Max original series House of the Dragon premiered its second season June 16th, 2024.
#HOTD S2 averaged 25M viewers per episode cross-platform.
rottentomatoes: 93%
metacritic: 71
imdb: 8.4
emmys: 1 win
golden globes: 1 win
SAG awards: 1 nomination
Queen Rhaenarys
The prospect of a female king splits Westeros into two distinct factions Hightower and Targaryen.
“I want Aemond Targaryen.” — Queen Rhaenyra
Prince Daemon Targaryen
“Take your mount again. We’re flying out. We’re going to King’s landing. Killing Vhagar. I cannot face that hoary old bitch alone. With my dragons and yours together, we can kill Vhagar and her rider. Make it a son for a son. The queen remains absent. I should be at Harrenhal bending knees, but I must instead remain here to wage her war. She has been gone for days. Too long. She is exposed. The mother grieves as the queen shirks her duties. She was a fool to go alone. What if Aemond were to happen upon her? If you’d have acted when you had the chance, Aegon’s line would be extinguished. And Luke would be alive. Fly with me. It is a command.”
“‘The White Worm.’ I did not think you would flower a traitor. How long have you been selling secrets to Otto Hightower? Who sent you from King’s Landing in such disrepair, hm? You put Aegon on the throne. But you delivered him. ‘Business’ that ended with the theft of the queen’s throne and the murder of her son. What else do you know of him? His plans? Have her moved to the cells. She is to be treated as a traitor to the crown. What is it to you? Was it honor that made you stand by and watch as the Hightowers usurped the throne? You and your traitorous twin. I don’t care. Aegon was in your grasp. You should’ve killed him yourself.”
“Did you find what you needed? Your council stands at the ready, Your Grace. I will fly to Harrenhal at your command and set our toehold in the Riverlands.”
“In your years as a merchant of gossip, you surely accumulated spies within the Red Keep. Servants who knew the comings and goings. A transaction, then. Your knowledge in exchange for your freedom.”
“A tribute. Never gone for long. I’m told you bear a mislike for the Hightowers. The White Worm said you’re one of Aegon’s ratcatchers. You must be busy. That castle positively crawls with them now. Her ghost told me you were a betting man. Fighting pits? How deep are your debts? I was also given to understand that you possess a unique knowledge of the Red Keep. This is my friend. Tonight, he’s going to be your friend. You’re to find and slay the Prince Aemond Targaryen. He has silver hair and one eye. Should be easy enough to find. But I understand he’s quite good in a fight. You’ll want to take caution. That’s one half. You’ll get the other when it’s done.”
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
“I alone patrol over a hundred miles of open sea, endlessly, to hold the blockade. Meleys must gorge and rest, as must I. To what end? Was this the queen’s command? Or perhaps, more simply, to await her return. She is grieving. It was a raven who brought me news of Laena’s death. I existed for weeks in torment refusing to believe what I’d been told. It was only when I saw my daughter’s mortal remains that I could begin to mourn her. A raven has told Rhaenyra that her son is dead. She needs to know it for certain. Then I would pity Aemond. The queen was wise to recuse herself. She has not acted on the vengeful impulse that others might have. Would that you were the king.”
“Your Grace, my lord husband’s blockade of the Gullet moves into place. All seaborne travel and trade to King’s Landing will soon be cut off.”
Alicent Hightower
“There’s a chill in the air. Summer is well and truly through. We cannot. Again. Good day. My letters to Rhaenyra. Has there been any answer? Perhaps Your Grace might lend his voice to our outreach… …in hopes that new terms might be negotiated. Your Grace. Your Grace! There are important matters to discuss despite Sir Tyland’s interruptions. You do not have a seat at this council. Rhaenyra has dragons as well. If we lose the dragons to war, there’ll be no calling them back. We must proceed cautiously. And Vhagar is needed here to deter Rhaenyra from attacking in retribution for the death of her son.”
