2024 is – literally – the Year of the Dragon. And the year in which we will continue with the House of the Dragon series, scheduled to premiere sometime at the end of the first semester. The exact date has not yet been announced.

The premiere of the Game of Thrones prequel, which is in the same universe but has an independent life, was a success. House of the Dragon has the potential for many years as it covers the period of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros, so there are almost 200 years of a lot of drama. The initial period is not even the beginning of the family’s rule on the continent, but rather one of the bloodiest and most tragic in which the civil war between brothers vying for the throne almost annihilated the Targaryens and ended the time of dragons in history (until the return of Daenerys ).

In the first season, the focus was on clarifying how the conflict was sown and gained momentum, but had not yet actually “started”. There are differences between the book and TV, some adaptations (such as the ages of Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen), but, in general, it remained faithful while taking advantage of the opportunities (there are many) in the story to give another version of the facts.

With the tragic (and accidental!) death of Lucery Velaryon, any hesitation Rhaenyra had to embark on a violent response to her half-brother Aegon II’s usurpation of her throne was over. In this second season, we will see blood flow in House of the Dragon, on both sides.

An important and interesting detail of House of the Dragon eliminates the basic doubt: Aegon II was never chosen by Viserys I to succeed him on the Iron Throne. Never. His coronation was coldly engineered by his grandfather, Otto Hightower, out of ambition and prejudice. Alicent’s involvement was not the same as in the book. Here she has another trigger to embark on the coup d’état: 1) she misunderstood a conversation with her husband and 2) she has serious problems with Rhaneyra, which is the opposite of what Alicent understands as correct. Therefore, the genius of the series is that the division between Blacks and Greens gains another perspective, with clear flaws on both sides.

That’s what matters? Now that we have seen Lucerys being swallowed by Vaghar, and commanded (or not controlled) by Aemond, the Dance of Dragons begins and we will have important battles to follow. Two of them, right.

First of all, it is difficult to argue who “wins” the war, as casualties are numerous on both sides. We can almost argue for a technical tie, as Aegon II “wins”, but is then killed and the one who inherits the crown is precisely the son of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen, but that is a topic for another post. In the second season, despite being affected, the blacks will dominate. To be seen (not in display order).

Battle of the Burning Mill

This clash was confirmed in the trailer, because we see Criston Cole beheading a supporter of Rhaenyra and it is a consequence of this first movement, which takes place in the Riverlands of Westeros, shortly after the murder of Lucerys Targaryen in Shipbreaker Bay. This is because Aegon II had support from Important houses including some that did not keep their oath of loyalty to Rhaenyra.

If until now the rivalry between men has remained in the background in House of the Dragon, now it will become clearer why they are the ones leading the battles. The black war strategy is led by Daemon Targaryen, and, on the green side, by Ser Criston Cole. Driven by his personal hatred for Rhaenyra, who seduced him and did not want to marry, Ser Criston wants to destroy the Queen.

This battle begins with an ambush by the Blackwoods after the Brackens march into their territory. This is because House Blackwood is in favor of Rhaenyra. House Bracken supports Aegon II. The name is because the mill was set on fire during the fighting hours.

Lord Samwell Blackwood sends raiders into Bracken’s lands, and, in response, Ser Amos Bracken marches into Blackwood’s territory, surprising the Brackens while they are camped near a mill near a river, possibly Red Fork. The confrontation is bloody and Ser Amos kills Lord Samwell in single combat, but is immediately killed by an arrow fired by Samwell’s sister, Alysanne. Faced with this, his bastard brother, Ser Raylon Rivers, retreats with the green survivors to a cruel surprise.

Daemon, the Queen’s force strategist

Daemon as Rhaenrya’s consort achieves his greatest dream: commanding the Targaryen army. More than the Crown, he wanted trust. He didn’t have Viserys, which created the hurt between brothers. But, with his wife-niece, he has already taken the reins and will be the main general of the black forces until… well, it’s not worth anticipating. In the second season, it will be his glory, feared by his enemies and essential in Rhaenyra’s victories.

The Battle of the Burning Mill is an example. As Blackwoods and Brackens decimate each other, he makes a crucial decision: mounted on his dragon Caraxes, he leads the army that unites Houses Darrys, Freys, Pipers, and Rootes against the Brackens castle, Stone Hedge. With most of the Bracken forces at bay, storming the castle wasn’t exactly difficult.

Daemon captures Lord Humfrey Bracken, his sons who had not gone to the Battle of the Burning Mill, and his third wife (as well as his mistress). Therefore, with his son, Raylon returns in retreat to Stone Hedge and is met with undeniable defeat. It’s the end of green power in the Riverlands.

Another standout moment of Daemon’s battle in season two will be the taking of Harrenhal. However, the images of Rhaneyra searching for Lucerys’ body and Daemon in his armor in a castle we don’t recognize suggest that they refer to the first battle of the premiere episode. In other words, a victory for the blacks.

Blackwoods: A Family That Enters Targaryen Blood

There is an issue that will have weight later in the Targaryen Saga, placing this position of the Blackwoods at the heart of another likely series in the Game of Thrones universe, and that deserves an in-depth post. What is important to follow here?

Well, starting with Alysanne Blackwood, Black Aly, who promises to be one of the standout female characters. Ser Samwell’s younger sister, it’s the day of the heir of Stone Hedge: little Benjicot Blackwood, aged 11. Alysanne will be alongside Black Aly and her bastard kinsman, Ser Raylon Rivers, as well as the Ranger of Raventree, Red Robb Rivers, at the Battle by the Lake, the Butcher’s Ball, and the First Battle of Tumbleton. More importantly, she eventually marries Lord Cregan Stark to secure a pardon for Lord Corlys Velaryon.

Furthermore, the youngest of Rhaenyra and Daemon, Viserys II, will come to the throne, and his son, Aegon IV – one of the worst kings in Westeros – will have children with the Blackwoods, planting the seed of the Blackfyre Rebellion. So, keep an eye out for them!

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