Top 10 Things to Remember Before Watching House Of The Dragon Season 2
#10: The Greens
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First of all, it’s important to remember the major factions, beginning with the Greens. The currently crowned king in King’s Landing is Aegon Targaryen II. The slimeball’s biggest supporters include his immediate family, such as his mother (Dowager Queen Alicent) and his grandfather (Otto Hightower). Then there are siblings like his sister/wife, Helaena, and his fearsome brother, Aemond One-Eye. Criston Cole, the Lord-Commander of the Kingsguard, is another close supporter as is Larys Strong, noted torturer and spymaster. The Greens also have considerable support from major houses, including Houses Lannister, Baratheon, Strong, and of course Hightower. Going into Season 2, the Greens have the edge in manpower and among the people, since Aegon sits on the Iron Throne.
#9: The Blacks
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Opposing the Greens is a faction led by Queen Rhaenyra, Aegon’s elder half-sister, called the Blacks. Rhaenyra may not reign from the throne, but she has both the late King Viserys’ blessing and his crown. Her biggest supporters include her husband/uncle Daemon, as well as his daughters, Baela and Rhaena. The girls’ grandparents, Lord Corlys Velaryon, a mighty admiral, and Princess Rhaenys, an experienced dragonrider, are also major players. Additionally, Rhaenyra’s heir, and eldest son, Jacaerys Velaryon, whose parentage is… contested. Unfortunately, the Blacks enjoy less support among the major houses. However, while they have other advantages, more on that later, they’re hoping to drum up support.
#8: Familiar Houses
For as much as “House of the Dragon” feels familiar to fans of “Game of Thrones,” some of the major families from the original series have been notably absent thus far. Easily the most notable of these is House Stark. In recruiting allies to their side, neither the Greens nor the Blacks can ignore the Lord of Winterfell. Additionally, other major houses like the Tyrells, the Arryns, and the Tullys remain undeclared for either side, so far. Plus, who knows what perpetual wildcards like the Ironborn will do! How many of them we’ll see in Season 2 is still unknown, but we look forward to seeing them, and their familiar locations, again.
#7: Helaena’s Prophecies
Helaena is overshadowed by her brothers, Aemond and Aegon in Season 1 of “House of the Dragon.” However, given her soft-spokenness and odd behavior, that’s understandable. But just because she’s odd, doesn’t mean Helaena isn’t worth paying attention to. Several of the seemingly random things that Helaena says are actually portents of future events. During Season 1, she predicts Aemond losing an eye and gaining a dragon, as well as the factions’ names of Green and Black. Helaena’s “Beast Beneath the Boards” may also refer to Rhaenys erupting from beneath her brother/husband’s coronation. So, while her family may pay her no mind, the audience should definitely listen to whatever Helaena says in Season 2!
#6: Alicent’s 3rd Son
Helaena’s not the only one of Alicent’s children to be overlooked! Now we can all hear you saying, “Alicent has a fourth child? Did we miss something?” Yes, technically, but so did the show. Alicent’s youngest son with King Viserys is named Daeron Targaryen. In the books, the boy is sent to Oldtown to serve as cupbearer to Alicent’s uncle Hobert, the Lord Hightower. Although Hobert is now dead, Daeron presumably still serves there. According to George R. R. Martin, Daeron is canon to the TV series. While there’s no word on if Daeron will appear in Season 2, it’s good to keep him in mind - particularly if anything should happen to his brothers.
#5: A Twin on Both Sides
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The coming war has divided more families than just the Targaryens. Arryk and Erryk Cargyll are twins who both served on the Kingsguard under King Viserys. However, Erryk becomes disillusioned with the idea of serving Aegon, as he is disgusted by the hedonistic and cruel would-be king. Instead, he frees Rhaenys and takes the crown of Viserys to Rhaenyra, joining her Queensguard. With each twin on different sides, a face-off between them seems inevitable. Also, the fact that both monarchs are served by identical guards could lead to some dangerous schemes.
#4: The Song of Ice & Fire
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In the series premiere of “House of the Dragon,” King Viserys explains to Rhaenyra that the first Targaryen king of Westeros, Aegon the Conqueror, had a dream. In that dream, he foresaw that a great threat would come from the North. While his dream and the dagger it’s inscribed on are relevant in “Game of Thrones,” it’s also been important in “House of the Dragon.” Rhaenyra and Viserys’ discussion of the Song of Ice and Fire partially acts as the source of Alicent’s decision to put her son on the throne instead of Rhaenyra, due to a misunderstanding in Viserys’ final moments. Whether the song is sung again during “HOTD,” or its words are forgotten by the characters, it’s crucial that we remember its significance.
#3: Wild & Unclaimed Dragons
As we alluded to previously, while the Blacks may not have manpower in this war, they are currently ahead in another way - dragon power. As Daemon points out, finding riders for the wild dragons and the dragons whose riders are deceased will be paramount to the Blacks’ war effort. While most of the noble characters with Targaryen blood have dragons, not all of them do. Even so, that still leaves a few dragons in need of riders. And since Targaryens, like other Houses, aren’t always known for their fidelity… well, the Blacks know who to recruit.
#2: The Queens’ Friendship
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Despite all the animosity and mutual bad blood between them, Alicent and Rhaenyra were friends as young women. They were as close friends as could be since their fathers worked so closely together. Tragically, through misunderstandings, lies, and Alicent becoming Rhaenyra’s stepmother, the two grow to hate each other. The two Queens do attempt to reconcile as adults, for the sake of their children and for their past friendship. Alicent even reminds Rhaenyra of a childhood memory, hoping to avert any war between them. However, after the death of Lucerys, we doubt that Rhaenyra is feeling as forgiving now. Still, who knows?
#1: There Will Be Fire & Blood
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The Targaryen house words are “fire and blood,” and there will certainly be a lot of both going forward! Dragons are essentially flying, intelligent siege weapons, and they’re the greatest power in Westeros. While there are strategies that can be used against them, if armies are caught unprepared, they’re toast. Additionally, dragons will fight dragons in the coming conflict. While we’ve gotten a taste of aerial combat, we’re sure to see much more of it in the future. The war in “House of the Dragon” is among the most pivotal events in the history of Westeros - and they don’t call it “the Dance of Dragons” for nothing! Is there something from “House of the Dragon”’s first season we forgot to mention? Remind us in the comments!