House of the Dragon, the prequel to the critically acclaimed Game of Thrones, proved to be a sensation with its constant writing, stunning character growth, and a nuanced method at sustaining the brutal vibe that made Recreation of Thrones well-known. As recommended by the title, the sequence follows the Targaryen household, which followers of the unique sequence would know misplaced management of Westeros a number of generations later.
With the latest premiere of the Season 2 finale, it is price trying again on the present’s finest episodes as ranked by IMDb, to see what followers and critics liked probably the most about it. Whereas Home of the Dragon would not attain the identical emotional heights as Recreation of Thrones, the present nonetheless has some superb stand-out moments due to its fascinating characters and iconic dragons.
House of the Dragon
- Launch Date
- August 21, 2022
- Creator
- Ryan J. Condal, George R.R. Martin
- Seasons
- 4
- Distributor
- HBO
15 “The Burning Mill” (Season 2, Episode 3)
IMDb Ranking: 7.7/10
Tensions rise within the Riverlands because the houses of Blackwood and Bracken use the succession disaster to re-ignite their historical feud, and Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) captures the ruined citadel of Harrenhal to rally a military. The brand new Hand of the King, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), decides to take motion and prepares to assault the lords of the Crownlands, who declared for Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). In the meantime, Rhaenyra hopes the conflict might be averted and makes an attempt to talk along with her previous buddy, Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke).
“The Burning Mill” is an episode that builds up the risky state of Westeros and reveals how little energy the individuals in cost have over issues. It demonstrates how conflicts can develop past the scope of the individuals who initiated them, whereas new characters like Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) and Simon Robust (Sir Simon Russell Beale), provide new perception into the storylines of Cole and Daemon’s tales. Whereas very contrived, the ending between Rhaenyra and Alicent offers second of realization between the 2 when Alicent realizes that her rationalization for the conflict was based mostly on a misunderstanding. – Tyler B. Searle
14 “The Princess and the Queen” (Season 1, Episode 6)
IMDb Ranking: 8.0/10
A decade after episode 5, King Viserys (Paddy Considine), having survived his collapse, is now the daddy of three kids with Alicent Hightower. Princess Rhaenyra provides beginning to a different youngster, sparking hypothesis about parentage, with whispers suggesting Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan) isn’t the daddy. In the meantime, Daemon is married to the pregnant Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell), dwelling in Pentos with their two kids, and going through an intriguing provide.
The shift from youthful to mature characters over a decade is seamless, leaving viewers with little confusion about identities, due to the distinctive efforts of the casting division. As the primary 10-minute one-take scene focuses on Rhaenyra, followers observe the decade-long evolution of her relationship along with her stepmother and former finest buddy. The ability dynamics are uncovered, unveiling the strategic strikes every has made of their intricate recreation. Moreover, akin to different episodes within the season, this episode makes an attempt to cram as a lot info as attainable to bridge the 10-year hole, and it succeeds on this endeavor. Nonetheless, it leaves many followers dissatisfied as a number of desired moments happen off-screen.
13 “Rhaenyra the Merciless” (Season 2, Episode 2)
IMDb Ranking: 8.3/10
Following the assassination of his son, Prince Jaehaerys, King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) is livid and calls for blood. Whereas his Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), arranges a royal procession guilty Rhaenyra for the tragedy, Ser Criston sends Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor) to Dragonstone to assassinate Rhaenyra. In the meantime, Rhaenyra confronts Daemon about how his actions have damage his place.
“Rhaenyra the Merciless” has a number of the most emotionally charged moments in Season 2. This results in quite a few nice arguments, comparable to Rhaenyra chastising Daemon and Otto calling out Aegon’s impulsive actions, which permit the forged to let unfastened and showcase their performing abilities. Then there’s the battle between Arryk and his twin, Ser Erryk (Elliot Tittensor), which is a tragic illustration of the self-destructive nature of the civil conflict. – Tyler B. Searle
12 “A Son for a Son” (Season 2, Episode 1)
IMDb Ranking: 8.3/10
Following the loss of life of Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault), Rhaenyra is distraught, which leaves her council paralyzed and unable to conduct the conflict in her identify. When she calls for revenge on Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) for killing her son, Daemon wastes no time utilizing his former mistress, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) to rearrange for some assassins to sneak into the Crimson Hold. In the meantime, her eldest son, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), acquires the loyalty of nice homes, and Aegon settles into his new position as king.
