House of the Dragon: From the political backroom to the open battlefield – episode 2 is so important!

Warning, spoilers! You probably already guessed it, but this article contains major spoilers for the second episode of the second season of “House of the Dragon.” If you haven’t seen the episode yet, please read on with caution!

Watch the trailer for the third episode of “House of the Dragon” season 3 here!

In the second episode of “House of the Dragon” season 2, there are rapid changes in the power structures that not only hold Westeros together, but have also kept the impending civil war in check. After the developments in the second episode, there will be no stopping it.

In response to Jaehaerys’ murder in the season premiere, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), the Hand of King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), plots to damage Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) reputation. A massive mourning ceremony is held in which Jaehaerys’ body is revealed to all and Rhaenyra is consequently condemned by the people as a child murderer.

Effective in the long run, however, Aegon is bothered by this and would rather follow up with action than present himself as a grieving – and, as he sees it, weak – king. A short-circuit action by Ser Kriston Kraut (Fabien Frankel) is therefore more to his liking…

Missions and Assassinations – Kriston sends Ser Arryk to Dragonstone to kill Rhaenyra

Ser Kriston Herb, who was intimate with Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) during the murder of Jaehaerys and is probably blaming himself, orders Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor) in a rash act without rhyme or reason, but rather in defiance of an opposition, to travel to Dragonstone and kill Rhaenyra – in retaliation for Jaehaerys.

The plan is for Ser Arryk to pose as his twin brother Erryk (Elliott Tittensor) in order to approach Rhaenyra. In the first season, the twins, who were once inseparable, went their separate ways. One followed Aegon, the other Rhaenyra. Since Erryk is a loyal follower of Rhaenyra, Arryk would be able to approach Rhaenyra by posing as his brother.

The duel between Arryk and Erryk explained

Arriving at Dragonstone, Arryk quickly gets close enough to Rhaenyra to attack her. But Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) and Erryk quickly sense that something is wrong. Erryk rushes to Rhaenyra’s aid and faces his brother in a duel.

More guards come to Rhaenyra’s dormitory, but they are unable to intervene as they are unable to tell the two twin brothers apart. Eventually, it turns out that Erryk, loyal to Rhaenyra, emerges victorious from the fight, only to finally throw himself on his own sword and take his own life.

Before his death, he asks Rhaenyra for forgiveness – for his death? For allowing Arryk to get so close to her? It is probably the former, he wants to serve his queen sincerely, but does not want to live with the knowledge that he took his own brother’s life, even if it was unavoidable in a duel.

Is Daemon lying to Rhaenyra about the attack on Jaehaerys?

While Arryk’s attack on Rhaenyra is the core element of the second episode, the attack from episode 1 still resonates: Daemon’s order to kill Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). As we know, however, it was not Aemond who was killed, but Jaehaerys.

Daemon (Matt Smith) vehemently denies the accusations that he gave the order to kill Jaehaerys. His target was specifically Aemond. Rhaenyra is not sure if she can trust him. He would not really support her claim to the throne, but would rather use her as a vehicle to somehow keep his own claim to the throne alive.

As the younger brother of Viserys (Paddy Considine), Daemon never got over the fact that he didn’t become king, even though he had greater potential than his brother. At least according to him. A thought that Daemon does not share with Otto Hightower, as is revealed in the latest “House of the Dragon” episode.

No good hand – Kriston Kraut succeeds Otto Hohenturm

Otto Hightower tells King Aegon that he misses Viserys’ wisdom and kindness. He is very annoyed by Aegon’s aggressive style of government and the short-sightedness with which he approaches things. When Aegon emphasizes that he is Viserys’ chosen successor, Otto questions this.

“Do you really believe that?” he asks Aegon, who is shocked. After all, this belief that Aegon was chosen by Viderys as his successor is what legitimizes his claim to the throne. Angry at his uncle’s behavior, Aegon strips Otto of the title of Hand of the King and gives the position to Ser Kriston Kraut. Aegon does not want a hand to guide him, but an iron fist that strikes.

Aegon and the lovelessness – a king in tears

At the end of the episode, King Aegon is seen crying. His mother Alicent does not comfort him, but leaves him alone. The fact that such a devilish guy like Aegon cries surprisingly humanizes him. But what is the reason for his emotional outburst?

The trigger is probably that his own uncle is questioning his claim to the throne. Is he slowly realizing that he is just a puppet of the Hightowers, Alicent and Otto, who are using him to secure their own power? In addition, Aegon has just lost his son and is in a marriage with his sister Helaena (Phia Saban) in which they are living past each other.

Going through so much at such a young age (Aegon is only in his early 20s), while being part of so many evil machinations himself, takes its toll on you, including Aegon.

The fact that he never experienced parental love from his father, who still hovers over him like a shadow, seems to be another open wound. Especially since the love that Viserys did not have for Aegon was always there for Rhaenyra, Aegon’s direct opponent.

What happens now with Otto Hohenturm?

Otto Hohenturm has been one of the most important roles so far and actor Rhys Ifans is also one of the best known stars in the cast, having played in classics such as “Notting Hill” and the “Harry Potter” series. But after Otto’s dismissal as Hand, the role is only mentioned three times in the book. Will the series stick to “Fire and Blood” in terms of Otto Hohenturm’s future?

From the chamber to the battlefield: This means Otto’s departure for the game for the throne

The fact that Otto Hightower is being replaced by Kriston as Hand of the King is a major change on the political stage of Westeros. Otto is cautious and is pulling his strings in the background, slowly and carefully weighing things up and preparing for all eventualities.

He is a politician who, thanks to his experience, is a master of manipulation. Kriston, on the other hand, is impulsive, combative and, above all, driven by his ego. Everything that has previously taken place in back rooms and behind closed doors will now probably be brought out onto the big stage and ultimately onto the battlefield.

Addam of Holk and Daeron Targaryen are on the rise

Alyn von Holk was introduced in the first episode of “House of the Dragon” Season 2. He is a sailor who saved Corlys Velaryon’s (Steve Toussaint) life. In the second episode, we meet Alyn’s brother Addam. What neither Corlys nor we know yet, but the book suggests: They both have royal blood in them!

But it’s not just Corlys and Rhaenyra who have new, interesting characters. At the end of the episode “Rhaenyra the Cruel,” Alicent and Otto talk about Daeron Targaryen. This is the fourth child of Alicent and the late King Viserys. Daeron hasn’t appeared or been mentioned so far. So who is Daeron Targaryen?

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House of the Dragon Quiz: Are you real dragon riders?

Which novel series is the story of “House of the Dragon” based on?

ⵙⵔHarry Potter ⵙⵔThe Hobbit ⵙⵔThe Song of Ice and Fire

The next episode of “House of the Dragon” season 2 awaits us on July 1, 2024 on Wow and Sky in the new releases program. In total, the second “House of the Dragon” season consists of 8 episodes, so the finale will be shown in August. “House of the Dragon” season 3 has already been confirmed.