HBO’s House of the Dragon has proven itself to be a worthy successor to Game of Thrones. Like GoT, it is based on a book by George R. R. Martin. A spinoff and a prequel, it is set two centuries before the events of GoT, though, like the original, it also centres around the struggle for the Iron Throne. This time, it’s not the rival houses like the Starks and the Lannisters fighting amongst themselves, but two factions of the same house — Targaryens. With the show returning for the second time around, here is the entire release schedule of House of the Dragon season 2.
Spoilers ahead!
Where does the conflict brewing in House of the Dragon currently stand?
The last episode of House of the Dragon season 1 ended with Westeros teetering on the edge of the war that was always coming — despite valiant attempts to avoid it. Prince Lucerys Velaryon, the son of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Laenor Velaryon, was killed and devoured along with his dragon Lucerys by Prince Aemond Targaryen’s dragon Vhagar. The dragons engaged in battle without being provoked by their riders. However, there is no way Aemond and Alicent will be able to convince Rhaenyra of that. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 should show that, but this means war.
House of the Dragon season 2 complete episode release schedule
House of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 debuted on 16 June. The upcoming episode, episode 4, will be released later today. As is always the case with HBO’s biggest shows, House of the Dragon season 2 will air every Sunday in the US at 6 pm PT and 9 pm ET.
In Hong Kong, HBO movies and TV shows are available to watch on HBO Max. The episodes will debut at 9:00 am HKT on Monday. There will be eight episodes only in the second season, unlike the first season’s 10 episodes. Each episode should have a runtime of around 60 minutes. The finale will be on 4 August.
Here is the full release schedule:
- Episode 1 – Monday, 16 June (out already)
- Episode 2 – Monday, 23 June (out already)
- Episode 3 – Monday, 30 June (out already)
- Episode 4 – Monday, 7 July (releasing today)
- Episode 5 – Monday, 14 July
- Episode 6 – Monday, 21 July
- Episode 7 – Monday, 28 July
- Episode 8 – Monday, 4 August
All about House of the Dragon: Plot, cast, crew and other details
What is House of the Dragon all about?
As mentioned above, the series is based on an inter-house conflict for Iron Throne between two offshoots of the Targaryens. It takes its material from Martin’s book titled Fire & Blood. In-universe, the said conflict is referred to as ‘Dance of the Dragons’. It is basically a stretched civil war, and as the “Dragons” part suggests, it involves dragons. In fact, in Westeros, it is one of the bloodiest conflicts, as, by the time we meet Jon Snow, Arya Stark and the others in 297 AC (or Aegon’s Conquest), dragons were thought to be extinct (until Daenerys Targaryen somehow hatches three eggs). But preceding the ‘Dance of the Dragons’, they were much greater in number. Additionally, as we all know they are basically nuclear weapons in fantasy worlds; thus, the conflict results in numerous casualties of commoners, combatants and even members of House Targaryen.
The show has a complex web of characters vying for power. They all have chosen their sides. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) is the leader of one faction. She is the daughter of the late King Viserys’ (Paddy Considine), who nominated her as his successor on the throne. However, this is an extremely patriarchal society and many, if not most lords, cannot bear a woman ruling them. In direct opposition to Rhaenyra is Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), who wishes her son with King Viserys, Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) to inherit the Seven Kingdoms. Complicating the situation is the fact that Rhaenyra and Alicent were friends when they were younger.
To paraphrase author Joe Abercrombie, you cannot truly hate a person without loving them first. Thus, the hatred boiling between them is nothing like what we saw even between, say, Lord Eddard Stark (Sean Bean) and Ser Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) in GoT. Also involved is Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Rhaenyra’s uncle and also her ally. But he is unpredictable and volatile, not to mention a terrible, terrible man capable of committing the worst atrocities imaginable; yet, the House of the Dragon fandom cannot help but admire him as he is charming and charismatic (these stories have truly ruined our moral compass, haven’t they?).
Beyond these characters are other powerful players. Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), Lord of Driftmark, firmly stands as an ally to Rhaenyra. Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), a knight of the Kingsguard (one among seven knights sworn to protect the King), was a lover of Rhaenyra, but her rejection has made him extra loyal to Alicent.
These are just a few of the characters who will shape the ‘Dance of the Dragons’. As the season progresses, prepare to witness shifting alliances, backstabbing, blackmail, bribery, tested morals and destinies forever altered by the war.
‘House Of The Dragon’ Season 1 Recap: A Quick Refresher Before Watching Season 2
‘House Of The Dragon’ Season 3: Everything We Know So Far
Who is behind House of the Dragon?
The creator of this entire world, characters and not just this show is author George RR Martin. He also shares creator credit on House of the Dragon along with Ryan J Condal. Both are also executive producers. Miguel Sapochnik, who directed some of Game of Thrones’ best episodes, was showrunner with Condal, but he left after the first season. Now, Condal is the sole showrunner. This season, directors include Alan Taylor, Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel, Clare Kilner, Andrij Parekh and Loni Peristere. Kilner and Patel also directed season 1 episodes.
Is there a trailer for House of the Dragon season 2?
Absolutely, here is the trailer for House of the Dragon:
Where to watch House of the Dragon season 2 in Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, the show is available to stream on HBO Max here.
(Hero image: Courtesy of HBO/Max; Featured image: Courtesy of Theo Whitman/HBO)
This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia India
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