“A Son for a Son” would not open with an epic battle, as an alternative dwelling on the ache and consequences of HotD Season 1’s finale. Rhaenyra’s scenes are significantly robust: D’arcy solely has one line in the entire episode, but manages to attract viewers into her grief via non-verbal performing and stellar facial expressions. It ends in a really grisly vogue because the assassins, unable to search out Aemond, accept Aegon’s younger son, reducing off his head in entrance of his mom. – Tyler B. Searle
11 “The Rogue Prince” (Season 1, Episode 2)
IMDb Ranking: 8.3/10
“The Rogue Prince” resumes about six months after the primary episode’s conclusion, with the eponymous rogue prince, Daemon, now illegally stationed on Dragonstone, with a pilfered dragon egg in tow. In the meantime, Prince-Admiral Craghas Drahar (Daniel Scott-Smith), main the Triarchy launches an assault on Westerosi vessels within the Stepstones area together with his pirate fleet. Viserys declines to interact, aiming to keep away from overt battle with Essos, and as an alternative, heeding recommendation to make sure succession via strategic marriages.
Quite a few parallels exist between Recreation of Thrones and Home of the Dragon characters, like Otto Hightower and Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance), or King Viserys and Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy). The episode highlights the evident Targaryen home dynamic, with Viserys continuously sidelining important issues in favor of pursuing a partner. It additionally showcases Rhaenyra’s (Milly Alcock) competence in managing her uncle and different affairs after being neglected by the lads on the council.
10 “King of the Slender Sea” (Season 1, Episode 4)
IMDb Ranking: 8.4/10
Following an unsuccessful months-long journey to pick a consort, Rhaenyra comes again to King’s Touchdown. In the meantime, Daemon, having conquered a good portion of the Stepstones, returns because the newly titular title. Daemon pledges allegiance to Viserys and relinquishes his crown. Daemon efficiently seduces Rhaenyra, however attributable to bodily limitations, he leaves her unfulfilled. Upon returning to the Crimson Hold, Rhaenyra leverages her place to govern Ser Criston right into a sexual encounter.
Whereas intercourse has been distinguished in Recreation of Thrones, Home of the Dragon introduces it on this episode, paying off the tension built between Daemon and Rhaenyra for the reason that first episode. It additionally demonstrates the showrunner’s skill to movie intimate scenes with out overly sexualizing feminine characters but obtain the supposed impression nonetheless. Whereas primarily centered on Rhaenyra’s sexual awakening, the episode additionally reveals a softer facet to Otto Hightower, highlighting his real concern for the King regardless of his complexities.
9 “The Inexperienced Council” (Season 1, Episode 9)
IMDb Ranking: 8.7/10
Connecting the late king Viserys’s closing phrases, “The Track of Ice and Hearth,” to her son Aegon, Queen Alicent orchestrates a posh political maneuver in King’s Touchdown to safe the coronation of her eldest youngster. Regardless of going through quite a few challenges, the Hand, the queen, and their allies triumphantly declare Aegon II as the following king. In the meantime, Princess Rhaenys (Eve Finest), rejecting her allegiance to Aegon, is captured. Nonetheless, on the closing second, she escaped on the again of her dragon, Meleys.
“The Inexperienced Council” is a densely packed episode, centering solely on a subset of Home of the Dragon characters confined inside a comparatively small house, grappling with a weighty determination. It highlights how the destiny of the Seven Kingdoms is on the point of being completely consumed by what quantities to primarily a household dispute. It additionally reveals greater than any earlier episode the folly inherent on this energy battle. The episode additionally satirizes the facility recreation by compelling somebody who has no want to be king, regardless of repeatedly emphasizing his incompetence all through the episode.
8 “Second of His Title” (Season 1, Episode 3)
IMDb Ranking: 8.7/10
For 3 years, Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) and Prince Daemon have waged conflict in opposition to the Crabfeeder and his forces within the Stepstones with out the backing of the Iron Throne. In the meantime, King Viserys orchestrates a grand hunt to commemorate the second birthday of his son Aegon, born to the pregnant Queen Alicent (Emily Carey). The ailing king insists that seventeen-year-old Rhaenyra should enter into matrimony to forge a potent alliance and safeguard their lineage.
