Let’s face it: the reception for House of the Dragon Season 2 is polarizing at best. I’m an optimist who tries to see the glass as half full. During the second season’s run, I tried to cherry-pick the positives from every episode because there were things I enjoyed.
House of the Dragon Season 2 Highlights
Yes, the season finale feels more like an extended Season 3 trailer. Yes, the Powers That Be will have to cram several battles and major events into two (presumably) eight-episode seasons. However, let’s focus on the good Season 2 gave us.
With that in mind, here are my top eight highlights from House of the Dragon Season 2.
Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon
The performances really carry this rocky sophomore season, but none more so than Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon. He takes a character who, on paper, could easily morph into a Joffrey or Ramsay 2.0 (or, rather, 1.0, given his placement in the timeline). Glynn-Carney doesn’t throw anything away — not a painfully lonely glance nor a twitch of the lips in the irritation. He physically embodies Aegon, heart and soul.
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In addition to capturing Aegon’s trauma and visceral need to please those around him, Glynn-Carney provides the narrative with much-needed comedic relief. Thanks to Glynn-Carney, Aegon feels the most fleshed out this season.
Rook’s Rest
“The Red Dragon and the Gold,” Season 2 Episode 4, is indisputably the most action-packed outing of the season. It chronicles the Battle at Rook’s Rest. While Rook’s Rest is a relatively small seat in Westeros, the Targaryen in-fighting there has significant repercussions.
Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Vhagar kill Rhaenys (Eve Best) and her dragon, Meleys, effectively removing one of Team Black’s strongest players. Additionally, Aemond burns Aegon and his dragon, Sunfyre, wounding both permanently. After that, Aegon’s life hung precariously in the balance for a spell. The king doesn’t even know if his dragon is still alive.
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Rook’s Rest is a high-octane dragon battle that physically pains me to watch. This show does an excellent job of imbuing the dragons with distinct qualities, personality quirks and intricate external traits, making them feel incredibly real. This leads me to my next House of the Dragon Season 2 highlight…
The Looks, Sounds and Personalities of the Dragons
Season 2 spares no expense in ensuring the dragons look tangible — as if I could reach through my screen and touch them. In addition, each dragon boasts their own characteristics, from Sunfyre’s adorable yips (the realm’s goodest golden retriever boy) to Syrax’s little chirps. Vhagar and Vermithor’s roars are as formidable as their respective appearances.
Personality-wise, Silverwing is docile and playful (as is Sunfyre), nudging Ulf (Tom Bennett) with her nose. Meanwhile, Caraxes is sassy, and Seasmoke’s palpable loneliness before selecting Addam (Clinton Liberty) as his rider is heartbreaking.
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They’re all gorgeous sky lizards, and I’ll shed more than enough tears when most of them inevitably perish in the Dance of the Dragons.
The Score
Ramin Djawadi is inextricably linked to Game of Thrones. The composer has crafted an iconic score with equally iconic leitmotifs throughout. Djawadi leaves an indelible mark on House of the Dragon with his music. Season 2 has some lush tracks, from “Rook’s Rest” parts one and two to “All Must Choose,” which punctuates the montage in the finale.
When you see the Winter Wolves marching into battle and hear the “Winterfell” tune, you can’t help but think of the Starks. Then, when “The Rains of Castamere” follows hot on its heels as the Lannister host marches toward Harrenhal, you can’t help but seethe with rage (or shudder) when the titular Game of Thrones episode springs to mind. Djawadi’s musical creations can evoke so much.
The Costumes
The costume department knocks everyone’s looks out of the park in Season 2. Each garment is as intricate as it is stunning. I love the Sunfyre stitching on Aegon’s dark green doublet and Queen Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) show-stopping dragon pauldrons, as seen in the Season 2 finale. Alicent’s (Olivia Cooke) velvet blue dress and matching cloak are also things of beauty (even if that scene is not).
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The Dragonseeds Claiming Their Dragons
The Sowing of the Seeds is pivotal in the Dance, providing a significant advantage for Team Black. What I love about the dragonseeds claiming their respective dragons is how different each experience is. Hugh (Kieran Bew) claims Vermithor like a boss, shouting at the imposing beast to “Come on.” It fits his towering physique and badass aura.
Meanwhile, Ulf, who continues to fail upward, stumbles upon Silverwing and steps in her egg clutch. Despite this, the dragon simply claims him. No muss, no fuss. In another episode, Seamsoke chases down Addam to claim him like a scene from a damn horror movie. It’s a fun scene.
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Then, in the season finale, Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) stumbles upon Sheepstealer in the Vale. However, we don’t see her “claim” the wild dragon. Maybe I’m living in Delusional Land, but part of me still hopes that Nettles will appear in Season 3, taking ownership of Sheepstealer.
Notable New Characters
House of the Dragon Season 2 boasts a handful of notable new characters, including Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), the Diva of Harrenhal (my name for him). Simon has delightful exchanges with Daemon (Matt Smith), who checks in to the Hotel Harrenhal for a hot minute. They are the Odd Couple of the season.
Additionally, the enigmatic Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) also injects a mysterious, fun energy into Season 2. Is she solely responsible for Daemon’s visions, or is it Harrenhal itself? Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) is a little badass, too, successfully putting Daemon in his place.
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I also love Alyn (Abubakar Salim) and Addam of Hull, Lord Corlys’s (Steve Toussaint) sons, who prove to be valuable players for Team Black and contribute to the overarching theme of legitimacy in the season. Can those who aren’t full-blooded Targaryens claim dragons? Well, the dragonseeds prove they can.
Speaking of dragonseeds, Ulf offers a smattering of comedy to the proceedings. His line to Jace (Harry Collett) about his hair being “as black as they say” still cracks me up.
The Harrenhal Visions
Listen, I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out. I do not believe Daemon should’ve been tripping for five to six episodes this season. However, the Harrenhal Haunted House of Horrors provides ample character development for him. Plus, if briefly, it allows Season 1 standouts Paddy Considine (King Viserys) and Milly Alcock (young Rhaenyra) to reprise their roles.
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Then, Daemon’s vision of the prophecy in the finale includes an appearance from Helaena (Phia Saban), our resident dragon dreamer. While it’s a bit too on the nose (and reminds us of the disappointing Game of Thrones series finale), I enjoyed seeing Bloodraven and Dany with her dragons.
However, Daemon getting freaky with his mom, Alyssa, is easily one of the most forked-up things I’ve seen in this franchise. I wanted to rinse my eyeballs with hydrogen peroxide after watching that.
What are your Season 2 highlights? Sound off in the comments below.
House of the Dragon Seasons 1-2 are now streaming on Max.
Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: RHAENYS TARGARYEN
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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