Review: In the Season 1 finale, Queen Rhaenyra’s half-brother Aegon II is newly crowned, and her son, Prince Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), is killed in a dragon fight with Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). Treachery and grief have set her on a path of revenge as Seven Kingdoms is thrown into a war zone. Season 2 takes off on this premise. The opening episode has familiar elements of the Game of Thrones universe to draw you in and keep you hooked: dragons, political intrigue, and family conflict.
Things are about to get fiery as Rhaenyra is backed by House Velaryon and its biggest fleet of ships in Westeros. The Greens are based in King’s Landing with Alicent (Olivia Cooke), advisor Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), fierce knight Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), and Aemond with the most enormous dragon in the world, Vhagar.
The season has opened on a darker note and a more intense edge. However, while a gap of two years makes remembering all the characters and their relations challenging, the many plot points break the narrative’s flow. Sequences feel rushed and fail to get ample time to evolve. That said, it also makes things fast-paced. Opening the season at the Starks’ Winterfell also lends it a broader scope and an additional track. The 700-foot-tall Wall not only keeps the wildlings and weather out but also death. This reminder is an emphatic precursor to what’s to follow.
The GoT universe is renowned for its top-notch production and stunning CGI. Season 2 continues this tradition, delivering dragons, castles, the imposing Wall up north, and the intricate geography of the universe with uncompromising finesse.
Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Rhys Ifans dominate the episode with their performances. Matt Smith adds heft with his impressive turn, albeit with shorter screen time and meat than his co-stars. Viewers must remember Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) fiery rampage in GoT after betrayal and personal loss. With a similar fate, can one expect something identical from Rhaenyra? Only future episodes will tell.
A single episode may be inadequate to anticipate what’s in store (or the dragon’s dungeon), but it points to a wholesome experience. However, there are occasional blips, like assassins sauntering into a fortress and easily unleashing carnage. Overall, the high-stakes tension, strong performances, and impressive visuals ensure a season that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
