The first episode of House of the Dragon Season 2 has finally premiered on Max, and a treasure trove of information was revealed. To sort it all out, we have an Episode 1 recap below with heavy spoilers on what happened, so if you haven’t watched it yet, you have been warned. This Season 2 opener follows directly from the events in the Season 1 finale, with the war between the Hightowers (or “The Greens”) and Princess Rhaenyra now escalating. Much blood will be spilt throughout the season, and neither side will left unscathed in this Dance of the Dragon. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Season 2 Episode 1 of House of the Dragon.
What happens in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1?
The first episode of House of the Dragon Season 2 continues right after the Season 1 finale, specifically the murder of Prince Lucerys Valeryon, nicknamed Luke, and his dragon Arrax by Aemond and his larger dragon Vhagar. Now that first blood has been drawn, any offers of peace in this civil war have fallen on deaf ears. The episode ends with a ruthless assassination in King’s Landing. The following is a synopsis of what happens in the Season 2 premiere:
- Lord Cregan Stark of Winterfell narrates to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, also known as Jace, about the duty of the North as they survey the top of the Wall among other members of the Night’s Watch. He explains a tradition by Torrhen Stark of men in Winterfell drawing stones from a bag to see who is sent to the Wall to fortify it against “death,” something so terrible that in the past Targaryen dragons dare not pass the boundaries of the Wall. While he can’t pledge many soldiers in support of Rhaenyra, he still sends 2000 troops to the cause, greybeards who are old but experienced, in keeping with the oath he swore to her as Viserys’s named heir. They receive a raven with news of Luke’s murder.
- Rhaenys arrives at Dragonstone upon her dragon Meleys after patrolling the Gullet as part of the blockade. Daemon wants her to join him in killing Aemond, a “son for a son” (which is the title of the episode). Daemon tries to command her to join, but she ignores it as it is not Rhaenyra’s order. She does explain to him that the queen’s absence is due to her not yet seeing evidence of Luke’s passing. We cut to a scene where Rhaenyra looks upon the sea in sadness.
- Lord Corlys, after suffering an injury in season one, inspects the repairs to his ship in Driftmark. It will take about two weeks before it will be ready to sail. He thanks Alyn for saving him from the watery depths.
- As Aemond and Vhagar return to King’s Landing, King Aegon searches for their newborn Prince Jaehaerys to take him to the small council. His wife Helaena meekly tries to prevent this and says it is because she fears “the rats,” an omen of what comes later in the episode.
- Queen Alicent and Ser Criston Cole have intimate relations, though she says that they can’t do this again. (It probably will.)
- After seeing a nameless ratcatcher in the small council chamber (this will be important later), the Hightowers discuss their forces. So far, they have the Lannisters, Baratheons, and Oldtown. Letters to the North, the Vale, and Dragonstone have gone unanswered. While Aegon and Aemond want to use dragons to destroy the blockade and force Lord Tully of Riverrun to their side, Otto and Alicent advise patient and restraint. Either way, Aemond wants to establish a foothold in Harrenhal.
- Larys Strong meets Alicent in a hallway and says he has disposed of castle staff that are disloyal to their cause.
- Rhaenyra spots fisherman catching a dragon wing in their nets. She arrives with her dragon Syrax and rummages through the catch. She finds Luke’s clothing and weeps.
- Aegon hears various petitions concerning sheep, salt, and weapons, with tithes and rising prices impacting the commonfolk of King’s Landing. Otto steps in where he can to sway the king’s judgments, brewing tension between the Hand and the King.
- Alicent questions Otto in her chambers about whether their interests are aligned. Victory to her is having Rhaenyra bending the knee and Aegon sitting on the Iron Throne, though she feels that Otto undermines her on the small council. Otto reminds her that victory will require violence.
- Erryk Cargyll, who has flipped on Aegin and acts as a Queensguard for Rhaenyra, searches various ships and finds the “White Worm” Mysaria. She is interrogated by her former lover Daemon and admits to selling information to Otto, though she says the relationship was purely transactional. He also questions Erryk’s loyalties, but he tells Daemon that being a Kingsguard is nigh impossible when royalty fights each other.
- Rhaenyra returns and has an extremely short meeting at the war table. Daemon wants to fly to Harrenhal (upcoming battle with Aemond?), but Rhaenyra remains largely silent and angry. All she wants is Aemond Targaryen dead. To this end, Daemon speaks with Mysaria again in her cell and gains information about her former network in King’s Landing. Meanwhile, Alicent says a prayer to the fallen and includes Luke at the end.
- Daemon arrives in secret by boat to King’s Landing, finding a City Watch guard and a ratcatcher who knows his way throughout the castle. (They are not named, though in the books, they are called Blood and Cheese, so we’ll use that for now.) He hires them to assassinate Aemond Targaryen, though other targets are seemingly possible if he cannot be found.
- Aemond and Cristen speak about using force instead or words to gain allies. Aemond says that his mother, Alicent, “speaks with two tongues” and is a fool for still loving the enemy. Otto arrives and tells Aemond that his bloodlust and vengeance will be sated, but he needs to put a grip on his impulses.
- Blood and Cheese maneuver their way through the tunnels to the royal chambers. They are unable to find Aemond, so they search elsewhere. Blood thinks he is caught by chambermaid, but finds that Cheese has caught Alicent in the nursery with Jaehaerys and Jaehaera. They threaten her to tell them which one of the twins are a boy, and they work out the truth, decapitating Jaehaerys in cold blood. Alicent manages to run away with Jaehaera and rushes to Helaena’s bedroom. And Haleana awakens to hear the terrible news.