The insatiable fan appetite for House of the Dragon season two is largely down to that thrilling season-one finale, but there may be some concerns as to whether the second outing lives up to the "flawless" debut of its first.
Do not fear, we're here to reassure you that this Game of Thrones spin-off is no one-trick pony – season two is shaping up to be every bit as enthralling. But what can you expect from the new episodes?
Lucerys' death means we kick-start the season with extreme emotional tension. It pulsates from the jump, leaving the viewer with an intentional anxiety as each scene unfolds.
The sombreness is reflected in the brilliant performances of Emma D'Arcy, whose agony is superbly etched in every one of Rhaenyra Targaryen's movements and expressions, and Harry Collett's Jacaerys Velaryon, who echoes that pain from a sibling's perspective.
Everything from the cinematography to the score brings the mood to life without leaning into self-indulgence. Low violins channel Rhaenyra's grief, and the tight frame picks up even the smallest details.
Served up like a five-star meal, House of the Dragon's second outing makes a feast of its storytelling, helping to absorb the viewer into its world – much in the same way that Game of Thrones did.
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However, season two wouldn't be living up to the Thrones legacy if it didn't have its other hallmark elements. Blood, sex and complex relationships – and with that, season two obliges.
Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra's complex love for one another is still pivotally present, despite them not sharing any scenes together (so far). Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) gets introspective, offering viewers more grey areas to the blood-thirsty prince, and old insecurities set Matt Smith's Daemon up for an interesting character arc.
Of course, there are still politics at play in court. Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) is seated on the throne, which opens up more interesting ways to play with power as people seek to make a puppet of him.
Even in the midst of a civil war, sensual passions run dangerously high – but we can't say more than that right now without wading into spoiler territory.
House of the Dragon's season two also certainly delivers on what it's been promising: vengeance.
The show is adept at making the viewer squirm – however, we were more intrigued by the smaller, more intimate moments that achieved this without relying on shock value.
Phia Saban's Helaena is one to look out for in this regard, as she steps more into the foreground this season. Phia's performance is understated yet captivating. Uncomfortably captivating.
However, it would be remiss not to give Fabien Frankel his due for making Criston Cole the most hateable character in the series. Criston's futile bitterness and his pettiness have ramped up several notches this season, making Cole almost unbearably pathetic. Without jest, Frankel is truly exceptional at making you loathe someone.
The show takes a measured approach to its pacing, not throwing us into battle but deliberately stacking the deck so that things unfold with purpose. It doesn't feel slow, but if you were expecting to be launched straight onto the field of combat you may need to adjust your expectations.
House of the Dragon season two begins with a commendable first two episodes – however, we're still waiting for Rhaenyra to get off the back foot and truly step into her power, which is our only hang-up from what we've seen so far.
House of the Dragon season two will debut on June 16 in the US on HBO and Max, and on June 17 in UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Season one is available to stream now on HBO, Sky Atlantic and NOW.
Game of Thrones seasons 1-8 are also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
