Spoilers: House of the Dragon Season OneHouse of the Dragonleft viewers with quite an ending to its initial season, which saw the death of Lucerys Valyrian (Elliot Grihault) and his dragon, Arrax, in a fairly dramatic fashion. While leaving Storm’s End, home to House Baratheon, he’s followed and taunted by his bully of an uncle, Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell). Ultimately Aemond’s dragon, Vhagar takes matters into his own claws, murdering both Lucerys and Arrax. Aemond is clearly shocked by the occurrence, but such a death, purposeful or not, will surely set in motion the bloody civil war likely to unfold throughout the upcoming season.
The theme of the show’s sophomore season will surely be spiteful revenge followed by a very violent and bloody war throughout the Realm. Thewheels of warare now in full motion following the hastily crowned Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) declaring himself as King following the death of his father, Viserys (Paddy Considine). Subsequently, vengeance will be all but solidified following Lucerys’s death. Accident or not, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and her allies are sure to respond in kind to such a tragedy. In fact, it’s practically a guarantee that Daemon will be leading the pack in their plan for revenge.
It’s been noted thatHouse of the Dragonhas followed the books written by George R. R. Martin more so than its predecessor,Game of Thrones. So, given its source material, there’s a narrow path the upcoming season of the series is likely to follow.
Blood and Cheese
Fans of the book will understand what it means to reference “Blood and Cheese” in relation toHouse of the Dragon. They already know what lies ahead for the Targaryens and are sure to see the reference come to fruition next season. Coined for two specific characters who seek revenge on Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) for the death of Rhaenyra’s son, season two could see such an event play out on screen. Writers of the show have hinted at such a storyline and have confirmed the upcoming season will not leave audiences wanting for me.
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Much like the events leading up to the Red Wedding inGame of Thrones, the same kind of groundwork has been laid inHouse of the Dragon. Audiences saw how Alicent responded in the first season when Aemond lost his eye after taking Vhagar as his dragon, which resulted in a fight between him and Rhaenyra’s sons and step-daughters/cousins. To no avail, Alicent demanded an eye from one of Rhaenyra’s sons, but in the process managed to slice Rhaenyra’s arm instead, leaving quite a scar.
The concept of an “eye for an eye” is all but guaranteed to translate into a “son for a son.” Viewers can expect to see one of Queen Alicent’s sons meet the same fate as Lucerys and his untimely death. Furthermore, it’s safe to assume that such a death will not come quickly or painlessly. Blood will surely spill, and true to form, the deaths in the following season will be personal and extremely gruesome much like that of the Red Wedding.
All Out War
If there’s anything viewers can count on seeing in the upcoming season ofHouse of the Dragon, it’s that of war throughout the Realm. Following the finale of the first season, it’s highly unlikely Rhaenyra will be able to keep the Seven Kingdoms united nor will she work as hard to keep them together. All bets are off following her son’s death, and the promise she made to her father is no longer worth keeping.
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Alliances are likely to solidify as war will most definitely reign throughout the Realm. The Starks are sure to become more involved in the second season as Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), Rhaenyra’s heir to the throne, was sent to Winterfell to secure their alliance. He’ll surely succeed given how much fans love House Stark, which will likely be the only positive aspect to come out of the second season.
Whatever vengeance looks like following Lucerys’s demise, those loyal to Alicent and her son, King Aegon, are sure to classify any act of retaliation toward them as nothing more than an act of war. Thebattle lineshave been drawn after all, and crossing them in any way means violence in the Realm. As a result, the Targaryen Civil War will surely bleed onto the streets throughout all of Westeros leaving little more than all-out destruction in its wake.
The initial season ofHouse of the Dragonlaid down a strong foundation for upcoming episodes in the second season. Unfortunately, viewers will likely have to wait until 2024 to watch the Targaryen Civil War take shape throughout the Seven Kingdoms. In the meantime, stream the entire first season ofHouse of theDragonright now on HBO Max.
