‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Grounds Its Wings, Takes Root Instead (Review)

One of the major disappointments of the ending of Game of Thrones was that HBO itself wanted the series to continue despite its significant production costs. When the network finally approved House of the Dragon, fans were excited but not surprised. This prequel leaned more on the fantasy and expensive elements of the franchise. Yet, many fans have complained about a perceived lack of investment from HBO in Season 2. Nevertheless, there’s still much to appreciate about this season and the efforts to keep Westeros intriguing.

House of the Dragon Season 2 started with the war apparently on the horizon. However, many fans argued it lacked the action and spectacle they were hoping for. The start of this war resembled the beginning of a high school dance, with everyone eager to participate but unwilling to be the first to step forward. Although the season could have included more action, this cautious start felt realistic. Yet, the two secret meetings between Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) seemed overly repetitive.

Upon deeper analysis of the “lack of action” issue, reports suggest that the writers’ strike and HBO’s decision to cut the season from ten episodes to eight might be to blame. Initially, a ten-episode season may have been planned and written. This likely led to the producers cutting two significant battles from the end of the season, saving them for Season 3. While understandable, it is indeed disappointing.

Focusing on the season we received rather than the one we didn’t, there’s plenty to discuss. From the very start of Season 1, it was evident that House of the Dragon aimed to depict a more magical Westeros. The show intended to remain more faithful to the books while tying into the climax of Game of Thrones – the battle with the White Walkers. Season 2 took this ambition further and achieved more than fans anticipated.

This season’s success is closely tied to the domino effect of planting narrative seeds and seeing them pay off in unexpected ways. We discovered that King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) had prophetic “dragon dreams.” House Targaryen’s conquest of the Seven Kingdoms also stemmed from such dreams, influencing more characters than previously assumed. Season 2 showcased Daemon Targaryen’s (Matt Smith) transformation from a worldly man into a true believer, a significant storyline that sets a template for future stories in this franchise.

Daemon’s gradual shift into something akin to a seer was expertly handled and could become one of the show’s enduring legacies. Matt Smith’s portrayal is phenomenal. While fans anticipated him engaging in combat and dragon-riding, his ability to convey Daemon’s story through mere expressions of foreboding was impressive. This change adds depth to the character and enhances the franchise’s narrative complexity.

Unfortunately, the attempt to keep Rhaenyra and Alicent’s relationship as a central theme didn’t pan out well this season. Although their dynamic is intriguing for a TV drama, it didn’t fit seamlessly into Westeros. Fans seemed more interested in an ensemble cast approach, similar to Game of Thrones, which pivoted perspectives to follow the action. Characters like Prince Jaecerys (Harry Collett) and Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) deserved more screen time and development this season.

Another questionable choice was the alteration to Rhaena’s (Phoebe Campbell) story, neglecting a beloved character named Nettles. This decision remains confusing and irritating as showrunner Ryan Condal has refrained from discussing it even after the season’s conclusion. Much speculation surrounds this change’s future implications, but within Season 2 alone, it leaves fans puzzled.

Overall, the shortcomings of House of the Dragon Season 2 are more tolerable when attributing them to corporate decisions rather than the writers’ or actors’ efforts. While every frame or dialogue line may not be universally loved, it’s evident the team truly loves the source material and worked diligently to bring it to the screen. We hope future seasons allow the creators more freedom to do justice to this story.

Despite its flaws, Season 2 had many triumphs, especially for those who cherish George R.R. Martin’s books and seek a more faithful screen adaptation. The season depicted Weirwood dreams in a way Game of Thrones never dared and introduced the intriguing “Green Man.” Gayle Rankin’s haunting portrayal of Alys Rivers alone makes this season worth revisiting. If HBO continues to nurture the series and support the writers, future spinoffs can deepen, enliven, and enrich Westeros even further.

House of the Dragon is streaming now on Max. Martin’s books, including Fire & Blood, are available in print, digital, and audiobook formats.

Source: PopCulture