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HBO recently unveiledHouse of the Dragonseason 2 teaser trailer that expectedly reveals very little about the Dance, but a lot about its core. The Dance’s biggest players, viz Otto Hightower, the dowager queen, Alicent Hightower, and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen have each formed their judgment on the kin strife that lies at the heart ofHouse of the Dragon. Alicent accepts that the war over the Iron Throne is inevitable, Otto talks about the time that followed King Viserys I’s passing away and Rhaenys is honest about what the Blacks are getting themselves into.
King Viserys I Targaryen is dead and his children, Rhaenyra and Aegon II, fight for power. His eldest girl from the late queen, Aemma Arryn, Rhaenyra, was his decreed heir. However, Viserys' firstborn son, Aegon, was installed on the Iron Throne by traitors who had the Red Keep during his passing.House of the Dragonseason 2 teaser trailershows three key characters talking about the upcoming civil war.
“Errors Were Made In The Hours Following King Viserys' Death.”
Otto Hightower’s admission
Otto’s impactful voiceover lies in the beginning ofHouse of the Dragonteaser trailer. He has started to perceive the dangers of realm-wide dragon warfare. After Viserys passed away inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 9 “The Green Council,” Otto wanted his drunken, missing grandchild, Aegon, to be brought straight to him. He wanted to press him to murder Rhaenyra and Daemon at Dragonstone. Otto’s daughter beat him to it and organized Aegon’s coronation in the manner she saw fit. Otto might have wanted it the other way, but Alicent refused to have Rhaenyra’s blood on her hands. She also sent terms to her on Dragonstone, whichDaemon Targaryen rejectedand Rhaenyra mulled over.
Alicent wouldn’t let her sons be known as kinslayers, but much to her dismay, Aemond ended up becoming one when he caused Vhagar to devour Lucerys atop Arrax. What Otto means by “errors” in the teaser is the complex machinery that the Greens deployed in the hours after Viserys' death. The Blacks remained unaware as they imprisoned lords and ladies within the throne room and made them choose between death and fealty to Aegon:
Viserys amended his wishes. It’s as simple as that. You once swore your banners to Rhaenyra. You must now pledge them to the future king.
A few bent the knee and those who denied him were executed. Alicent personally visited Princess Rhaenys in her chambers to coax her into declaring for Aegon. Rhaenys refused but was lucky enough to be smuggled out of the Keep bySer Erryk Cargyll.
“The War Will Be Fought, Many Will Die, And The Victor Will Eventually Ascend The Throne.”
Alicent Hightower’s realization
Alicent squares with the idea of the war being fought over the Iron Throne. She knows that Aegon’s coronation has less value as his rule is challenged by his older half-sister, Rhaenyra. She also knows the realm is divided between Houses loyal to them and to Rhaenyra. Alicent did everything in her power to prevent bloodshed but a chain of events landed the Greens in hot waters with the Blacks.
So far, the Blacks have only been spectators to the Greens' actions. Rhaenyra silently watched the traitors act against the realm, butLucerys Velaryon’s deathchanged everything. Alicent accepts the war for Westeros is inevitable and acknowledges the human cost that comes with it. It is pertinent to mention that this isn’t just any other war, in that, the Greens and the Blacks both have dragons at their disposal and they could potentially obliterate cities, and villages, killing hundreds of thousands.
“There’s No War So Hateful To The Gods As A War Between Kin And No War So Bloody As A War Between Dragons.”
Rhaenys Targaryen speaks about the true cost of war
Rhaenys Targaryen is arguably the most learned person inHouse of the Dragon. In the teaser trailer, her expressions are ingenuous as she offers this piece of advice to Rhaenyra. It was Rhaenys who previously inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 10 “The Black Queen,” walked her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon, aka the Sea Snake through the dangers of letting the Greens have their way:
Jace, Luke, and Joff are claimants to the throne. Those boys will not be safe so long as Aegon is king.
Because of Rhaenys, the Sea Snake arrives on Dragonstone and deliberates on the course of action in Rhaenyra’s council. Being the seasoned royal that she is, she now warns Rhaenyra that the looming civil war involving dragon warfare will be catastrophic. Rhaenys says because it is a war between blood relatives and cousins, it is perceived as hateful inthe eyes of the Gods. Rhaenys' wisdom shines through when she educates Rhaenyra on the socio-religious cost of what they are about to get into.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is HBO’s prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set hundreds of years earlier, the show follows the inner machinations and rivalries of the Targaryen royal family. The show was created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, and stars Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Olivia Cooke.
