House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 2: The Price of War

The thirst for vengeance gripped the main characters of “House of the Dragon” in the season opener of the second part of the acclaimed HBO series. Episode 2 set out on a daring mission to depict the gripping story arc of the aftermath of the assassination of Jaehaerys, heir to the Iron Throne. The 72-minute episode, written by Ryan Condal and directed by Claire Kilner, is the longest of the series to date.

The episode begins with an eerie silence that foreshadows the turmoil to come. As the Red Keep descends into chaos following the assassination, servants and other little people are rounded up, their panic vividly portrayed by disturbing cinematography. Ramin Djawadi’s haunting score, featuring a solo violin, captures the rising tension.

Olivia Cooke’s portrayal of Alicent Hightower is outstanding, capturing the complexity of her character with remarkable depth. Alicent’s journey through guilt and grief as she wrestles with the consequences of her son’s actions is gripping. Her portrayal of a mother tormented by the fear that divine retribution could befall her and her daughter Helaena is particularly poignant.

The raw emotion in her scenes, especially when she is faced with the possibility of her family being punished, gives her character a profound depth. Cooke’s portrayal brings a powerful authenticity to Alicent’s struggle and makes her story deeply moving.

Phia Saban and Tom Glynn-Carney deliver remarkable performances as Helaena and Aegon. Their reactions to Jaehaerys’ death are markedly different, reflecting their different personalities. Aegon’s explosive anger and public outbursts contrast sharply with Helaena’s quiet, withdrawn grief. This divergence in their grieving processes further underscores the personal and familial impact of the war and gives the episode a rich emotional texture.

A pivotal moment in the episode is the confrontation between Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith). The tension between them reaches a boiling point when Rhaenyra is strategically blamed for Jaehaerys’ death. Their argument is a textbook example of strong character dynamics, with Daemon’s stubbornness clashing with Rhaenyra’s unwavering resolve.

Thus, Aemond’s confession during a brief brothel scene reveals his quiet regret over Lucerys’ death. His companion’s remark about the suffering of the common people when princes lose their composure serves as a poignant reminder of the wider effects of war. This theme is further explored in the subplot involving the Cargyll twins, Arryk and Erryk, whose tragic confrontation shows the senseless brutality of civil war.

The climax of the episode is a heart-wrenching battle between the Cargyll twins, played by Luke and Elliot Tittensor. Ser Criston Cole’s (Fabien Frankel) order to Arryk to infiltrate Dragonstone and kill Rhaenyra sets the stage for this intense and emotionally charged battle. The choreography and raw emotion in this scene underscore the devastating personal consequences of war, making it one of the episode’s most memorable moments.

In a key moment in the episode, King Aegon II replaces Ser Otto Hightower with Ser Criston Cole as Hand of the King, signaling a major shift in his war strategy against Rhaenyra and Team Black. Otto, who favored a more moderate and diplomatic approach to gain the support of the common people and other houses, is dismissed, unwilling to take immediate aggressive retaliation.

In stark contrast, Criston Cole’s willingness to take decisive action, such as ordering Ser Arryk Cargyll to pose as his twin and murder Rhaenyra, appeals to Aegon’s desire for swift vengeance. This impulsive decision, driven by grief and anger over the death of his heir, reflects Aegon’s preference for immediate action over long-term strategy.

Otto’s departure from King’s Landing for Oldtown leaves a void in Aegon’s council. Criston, lacking Otto’s political foresight and careful consideration, is ill-prepared to fill that void. Unlike Otto, who has approached his role with a mix of governance and diplomacy, Criston focuses primarily on military strength and quick response, potentially threatening the kingdom’s stability.