This article from the HBO series House of the Dragon (2024) Season 2 Episode 1 contains significant spoilers.
The aftermath of King Veserys Targaryen’s death remains at the forefront of our battle in Westeros. Season 2 of House of the Dragon picks up ten days after season 1, where we are watching the building of a war that will shape how the house structure will look in the future. In the first episode of the second season of House of the Dragon, we see everyone jockeying for position, including a bounty put on the head of a main character.
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1 Recap and Spoiler Review
Prince Daemon seeks revenge for Queen Rhaenys’s son’s death and wants Princess Rhaenys to fly with her to Kings Landing to kill Vhagar and his rider (Aemond). She refuses his command, stating that he is not in charge, and Daemon is frustrated with the lack of retaliation as the Queen has gone MIA, grieving the loss of her son.
What happens between Queen Alicent Hightower and Criston Cole?
At the end of last season, we saw that Criston Cole left Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and became Queen Alicent’s guard. Rumors circulated on the message board about these two, and as we see in the first episode, Criston and the Queen consummated this secret relationship. After their latest fling, Queen Alicent states they cannot continue with the affair.
Queen Rhaenyra hunts through the lands to find even the slightest proof that her son is really dead. This raw and emotional side of the Queen showcases Emma D’Arcy’s power within this role and makes you empathize with what the Queen is going through. Upon her return to Dragonstone, Daemon questions whether she found what she needed, and she sits at the head of the table and announces, “I want Aemond.”
Who does Prince Daemon order to kill Prince Aemond?
After hearing Queen Rhaenyra announce that she wanted Aemond, he hit the streets to find Blood & Cheese. Daemon finds the man who says he knows the Red Keep better than anyone else. He orders him to find and slay Prince Aemond, mentioning that he has one eye and should be easy to find.
Prince Aemond talks with Criston Cole about potential plans to make moves of his own. However, as the two converse, Otto Hightower, the hand of the King and grandfather of the King, walks in on them, talking and saying he shouldn’t be scheming behind the King’s back. Aemond assures him he just wants to serve the King and his house, and Otto says he will get his chance to fight in due time.
HBO’s House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1 Ending Explained: Who dies in “A Son for a Son?”
Blood and Cheese navigate the castle in their attempt to find Prince Aemond. The duo wonders if they can see him complete the mission and get the other half of the award. Instead of finding Prince Aemond, they find Queen Helaena, who is in the room with her twins.
The duo mentions that Prince Daemon said, “A Son for a Son.” With a knife to her throat, they force her to tell them which is the son of the King, and we hear them kill Jaehaerys. Queen Helaena runs out of the room with her daughter and storms into her mother’s room, where she catches her with Criston to inform her of what just happened.
An absolutely brilliant first episode of House of the Dragon lays the groundwork for the second season. Prince Aemond and Daemon’s actions to spark the war lead to the death of the King’s son, which will only force the war to begin sooner than everyone anticipated. War is on the horizon, and it will get bloody.
What did you think of House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1? Comment below.
You can watch this series with a subscription to HBO and MAX.
