REVIEW: House of the Dragon – Season 2, Episode 1, “A Son For a Son”

Television Reviews

After a two-year wait, House of the Dragon is back with a vengeance.

***SPOILERS***

Amid Rhaenyra’s absence, Rhaenys returns from a patrol on Meraxes. Daemon orders her to join him in petitioning lords on Rhaenyra’s behalf, but she goes to rest, telling Daemon to wait for Rhaenyra. Alicent and Ser Criston have become close. King Aegon causes chaos at his Small Council meetings by bringing his toddler son and not listening to his advisors. He summons Prince Aemond to the meetings, frustrating Alicent. Larys Strong replaces the Queen’s staff. King Aegon holds court, hearing the requests of his subjects. However, each time he tries to solve a problem, his Hand and grandfather, Otto Hightower, interferes. Larys tells Aegon this makes him look weak, offering his own services as Hand. Meanwhile, Alicent asks Otto not to speak over her at the Small Council. Daemon reconnects with the White Worm, only offering her freedom in exchange for information to bring down the Greens. Rhaenyra returns to her family and castle at last after seeing Lucerys’ remains for herself. Rhaenyra’s other son, Jacaerys, arrives with pledges from various lords, but the two embrace, overcome with grief. Back at King’s Landing, Alicent lights candles in mourning for those who have passed, including Rhaenyra’s son, Lucerys. Using the White Worm’s intel, Daemon connects with a butcher and a rat catcher, known by fans as Blood and Cheese. Otto interrupts a chat between Prince Aemond and Ser Criston, warning his grandson Aemond to control his impulses, unlike his brother, King Aegon. Blood and Cheese get into the castle, posing as rat catchers. When they don’t find Aemond, they kill Aegon and Helaena’s son, Jaehaerys. Helaena rushes into Alicent’s room with her daughter Jaehaera, finding Alicent and Ser Criston in bed together.

I didn’t have any particular expectations for “A Son for A Son” beyond it being pretty good, which it is. I was shocked that someone died so early in the season and that it was a baby! I shouldn’t be surprised with this show, and I immediately felt like these two goobers couldn’t take Aemond down. I don’t like him, but he’s imposing, and I never felt like the rat catcher, in particular, stood any chance against him. But to not find him at all and cut a baby’s head off! Dang, that caught me off guard. This is one of the only shows where shock value actually works, in my opinion; it feels true to the characters and the consequences of their stupid decisions. I don’t blame Daemon; I think it was right to try to assassinate Aemond. He’s dangerous and, personally, I hate him, so I’m very biased in saying this. His killing Lucerys, accidental or not, was stupid and just plain wrong. I get that he’s still mad about his eye, but you don’t get to just go around killing people. And I was on Aemond’s side about Vhagar; the dragon liked him, so he should be her rider. I’m more confused by the choice to kill the baby. Like I said, these guys are just idiots, I guess, but they can’t seriously think Daemon will be happy about this when he asked for a specific son to be killed. And while the war would accelerate either way, I don’t think killing the baby is justified, whereas killing Aemond would make perfect sense, and he deserves it.

The development with Ser Criston really surprised me. He’s a little bit of a hypocrite, really; why is he okay with being Alicent’s boy toy when he turned on Rhaenyra for wanting him to do that for her? I thought he “didn’t want to be a whore”? I’m not blaming him for having a natural human urge to have sex and companionship; the circumstances just make him look like a tool. Obviously, Alicent’s choice is understandable, if not very smart; Viserys couldn’t or wouldn’t please her when he was alive, so this is Alicent’s first experience with good sex. I assume Helaena won’t tell anyone about her mom’s indiscretion, but it’s easy to imagine people finding out anyway. I wonder if Rhaenyra will learn that Alicent picked up her sloppy seconds, or if she’ll even care. This isn’t the most important event in the episode; it’s not even the main thing happening in Alicent’s bedroom. I also wonder if Criston will get too sentimental about Alicent, as he did with Rhaenyra. I don’t think it would go down the same way, anyway.

I’m not sure Daemon being rude to Rhaenys and pushing her around is smart. She’s the Blacks’ main ally, and seemingly their only one before Jacaerys returns with the news. Granted, Aegon isn’t doing anything to ingratiate himself with his staff, either. But he is male and sitting on the throne, two advantages Rhaenyra decidedly lacks. I can’t understand taking his son to the Council. I get that he’s not right in the head, but what is this supposed to accomplish? The baby isn’t old enough to understand what’s being said, and he causes distractions. However, it was also weird when Helaena asked about him not wanting to be king. It’s not like he gets a say; he’s Aegon’s heir. Why would someone raised in the royal family like Helaena even think to question this? It’s his duty, not something he can want or not want.

The acting and music are just as good as they were in season 1, as expected. The cinematography is breathtaking, especially at the Wall and Lucerys’ funeral. They introduce new opening credits this season, and they look good.

“A Son For a Son” is a great episode. Both sides of the story are engaging, and it’s always fun to see characters like Daemon and Larys scheming – okay, okay, Daemon more than Larys. My favorite character is still Rhaenyra, and I’m firmly on Team Black. I hope she gets her revenge for her son, and I mean legitimately; killing that baby was wrong in every sense, and in no way relates to Lucerys’ death.