“Good morrow, Lord Larys. What is it you wish to discuss? And what of them? Give me that. Just leave me. Just leave me.”
“I shall tell you mine. It’s victory. Alyrie Florent. Viserys Targaryen. Lucerys Velaryon.”
“Helaena! What’s happened?”
King Aegon II
“Where is Jaeharys? And those are where? Taking him to the small council. He’ll be king one day. He must begin his instruction. Where is he? Don’t be. They’d be fools to come with Vhagar protecting the city. The queen is an enduring mystery, is she not?”
“Hello! Jaehaerys must learn the ways of the court if he is to rule one day. Up we go. Good morrow, my lords. Mother. What news? Cunts. Is the heir to the throne bothering you, Tyland? Because I think he wants a ride. A pony ride. Wouldn’t that be fun, Jaehaerys? Should the Master of Coin be your royal steed? Very well. No time for amusements, Tyland. Off you go, Jaehaerys. Good boy. Where were we? Well, we should’ve just killed her when we had the chance. Aemond is my closest blood and our best sword. I welcome him. The Riverlords will either declare for me or they will meet Vhagar and Sunfyre together. And we can burn the blockade while we’re at it. Mine are bigger. No. Fat, old Lord Tully will either raise my banner or see his burn. We should fly to Riverrun.”
“‘The Magnanimous?’ Let’s have the first petition, my good Lord Hand. It’s alright. There’s no reason to be nervous. What’s your name? Good morrow, Jerard. And how might your king be of service? We should return them. Well, you need your goats for the winter, don’t you? Sheep, even better. I shall make your flock of sheep whole. Right. Right. Perhaps we could just return his sheep. He came all this way. They won’t know. After further thought, I have decided that I cannot restore your sheep. If war were to break out, my dragons will require feed. Bring the next. Yeah, that treasonous blockade won’t last long. I plan to send Vhagar to burn it to ash. Bring the next. But? You shall be paid and paid well. My army cannot win a war without your weapons. You should continue their making. Our victory depends on the efforts of the smallfolk. I’ll hear the next petition.”
“Thank you, my lord. I am aware. How? Rhaenyra bending the knee and Aegon sitting the Iron Throne, in peace. As Viserys wished. Then be my ally. An ally would not repeatedly cut my legs from beneath me at that table of men! I sit there and I feel your anger. That’s not my fault. My sons both see you as the great example. The Hand to three kings. Aegon is ever-eager to prove himself and Aemond… Aemond is angry. Rhaenyra’s son took his eye and was never punished for it. What he did, however vicious– I could only hope. And Aegon still heeds me. In private, at least. But if you undermine my voice, both those boys will grow deaf to it. We only need to mind Aegon until the novelty of rule is spent. Once he tires of it, you and I can steer our cause to victory. I know it. But that does not mean it must be wanton.”
“I need to be a symbol for the smallfolk, as well as the nobility. My nephew’s already taken that one. I need to be both. My mother and grandsire mind me like some helpless duckling. My brother, at least, knows his place. He’s as loyal as a hound. I can set him and his dragon on my foes at will. I need a style that demonstrates power and commands respect. No one knows what ‘magnanimous’ means. I like that. Better. Yes, yes! Yeah, the untamable beast!”
Otto Hightower
“Our letters to the Vale and to the North continue to go unanswered. The Stormlands should be ours after Prince Aemond’s marriage pact to the Lady Floris Baratheon. I anticipate their sworn declaration. My nephew, Lord Ormund musters his forces to sally forth from Oldtown. They expect to march quickly meeting little resistance, until they reach the Riverlands. Rhaenyra’s blockade has placed King’s Landing under strain. All those pressures will multiply quickly. Regrettably, the opportunity for surprise has been lost and with it, the chance to end this conflict quickly. We must play the board before us. Errors were made in the hours following King Viserys’s death. We mustn’t compound them. You’ve already demonstrated your might, Your Grace. We must now favor patience and restraint. I send ravens by the hour. Many and more houses will declare for you in time. History and precedent will come to your side.”
