House of the Dragon season 2 has had two trailers released that reflect both sides of the Dance of Dragons; here is an extensive breakdown of both.
Two trailers have been revealed for House of the Dragon season 2, offering plenty of Easter eggs, references, and story details of Team Green and Team Black. House of the Dragon season 1’s ending saw tensions rising between the newly-crowned King Aegon II and Rhaenyra Targaryen. This culminated in the death of Prince Lucerys, Rhaenyra’s son, which ended the season with the enticing tease of the Dance of Dragons beginning.
House of the Dragon season 2 releases on June 16, 2024.
In the world of the A Song of Ice and Fire books, the Dance of Dragons was mentioned at length, as it was in HBO’s Game of Thrones. This conflict was long teased without being seen before House of the Dragon’s new cast of characters began building toward the deadly Taragaryen civil war. With House of the Dragon season 1 doing most of the leg work in setting up both factions of the war, House of the Dragon season 2’s two trailers tease how Team Green and Team Black will approach the Dance of Dragons.
17. Black Trailer – House Of The Dragon Reiterates Rhaenyra’s Claim To The Throne
The promise of the late King Viserys was taken from Rhaenyra.
Given that House of the Dragon season 2 is releasing two years after its predecessor, the trailer for Team Black logically reiterates why Rhaenyra is so aggrieved by the crowning of King Aegon. Throughout House of the Dragon season 1, Rhaenyra had been endlessly assured by her father, King Viserys, that she would succeed him as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. This did not sit right with many in Westeros, as many would not accept a queen given their archaic beliefs.
Prince Lucerys was murdered, kickstarting the Dance of Dragons and Rhaenyra’s fight to see her crowned the rightful Queen of Westeros.
Alicent Hightower, Viserys’ wife, mistakenly believed the king’s dying words to be a wish for his son, Aegon II, to succeed him. Upon Viserys’ death and Aegon’s crowning, Rhaenyra began to feel the Hightowers had slighted her. This led to the prelude of war, with both sides seeking allies. In a bid to secure a specific ally from both sides, Prince Lucerys was murdered, kickstarting the Dance of Dragons and Rhaenyra’s fight to see her crowned the rightful Queen of Westeros.
16. Black Trailer – Rhaenyra Is Intent On War In House Of The Dragon Season 2
Rhaenyra’s once-reserved nature has become a wish for war against her enemies.
After trying her best to avoid war and enforce Viserys’ wish for her succession of him peacefully, the events of House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10 naturally angered Rhaenyra. From the seeming conspiring of the Hightowers to the death, however accidental, of Lucerys, Rhaenyra is now intent on war in House of the Dragon season 2. This is quickly highlighted in the Black trailer for the show, with Rhaenyra being shown as much more openly vengeful, stating she means “to fight this war and win it.”
The end of the Black trailer hints that Rhaenyra will come to regret her actions, stating she fears what she has begun.
15. Black Trailer – A Funeral For Lucerys Is Taking Place
The death of Rhaenyra’s son will continue to be felt.
Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen with Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra, staring down the camera with an orange glow in the background, in House of the Dragon’s season 1 finale
The opening shots of the Black trailer for House of the Dragon season 2 show Rhaenyra standing near a pyre. It can be assumed that this is an official funeral for Lucerys, given that House of the Dragon season 1 ended directly after Rhaenyra found out about her son’s death. Not only does beginning the trailer this way remind audiences of why Rhaenyra is fighting, but it picks up from the most important plot point of season 1.
14. Black Trailer – A Dragonseed Is Teased For House Of The Dragon
In the Black trailer, a shot can be seen of Rhaenyra gathering her allies on Dragonstone. Sat on the right-hand side of the table is a huge man with blonde hair and a beard. This man is likely Hugh Hammer, a Dragonseed – Targaryen bastard – who fights for Rhaenyra in the Dance of Dragons. Hugh Hammer was not included in season 1, though House of the Dragon season 2 will escalate the war further, leading Rhaenyra and her family to look for more allies like Hugh.
13. Black Trailer – House Of The Dragon Season 2 Returns To The Wall
An iconic Game of Thrones location returns in the prequel show
While House of the Dragon is a prequel to Game of Thrones, the most familiar location from the latter included in the former was King’s Landing. Much of House of the Dragon explored new areas of Westeros outside of the capital, such as Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon. That said, the Black trailer for House of the Dragon season 2 teases a return to one of Game of Thrones’ more iconic locations: The Wall. Located in the far north of the Seven Kingdoms, The Wall separates the wilds beyond from the kingdoms of Westeros, manned by the Night’s Watch.
12. Black Trailer – The Wall Hints At Cregan Stark’s Introduction
Rhaenyra seeks the aid of Lord Stark.
Rhaenyra Targaryen covered in ash and looking sad in House of the Dragon season 2, with an image of Ned Stark smiling in Game of Thrones season 1 episode 1
The return to The Wall hints that House of the Dragon season 2 will capitalize on a tease from the season 1 finale. While Lucerys was sent to win the favor of House Baratheon in the coming conflict, Rhaenyra’s other son, Jace, was sent to Winterfell. Winterfell is the seat of House Stark, with Jace sent to lure its lord, Cregan Stark, over to Rhaenyra’s side. It seems as though the return to The Wall will be part of Jace’s attempts to secure House Stark’s loyalty, as the great houses of Westeros pick sides in the Dance of Dragons.
11. Black Trailer – Rhaenyra Continues To Gain Support From House Velaryon
The connections between the two Westerosi houses continue.
A composite image of Corlys Velaryon and a ship in House of the DragonCustom Image By Dalton Norman
Undoubtedly the staunchest ally of Rhaenyra throughout House of the Dragon season 1 was House Velaryon. Through several marriage pacts of Rhaenyra’s children and the fact that Rhaenys, Visery’s sister, is married to Lord Corlys Velaryon, the house was an ally of the Targaryens in the build-up to the Dance of Dragons. If the Black trailer for House of the Dragon season 2 makes anything clear, it is that House Velaryon will not waver in its support of Rhaenyra, as evidenced by Corlys imploring the would-be queen to “crush this beast at its head.”
