POPZ-CULTURE Series Reviews – House of the Dragon Season 2 (2024)
By: Marton Szakadath
Genre: Fantasy, action, drama
Age limit: 18
Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik, Clare Kilner, Geeta V. Patel, Greg Yaitanes
Written by: George R. R. Martin, Ryan J. Condal
Starring: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke
NOTE: The night is dark and full of spoilers. Only read our article if you’ve already seen the season, because we are writing about important plot details.
Time flies faster than Prince Daemon on the back of Caraxes. The second season of House of The Dragon is already over. It’s a great opportunity to recap our feelings and insights about the series, and to reflect on what we expect from it in the future.
While Targaryen infighting remains the essence of House of The Dragon, the series deftly portrays the increasingly complex network of allies that are taking shape. By the last few episodes, there was a greater sense that the jostling of the Greens and Blacks was forcing the whole of Westeros into division and civil war. Decisions made in the Small Council carried real weight, resulting in a steady realignment of power. But to be specific, Aemond’s elevation to the Regency was a predictable but still memorable moment. And the arrogance of King Aegon led to a shocking tragedy on the battlefield. Speaking of the battlefield, the clash in episode four was one of the most spectacular fight ever seen on TV. From the opening of the conflict to the final outburst of flame, it was a breathtaking scene. The last time we felt such excitement was during the Battle of the Bastards in Game of Thrones. It is clearly the highlight of the season in terms of action and drama.
We are increasingly asking ourselves what the future of the series will be? Well, we don’t want to make any predictions. Instead, we have summarised in 5 points how the series could be better.
Pacing: It has been officially confirmed that the makers are planning a four-season series. We think that’s plenty of time to bring House of The Dragon to a close without missing a beat. The final seasons of Game of Thrones have moved at too fast a pace, characterised by a rush. But in the case of the current series, things sometimes happen too slowly. It would be worth finding a compromise.
As much as we love the world of Ice and Fire, to drag out the Dance of the Dragons for several more seasons would not be very exciting in our opinion. Instead, we want to see new stories from the Seven Kingdoms. Whether it’s the conquests of Aegon, the Children of the Forest, or the rebellion of House Baratheon, we’d certainly be excited, but we’d be most interested in a completely unknown story. We have recently learned that 7 more spin-offs are in the pipeline. We hope that the creators will strive for quality as well as quantity.
Personal dramas: Prince Daemon’s sojourn in Harrenhal was certainly not the experience the dreaded dragon rider had hoped for. The fever dreams that plagued him were portrayed in scenes so gruesome they sent shivers down the spine. At the same time, this made it quite a parking lot, which is a waste. The same is true of Rhaenyra: her character development and mental breakdown are almost completely absent. Let us hope that they will bring out more of these otherwise interesting characters.
Duels: The scenes between Rhaenyra and Alicent, Aemond and Aegon, Rhaenyra and Daemon, or even Alicent and Criston, have resulted in great dialogue, of which we want more and more in the future. We love the dragon fights, but also the witty exchanges full of intrigue. Everything is in place to portray the two sides’ confrontation in a unique way.
Moral dilemmas: The choice between Black and Green felt too easy. More scenes would have been needed to further nuance the picture of the characters. It could be more challenging to vote for one side or the other. We feel that it would add real depth to the story if both sides could arouse sympathy and antipathy in the audience at the same time.
Mystery: Aside from the political line, we must not forget that House of the Dragon is, after all, a fantasy. The fate of the Iron Throne is key, but we also want to hear about forgotten legends, rumours and mythical creatures surrounding the fate of great warriors. Although Daemon’s storyline has touched on these themes, it has not expanded the world of the series in any meaningful way. A little mystery would go a long way to improving the overall picture.
How did you like the second season? We look forward to your thoughts in the comments section. If you liked our article share it with others. And if you’re in the mood for a delicious movie and series watching snack, POPZ Popcorn is the best choice.
