House of the Dragon preview: “Second of His Name”

We’re two episodes into House of the Dragon, HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel show. Already, things have gotten pretty complicated. Where are our characters at ahead of tomorrow’s new episode, “Second of His Name”? Let’s take roll call.

Rhaenrya Targaryen — Status: Leaning in

Rhaenyra has been struggling to get taken seriously as the heir to her father’s throne. In “The Rogue Prince,” she took matters into her own hands and it paid off! As she gains confidence, she’ll doubtlessly try to grow her influence. But the journey won’t be without bumps in the road, since things are changing quickly at court…

Alicent Hightower — Status: “I’m a cool stepmom”

Last episode, King Viserys was under pressure to take a new wife, for the sake of stability in the realm. He ultimately decided to marry Alicent Hightower, his daughter’s best friend…who is the same age as his daughter. How this changes the friendship between Rhaenrya and Alicent, it’s hard to say, but there’s no way it’s for the better.

Viserys Targaryen — Status: Caught between a rock and the teenager he’s decided to marry

Well, Viserys, I guess you didn’t marry the 12-year-old; bully for you. This isn’t much better. Viserys is a nice guy, but his choices often leave a lot to be desired. He has to know that this is going to make things tense at court.

But I guess the heart wants what the heart wants, and in this case what the heart wants is his daughter’s best friend. This is fine.

Otto Hightower — Status: Still the smuggest man in King’s Landing

Otto Hightower managed to get back the king’s dragon egg without any bloodshed (with Rhaenrya’s help, of course) and came home to find out that his daughter is going to be the new queen! Plus, his archenemy Daemon Targaryen is still exiled from the city. It’s good to be the (Hand of the) King, even if you’d never know it looking at him; does this guy ever smile?

Daemon Targaryen — Status: Problems at home? Try war

When Daemon was Lord Commander of the City Watch, he tried to get daddy-brother’s attention by cleaning up the streets. When he nested on Dragonstone for half a year, he tried to get it by stealing a dragon’s egg. Now he’s going to try to get it by doing what he does best: killing anything that moves. Corlys Velaryon has a war to fight in the Stepstones, and if Daemon can win glory by helping him out, he will.

Mysaria — Status: Tired of these weird rich people

Mysaria is a sex worker and former slave who is trying to get ahead in life, and when you have as few options as her, attaching yourself to a privileged guy like Daemon Targaryen is one of the ways you can pull yourself up. But that comes with dangers, as well, and it’s hard to know what she’ll do now that Daemon has revealed himself to be a less than reliable protecter. If her aim is to be liberated from fear, it’s hard to see her leaving with Daemon to make war in the Stepstones. Perhaps she’ll return to King’s Landing? Or maybe she’ll go back to the Free City of Lys, where she was born.

Corlys Velaryon — Status: More of a lobster guy

Corlys Velaryon has had it up to here with King Viserys refusing him give him the go-ahead to attack Craghas Drahar, aka the Crabfeeder, the Myrish military commander who’s harassing trade routes in the Narrow Sea at the behest of the Triarchy. At the end of “The Rogue Prince,” he secured Daemon’s help in taking this guy down, which means the Sea Snake is going to war.

We got to know Corlys a bit better in the second episode, so it’ll be fun for the series to continue to fill him out as it shows us what he’s like in a different context.

Rhaenys Targaryen — Status: Taking a long drag on her cigarette and sighing, “Kids these days”

Like her husband, we got to know Rhaenys a bit better in “The Rogue Prince” when she counseled Rhaenyra about what an uphill battle she has if she wants to sit the Iron Throne. Rhaenyra didn’t seem particularly receptive to her advice, so Rhaenys is probably torn between wanting the best for her cousin and fearing that she’s in for a rude awakening.

Although we haven’t seen it yet, Rhaenys is actually a dragonrider; her mount is Meleys the Red Queen. Surely we’ll see her take to the skies sooner or later.

Criston Cole — Status: Handsome on call

Criston Cole has cut a pretty low profile so far. He showed up at the Heir’s Tourney and caught Rhaenyra’s eye, and then she picked him to be promoted onto the Kingsguard. So far that’s about it. There’s clearly an attraction there, but neither party has acted on it yet, at least not in any obvious way.

There are other characters in the mix, including members of the Small Council like Lord Lyonel Strong or newly appointed Lord of the Kingsguard Ser Harrold Westerling. We’re also starting to meet some of the younger generation of characters, like little Laena Velaryon. But we’ll add and speculate on people as they become relevant.

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