Predicting the Potential Plotline of 'House of the Dragon' Season 2

The Big Picture

Season 2 of House of the Dragon will explore the Targaryen civil war, as hinted in Season 1's finale and detailed in George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood.

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The war will result in further conflicts and violence, marked by significant events such as the demise of the Cargyll twins, the ravaging of Duskendale, and the confrontation between Rhaenys Targaryen and Aegon and Aemond.

The season's conclusion may feature either the Battle of the Gullet or the Fall of King's Landing, highlighting awe-inspiring moments and notable interactions between characters.

Fans of House of the Dragon eagerly await the next installment of the fantasy series. As Season 2's production continues, every small detail is noticed by fans. While the plot remains a mystery, George R.R. Martin's book Fire & Blood provides some insight into the events that will unfold. The recently released casting information also hints at certain similarities to the book. With familiar characters returning and the introduction of new ones, there is much anticipation for what is to come. Unlike the first season, which featured time jumps, Season 2 promises to be more straightforward and action-packed. However, it will consist of only eight episodes instead of ten. Despite this, the upcoming season is sure to be eventful.

Season 1 laid the foundation for the conflict, showcasing the years of resentment that led to the Targaryen civil war. Now, it is time to delve into the actual war itself. According to Fire & Blood, this is the next part of the story. While fans of the book have an idea of what to expect, the show is likely to introduce its own changes and surprises.

'House of the Dragon's Finale Sets Up What Comes Next

The beginning of the season is the easiest part to predict, as the Season 1 finale gives hints about the upcoming stories. After the tragic death of Lucerys (played by Elliot Grihault), Rhaenyra is prepared for the war her husband has eagerly anticipated. The fighting is expected to begin with Daemon (played by Matt Smith) seizing control of Harrenhal, which causes the Lords of the Riverlands to divide their support between the two factions. However, this is a slight deviation from Fire & Blood, as it is supposed to occur before Lucerys' death. This change will expedite the first major shock of the second season: Blood and Cheese. This plotline, already confirmed to take place, will showcase the gruesome nature of the war as the Blacks seek revenge for the prince's death by sending assassins to kill Aegon's (played by Tom Glynn-Carney) young son, resulting in the expected gory deaths typical of a Game of Thrones spinoff.

Season 1 also establishes a few other storylines. Jacaerys (played by Harry Collett), on his way to negotiate with the Arryns and the Starks, is likely to visit the Vale first. Following the events of Fire & Blood, he will secure their support by promising to send a dragon and dragon rider to protect the castle. Next, he will travel to the North, where an inconsistency in the book arises as one narrator mentions a wedding to the Stark bastard Sara Snow. Whether or not Sara appears, Jace will undoubtedly form a friendship with Cregan Stark and negotiate for the North to aid his mother in the Pact of Ice and Fire. Set images suggest that this storyline will also include a visit to the Wall. Given the inconsistencies and changes already observed, it is expected that this story will bring surprises. The combination of a Targaryen and a Stark presents an opportunity for the series to revisit the prophecy mentioned in Season 1. Unlike the events surrounding Harrenhal and Blood and Cheese, which unfold rather quickly, this arc will likely span multiple episodes.

But the Greens will also have their hands full. Following the tragic loss of his son and the dwindling support in the Riverlands, Aegon finds himself compelled to take decisive action. With numerous individuals pledging allegiance to Rhaenyra, doubts begin to creep into his mind regarding his grandfather and Hand, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). Season 1 already unveiled the power struggle between Otto, Alicent, and the new Hand, Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), as they vied for influence over the young king. This dynamic could potentially intersect with the unfolding plotline, particularly given Criston's unwavering loyalty to Alicent. Together, they embark on a mission to eliminate the traitors, resorting to beheading those in King's Landing who refuse to declare their loyalty to Aegon. These gripping events are likely to dominate the initial episodes, intensifying the political drama that Season 1 so brilliantly portrayed. Although the starting point will witness several fatalities, it is only the beginning of a crescendo.

