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House of the Dragon Season 2 Report Card: A Slow Hike to Nowhere

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By now, we’ve heard enough buzz about the second season of House of the Dragon to know that it was highly …

The post House of the Dragon Season 2 Report Card: A Slow Hike to Nowhere appeared first on TV Fanatic.

By now, we’ve heard enough buzz about the second season of House of the Dragon to know that it was highly divisive.

Fans have been open about their feelings, taking to online forums to express disappointment with how the season ended.

Now that we’ve had some time to reflect, we’re ready to give the entirety of Season 2 an overall grade.

(Theo Whiteman/HBO, Ollie Upton/HBO)

What We’re Rating about House of the Dragon Season 2

For this report card, we’re going to rank House of the Dragon Season 2’s best and worst episode, character, storyline, and relationship.

Stick around until the end because we have a few honorable mentions to throw in, too.

In the interest of full disclosure, House of the Dragon is one of my favorite shows.

It’s not just because of the incredible cast, though they’re certainly a big part of what makes the show so great.

The first season was fast-paced, pulling off a major time jump halfway through the season.

The time jump required a large portion of the cast to be replaced with different actors, which was a considerable risk when fans had spent four episodes getting attached to folks like Millie Alcock, Emily Carey, and Ty Tennant.

(HBO)

The show handled the change incredibly well, and it didn’t take long for fans to fall in love with the actors playing the older versions of the main characters.

But as many disgruntled fans will tell you, House of the Dragon Season 2 did not keep up the same pace as the first installment.

In fact, sources tell us that Season 2 covered a mere 33 pages of “Fire and Blood,” the book on which the Game of Thrones spinoff is based.

There is certainly a lot of action that will now take place in the promised final two seasons.

But plenty of us were left quite bummed out when virtually nothing happened in the highly anticipated Season 2 finale.

Alas. There’s nothing to do about it but complain, I suppose, so let’s get into what we loved and hated about this season now that it’s behind us.

(Ollie Upton/HBO)

Best Episode: House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4

Without question, the best episode of the season was House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4.

Not only was it visually stunning, but Eve Best gave an absolutely mind-blowing final performance as Rhaenyra Targaryen (RIP).

It was the most action we saw all season, with an explosive battle between Rhaenyra, Aegon, Aemond, and their dragons.

We rated the episode five stars, and that’s not something we do lightly.

(Theo Whiteman/HBO)

Worst Episode: House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 8

It should come as no surprise that House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 8 ranks at the bottom of this list.

Thanks to an intense buildup to a battle that didn’t happen, the 70-minute episode has been called an extended trailer for Season 3.

Showrunner Ryan Condal defended the decision to end the season on a low note, but I’m not sure it made much of a difference.

On the bright side, the cast gave several moving monologues in the episode, so at least we got to see some character development.

(Theo Whiteman/HBO)

Best Character: Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen

If Rhaenyra Targaryen has no fans, it means I am dead.

Nothing could make me hate this character.

Rhaenyra has been through hell and back, and even as she fights for her rightful place on the Iron Throne, she struggles with how to do so as ethically as possible.

Emma D’Arcy is possibly one of the best actors of the generation.

Their range is unmatched, and they’ve performed some of the most gut-wrenching emotions in visceral ways.

Regardless of how it turns out, Rhaenyra will always be the Queen to me.

(Ollie Upton/HBO)

Worst Character: Larys Strong

Could I have chosen someone like Aegon, who had all the rat catchers in King’s Landing hung for the crimes of one? Sure.

Maybe you’d have preferred the title of worst character to be awarded to Alicent. I get it; her maternal instincts leave much to be desired.

Sorry, but none of them hold a candle to this little freak.

Larys Strong is Season 2’s worst character because, frankly, he gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Between the foot worship blackmail (not to kink shame, but if the shoe fits) and the constant creepy political posturing, this guy is just the worst.

I could give him credit for being smart enough to leave town before things get crazy, but I won’t, because I hate him.

(Ollie Upton/HBO)

Best Storyline from House of the Dragon Season 2: Daemon Goes Off the Deep End

Okay, okay, hear me out: I know a lot of people hated Daemon’s little Harrenhal side quest, but I really enjoyed it.

His weird dreams and visions were entertaining (with the exception of one, but we’re never speaking about that one again).

Plus, he befriended the cool witchy goth girl, Alys Rivers, who landed a few good jokes during her scenes, breaking up the tension.

