House of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 review: Emma D'Arcy-Olivia Cooke starrer promises to be an epic bloody-war

Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint and Eve Best

Director: Ryan Condal

After witnessing the epic finale of the House of the Dragon two years ago, the second season of the show picks up by taking important pieces of the first one. While Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) are making strategic plans to take down the  Targaryen family, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) is mourning her son Luke’s death.

The first episode of the second season sets an eye-for-eye mentality, which leads to many more deaths in the family, brutality, intriguing sub-plots and of course, dragons. Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) are collaborating on something while Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower is waiting to hear from her old friend Rhaenyra.

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The second season starts with a gloomy and dull phase establishing the Targaryen family and their relationship with each other. However, in the second half, a chain of events brings back the charm which will lead to twists and some repercussions of the actions.

The makers have mindfully built the intensity with a slow-burner thrill, however, fans who are expecting action from the first episode will be disappointed.

Talking about the performances, Emma D’Arcy puts up a powerful act of a mourning mother. Matt Smith impresses with impeccable screen presence while Olivia Cooke, who has the maximum screen time in the first episode shows her versatility by portraying a variety of emotions with finesse and ease.

While it is too early to comment about the show, the first episode has taken an impressive start with layered and complex storytelling backed by impeccable camera work which transports you to another world.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars)

House of the Dragon season 2 is set to premiere on June 16 (June 17, IST) on Jio Cinema