House of the Dragon season 2 review: "This brutal return evokes the golden era of Game of Thrones"

GamesRadar+ VerdictGame of Thrones’ redemption arc continues with House of the Dragon season 2, a brutal return for the fantasy epic that sets up a tantalizing conflict where no one is safe. GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Game of Thrones’ redemption arc continues with House of the Dragon season 2, a brutal return for the fantasy epic that sets up a tantalizing conflict where no one is safe. Game of Thrones’ redemption arc continues with House of the Dragon season 2, a brutal return for the fantasy epic that sets up a tantalizing conflict where no one is safe. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. House of the Dragon season 2episodes 1-4 were made available for review. The brutal first four episodes of the Game of Thrones prequel’s return to the screen are up there with its best, as two sides plot their course to power. Navigating a shorter episode count, as well as a different structure to season 1’s time-skipping timeline, House of the Dragon is a different beast this time around, but no less thrilling. Expect horrifying developments, political scheming, and a heavy load of grief as season 2 beginsright in the crosshairs of Lucerys’ and Arrax’s murder at Aemond’s hands. As the consequences of that kingdom-shifting action come into play, both sides navigate their next move in the bloody game, and a sense of dread and unease hover over the lengths they will go to get it. Fire and blood (Image credit: Sky/HBO) It all kicks off with a moment that evokes the golden era of Game of Thrones. Episode one begins with a new credits sequence to rival the iconic original as the action begins in the North. Starks appear and warnings of “winter is coming” send just the right chills down your spine. But, just as quickly as House of the Dragon remembers its fantasy forbearer, we see its growth. Where Thrones was critiqued for its handling of sexual violence and gratuitous (often female) nudity, season 2 so far carries these elements much more effectively. Slight tweaks from George R. R. Martin’s source material in a key storyline allow for the horror to still be suitably harrowing, without feeling unnecessary, and while violence and sex are still very much a part of this world, it never feels superfluous. New additions join the line-up too, including a particularly brilliant Simon Russell Beale putting his Shakespearean background to good use with a character snapped straight from the Bard’s war tragedies. Yet, amongst the newcomers, Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen continues to stand out as the MVP. The dangerous and scheming white-haired menace is so captivating to watch as he swaggers back onto the screen, and it’s such a joy to have him back. High stakes (Image credit: Sky/HBO) Along with all the plotting and political machinations, the show remembers its dragons too, with some early spectacular soaring shots. As the season reaches its halfway point too, this only grows more epic. The scaly foes raise the stakes, making for some truly epic battle sequences. The direction here from Alan Taylor and Clare Kilner is remarkable, and is just as powerful in these big moments as its smaller interludes. Whether it be the reflection of lighting a candle or petals falling through the air, the attention to detail is a remarkable tool for conveying the emotional sequences that plague both houses. Add in Ramin Djawadi’s magnificent score, and the resulting atmosphere is gripping, meaning that even in its most brutal moments, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away. If there’s any slight quibbles, it’s with the pacing. Without the momentum of skipping time periods that made season 1 both thrilling and frustrating in equal measure, we’re settling in for a slower build this time around. In particular, the crawling speed of episodes 2 and 3 after the drama of the premiere means they can’t quite earn their 60 minutes plus runtimes. There are a lot of men sitting around council tables lecturing women while the promise of battle still feels out of reach. But while this may prove frustrating with the show’s weekly release schedule, it makes the fight all the more worth it when it inevitably comes. I much prefer this time to build up the situation too, delving into the psyches of these characters, and preparing for the weight of this savage war to come. It may not be a bombastic, dragon-fighting introduction back to this world, but it’s all the better for it as we watch these characters play the chess board set in front of them. And as the hunger for revenge hangs heavy, an eye for an eye turns into a never-ending cycle, we just might be on the cusp of the most intriguing game yet. House Of The Dragon is on Max (US) from 16 June and Sky Atlantic (UK) from 17 June. For more, check out our guides to all thenew TV showscoming out this year. CATEGORIESHBOStreaming Services CATEGORIES More about house of the dragonHBO boss speaks out on George R.R. Martin’s House of the Dragon criticism: “I would prefer everybody get along"Matt Smith gives update on House of the Dragon season 3: “I’ve not heard a thing"Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► More about house of the dragonHBO boss speaks out on George R.R. 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place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 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” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”