“Your Grace. We already made a promise to all the Crownlands that a tithing of livestock would be necessary to sustain the dragons for their increased activity and, pray not, eventual fighting. If you return one herder’s sheep, Your Grace, you will soon find them all at the foot of your throne expecting the same. When the king speaks, Your Grace, all hear it.”
“Daughter. I requested an audience hours ago. There were many petitions. I find myself wondering, do we pursue the same end? I must admit, there are days where I myself can’t be sure. And how would you define ‘victory?’ Well, if that’s how you describe it, then we are aligned. I am. Frustration. These critical days since Viserys’s passing haven’t gone to plan. The caprice of youth. Aemond erred. But he is fiercely loyal. He wishes to please. I hadn’t seen it that way. A fine strategy, daughter. But you must accept the path to victory now is one of violence. No.”
“Return to your post, Lord Commander. I must have a word with the prince. It would concern me, grandson, if plans were being considered beyond the ears of your king and his Hand. You have a zeal to act. I understand. I was young once myself– you and Vhagar are the greatest single power in the realm. If it wasn’t obvious before, it certainly is now. But there are many pieces at play here some of which you can’t yet see. I promise you, Ameond, you will have all the vengeance that you seek but you must keep a grip on your impulses. We both know that your brother cannot.”
Ser Criston Cole
“We are expected at the small council, Your Grace. Yes, Your Grace. If you wouldn’t mind? You are the king, Your Grace. You must not put yourself at risk.”
“Well, mayhaps we could petition the king, privately, to send us out. Rosby and Stokeworth, small castles right in the shadow of King’s Landing. They would not want us for enemies. It is a canny scheme. ‘Tis inevitable. They must see that. Angry? She has a gentle heart. And Rhaenyra is a cunning spider. Long ago, she drew Alicent into her web, intoxicated her. It is not your mother’s fault. Lord Hand.”
Prince Aemond
“The king summoned me. Path to King’s Landing is through the Riverlands. We must establish a toehold there, at Harrenhal.”
“We’ve wasted precious days in this war of quills and ravens. Words are wind. You should be leading the van and I should be flying cover on Vhagar. No castle would dare to raise Rhaenyra’s banner against us. We would bring the whole of the Crownlands to heel in weeks. We could add their levies to our own. Our host growing as we advance. But moot. My brother is hostage to my grandsire and mother and they tell him that a way of dragons can yet be avoided. Otto fears to upset the order of things. And Alicent is simply… angry. She blames me for starting this war after she plotted with my father’s council to usurp his throne. ‘Her Grace’ speaks with two tongues. She holds love for our enemy. That makes her a fool. I only wish to serve my king and my house.”
King’s Landing
“Mind your posts! Keep your focus, men! Dragon! Dragon! Arm the scorpion! Arm the scorpion! Approaching from the southeast! Get around! Scorpion ready! Halt! Halt! Stand down, it’s Vhagar! Stand down! Standing down!”
“Attending his lessons. What do you need of him? What if he does not want to be king? The library. You must not interrupt his custom. I’m afraid. Not the dragons. The rats.”
“Your Grace. My brother is raising the strength of the West to mass at the Golden Tooth, but we– yeah, thank you, my prince. That’s very helpful. An apology for her dead son? None, Your Grace. Between that and their blockade of the Gullet, we must presume that the princess has refused the offered terms and that war is now inevitable. Stop! Enough! Release it at once! Would someone please? No. No, no, not in the least, Your Grace. A ride? Your Grace.”
“If we are to break the Sea Snake’s blockade we will need to bolster both the Lannister and Hightower navies. We do have need for a new Master of Ships. We could offer the title to the young Lord Dalton Greyjoy. Aemond. What is your business here?”
