Released: June 16th to August 4th 2024
Number of Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: NowTV
Certificate: 18
Created by: Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin
Starring: Emma D'Acry, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Fabien Frankel, Eve Best, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett and Ewan Mitchell
Spinning off from its wildly popular predecessor, House of the Dragon marked a return to medieval politics in 2022. It was successful in revitalising George R.R. Martin’s fiction on the small screen. Two years later and the highly anticipated second chapter has arrived. It’s generally well made, but falls short of the stellar debut.
Right after a sudden death from the gargantuan dragon Vhaegar, the Seven Kingdoms stand on the brink of civil war. Split into the Greens, (led by King Aegon, his brother Aemond and their mother Alicent Hightower) and the Blacks (led by Queen Rhaenyra and her close companions), a tale of mistrust and missteps ensues with the two sides desperately staking their claim to the Iron Throne. Both resort to underhanded schemes as soon as the first episode begins and efforts to defuse the tension quickly fall by the wayside. The first season of House of the Dragon showed a dynasty at the end of a golden age and a second shows the embers of a deadly conflict brewing. The smaller and slower narrative is a benefit and a curse. On the one hand, it allows the main cast members, particularly Emma D’Acry and Olivia Cooke, to deliver some great inner turmoil. But on the other, the series struggles to deliver satisfying arcs for every cast member. The first half of the season has a lot of tension, but the second slows down considerably, culminating in a sub-standard finale. There is also some inconsistency with the common folk; in the opening of one episode we see a simple argument between two families devolve into a bloodbath. But throughout the season, the show often restrains itself from showing the state of the realm slowly boiling over.
For the most part, the performances are very detailed with the leads often placed front and centre. There’s a real conflict on display between former friendships and the desire for power, one that manifests in many close-knit scenes. Some of the younger actors also step up to the plate; Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) becomes an unexpected advisor to Rhaynera and her son Jacaerys (Harry Collett) also has many assertive moments, showing his personal growth. Sadly, Matt Smith, one of the best actors from the original release, is sent on a plodding side mission to Harrenhal which brings his role in the story to a halt. This section is meant to be more introspective and reflective, but the ultimate outcome could have accomplished much sooner. Other side threads like a group of sailors and the Princess Rhaena wandering through the wilds feel very under baked. The previous season did a much better job of balancing multiple stories while still giving every character enough depth. For the next two seasons, House of the Dragon will need to pick up on this.
The plot may have been scaled down, but the tone and aesthetics remain on top form. For starters we get more dragons this time and they all look vicious with their huge size and monstrous devastation. The biggest and most ferocious set piece comes at the halfway mark with a battle over air and land that really gets the heart pumping. If you’re expecting many large-scale sequences, be prepared to dial your expectations back as the second season often focuses more on grand vistas and long shots that show off the different realms. The soundtrack is also strong with a wider range of choirs punctuating the two sides.
It looks as solid as ever and there’s no faulting the performances, but House of the Dragon’s second outing has taken a small step back. The slow-burn narrative works well in some places and less so in others depending on the character and context. The next season may be gearing up for something massive, but for now we’ll have to settle for a lesser offering.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars (Good)
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