Queens Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) already knew well how calamitous their battle for power would become if it continued to unfold across the Seven Kingdoms. But with both women surrounded by men desperate to see themselves on the Iron Throne, House of the Dragon made clear that their attempts at waging war with caution were doomed from the jump.
In a season that was punctuated by riots, maimings, and senseless bloodshed, House of the Dragon framed Rhaenyra’s quiet time poring over family records as one of the most pivotal moments in the show’s history — not unlike Game of Thrones’ season seven reveal of Jon Snow’s Targaryen heritage. But House of the Dragon was much more transparent than its predecessor about how important illegitimate children — an “army of bastards” — could become if given the chance. And while a few innocent people were burned to death as Rhaenyra tested out her theory, “The Red Sowing,” the penultimate episode, unexpectedly established Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim), Ulf White (Tom Bennett), and Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) as people who seem fated to help shape Westeros history.
There’s never been any question about how House of the Dragon will end — many of these people die horribly, and House Targaryen falls into ruin. But season 2 spent ample time highlighting how the Black / Green war could have been averted if the two sides could just engage in good faith.