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In the second episode of House of the Dragon Season 2, House Targaryen plunges deeper into chaos. Daemon’s decision to exact vengeance, following the principle of “an eye for an eye,” has left both the Green and Black factions reeling from their losses.
Rhaenyra, now branded as a pretender, kinslayer, and defiler, struggles with her dwindling credibility and the repercussions of Daemon’s actions on her claim to the throne.
Titled “Rhaenyra the Cruel,” the episode delves into the schemes of Otto and Daemon, which further fracture House Targaryen into two factions: team vengeance and team strategy. Otto’s plans are derailed by Aegon’s grief, with Rhaenyra also questioning Daemon’s loyalty. Meanwhile, Ser Criston Cole takes the bull by the horns in an attempt to assassinate Rhaenyra in vengeance.
The episode begins with the palace in turmoil after Jaehaerys’ assassination. Amid the chaos, Aegon rampages through the palace, destroying everything in his path to express his grief. The sound effects effectively capture the emotional turmoil, while Alicent laments to her father, Otto, “The Gods are punishing me.”
In his rage, Aegon challenges everyone’s loyalty to the cause of vengeance. Otto’s suggestion changes the game: he proposes a procession parading the body of the slain son, with his mother and grandmother—Helaena and Alicent—following as they bury Aegon’s heir. This public display exposes Rhaenyra’s supposed brutality, orchestrated by Daemon.
However, this plan soon backfires as the hot-headedness of Aegon leads to the death of many innocent rat catchers in hopes of killing the one that betrayed the crown. Families lost their close relatives, and public opinion once again was swayed.
The episode’s highlight is Ser Criston’s hypocritical sermon to Ser Arryk:
“The white cloak is a symbol of our purity, our fidelity. The King’s Guard is a sacred trust. Will you so easily sully our ancient honour? You have brought disgrace upon our ranks and we must restore it. You will go to Dragonstone and strike down Rhaenyra in her own halls.”
These lofty words were laced with irony, given Ser Criston’s questionable actions. All these words because Ser Arryk dirtied his white cloak and his twin brother was in Rhaenyra’s camp? This ultimately leads to a tragic confrontation of the twins as Erryk kills Arryk in defence of Rhaenyra, only to take his own life shortly after in retribution.
All these words for dirtying his white cloak and because his twin brother was in Rhaenyra’s camp? But not for the head of the King’s Guard, who was having sexual relations with the Queen. The joke writes itself. To restore his honour, Ser Arryk goes on a journey of no return where he’s killed by his brother, Ser Erryk, in an attempt to protect Rhaenyra. His brother kills himself shortly after.
In an attempt to show no weakness, all factions of House Targaryen have formed sub-factions operating based on vengeance that further led to their destruction. Aemond’s spur-of-the-moment decision to kill Luceryus caused a cry for vengeance that saw the death of Jaehaerys. Aegon’s wrath led to the death of many workers alongside the death of two brothers who have served the crown all their lives.
In Sylvi’s words, a high-end brothel owner who entertains the royals; “When the Princes lose their temper it’s the small folk that suffer.” That’s a phrase that runs through as the episodes continue. The battle line has been drawn as Aegon instals Ser Criston Cole as his hand and disposes of Otto Hightower. The war is officially on as Aegon declares his need for revenge.
Stream House of the Dragon Season 1-2 on Showmax now. New episodes Mondays, express from the US
