The highly-anticipated second season of House of the Dragon is set to debut on HBO, two years after its successful first season. Critics are raving about the new season, with a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Serving as a prequel to Game of Thrones, the epic fantasy series is set centuries before the events of the original show. The first season centered on the young Rhaenyra Targaryen and her friend Alicent Hightower, with a time jump introducing their adult counterparts, played by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, respectively.
The story of House of the Dragon revolves around the succession of the Iron Throne and the conflict between the Targaryens and the Hightowers, known as “Team Black” and “Team Green.” The first season ended with a shocking death, setting the stage for the civil war to come.
Critics have praised the show’s gripping storytelling and monumental action. Empire‘s Dan Jolin commended showrunner Ryan Condal for streamlining the show and focusing on the world beyond the highborn Targaryen court. The new season introduces characters from Winterfell and other “smallfolk” living under the rule of the House of the Dragon.
The Telegraph‘s Ed Power described the second season as a “soaring, roaring blockbuster.” While some critics worried that the show would focus solely on upping the action stakes, Uproxx‘s Josh Kurp noted that the writers understand the importance of using dragons as an off-screen threat.
However, not all reviews were positive. Rolling Stone‘s Alan Sepinwall felt that the second season repeated the same thrills and mistakes as the first, with TV Guide‘s Liam Matthews adding that it felt less like a major event compared to Game of Thrones.
Nonetheless, with its impressive production value and engaging narrative, House of the Dragon continues to captivate audiences and critics alike.
House of the Dragon returns for its highly-anticipated second season
The fantasy series is set centuries before Game of Thrones, in a world of political intrigue and dragon-filled battles.
As the second season unfolds, fans can expect more political intrigue, epic battles, and the ongoing struggle for power in the world of House of the Dragon.