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Has More Battle Scenes

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With the ongoing war, the bloodshed will only escalate. Season 2 of the series will shift its focus from politics to battles. These conflicts will range from large-scale confrontations to more personal clashes. The divided Cargyll twins, Arryk (Luke Tittensor) and Erryk (Elliot Tittensor), will resurface. In Season 1, Arryk aligned himself with Aegon, while Erryk chose Rhaenyra, foreshadowing their fates. Season 2 will likely delve deeper into their story. Following the events in Fire & Blood, this narrative will unfold after Cole's new position and, more significantly, subsequent to Blood and Cheese. Seeking vengeance for his son, Aegon devises a covert mission to Dragonstone, where Arryk assumes the identity of his brother. However, the plan unravels when Erryk discovers Arryk's deception, leading to a deadly duel between the siblings. While this confrontation will undoubtedly captivate audiences, Season 2 will also feature more conventional battles. According to the book, the deaths of the Cargyll brothers are followed by the Sack of Duskendale and the Battle of Rook's Rest, which brings about another momentous demise. Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) perishes in this conflict as she confronts Aegon and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), grievously injuring the King and his dragon, forcing Aemond to govern as a regent while his brother recuperates.

The upcoming season will introduce five new dragons, as promised by Ryan Condal. Although some dragons, like Aegon's Sunfyre, were not seen in Season 1, the war will bring them out and create ample opportunities for them. However, the arrival of new dragons also means the arrival of new dragon riders, and Fire & Blood provides an explanation for how this will occur. After Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys perish, the Blacks search for additional dragonriders. With several unclaimed dragons residing on Dragonstone, they allow Targaryen bastards to attempt to claim a dragon. Following the events of "The Sowing of the Seeds," Rhaenyra gains four dragonriders: Addam of Hull, Hugh Hammer, Ulf the White, and Nettles. While there has been speculation about potential changes to these characters, they play a significant role in the story and must be included in some way.

Nevertheless, the Blacks are not the only ones with new dragonriders to introduce. Daeron, the youngest son of Alicent and Viserys (played by Paddy Considine), will make his appearance. Although he was not mentioned in the first season, Daeron plays a crucial part in the Dance by winning the Battle of the Honeywine with his dragon, Tessarion. The introduction of Daeron signals the imminent conflict. At this stage of the war, several battles take place, with Rook's Rest and Honeywine being the most significant as they directly involve the royal family. However, the show also has the Battle at the Red Fork, Battle at Acorn Hall, and Battle by the Lakeshore, which can be included, moved around, cut, or mentioned instead of shown, depending on how they fit into the story presented in Fire & Blood.

How Could 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 End?

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The Season 2 finale has garnered significant interest from fans, who are uncertain about the fate of the characters heading into Season 3. Similar to the first season, the ending will be grand, but given the extensive death and destruction, any significant war event could serve as a memorable finale. Among the various suggestions, the Battle of the Gullet and the Fall of King's Landing have emerged as the most popular choices. Opting for the Battle of the Gullet would result in Jace's demise and Rhaenyra's youngest son, Viserys, going missing. While ending with the destruction of Rhaenyra's family may seem repetitive, it presents an intriguing conclusion. Notably, the show's stunt coordinator has hinted at an epic battle in this context, possibly deviating slightly from the events outlined in "Fire & Blood." The Battle of the Gullet could occur immediately after the Sowing of the Seeds, with the Battle of the Honeywine being saved for Season 3. Rest assured, Season 3 will not lack intense battles, and the absence of Daeron has already been criticized. Saving the Battle of the Gullet until the season's end has several advantages, primarily prolonging Jace's presence. Regardless of its placement, rest assured that the Battle of the Gullet will feature in the season.

The other fan-favored conclusion involves the Fall of King's Landing, when Rhaenyra and Daemon launch an attack on the capital following the death of their firstborn. With Aemond and Vhagar absent, they successfully seize control. Although Aegon and his surviving children manage to escape, Alicent, Otto, and Helaena (played by Phia Saban) become Rhaenyra's captives. This marks the first interaction between the two leading ladies since the war's inception, further emphasizing their relationship and making it a pivotal moment. The conclusion could either culminate with the battle or delve deeper into Rhaenyra's actions, such as beheading Otto and devising new plans to track down and eliminate her half-brothers mercilessly. While the Fall of King's Landing may seem fitting as a season finale, with one side gaining an advantage, it does not signify the end of the war. This action-packed development may stretch the planned eight episodes, but it guarantees a season filled with turmoil and bloodshed. While it may not adhere strictly to the events depicted in "Fire & Blood," the overall framework offers an abundance of captivating tales that deserve to be portrayed on screen.