We’re rapidly closing in on the end of 2024. It was a year full of big swings on both the small screen and the big screen alike. As the year comes to a close, I’m looking back on series that worked for me that you can now check out. Today, it’s the second season of an epic on HBO.
Series: House of the Dragon
Where to Find It: All eight episodes are now streaming on Max
What It’s About: This was the long-awaited second season of the Game of Thrones spin-off that first debuted in 2022. We finally got the return to the history of the Targaryen family in August, with a season spanning eight episodes and continuing the conflict between former friends.
We pick up where we left off. With the king having died, his family now fights for control of the Iron Throne and the Kingdom. It sets a conflict between the Blacks and the Greens. On the Green side is his widow, Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke), who has advanced the claims of her eldest son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney). She’s backed by her father, former Hand of the King Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), and holds the castle at King’s Landing.
On the Black side is the king’s eldest daughter, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), who was his named heir before his death. She is married to his brother, Daemon (Matt Smith), and holds the family seat at Dragonstone. She also holds the support of the Master of Ships, Corliss Velaryon (Steve Toussiant) and his wife, Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best).
Both sides stake their claims to the throne, call their supporters together and prepare for the looming conflict.
Why It Makes the List
I was a huge fan of Game of Thrones. It is one of my all-time favorite series, so I was excited to see an expansion of the world. But, like many, I wasn’t taken with an uneven first season of this spin-off. The jumps in time and complicated backstory made it a slow watch at points. So, I was a bit apprehensive about what we’d get in a second season.
It’s fair to say this season was uneven. I even share some of the frustration about a buildup through eight episodes to a conflict that remains in the future. But this season was a big step up in quality and entertainment throughout. It gave us some good performances, some incredible craft, and a few mind-blowing episodes.
In particular I loved the fourth episode, which was a beautiful showcase for Best. It was one of the high points of the series. I also enjoyed the penultimate episode, and some of the incredible shot selection. I also enjoyed the performances from Cooke and D’Arcy, as well as the rest of the principal cast.
While I’m not excited about a likely two year wait for season three, I really enjoyed this second season, which is worth a watch if you haven’t yet checked it out.