“Second of His Title” primarily serves to showcase Viserys’ ineptitude as a ruler , whether or not with the perilous state of affairs of the conflict within the Stepstones, the place Corlys and Daemon are faring poorly, or to decide on a suitor for his daughter. The episode attracts parallels between Daemon and Rhaenyra as they wage their particular person battles with their home’s phrases, “fireplace and blood,” on the forefront. Within the closing act, Daemon steals each scene with out uttering a single phrase, offering among the best “present, do not inform” examples within the sequence.
7 “The Heirs of the Dragon” (Season 1, Episode 1)
IMDb Ranking: 8.7/10
After 9 years on the throne, King Viserys arranges a match to honor Queen Aemma Arryn’s (Sian Brooke) being pregnant, believing it to be the awaited male inheritor. Regardless of Lord Corlys Velaryon’s warning concerning the Triarchy’s risk to Westeros transport lanes, the Small Council dismisses the warning. Through the match, the ordinary-born and charismatic Ser Criston Cole outshines Daemon. Concurrently, Viserys, in a tragic flip, sacrifices Aemma in childbirth in opposition to her pleas, choosing a C-section. Sadly, their new child son, Baelon, passes away shortly thereafter.
“The Inheritor of the Dragon” brings viewers again with a visceral Recreation of Thrones-style scene that includes a brutal c-section, leaving followers breathless and in shock. In a brief period of time for a TV episode, the primary installment already efficiently establishes a stable basis, permitting viewers to understand the reign they’re getting into and acquire perception into every character’s character.
6 “We Gentle the Means” (Season 1, Episode 5)
IMDb Ranking: 8.8/10
Within the Vale, Daemon perpetrates the homicide of his spouse, Woman Rhea Royce (Rachel Redford). Earlier than leaving King’s Touchdown, Ser Otto cautions Queen Alicent that Rhaenyra’s ascent to the throne poses a risk to Alicent’s kids, as they share the king’s lineage. Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon’s (Theo Nate) betrothal eases Lord Corlys’ considerations. Throughout their betrothal celebration, Alicent disrupts Viserys’ speech, clad in a inexperienced robe, signaling Home Hightower’s name to arms. In a misunderstanding, Criston, fearing blackmail, ruthlessly kills Joffrey (Solly McLeod), Laenor’s lover, devastating Laenor and stunning the visitors.
“We Gentle the Means” illustrates the turning level inAlicent and Rhaenyra’s friendship , revealing how declaring allegiance to Alicent was a decisive selection. Furthermore, it introduces one other participant within the energy recreation, one paying homage to characters like Little Finger or Varys in Recreation of Thrones. Furthermore, because the episode concludes earlier than a major time soar, it feels rushed in making an attempt to neatly tie up all of the unfastened ends.
5 “The Crimson Sowing” (Season 2, Episode 7)
IMDb Ranking: 9.0/10
When Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) bonds with the dragon Seasmoke, Rhaenyra expands her listing of potential dragon riders to lowborns born with Targaryen blood. Rallying as many as she will be able to to Dragonstone, together with a blacksmith named Hugh (Kieran Bew) and a drunk named Ulf (Tom Bennett), she introduces them to Vermithor, the Bronze Fury, with disastrous outcomes. In the meantime, Alicent retreats into the woods, whereas Daemon is compelled to humble himself earlier than the River Lords and their new lord, Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes).
After spending a complete season on the again foot, “The Crimson Sowing” sees the steadiness of energy shift towards the Blacks. The third act is among the finest from each Home of the Dragon and Recreation of Thrones:thedragons Vermithor and Silverwing convey the correct quantity of splendor and energy for creatures of their dimension, and the scene of Vermithor decimating the dragonseeds is among the present’s most brutal moments. The Harrenhal plotline can also be very good, reinforcing that Daemon can not rule via concern alone, which causes him to query whether or not he actually desires the crown. – Tyler B. Searle
4 “Driftmark” (Season 1, Episode 7)
IMDb Ranking: 9.1/10
King Viserys and his court docket collect for Woman Laena’s funeral on Driftmark. Rhaenyra and Daemon share an intimate reunion. In the meantime, Prince Aemond (Leo Ashton) asserts his declare to Vhagar, resulting in a confrontation together with his relations. Lucerys (Harvey Sadler), within the scuffle, slashes Aemond’s eye with a knife. Ser Qarl (Arty Froushan) seemingly kills Laenor, leaving Rhaenys and Corlys devastated, pondering their son is useless. Daemon and Rhaenyra privately wed within the historical Valyrian Dragonlord custom to proceed the Targaryen bloodline. Unbeknownst to all, Laenor fakes his loss of life and escapes Driftmark with Qarl.
