Episode 2 of The House of the Dragon: the intrigues begin to be planted 4r5p3y

the episode "the scoundrel prince” launched this Sunday (28) is a watershed in the universe of George RR Martin. Focused on the construction of conflicts between the characters, the episode had no battles, nor sex scenes - common in the series. However, it delivered much more than expected. 4p7l

Directed by Greg Yaitanes, the episode was not a mere continuation of the consistent premiere, but also severed ties with Game of Thrones and with the public's expectations. This addition allows The Dragon House be a complete series, far beyond a mere spin off, as we will see next.

Conflicts in King's Landing 6i6a5g

in the first episode of The Dragon House there was an air of conflict, whether from the princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) or the prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) to King Viserys (Paddy Constantine). However, these conflicts were light, and easily resolved with the ing of the scene, ceasing to exist.

In this episode there was no direct confrontation between these characters, but the use of other nuclei such as the Lord Velaryon to fuel this fight. This feature is used a lot here, allowing the interpretation of the actors and who watches to be explored — without the need to describe everything that happens.

The opening scene of the episode is about a clash of pirates, which Lord Velaryon (steve toussaint), and his unhappiness forces him to reach the council of the King Viserys ready to ask for some solution. It is obvious that many lords sitting there, including the hand of the king, Otto High Tower (Rhys Ifans), are against the orders, as it would involve The Free Cities.

This scenario gets worse when the King Viserys takes the position of the other lords for granted, demonstrating that he will not, in any way, buy a fight with the free lands to defend the family Velaryon. It will be in the same scene as rhaenira, pouring the councilors' wine, publicly informs his father that he could use dragons in battle.

So much Lord Velaryon and the princess are thrown into the corner, even more so when the hand of the king decides it's better rhaenira choose the next knight of Royal Guard. The choice scene will also be important throughout the episode. No, why rhaenira choose Sir Christian Cole (Fabien Frankel) — important in Dance of the Dragons, but also because of the presence of Rhaenys Velaryon.

King Viserys' marriage proposals l3wh

Inserted very subjectively in the first episode, the wedding of the King Viserys took hold in the second. Aside from mere rumor and possibility, the King is now faced by his advisors.

Whether because some of them consider the King Viserys as a young man, whether because the queen's open vacancy allows a daughter to occupy it, marriage is one of the central conflicts. During the episode, this conflict will be presented by two different cores: Lord Velaryon and Otto High Tower.

No case of Lord Velaryon, the marriage is proposed in a conversation of the King Viserys with the lord and his lady, rhaenys targaryens (Eva Best). After the discussion in the council, the king himself appears at the castle of the Velaryon.

Proposing an alliance and a way to deal with the attacks, the lord informs that the Targaryen are being seen as “weak”. The alliance proposed by the king was a way to avoid the pirates' attacks, however, the Valyrian family has other plans.

Offering a daughter in marriage, Lord Valeryon says that the union of families is the only possibility to maintain the respect and security of the crown. O King Viserys ends up agreeing to meet laena, their 12-year-old daughter.

King Viserys talks with the girl, asking about what she wants to do in the future and how she was instructed by her parents. In this conversation it is important to see how laena she is brought up by her father to do her a favor, to exchange an alliance with a man much older than her.

Keeping the cohesion of the minimal right, King Viserys he doesn't even show interest in the girl or consider marrying her. This scene is shocking, even knowing that in Game of Thrones many characters had their ages changed from the book to the adaptation.

Even creating more enmity with the Velaryon, the King Viserys takes another choice, being the Otto High Tower.

Otto and Alicent Hightower's proposal 6o62h

During the first episode, Otto had encouraged and sometimes ordered her daughter to keep the King Viserys. The man does not do without a knot and knew as much about his daughter's beauty as about the possibility of the two getting close.

Talking about life, history and the model of old valyria — original home of Targaryen, Alicent can approach and become an option. This friendship between Rei and daughter of hand of the king is kept secret from rhaenira.

It is obvious that throughout the episode there is a lot of pressure to Otto so that the King Viserys convince yourself to get married. In addition, man also encourages him with the aim of giving up Velaryon — not being difficult, as the king appears to be unhappy with the choice of a 12-year-old girl.

At the end of the episode it is announced that Alicent Hightower is the king's choice, desiring to marry his daughter's best friend. We can comment on the age difference between the king and the future queen, after all, despite the fact that she is a little older than the princess, she is not even over 17 years old. However, knowing the work of George RR Martin, I'm glad they made it a little older.

I understand some people who wonder, regardless of age, why viserys choose Alicent and not laena. Particularly, I believe that as a matter of proximity, after all they know each other and their relationship Otto with the King is a trust the two share, not to mention the Hand of the King's influence on their rule.

Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, the Queen that Never Was 421p3o

One of the characters that came to prominence in the second episode of The Dragon House, Rhaenys Velaryon showed that it will be one of the highlights of the season. Always seen in the corners of scenes, watching rhaenira, the woman called queen that never was It is very important in the plot.

The opening scene of The Dragon House is about rhaenys, the princess Targaryen, close to the line of succession. Without further ado in the series, we discover that rhaenys was rejected by the council and great lords of Westeros, the throne having ed to Viserys Targaryen, your cousin.

This succession context is important in The Dragon House, therefore, the central event of the adaptation is about the Dance of the Dragons, or civil war Targaryen due to succession upon the death of King Viserys. Knowing that she appears on screen, always close to the protagonist, but still distant, opens up a different interpretation.

And it was in this episode that the first conversation between the princesses took place. Targaryen, about the crown and heirs. Knowing the princess's future, and that, quite possibly, she would not actually have access to the throne, rhaenys try to talk to her.

Their conversation is not just about the crown, but about their father's marriage and if rhaenira afraid of having male brothers. Despite the princess denying it, stating that she would continue as heir even with a son of her father, the other tells her about how the “kingdom would rather burn it all down than see a woman ruling".

For me, the series took a parallel path: showing how, despite being recognized, a woman will not be accepted in the highest position in government. Therefore, Rhaenys Velaryon is important in the plot: she knows what happens when a woman defies status of the power of Westeros and how she is thrown into the corner.

Daemon Targaryen and more confusion 4e4qo

After the massacre and a night out in the city's brothel — with his recently-deceased sister-in-law, the prince also brought another problem to the crown. Daemon Targaryen, ed by his men, Mysaria, his “new wife” and a dragon egg, the dreamfyre, the prince decides to live in dragon stone.

In addition to announcing his new home, his new marriage and swearing to have an heir in his wife's womb, Daemon Targaryen face the crown and also Otto High Tower, In the name of the King. The conflict does not come to fruition because Daemon was with his dragon on the bridge of dragon stone and mainly because rhaenira he arrives.

And again Rhaenyra goes against the King Viserys, flying to dragon stone. Announcing herself as heir to the castle, the lands and that dragon's egg, the princess converses with her uncle. The two converse in front of both troops, in Valyrian — being the only characters who speak the language on the show.

The subjectivity of the scene is a spectacle. The cloudy sky with clouds almost of sand, the sun leaking in the background, the two protagonists talking, gives the series its own identity. In addition, their dialogue comes with tense elements, making Daemon, even against the crown, yield to the niece. 

The end of the conflict is marked by rhaenira coming back to Porto Royal with the egg of dreamfyre e Daemon talking to mysaria. Their dialogue already exposes that the woman will not have children and Daemon wants heirs, he will seek another woman.

What can we expect from The House of the Dragon? 4f5e5

It is normal that the hope of those who like the works of George RR Martin be still balanced. In two episodes, The Dragon House managed to deliver quality, however, it is still too early to celebrate as a good season. We don't know if the HBO will continue with the same pattern, or will manage to innovate until the end.

Perhaps this beginning is warmer than that of Game of Thrones for some fans. The lack of more shocking scenes of violence and sex in this episode came as a surprise. Generally, the show contains a lot of adult content, but this time, only one scene was more disgustingly heavy—the crabs on the beach.

However, for the Dance of Dragons to be adapted with quality, the beginning must be warm. Building the world and relationships takes place gradually, so “the scoundrel prince” was a necessary episode.

The final scene announcing the wedding of the King Viserys to Olos technology Alicent Hightower, and even the conversation between Daemon and Lord Valeryon, are just examples of basic constructions. It's no use for a whole war to be produced and make no sense, we need to know the whys and motivations of the characters.

This construction is mandatory at times, after all, Game of Thrones it was never just about the war, but also the political approach. I confess that in this sense, I am happy with the production of The Dragon House. 

Another hit in this second episode of The Dragon House was the break with the easter eggs, references or content of Game of Thrones. It is impossible to ask that everything in the series is different from its successor, after all, this story takes place in the same world, city and universe.

Some items, people, families and institutions will always be the same, but the growth of the world will not. And that's not just references, it's just ambiance. However, knowing that The House of the Dragon is walking with its own elements and distinguishing itself from Game of Thornes is incredible.

the next episode of The Dragon House comes out on Sunday (4), at 22 pm on the television channels of HBO or on the platform streaming HBOMAX.

Learn more

Check out the review first episode of House of the Dragon!