragon feels more like a “proper” Game of Thrones show each week. George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal’s action-adventure fantasy-drama adaptation series is full of morally and ethically questionable characters, and consequences will be felt for their actions.
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2, titled “Rhaenrya the Cruel,” is written by Sara Hess and directed by Clare Kilner (EastEnders, Gen V, Fallout).
Continuing from last weekend’s second season premiere, this week’s episode continues to explore the theme of grief amongst the characters, especially Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy). Viewers are also reminded that while Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) feels like he is almost entirely in the right. Ultimately he will always do what he wants rather than whatever it is that he is commanded. His relationship with Rhaenyra reaches its boiling point, and he goes off to presumably Harrenhal. King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) also deal with the fallout of the death of their son, Prince Jaehaerys.
Politics
Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is ousted as the Hand of the King and replaced with Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) in a weird move by Aegon. It will be interesting to see his moves as the season continues, as he has proven he is this show’s ultimate schemer. Otto wastes no time suggesting the Crown make a show of Jaehaerys’s murder. Often a staple in Game of Thrones, Otto is always using both politics and the will of the people to his advantage. Alicent and Helaena inevitably ride in a wagon procession with Jaehaerys’s body on its way to be burned in the Dragonpits. A maester chants about Rhaenyra’s blame while they make their way. This is a sorrowful sight, but it plays right into Otto’s goal, and Rhaenyra is weakened ever slightly.
The Lord Confessor, Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), captures Blood and wastes no time giving up that his accomplice is a ratcatcher. In time, Aegon has the entire staff of catchers rounded up and killed, regardless of who helped Blood. This is just a great example of the unnecessary violence that will no doubt play a part in both sides of the story. It would not be a story the way it is played out without the crazy moves of a king unfit to rule.
A Tale of Two Brothers
In order to deal with his guilt, Cole orders Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor), a member of the Kingsguard, to sneak into Dragonstone and assassinate Rhaenyra. Cole knows the ultimate outcome of this fool’s errand. Arryk’s identical twin, Erryk (Elliott Tittensor), sided with Rhaenyra in the series’ prior season and presented her with her Crown. Inevitably, Arryk sneaks into the castle and nearly gets Rhaenyra. However, Erryk faces his twin, and they fight, with Erryk killing his brother in service of his queen.
The brothers remind one another of their love, and Erryk, not able to live with himself, takes his own life after their fight. In the chaos of it all, Erryk was one of the first to pledge his loyalty to Rhaenrya and gave his life defending her. The Cargylls also becomes another legendary Westeros’ story—just another example of the consequences of nearly everyone’s actions. Unfortunately, now, Rhaenrya has lost one of her most valuable Queensguard.
Grief, Continued
Alicent and Rhaenyra will probably continue to feel the consequences of this war more than anyone. Aegon and Helaena almost come to an understanding of what has happened in their own way, as well. They do not exchange many words. At least, they now know the sheer depth of what has just been unleashed.
In an early scene, Aegon destroys the model of Old Valyria that Viserys completed. While it is a quick scene, it is a great juxtaposition of the peace that was felt through Viserys’ reign, compared to the violence that will come to define Aegon’s reign. Aegon is also kind of childish and feels the need to lash out most of the time when things happen. This character’s temperament will lead to often quick, thoughtless decisions, giving out brash consequences. The writer’s examination of grief from character to character is great to play out.
Technical Details
Ramin Djawadi’s score continues to boost the show, and Kilner’s direction of the fight between Rhaenyra and Daemon felt like a key scene for her. The two characters’ chemistry combined with cinematographer Alejandro Martínez’s camerawork helped Kilner amplify the scene’s meaning rather than just being another couple fight scene. Jim Clay’s production designs are also refreshing as we see more location set pieces with Dragonstone.
Final Thoughts on HBO’s House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2
“Rhaenyra the Cruel” serves as a great follow-up to a huge proceeding episode. This will continue weekly, as something big will go down, and the following episode will have to keep that chaotic pace. This season’s second episode did that and laid the groundwork for what’s to come.
It was nice to see another Westeros story brought to life and the consequences of Cole’s decisions. His actions will go unchecked for now, although matters will probably not end well for him. The decisions Rhaenyra makes from here on will be some of the defining decisions of the Dance of the Dragons. The writing and directing of this episode are very subtle but help move the story along almost perfectly.
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Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
