Season 2 Flops: How House of the Dragon Can Fix Its Mistakes in Season 3

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Summary

  • Season 2 of HBO’s House of the Dragon lacked compelling plot and character development.
  • The reduced episode count affected the pacing and quality of the show.
  • Season 3’s Battle of the Gullet is crucial to bring House of the Dragon back on track.

In simpler terms, House of the Dragon, HBO’s ambitious attempt to match the quality of Game of Thrones (specifically, the first six seasons), fell short in its first season due to a weak plot, poor narration, and underdeveloped characters. Despite having some strong points, it didn’t live up to its inaugural season’s impact. The third season, scheduled for release by HBO in 2026 according to Deadline, is preparing to begin filming.

In simpler terms, among all the stories in Season 2, “The Red Sowing” and “The Battle at Rook’s Rest” were particularly captivating. However, Daemon’s extended time at Harrenhal was filled with disturbing dreams/hallucinations and questionable military tactics, which tarnished his image in the Riverlands and affected the overall quality of the show.

So far, “House of the Dragon” has had its ups and downs, but it’s clear that the next season will be crucial for its continued success. The writers have a good opportunity to fix any issues and bring the story back on track. Things might not seem great right now, but they’re definitely not beyond salvageable.

Where Did House of the Dragon Season 2 Go Wrong?

Initially, the TV series “House of the Dragon” deviated from George R.R. Martin’s original approach of creating a 10-hour story per season to narrate the Dance of the Dragons. Following the airing of “Lord of the Tides,” the author of “ASOIAF” and executive producer of “HotD” confirmed that each season would consist of a 10-episode arc. This was expressed as enthusiasm for “HotD” and addressing concerns about its time jumps, which Martin addressed on his “Not A Blog” in October 2022.

Initially, THE SOPRANOS featured 13 episodes per season, whereas GAME OF THRONES reduced this to 10 (actually fewer in the final seasons). If HOUSE OF THE DRAGON followed suit with 13 episodes, it might have allowed us to present events more smoothly without having to fast-forward through certain periods. However, this could potentially lead to criticisms that the show was moving too slowly or lacked significant developments. Fortunately, we’re content with having 10 hours per season to tell our story effectively.

The TV series “House of the Dragon” is inspired by George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” book series, making him an expert on its content. His approval of a 10-episode season structure suggested it was best for creating an engaging storyline and maintaining well-structured plotlines. However, reducing the number of episodes to 8 impacted the show’s tempo, character development, and other aspects.

Martin added in his blog post:

To fully explore the Dance of the Dragons from beginning to end, we’ll need a total of four complete seasons, each consisting of ten episodes.

In simpler terms, the abbreviated second season generated worry before its start, stirred up dissatisfaction as it progressed, and concluded in a letdown. According to Deadline, one reason for the shorter season was the story itself. With fewer episodes produced, HBO delayed the main attraction – the Battle of the Gullet – leading to an unsatisfying finale.

Instead of hastily following the pattern of abrupt storylines and compressed seasons that characterized “Game of Thrones” (seasons 7 and 8), “House of the Dragon” chose to devote an entire season to meticulous setup, a wait that seemed far from justified in its two-year duration. Dreams haunting Daemon, Rhaenyra’s eloquent yet misguided council speeches, Alicent’s questionable shift of allegiance, and her tumultuous relationship with Ser Criston Cole, marked by heated moments and icy standoffs, were all regrettable missteps. Despite losing Lucerys and her allies in the Crownlands, Rhaenyra remained passive even as a sitting duck, delaying action until it was too late.

In a Rashomon-esque twist, the series portrayed Alicent in a new light, revealing her deep concern for Aegon and other children throughout their ordeal. Despite attacking Rhaenyra after Lucerys injured Aemond, she ultimately sought peace and sacrificed Aegon to signify surrender at the end of Season 2, an act that shocked fans familiar with Alicent from “Fire & Blood.” This decision seemed uncharacteristic and questionable for several reasons. The war was no longer within her control, making a peace offer futile. Moreover, everyone understood that Aegon was merely a figurehead, while Aemond was the true threat. A more cunning, strategic, and protective Alicent from Season 1 would have strengthened Aegon’s claim, reined in Aemond, and excelled as a skilled diplomat and formidable war mother instead of making such a questionable move.

How Can House of the Dragon Recover – Season 3 Dos and Don’ts

Only War Can Bring Peace Now

As a movie critic, I believe the creators of “House of the Dragon” can enhance their series by streamlining storytelling and empowering key female characters. To start, they should trim excessive scenes that do not contribute significantly to the plot, and reinstate Alicent’s autonomy, as well as Rhaenyra’s influence among her advisors at Dragonstone.

In Season 1, these women stood boldly in the midst of war, but unfortunately, in Season 2, they were often portrayed as passive damsels in distress. Rhaenyra’s counselors either advised her to retreat to safer grounds or doubted her leadership abilities, while Alicent was consistently pressured by the men around her to marry for political advantage.

The fluctuating nature of Alicent’s stance on war weakened her character, and Rhaenyra took too long to make decisive moves. It is essential for both characters to showcase greater strength and conviction in the upcoming seasons. By addressing these points, “House of the Dragon” can deliver a more engaging and empowering narrative for its audience.

The Battle of the Gullet should bring order to House of the Dragon

As a dedicated fan, I firmly believe that making “The Gullet” the season 3 opener for House of the Dragon is an astute choice. This pivotal event will serve as a turning point in the course of the war, significantly enhancing the overall quality of the show. After “The Gullet,” there’s no looking back, as it accelerates the pace of the conflict and brings resolution to characters who have been indecisive about its direction. Essentially, “The Gullet” is the key that sets into motion the war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

Here’s hoping it’s written to perfection with no major plot deviations from Fire & Blood.

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2025-02-23 01:37