A Lot Can Happen in Two Years: The Evolution of HBO's House of the Dragon

A Lot Can Happen in Two Years: The Evolution of HBO's House of the Dragon (Pics: Discussingfilm.net)

WATCHFILM.BIZ.ID - Two years can bring about significant changes. A major streaming service might rebrand itself, actors and writers can unite in protest against Hollywood’s relentless capitalistic drive, and amidst this turmoil, the second season of HBO’s House of the Dragon can continue filming undeterred. 

When it was announced that production on the Game of Thrones prequel series would remain on schedule due to completed scripts, many fans rejoiced — and why wouldn’t they? The show’s actors belonged to a different union than SAG, and the writers could still strike in solidarity with the WGA. This situation seemed like a win-win for everyone involved. 

However, now that House of the Dragon Season 2 has arrived, perhaps, like House Targaryen in these latest episodes, it’s time to reconsider what it means to “win.”

The Premise: War Looms Over Westeros

Previously on the show, House Targaryen was on the brink of an inevitable civil war following the death of King Viserys I (Paddy Considine). A crown usurped, a prince murdered, and lines drawn in the proverbial sand. Only days have passed at the start of this new season. 

Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) is grieving and searching for Prince Lucerys’ remains while the rest of the realm prepares for war. For House Targaryen, all of Westeros is a game board, and each side is readying their pieces to play. 

In the north, Jacaerys Targaryen (Harry Collet) attempts to persuade Lord Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor) to declare his support for his mother. In the south, Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and her father, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), rally their own allies while moving their forces into place throughout the Reach and the Riverlands.

Highlighting the Cost of Reckless Power

As the season progresses, both Alicent and Otto come to understand the cost of crowning a feckless king. House of the Dragon excels in highlighting how the reckless actions of the ruling class, be it their quick tempers or blood-soaked feuds, serve only to inflict continued suffering on the smallfolk. 

This is incredibly savvy on showrunner Ryan Condal’s part, as it’s one of the major themes of the “Dance of the Dragons” civil war in A Song of Ice and Fire lore, and it will likely rear its head in later seasons. 

There’s plenty of this foreshadowing present in Season 2, with seeds of lore or future outcomes planted in clever and interesting ways, much like the previous season’s utilization of the disputed histories from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.

Puzzling Adaptational Choices

However, just like last season, some adaptational choices in House of the Dragon Season 2 are puzzling. There are instances where characters make decisions or take actions that contradict the narrative arc the show’s writers had set them on previously. 

These decisions range from questionable at best to nonsensical or confusing, often feeling like tedious wheel spinning. Maybe the shortened season length is to blame? 

With only eight episodes, some issues could have been resolved with another script pass-through, which wasn’t possible due to the sensitive time when Season 2 went into production.

Standout Performances and Character Arcs

Despite these challenges, House of the Dragon Season 2 has its share of meaningful creative choices. Tom Glynn-Carney’s King Aegon II levels up almost immediately this season as he sits on the Iron Throne next to Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban), becoming more complex and tortured the closer we get to his insecurities. 

Ewan Mitchell’s Prince Aemond Targaryen also gains more depth than his elder brother, delivering some vulnerable and moving scenes scattered throughout the first four episodes. Mitchell balances Aemond’s multifaceted character wonderfully, revealing his turbulent emotions as required.

Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower goes on an interesting emotional journey, indulging in vices fans might not have imagined her being tempted by. Cooke portrays Alicent’s desire and helplessness with sharp precision, delivering one of the season’s best performances. 

In the first half of Season 2, the Greens receive most of the compelling storytelling, a slight but not unwelcome surprise given the tragic Shakespearean brush painting House Targaryen’s narrative.

Disappointing Developments for Team Black

Conversely, many of those on Rhaenyra Targaryen’s side of the conflict lack the same dimensionality. Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra, though given considerable focus, is written with less fire and more calm rationality, the writers reluctant to let the character be flawed or make ugly decisions. 

Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen remains the one willing to get his hands dirty for Team Black, although his presence is scarcer compared to Season 1. 

The character’s development could lead to more significant arcs later on. Eve Best’s Rhaenys Targaryen has a few key moments that are thrilling, yet poor writing decisions diminish their impact.

The Craftsmanship and Future Prospects

Despite these issues, House of the Dragon remains the best live-action fantasy series currently airing on TV. Composer Ramin Djawadi’s score excels, creating distinct themes that resonate deeply. 

The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros feel lived-in and expansive, with stunning visuals that captivate the audience. Improved costuming further immerses viewers in this world, making the show a must-watch for fantasy genre enthusiasts and Game of Thrones fans alike.

Conclusion

Time will tell if House of the Dragon Season 2 will stick the landing. It’s off to a somewhat shaky but not irrecoverable start. Fans of the previous season will enjoy it, as the series continues to deliver cinematic spectacle unique to the Game of Thrones universe. 

However, some may wonder how much tighter the writing could have been with more thorough script supervision. As the remaining four episodes unfold, the hope is that the issues in the first half will be eclipsed as the conflict between the Greens and the Blacks intensifies. If not, at least the dragons still look cool, right?

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