This review is based on episodes 1 to 4 of House of the Dragon season 2. All of the groundwork has been set, relationships have been built and shattered, and a dynasty is at stake – it's finally time for House of the Dragon season 2 . We return to House Targaryen as civil war has become an inevitability.
Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault), the son of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), is dead at the hands of Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), the son of Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). Regardless of whether or not it was intentional, it was the move that would begin the Dance of Dragons , a war that could rip an entire house apart. Rather than rush straight into the fiery clashes to come, the new episodes take the time to deal with the aftermath of Lucerys's death and we find both sides plotting for the inevitable war.
Rhaenyra is broken, as she simultaneously has to deal with a mother's grief and a queen's duties, desperately searching for tangible proof that her son is dead. Elsewhere, Daemon (Matt Smith) has his mind set on revenge. Following the death of Lucerys at her son's hand, we find a less sure Alicent, but one who's resigned herself to what's to come, and who's clamouring to keep both sons within her reach.
But when one is a naive, self-centred Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) placed on the throne and the other is, well Aemond Targaryen, it's all she can do to stop them actually destroying the realm. She's dependent on her calculating father Otto Hightower (Rhys.