Blood for blood and fire to fire. House of the Dragon, a Game of Thrones successor show, has reached its second season. For those new to the A Song of Ice and Fire universe, HOTD is based on George R. R. Martin’s fictional historical novel Fire and Blood, which precedes the events of the original show by around 200 years and takes place during the Dance of the Dragons. Viewers see House Targaryen at full power, and throughout the events of the Dance, watch the beginning of the downfall of this great house during a war for succession of the Iron Throne.
In Season 1, viewers experienced the setup for the Dance. Viserys I Targaryen inherits the Iron Throne from his predecessor Jaehaerys I Targaryen and names his firstborn daughter Rhaenyra heir to the throne after him. However, he then remarries Alicent Hightower and has a son, Aegon II. On Viserys’s death, the Dance of the Dragons begins, and Rhaenyra and Aegon II vie for the throne. Rhaenyra is the leader of the faction referred to as the “Blacks” after her house colors, and Aegon is the leader of the faction referred to as the “Greens” after his Hightower house colors. Drama, danger, and deception ensue. Also, there be dragons.
We see several main events in the trailer, and I predict Season 2 will include:
A distraught Rhaenyra after the death of her son Lucerys at the hands of Aegon II’s brother, Aemond Targaryen. Here, we see her looking over the water at what I think is Storm’s End.
Helaena Targaryen, Aegon II’s sister and wife, is also seen wearing a veil. Presumably, this scene occurs at her child’s funeral after the horrific events of Blood and Cheese.
Aemond and Daemon (Rhaenyra’s uncle and husband) trade occupation of Harrenhal. Though I’m not sure if there are confirmed weirwoods at Harrenhal in the show, the above scene could take place in the castle’s godswood if the fortress has one.
The trailer also gives an introduction to the Starks, with Cregan marching the Winter Wolves south for battle.
And we glimpse the Battle at Rook’s Rest, which I theorize is the scene where Vhagar flies over at the end of the teaser trailer in an ominous promise of what’s to come. There will also likely be the Dragonseeds and possibly the Battle of the Gullet. New characters include but are not limited to Addam Velaryon, Cregan Stark, Alysanne Blackwood, Alys Rivers, and more, and I am officially hyped. And terrified. Mostly terrified.
I expect epicness of immense proportions and unforgettable devastation. The Green’s forces are marching. The Black’s dragons are flying. Daemon and Aemond are on the move. Corlys amasses his ships. I’m here for the political intrigue, drama, and dragons, so as long as I get Vermithor and they do the book babies right, I’m cool.
What do you think we’ll see in Season 2? Considering Fire and Blood leaves so much to interpretation, I’m interested in seeing which side of the Dance the showrunners lean toward.