The episode is a rollercoaster, commencing with a funeral and concluding with a marriage – two points from the Outdated Valyria that followers have seldom witnessed. “Driftmark” additionally highlights the showrunner’s adeptness in dealing with the supply materials by offering a extra satisfying conclusion and rationalization for the unfastened particulars from the ebook. Moreover, it marks Rhaenyra’s preliminary stride in formally asserting her energy and actively participating within the recreation of politics.
3 “The Black Queen” (Season 1, Episode 10)
IMDb Ranking: 9.3/10
Princess Rhaenys arrives at Dragonstone to declare King Viserys’s demise and Prince Aegon’s ascent to the throne which stuns Rhaenyra, resulting in a untimely stillbirth. Daemon urges Rhaenyra to go to conflict. In the meantime, Otto Hightower outlines King Aegon II’s phrases for Rhaenyra’s give up. Princes Jacaerys and Lucerys are dispatched as envoys to safe alliances with Homes Arryn, Stark, and Baratheon. Lucerys encounters Prince Aemond, and as he departs on his dragon, Arrax, Aemond pursues him on Vhagar. The rebellious dragons defy their riders, resulting in Vhagar subsequently devouring each Lucerys and Arrax, leaving Aemond surprised. Rhaenyra is devastated and enraged upon receiving the information.
“The Black Queen” is crammed with each exceptional and tragic occasions.Emma D’Arcy’s outstanding acting during childbirth stands out, underscoring the burdens confronted by feminine rulers. The episode concludes with a poignant tragedy for younger Prince Lucerys and marks the tip of the peaceable period for the Home of the Dragon because the Dance of the Dragons commences.
2 “The Lord of the Tides” (Season 1, Episode 8)
IMDb Ranking: 9.3/10
Six years after the earlier episode’s occasions, Lord Corlys Velaryon sustains extreme accidents within the Stepstones. His brother, Ser Vaemond (Wil Johnson), pleads with King’s Touchdown to designate him as Corlys’ inheritor, asserting the illegitimacy of Rhaenyra’s son, Lucerys. Bedridden, disfigured, and mentally impaired, King Viserys’ reign is overseen by Queen Alicent and her father. Throughout Vaemond’s petition at court docket, the ailing king enters, barely in a position to stroll, and proclaims Lucerys because the inheritor to Driftmark. Daemon ruthlessly beheads Vaemond for denouncing Rhaenyra and her kids as bastards.
The episode options one of many present’s finest scenes, highlighting Considine’s superb acting as he portrays a father and grandfather giving help to his dearest household whereas showing virtually lifeless himself. “The Lord of the Tides” additionally consists of a number of tender, and virtually reconciling, moments between childhood finest associates earlier than the storm hits and the kids are thrust into turmoil. It additionally serves as a reminder of why Daemon is beloved, showcasing his ruthless but spectacular protection of his spouse and her kids.
1 “The Crimson Dragon and the Gold” (Season 2, Episode 4)
IMDb Ranking: 9.5/10
One after the other, the lords of the Crownlands are defeated by Ser Criston and his military, till solely Lord Simon Staunton (Michael Elwyn) of Rook’s Relaxation stays. Since Daemon continues to be at Harrenhal, and Rhaenyra is just too essential to threat, it is determined that Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys, will fly to Lord Staunton’s assist. In the meantime, Aegon is rising more and more pissed off that his councillors do not respect him as king, and decides to show himself.
Whereas the buildup is filled with stellar character moments, particularly from Aegon, the standout second of “The Crimson Dragon and the Gold” is The Battle of Rook’s Rest. It’s a bloody and brutal affair, with males being burned alive and crushed underfoot because the dragons conflict within the skies. It provides the characters and audiences a style of what’s to come back ought to the dragons be totally unleashed. Past the gorgeous dragon clashes, the human characters shine in moments like Aemond turning on his brother, Criston risking his life to rescue his king, and Rhaenys selecting to combat to the bitter finish. – Tyler B. Searle