“House of the Dragon” Season 2 Episode 1: How the Blockade Outplays the Wall

In “House of the Dragon” A Son for a Son (Episode 1 of Season 2), we get a glimpse of the famed Wall in the first scene as Jace goes to see Lord Cregan Stark on a mission to gain his support in the coming war. However, before promising troops, Lord Stark reminds him that their duty is torn between the North and the South. He reminds Jace that the North’s duty is divided between guarding the Wall against “death” beyond it and answering the call of the South.

Another crucial, though perhaps overlooked, aspect of this episode is that Lord Corlys and his navy are imposing a strangling blockade on King’s Landing. He is allied, of course, with Rhaenyra (saying last season that he, his fleet, and all Velaryons are allied with her). She does not have much, but she has the blockade. In this episode, we also find her still mourning the death of her son. She, importantly, did not order the murder of Jaehaerys. Do you think the blockade will win the war for Rhaenyra?

Why the Wall and White Walkers Matter in “House of the Dragon”

This episode begins with Jace at the Wall, where he is warned of the White Walkers. Cegan Stark calls the White Walkers “death,” and he says that long ago, his father showed King Viserys the Wall, and his dragons refused to cross it. Stark offers Jace “the Greybeards,” a couple of thousand of them, whom he says will fight hard for the Queen. While they are speaking, they are interrupted by a raven bringing news of Luke’s death.

We spent a lot of time in the series “Game of Thrones” learning about and seeing the White Walkers. However, this is the first trip to the Wall in “House of the Dragon.” It makes viewers wonder if the White Walkers and “A Song of Ice and Fire” will play a larger role in coming episodes.

Mysaria Helps Daemon Plan a Dangerous Attack

The second scene of this episode, Corlys and Alyn of Hull talking by a ship. Corlys says he is indebted to Alyn of Hull for dragging his body out of the sea. Alyn of Hull gives him a sword. We do not fully appreciate the destructive power of the blockade. It is also clear that the relationship between Lord Corlys and Allen is frosty, despite the latter saving the former’s life.

The blockade’s reach is underscored when Ser Erryk discovers Mysaria—the White Worm—stowing away on a ship and delivers her to Daemon. She was stowing away on the ship. She is taken to jail at the command of Daemon. Daemon proposes a deal: her knowledge in exchange for freedom. Her intel helps Daemon recruit a ratcatcher and a guard inside the Red Keep—Blood and Cheese—to strike at the Greens

Rhaenyra Searches for Closure After Luke’s Death

Getting back to Rhaenyra, in this episode of “House of the Dragon,” is that she is absent, mourning the death of her son. She has not answered the peace terms given by the Greens. Her absence is also frustrating the men around her, especially the ultra-aggressive Daemon, who wants to go to war.

Also, the season-opening episode of “House of the Dragon” is Rhaenyra’s search for closure on the death of her son, Luke. She goes out on dragonback and finds some fishermen who have caught a dragon wing, Luke’s dragon. She gets upset when she finds the wing, though she seems to finally get closure. Nevertheless, her absence is causing great angst, as war approaches.

How Blood and Cheese Escalate the Targaryen Civil War

War is very much upon us after this episode. Every character in “House of the Dragon” is multifaceted. There are deep motivations and a tenuous hold over the realm. Alicent paying respect to Lucerys is a nice touch and definitely stands out in this episode, as does the twist at the end, with the wrong Prince killed. It certainly lives up to the title of a son for a son!

Don’t forgot to check out this and other episodes of “House of the Dragon” on HBO Max