House of the Dragon Episode 2 review: A rogue Prince and a King’s dilemma

3.5/5

Story: King Viserys faces significant pressure from his council to find a new wife. Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) Velaryon and his wife Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) propose that the King marry their 12-year-old daughter to unite the Valyrian houses in order to strengthen their position in the realm. The King is not in favour of marrying a girl so young, whereas the King’s daughter and heir to the throne, Rhaenyra, fears that the marriage is a threat to her claim to the Iron Throne. Elsewhere, the King’s brother, Daemon, has defied the King’s orders and set up base in Dragonstone, the ancestral seat of House Targaryen, surrounded by the Gold Cloaks.

Review: In true Game of Thrones fashion, House of the Dragon has slowly begun peeling off the layers of the story within. And just like the earlier seasons of the original, the narrative depends almost entirely on well-written dialogues through its gripping screenplay. There is very little fast-paced action, and it is by no means detrimental to the episode’s quality. In fact, it gives one the feeling that a storm is coming to Westeros, and King Viserys (Paddy Considine) appears unprepared to meet it. The relative calm in the realm is at threat, and Prince Daemon’s actions further complicate matters. But the issues that worry the King most are those inside his household.

Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) is increasingly worried that her claim to her throne will be challenged if the King were to marry again. Her conversation with her aunt Rhaenys is a scene where someone finally treats her like a grown-up despite the unpleasant nature of it. As the episode progresses it becomes evident that Princess Rhaenyra is far mature and wise beyond her years. There are shades of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) in her, but unlike her descendant, she is not impulsive nor does she require constant counsel from those around her. In fact, she appears to have a measured understanding of the politics of Westeros and even imparts wisdom to the Hand of the King in a particular scene. Rhaenyra’s character is what Daenerys would have been if Daenerys had a normal upbringing.

Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) continues to be an enigma, but there are hints that there could be much more to him than the villainous exterior he presents. The lack of a character like Petyr Baelish aka Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) in House of the Dragon so far does keep one at ease about unexpected twists and backstabbings. But the ending of the episode seems to suggest that the Crown’s position may be at risk with unlikely alliances forming. King Viserys is probably the noblest King of the Seven Kingdoms ever depicted in the Game of Thrones franchise but it is also his weakness — one that everyone is aware of. The episode’s primary arc is about who the King will choose as his bride — the obvious yet disturbing choice of Laena Velaryon (Nova Fouellis-Mose), or Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), whom he has grown fond of.

Despite the slow and methodical storytelling, there are some tense moments, it unsurprisingly involves two Targeryn’s eying the throne, and their dragons.

Verdict: The second episode of House of the Dragon is a solid follow-up to the pilot. The characters and their respective arcs appear to be settling into place in what could be a riveting season ahead.