Simon Strong wouldn’t have become the icon he is without this storyline, either.

Simon’s petty digs at Daemon (like emphasizing the “consort” part of his royal title) ended up being some of my favorite lines all season.

(Ollie Upton/HBO)

Worst Storyline from House of the Dragon Season 2: Gawain Hightower Shows Up For … Reasons

Seriously, does anyone know why Gawain is here?

Or better yet, does anyone care?

Maybe his role in the books was more important, but his entire arc was pretty useless in House of the Dragon. My guess is he’ll join this list of characters no one remembers.

He and Criston Cole could have had a fun friendship that kept us entertained during their road trip scenes, but instead, they just bickered a lot. Annoying.

(Ollie Upton/HBO)

Best Relationship: Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen

Eve Best and Steve Toussaint are both phenomenal actors. The kind of chemistry they share is rarely seen on screen.

Their relationship may have ended with Rhaenys’s death, but Corlys and Rhaenys were a beautiful example of devotion.

The two understood each other in a way that other couples on the show can’t seem to replicate.

In a lovely tribute and one of the only good parts of the finale, Corlys renamed his ship after his beloved wife: The Queen Who Never Was.

(Theo Whitman/HBO)

Worst Relationship: Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen

Even if you looked past the grooming, the incest, and the age gap, this couple would still be a great candidate for marriage counseling.

Daemon’s thirst for power caused him to come very close to betraying Rhaenyra, and if you ask me, she went way too easy on him.

Plus, we got the tiniest hint of a sapphic relationship when Rhaenyra and Mysaria kissed during House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6, but it seems that relationship is doomed because Rhaenyra plans to stay with Daemon.

From almost the moment Daemon left for Harrenhal, Rhaenyra was suspicious of her husbuncle’s intentions.

She even went so far as to send someone to check in on him. Can you say, “trust issues?”

Plus, I don’t care how great you think he is. Fantasizing about his mother — nope, not going to go there. Suffice it to say that Rhaenyra deserves better.

(Unavailable)

Honorable Mention — Coolest Cameo: Daenerys Targaryen

As promised, there are a few honorable mentions that I couldn’t leave out of my full-season review.

The winner of House of the Dragon Season 2’s coolest cameo is none other than Daenerys Targaryen.

We only saw a brief glimpse of her from behind while her baby dragons crawled over her.

It was in Daemon’s godswood vision, and as far as we can tell, it wasn’t Emilia Clarke in the role.

But it was still a cool nod to the beloved Game of Thrones character as her ancestor saw centuries into the future.

(Theo Whiteman/HBO)

Honorable Mention — Best Dragon: Sunfyre

Sunfyre was Aegon’s beautiful golden dragon.

As far as anyone knows, she died after Aemond and Vhaegar attacked Aegon and Rhaenys simultaneously.

She may have had a total wanker as a bonded human, but Sunfyre’s energy was that of a golden retriever.

The scene where Aegon goes to get her before taking her into battle shows Sunfyre nuzzling him with her snout in a loving gesture.

She was a good girl, and she deserved better.

(Ollie Upton/HBO)

Honorable Mention: Best Composer

Fine, this is an easy one, given the fact that there was only one composer.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Ramin Djawadi puts his whole heart and soul into the music he creates.

There is something incredibly energizing about the intro song. There’s no wonder it was recycled from Game of Thrones.

The powerful score behind the show’s scenes brings drama and emotion. Honestly, House of the Dragon wouldn’t be the same without it.

(Ollie Upton/HBO)

House of the Dragon Season 2 Overall Grade: B-

It’s never easy to criticize the things you love, even when they disappoint you.

The season came to an abrupt halt and left us wanting more in the end. That said, it was still one of the best parts of the summer.

I’m giving it a B- because if the finale had delivered what I hoped for, the season would have been as close to perfect as it gets.

Most of the episodes came close to getting a rare 5-star rating. You can see for yourself by looking through my reviews.

Sadly, that 2.5-star finale brought down the overall grade. But hey, there’s always next season.

(Theo Whiteman/HBO)

Now It’s Your Turn

What did you think about the season overall?

Do you agree with our grade, or would you go higher or lower?

Did anything in particular stand out about the season that we might have missed?

Let us know all your thoughts in the comments! We’re counting down the days (okay, years) until we can reconvene for House of the Dragon Season 3.

The post House of the Dragon Season 2 Report Card: A Slow Hike to Nowhere appeared first on TV Fanatic.