It’s going to be another two years before we can get a new season of House of the Dragon. So what do we do until then? We could always revisit season 2, which though had its highs and lows, but managed to deliver some truly spectacular moments. Rook’s Rest, anyone?
House of the Dragon season 2 didn’t give us the Targaryen civil war that was promised—not in the most literal sense. But even as Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) underwent introspection at Harrenhal, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) tried every play to avoid war, their children and those running their kingdom took some definitive actions, and kept the flame of war burning. New dragonriders were brought in, enemies became allies (the Triarchy), and grander designs behind the prophecy were revealed to a chosen few.
Of course, it’s easy to guess what the general consensus might be on the best episode of HOTD season 2. But what was the least favorite one? Let’s take a look!
8. Episode 5: “Regent”
With a season where plenty of small movements build up to bigger ones, it’s hard to dismiss any episode as a “filler.” Episode 5, “Regent,” is at the bottom of this list because it’s like a calm between two storms, leading from and toward bigger things. You’ve got Alicent’s rejection and Aemond’s promotion to regent, Jacaerys securing Frey alliance and coming up with the idea of acquiring new dragonriders from lesser noble houses, and the parading of Meleys’ head in the streets of King’s Landing, a clear indication of how House Targaryen is forsaking the very things that made them gods—crucial little developments, but nothing too major.
This is also the episode where Daemon has that incestuous dream about his mother, Alyssa Targaryen. And while I understand the intent, the execution was intended for shock value and icky.
7. Episode 3: “The Burning Mill”
This episode is actually good in that it has moments that will pay off eventually. It’s also an episode of firsts—the first battle in the Targaryen civil war between Houses Blackwood and Bracken as fallout from Blood & Cheese, Daemon’s arrival at Harrenhal and the first spooky dream he has, Aegon shaming Aemond at the brothel, and Rhaenyra’s incognito meeting with Alicent at King’s Landing, where they find out the “Aegon”-size misunderstanding that has set them on the path to war. And yet, once again, an episode that’s mostly setup and no major political moves or warfare makes way for better episodes higher up the list.
6. Episode 8: “The Queen That Ever Was”
The House of the Dragon season 2 finale received a low rating, as bad as Game of Thrones season 8. But hear me out: The episode is actually not that bad, especially when you find out that the season was intended to be 10 episodes, and this wouldn’t have been a season finale after all.
There are a couple of scenes this episode that are pivotal to the story and understanding the motivations of these characters. After hating on Criston Cole for two seasons, the scene where he talks to Gwayne Hightower about his regrets over the war actually stir up some sympathy for the devil. It’s good writing. Even the scene where Alicent arrives in Dragonstone and speaks to Rhaenyra, willing to give up her son to protect her daughter, holds a mirror to their past selves and the regrets they harbor in their hearts that they can never make public. The outcomes of most wars are often decided in meetings like this.
And okay, admit it, the whole Daemon transformation after touching the weirwood tree, what he saw, and his reunion with Rhaenyra was awesome, and a decent payoff for all the episodes of therapy he underwent at Harrenhal!
5. Episode 1: “A Son for a Son”
The season 2 premiere was a pretty good start to the season, and you cannot convince me otherwise. I agree with two critiques of this episode: One, Rhaenyra’s rage over Lucerys’ death felt a bit downplayed, and two, the execution of Blood and Cheese was low-key underwhelming compared to how its in Fire & Blood. But Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen made all the difference. The episode cleverly kept it light, even funny on occasion (Aegon’s first court, and bringing the young Prince Jaehaerys to court), so that the ending would hit us hard. And to an extent it did, because of how it was staged.
Also, this is the episode when our beloved Princess Rhaenys was alive and well, and sassing Daemon Targaryen into his place. So it gets a brownie point just for that!
4. Episode 6: “Smallfolk”
“Smallfolk” has lots of great scenes—Seamoke refusing Ser Steffon Darklyng (RIP) and chasing down his preferred rider, Addam of Hull; the whole ploy by Mysaria to instigate the smallfolk against Aemond and sending forth food in tiny ships in Rhaenyra’s name; Gwayne Hightower telling Alicent that at least one of her sons, Daeron, is a decent guy; and the kiss between Mysaria and Rhaenyra. This episode is, in some ways, rather feel-good with major moves being made.
3. Episode 2: “Rhaenya the Cruel”
There’s some masterful acting in this episode but it wins over the others, and especially over “Smallfolk” because of one guy—Ser Otto Hightower. Rhys Ifans’ presence was sorely missed this season, and this episode makes you realize what he brings to the character, and what the character brings to the Greens. In the aftermath of Blood and Cheese, Otto manages to weaponize their grief and turn the kingdom against Rhaenyra while garnering sympathy for the Greens.
In contrast, we see Ser Criston’s silly “Parent Trap” plan to send Ser Arryk Cargyll to impersonate his brother and assassinate Rhaenyra as retribution. It’s so ridiculous, but the death of the two brothers who were loyal men and great warriors is such a wasteful consequence that when Aegon fires Ser Otto, you realize just how important it is to have a level-headed, experienced leader to avoid waste of life and resources. The confrontation between Rhaenyra and Daemon is another powerful scene about having a restrained mind in the face of war.
2. Episode 7: “The Red Sowing”
“The Red Sowing” is simply chef’s kiss, and almost ties in for the first place in this list. The most obvious reason for it ranking this high is the dragons. The scene with Vermithor and Rhaenyra exudes raw Targaryen power, and everything that follows makes for spectacular television—Hugh claiming Vermithor, Silverwing playing with Ulf, and the final scene of a formidable Rhaenyra and her new dragon riders driving away Aemond on Vhagar? Epic!
But there’s so much more happening in this episode that is impactful. Jacaerys finally confronting Rhaenyra about being a bastard son and how the dragonseed have the one thing that allows them to challenge his claim feels almost cathartic and also foreshadows what will happen down the line. And young Oscar Tully standing up to Daemon and making him dole out the justice for what he did (while Ser Simon Strong’s expressions delivered) made all of us cheer out loud! This episode was the return of Paddy Considine as Viserys, and the scene between the brothers in Daemon’s dream was a crucial moment in Daemon realizing he didn’t really want the crown.
All in all, the episode delivered on every front and looked rather screenshot-worthy while doing it!
1. Episode 4: “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
This episode is unbeatable in what it means collectively to the House of the Dragon fandom, and how we came together to watch, in awe, the dragons dancing in the sky above Rook’s Rest, and then mourn the loss of Princess Rhaenys and her dragon, the Red Queen Meleys. It broke our hearts and it showed us that while we are all clamoring for war to come to Westeros because it makes for good action, when war does come, it can be truly devastating and will cost the Targaryens their loved ones.
This season has given as some great insight into dragons and their personalities and behavior, and when we saw Meleys with Rhaenys and Sunfyre playfully bumping Aegon, it made what happened in the end feel much worse. This episode deals quite a few decisive blows with the scene of Daemon’s vision where he chops off young Rhaenyra’s head (Mily Alcock returns!), and when Alicent heads off Aegon with her harsh words that prompt him to fly his dragon into battle.
Episode 4 “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” giving us a glimpse into what the war with dragons will look like, remains the undefeated champion of the season!
Did you agree with the ranking? What’s your favorite episode of HOTD season 2?
Published: Aug 26, 2024 10:57 am