A Son for a Son (TV)

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For the book chapter, see A Son for a Son.
"A Son for a Son"
House of the Dragon
Season 2  —  Episode 1
Original air date June 16, 2024
Running time 59 minutes
Credits
Directed by Alan Taylor
Written by Ryan Condal
Episode chronology
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"The Black Queen" "Rhaenyra the Cruel"
List of episodes

"A Son for a Son" is the first episode of season two of the HBO medieval fantasy television series House of the Dragon. Running 59 minutes long, it premiered on June 16, 2024. The episode was written by co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal and directed by Alan Taylor. Music was composed by Ramin Djawadi.

The title of the episode takes its name from the 14th chapter of Fire & Blood ("The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son").

Official synopsis

While Rhaenyra struggles to come to terms with her son’s murder, in King’s Landing, Alicent grows concerned that Aegon’s Small Council may lead them to an all-out war. Larys suggests Aegon needs a new Hand, and Rhaenyra arrives at a fateful decision.[1]

Plot

See also: Differences between Fire & Blood and House of the Dragon

The Wall

Jacaerys Velaryon travels with Lord Cregan Stark to the Wall to recruit the North for the Blacks. Their meeting ends with Cregan pledging 2,000 greybeards to fight for Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and news of Lucerys' death arriving by raven.

Storm's End

Rhaenyra flies to Storm's End in search of answers about Luke's death. After a few days of search, she breaks down when she sees the remains of Luke's dragon Arrax tangled in a fisherman's net.

Driftmark

Lord Corlys Velaryon thanks Alyn of Hull for saving his life on the Stepstones but the young sailor is nervous around his lord.

Dragonstone

Rhaenys patrols the Gullet on Meleys and enforces the Velaryon naval blokade of King's Landing. When she comes back to Dragonstone, she refuses to go to the capital with Daemon to kill Aemond and Vhagar to avenge Luke. She tells her cousin she only recognizes Rhaenyra's authority and that the queen needs time to grieve her son. The blockade arrests a ship bound for the Free Cities with Mysaria on board. She is arrested and brought to Daemon who accuses her of treason for helping the Greens to put Aegon II on the Iron Throne. At a Black council meeting, Rhaenyra returns from the Stormlands and demands revenge against Aemond. Jacaerys arrives shortly after, bringing news of the Starks and Arryns support to Rhaenyra and joins his mother in grieving Lucerys. In the meantime, Daemon offers Mysaria freedom in exchange for helping him recruit assassins in King's Landing.

King's Landing

Alicent and Ser Criston Cole have engaged in a sexual affair. King Aegon II Targaryen brings his young son and heir, Jaehaerys, to the small council meeting where the Greens discusses their next move against Rhaenyra. Returning to her chambers, Alicent discovers that Larys Strong has removed all the traitors within her staff and has chosen new servants for the Dowager Queen. Aegon holds court in the Throne room and attempts to be generous with the smallfolk but he is denied several times by his Hand, Ser Otto Hightower. Larys later suggests the king to remove Otto from office.

Daemon sneaks into King's Landing and meets the assassins recommended by Mysaria, a City Watch guard and a Red Keep ratcatcher. Daemon bribes them to kill Aemond or if they can not find him "a son for a son" will suffice. The assassins infiltrate the castle successfully but fail to locate Aemond in the royal apartments. The ratcatcher finds Queen Helaena and her sleeping children, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera. Helaena tries to bride the duo with her necklace but to not avail, they settle on killing Jaehaerys. Confused as to which of the twins is the boy, they force Helaena to point him out then murder the boy and cut his head. During all the commotion, Helaena takes Jaehaera with her and flees to the safety of her mother's chambers, only to find her in bed with Ser Criston.[2]

Cast

Starring

Co-starring

Uncredited

Reception

Airing on Father's Day, the premiere episode of season 2 of House of the Dragon obtained 7.8 million viewers in its premiere airing in the US on HBO and Max, a 22% decline compared to the 9.986 million obtained by the pilot. Despite the decrease viewership, "A Son for a Son" led Max to its biggest streaming day ever, both in the U.S. and overall, since its launch in May 2023.[3] The episode scored a 8.5/10 on IMDb.[4]

References

  1. ↑ HBO.com: House of the Dragon Ep 1: A Son for a Son
  2. ↑ House of the Dragon, Season 2, Episode 1: "A Son for a Son".
  3. ↑ Variety: House of the Dragon Season 2 Premiere Hits 7.8 Million Viewers (June 18, 2024)
  4. ↑ IMDb: A Son for a Son
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