“Good morrow, Your Grace. I had come earlier to have a word before the small council convened, but your handmaiden said that you were indisposed. I have completed questioning the whole of the castle staff. They produced rather interesting details but I am satisfied I have exposed all who betrayed our trust. They no longer breathe our air. I have chosen your new staff personally.”
“Your Grace? All hail King Aegon! ‘Aegon the Magnanimous,’ Second of His Name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. Hail King Aegon! Good morrow, my– Your Grace. Gr– Jerard, Your Grace. ‘Tis my flock. A tenth of them taken by the Crown on, on the cusp of winter. If I’d had the time to plan– Your Grace? Sheep, Your Grace.”
“Salts always run scarce on the road to winter, Your Grace. We rely on ships from Essos for our supply. But now, with a blockade in place and war threatening– Hugh, Your Grace. The smiths are all proud to support Your Grace against Rhaenyra. But… iron costs have grown. A lone scorpion takes weeks to build. To put it simply, we are struggling. If we could but have the Crown’s coin before we started work, it would bring great relief. Not just to me, but to all the smiths serving your cause. You have my most sincere gratitude, Your Grace.”
“Your Grace, it filled my heart to see you on the Iron Throne. I was only a boy when Jaehaerys last graced the seat, but you brought forth memories of him, and you have such a deft touch with the smallfolk, just as your father did. I wonder, do you have a moment for a quiet word? It is the Hand’s wont to keep a firm grip on things. He controlled your father the same way. Viserys had a certain reputation as being pliable. I would think, as we find ourselves standing within a hair’s breadth of war, that you would wish to be viewed differently. Otto Hightower was your father’s Hand, Your Grace.”
“Prepare to be boarded! By the order of Lord Corlys Velaryon! Search the hold for stowaways! You. When last we met, there were two of you. Did you think I would wither in your absence? You speak of highborn games. I am common-born. As long as he had gold to pay for them. That was the Hightowers’ conspiracy. I merely profited from knowing Aegon’s movements. He would’ve returned home eventually for gold and for respite, as he always does. I simply, simply sped the business along. You only blame me because your true enemies are out of reach. My arrangement with the Hand was purely transactional. I held no loyalty to him. Certainly do not now. Otto Hightower was to me as I am to your noble ilk, fodder to be cast off. Little and less. I possess nothing of value to you, Daemon.”
“Forgive me, my prince, but the lady speaks the truth. She was no agent of the Hightowers. A matter of honor. No, my prince. I’m shamed by it. That’s why I abandoned the Kingsguard, and my brother, and came here. Arryk and I were named to the Kingsguard at just 8 and 10. And we swore the same oath: to defend the whole of the royal family. So what do we do when they turned against one another?”
“Scheme with someone else, Daemon. I was once in your thrall, but no longer.”
“Commander? Fuck the Hightowers. Keep walking. Don’t make trouble. I heard the White Worm were dead. Dogs, and bones. Maegor’s tunnels. Great big rat’s nest, it is. I know them better than the shape of my own cock. Alright. What if we can’t find him?”
“Alright. Take that. Bring the dog. Wait. You could always be ‘Aegon the Strong.’ Well, which would Your Grace prefer? It’s the king. To be loved or feared? Oh, well, you’re the king. Who gives a shit what they say? Keep your eyes down. You could be ‘Aegon the Generous’ then. That would charm the smallfolk. Is there more strong wine? ‘Aegon the Dragonheart.’ ‘Aegon the Dragoncock!'”
