As the highly anticipated second season of House of the Dragon, HBO’s prequel to Game of Thrones, prepares to premiere, here’s a recap to get you up to speed on what transpired in the first season:
**Recap of Season One:**
House of the Dragon is set primarily in the Seven Kingdoms and revolves around the powerful Targaryen family as they navigate political intrigue and vie for control of the Iron Throne.
– **King Viserys Targaryen** (played by Paddy Considine) faces the challenge of producing a male heir after his wife’s death. He decides to name his daughter **Princess Rhaenyra** (initially played by Milly Alcock, later Emma D’Arcy) as his heir. However, his dynamics change when he marries **Queen Alicent Hightower** (initially Emily Carey, later Olivia Cooke), who gives birth to three children: **Aegon II**, **Aemond**, and **Helaena Targaryen** (played by Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, and Phia Saban respectively).
– This decision sparks a rivalry between Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent, dividing the royal court into factions known as **the Greens** (supporters of Alicent) and **the Blacks** (supporters of Rhaenyra).
– **The Blacks**: Princess Rhaenyra retreats to Dragonstone with her family and allies herself with figures like **Corlys Velaryon** (Steve Toussaint), **Princess Rhaenys** (Eve Best), and her uncle **Daemon Targaryen** (Matt Smith). She later remarries Daemon to strengthen her claim to the throne.
– **The Greens**: Queen Alicent allies with her father **Otto Hightower** (Rhys Ifans), who serves as Hand of the King, along with other powerful figures.
– The season culminates with tensions escalating into open conflict following King Viserys’s death, leading to war between the Greens and the Blacks. The death of Princess Rhaenyra’s son, Lucerys, ignites further hostilities.
**What to Expect from Season Two:**
– Season two will delve deeper into the Targaryen civil war, with both factions—led by Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent—plotting revenge and strategizing to secure the Iron Throne.
– Expect more intense battles, palace intrigues, and the continuation of the gripping saga of power struggles and familial betrayals.
**Where to Watch:**
House of the Dragon season two will premiere on HBO. For viewers in Africa, Showmax holds exclusive rights to stream HBO content, including House of the Dragon. Subscribers will be able to watch the show simultaneously with its US airing, starting from 2 am on Monday, June 17, in West African Time.
Prepare for more dragons, political maneuvering, and the epic saga that sets the stage for the events leading to Game of Thrones. If you haven’t caught up yet, binge-watching the first season on Showmax is the perfect way to spend your weekend before diving into the new season.