House of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 recap and Easter eggs: Westeros will never be the same again

EntertainmentTVFantasy ShowsHouse of the DragonHouse of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 recap and Easter eggs: Westeros will never be the same againWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentTVFantasy ShowsHouse of the DragonHouse of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 recap and Easter eggs: Westeros will never be the same againWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Sky/HBO) House of the Dragon season 2episode 1 is now out as we head back to Westeros for more drama. Following directly on from the events of the previous season, the new episode picks up after the tragicmurder of Lucerys Velaryon at the hands of Aemond Targyren. In the aftermath, Rhaenyra and Daemon are out for revenge, while Alicent and Otto Hightower try to stop the conflict from escalating. However, as a plot for a horrific act is afoot, it soon seems that there’s no chance of escaping the war to come. While you’re at it, check out ourHouse of the Dragon season 2 reviewand ourHouse of the Dragon season 2 release scheduleto never miss an episode. Winter is coming (Image credit: HBO) The second season begins with a moment that seems pulled right from Game of Thrones as we head to The Wall to meet the Starks. This is where Rhaenyra had sent her son Jace when she’d sent Luke to Storm’s End at the end of season 1. Jace manages to get Cregan Stark to commit to sending his greybeards to help the Queen reclaim her throne, but while there, the pair receive a raven with news of Luke’s death. Things aren’t much more organised in King’s Landing where the council is reeling after Aemond’s actions. Aegon is keen to capitalize and kill Rhaenyra, while Otto and Alicent try to plead against more bloodshed and escalation. The cracks are beginning to show around the war table, and characters like Larys Strong are doing their best to manipulate them. Alicent struggles too with the loss of Luke, lighting a candle in his name, as the parallels between her and Rhaenyra hang heavy over the episode. Bloody revenge (Image credit: HBO/Sky) As the episode progresses, Rhaenyra’s grief leads her to call for revenge for her son. “I want Aemond,” she tells her council, a plea that Daemon takes a bit too seriously. Using theWhite Worm, who’s now been taken prisoner in Dragonstone, he pries a name out of her about a potential spy in the Red Keep. Travelling in disguise, he recruits the guard, Blood, and a ratcatcher called Cheese to enter the palace to find and kill the one-eyed prince. However, a layer of ambiguity hangs heavy over what they should do if they can’t find him – something that will prove crucial very soon. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox After entering the Red Keep, the pair sneak past Aegon getting drunk on the Iron Throne and up into the Royal Quarters of the palace, but they can’t find Aemond. Laying rat traps to cover their tracks, Cheese stumbles into Queen Helaena’s rooms, where two of her young children are sleeping. Holding a knife to her neck, the men demand that she tells them which is the boy and future heir to the throne. She points at Jaehaerys, who they then decapitate. Helaena grabs her daughter and runs through the castle to her mother’s rooms, where Alicent is in the throes of passion with Ser Criston Cole. Panicked, she asks what’s happened. “They killed the boy,” Helaena tells her, before the screen cuts to black. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 Easter eggs (Image credit: Sky/HBO) House of the Dragon season 2 continues weekly on HBO and Max on Sundays in the US and on Sky and NOW TV on Mondays in the UK. 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package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”