“How do we get upstairs? The royals live up there. Right. Well, it’s off limits, it is. Different group of ratcatchers work the upstairs. If we’re to kill a royal fucking prince, where do you think we’re gonna find him? I got you in the castle. I thought the rest was your bit. I could end you right here, take the rest of the gold meself. I know a way upstairs. I just don’t know my way ’round. Show me. Fuck off. This way. The royals live on this level. No one’s here. We need to keep looking. I’ve told ya, I’m not supposed to be up here. Did you not hear the prince? No head, no gold. Set a trap. For appearances. I’ll search the next room. For the rats. Quiet. Quiet. Stay still. Who the fuck is she? She’s the queen, she is. ‘A son for a son,’ he said. Well, does she look like a fucking son to you? Over there. We need to get our head and get out. They both look the same. Which one’s the boy? Maybe that one. Well, look for a cock. The mother knows. Do anything but what I ask, and I’ll bleed the whole lot of ya. Which? I have a necklace. It’s of great value. That’s not a son. Wait. It’s the other one. She’s not gonna give up the king’s heir that easy. No. She’s telling true. Hold him down. No. They killed the boy.”
Winterfell
“Duty is sacrifice. It eclipses all things, even blood. All men of honor must pay its price. The North owes a great duty to the Seven Kingdoms. One older than any oath. Since the days of the First Men, we have stood as guardians against the cold and the dark. Through it’s long tradition, the Night’s Watch cultivated its strength from doomed men who had their life as their only possession. But my ancestor, Torrhen Stark, began a tradition by making an offering at the onset of winter: one in 10 men from our household was to be chosen to fortify the Watch. This is not a sentence but an honor. A duty embraced by all who serve the North. Even by mine own kin. The North must stand ready. Winter is coming.”
“My prince. My lord. My lord. M’lord. My lord? A raven’s arrived. Urgent news from Dragonstone.”
The Seasnake
“It’s a marvel she was able to return from the Stepstones at all. I must have my ship back at sea to lead the effort. I had this commissioned for Prince Lucerys. They tell me that you are the one that dragged my body out of the sea. I am indebted to you, Alyn.”
The South
“M’lord. Barely done, but done. Seven more ships put out to sea this morn’ to fortify the blockade. The Gullet is vast, and we’re not like to have the numbers to cover all that open water. It’ll be many weeks yet, I’d wager. I’ll have a word with my brother to see what reinforcements the shipwrights can muster. The smithy delivered this earlier. M’lord? I was very sorry to hear about your heir’s death. ‘Twas the blackest of treacheries. Pardon, m’lord, it it’ll please you, much to do. It was only my duty.”
Dragonstone
“It’s a dragon wing! Let’s have a look. It’s a wing. Who cares what it is. Dragon!”
“Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.”
Cregan Stark
“This is only a late summer snow, my prince. In winter, it will cover all you see, and all memories of warmth will be forgotten. You, at least, had the mercy not to threaten with your dragon. You are right in that. Starks do not forget their oaths, my prince. But you must know that my gaze is forever torn between north and south. In Winter, my duty to the Wall is even more dire than the one I owe to King’s Landing. I need my men here. My father brought King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne to see the Wall. His Grace stood at this very outlook and watched as their dragons, the greatest power in the world, refused to cross it. Do you think my ancestors built a 700-foot wall of ice to keep out snow and savages? Death. I have thousands of graybeards who’ve already seen too many winters. They are… well-honed. I can ready them to march at once. They will fight hard. Like Northerners.”
Prince Valeryon
“Coming? What is this, then, that falls from the skies and shivers my bones? It pleases me to think that over a century ago our ancestors treated in this very place. The Conqueror and the King in the North. Surely the great Torrhen Stark would’ve sooner died than bent the knee. Unless he believed the Conqueror could bring unity to the Seven Kingdoms. That unity is now threatened. The realm will soon tear itself apart… if men do not remember the oath sworn to King Viserys and to his rightful heir. Whilst your men guard against wildlings and weather, the Hightowers plan to usurp the throne. If my mother is to defend her claim to hold the realm united, she needs an army. War is coming to the whole of the realm, my lord. We cannot wage it without the support of the North. What does it keep out? So they’re old? If your graybeards can fight, the queen will have them.”
“Your Grace. Lady Jeyne Arryn has pledged her support in exchange for a dragon to guard the Vale. And Lord Cregan Stark has promised 2,000 men–“
