After a long week of anticipation, HBO’s “House of the Dragon” returned with a new episode. This week, pondering questions were answered: Can the Targaryen family endure another tragedy or have they reached their breaking point?
This episode explores the devastating aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet as House Targaryen and House Velaryon emerge from the ruins and rise to their next mission: The Fall of King’s Landing, led by none other than Emma D’Arcy’s character, Rhaenyra Targaryen, who will finally join the fray.
On Sunday, June 28, the second episode, “Queen’s Landing” premiered. It opens underwater reflecting the surface as ship debris and dead bodies are seen afloat. Just then, a dragon’s silhouette appears breathing fire. Although they arrived at the Gullet too late, the Dragonseeds set the remaining Triarchy fleet ablaze. As they do so, a tearful Baela Targaryen (played by Bethany Antonia) carries Jace Velaryon’s body (Harry Collett) back to Dragonstone.
From the moment Rhaenyra sees her son’s body she switches from a state of denial into a raw and emotional breakdown, screaming at her court for playing a part in her son’s death.
When the news of Jace’s death reaches Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), he returns to Dragonstone to console Rhaenyra in her chambers. When revealing Aemond’s flight to Harrenhal has little effect on her, Daemon leans in and gently whispers in High Valyrian, affirming the truth of the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy as he reminds Rhaenyra of her true purpose: to keep the realm unified.
Throughout the many different suspenseful aspects in this episode, Rhaenyra’s grief and her union with Daemon pivots. From Rhaenyra’s first scene her breakdown can be felt through the screen, moving anyone to tears. But when it comes to the burden of the prophecy, can grief and ruling the realm go hand-in-hand? D’Arcy has called this dilemma “a kind of religious fanaticism, actually, that starts to radicalize her position.”
Rhaenyra and Daemon, since the beginning, have always circled around each other especially when it came to power. But now, showrunner Ryan Condal, says Daemon believes “with every fiber of his being that it was Rhaenyra who was always meant to take the throne, and he will stop at nothing to see it happen.” Even through a time of mourning, the on-screen chemistry between the characters brings a sense of comfort to more than just Rhaenyra. Daemon’s return at Dragonstone solidifies the couple as a team, ready to follow Rhaenyra into battle.
Every decision by both Targaryen factions is to ensure the original plan’s completion. Left on the edge of your seat, it becomes a rush against time in preparation of the Blacks’ breach in the Red Keep. Ultimately, setting the stage for a dark, surprising climax where no one will be the same from thereafter.
Looking ahead, Condal has teased Rhaneyra as undergoing a major character evolution this season, which is a parallel to how Jaime Lannister evolved in “Game of Thrones.” D’Arcy even explained her and Condal having been interested in exploring “a movement towards tyranny,” adding, “but in particular making that journey legible.”
New episodes of “House of the Dragon” air Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT on HBO and are available to stream on HBO Max.
Featured image: “HBO” by Thomas Hawk, CC BY-NC 2.0
Edited by James Sutton
