House of the Dragon: Back to Westeros with Bloody Shocks and Epic Shows

House of the Dragon, the show that tells the story before Game of Thrones, is back for a second season full of bloody surprises and grand spectacles.

Two years and a Hollywood strike have passed since we last heard anything from the magical land of Westeros. But these aren't new stories, they're "old" stories - because House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones created by Ryan Condal, takes place about 200 years before Game of Thrones.

Everyone Must Choose: Black or Green?

The second season starts with a short recap of the first season. But it won't be enough, because even the most devoted Game of Thrones fans might have trouble keeping up with all the names in the dialogue without rewatching and studying the complex family tree. Especially when it comes to characters who have barely appeared on screen.

Luckily, the basic story is clear: there's a war between Team Green and Team Black - and it plays out in classic GoT fashion, with fantastic sets, opulent costumes, and awesome dragons. The Greens, led by Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and her son, King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), rule the Seven Kingdoms from the Iron Throne in King's Landing. The Blacks, led by Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy), claim their right to the throne from Dragonstone.

"Everyone must choose," reads the season's promotional material. But is there really anyone among the fans who's "Team Green"? House of the Dragon unfortunately repeats the mistake of its parent series, Game of Thrones, where the Starks were clearly the more likeable characters, while the Lannisters (except for Tyrion) were the villains. After all, Joffrey-esque Aegon's claim to the throne is partly based on a clear misunderstanding by his mother and partly on misogyny.

It's no surprise then that Team Black, in their underdog position, makes it easier to root for them. But that doesn't mean they don't also engage in acts of cruelty from time to time, which makes things a little more complicated.

Violence Escalates: Season 2 Begins with a Shock

Remember: season 1 of House of the Dragon ended with a shocking moment when the dragon of Alicent's son, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), tore apart Rhaenyra's young son Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) in the air. Open conflict between Black and Green now seems inevitable. The second season begins with an episode titled "A Son for a Son," which is equally dramatic, with a planned act of revenge that comes not from Queen Rhaenyra, but from her impulsive husband Daemon (Matt Smith).

Fans of the book "Fire & Blood" by George R.R. Martin will know what's meant when they hear "blood and cheese." From the start, this slightly changed (and to be honest, weaker) adaptation of that chapter promises what the fantasy franchise is best known for, besides its lavish spectacles: edgy developments that, according to the rules of event series, are supposed to make people talk on social media and around the water cooler... and they will.

However, there aren't any big battles in the first half of the season. So if you found season 1 of House of the Dragon slow and a bit depressing compared to Game of Thrones, you might not be instantly converted this time around. We do see duels, some action, and a few dragon appearances, but the focus is on clever palace intrigue and dramatic verbal confrontations. At least in the first three episodes.

If you're worried about missing scenes between Alicent and Rhaenyra, whose close childhood friendship was so important in season 1, you can rest assured: the team around showrunner Condal has found a bold solution that could lead season 2 in a completely new direction. The fact that a history book like "Fire & Blood" needs to be fleshed out so much can also be a blessing. It leaves even book readers with things to discover that might still surprise them.