House of the Dragon is returning with Season 2, and there’s already a lot of information out there as to what fans can expect from the Westeros show.

When Game of Thrones came to an end, its future was uncertain. While HBO had many plans for future spinoffs, there was a question mark over whether there was still an audience for this world. However, the first season of House of the Dragon landed with such force that fans were immediately back in on the franchise. The show was nuanced, beautifully written, boasted incredible performances, and was still packed with all of the fantasy elements audiences had come to expect. It was clear that HBO was right to greenlight future seasons of the show.

Fast-forward to 2024; Season 2 of House of the Dragon is just around the corner. The show is much bigger in scale compared to the initial series, as HBO can have even more confidence in the story that it’s telling. Much has changed, and much has stayed the same since the last time audiences enjoyed this saga, but the biggest difference is how House of the Dragon plays into the future of the franchise. The series continues to link up to Game of Thrones and its eventual spinoffs, securing the continuity and celebrating the storied history of this fantastical franchise.

House of the Dragon Continues to Track an Important Part of Westeros History

Fire & Blood Has Provided Ample Inspiration

House of the Dragon Season 1 spent a great deal of time setting out the conflicts that are going to define Westeros. Just like Game of Thrones before it, the key motivation of the series is power. Every major house vies to move up the ranks, but for House of the Dragon, it’s the Hightowers and the Targaryens that are particularly close to the throne. After the death of the King, it’s all to play for, with Alicent Hightower placing her own son on the throne, claiming it’s the will of her late husband. This has caused shockwaves throughout the Targaryen family, with Rhaenyra Targaryen shouting from the rooftops that she is the only true heir to the crown. The conflicts between the family are already tense, with Rhaenyra constantly feeling that she has been overlooked by her father. With the throne in her grasp, it’s thus a greater betrayal that her former best friend has stolen it from her clutches.

The original Game of Thrones tells the story of the story of the Dance of the Dragons a legendary and historical conflict in Westeros history that reshaped the kingdom for a new age. This Targaryen civil war fought between Rhaenyra, and Aegon II is exactly what’s playing out on screen, but there are a few more twists in the novel that are yet to take place that will force audiences to reconsider the key players. Just like Game of Thrones, there are lesser-known characters that operate in the shadows who are still yet to strike, and there are also plenty of betrayals still to come. Season 1 of the show thus sets up Season 2 with great enthusiasm, depicting the complex relationship between Rhaenyra and her uncle and highlighting the importance of households like the Velaryons, who are soon to be valuable allies. Season 1 also features a romance between Rhaenyra and Ser Criston Cole, the latter of whom is still seeking his revenge.

Season 2 Brings the Conflict

The Dance of the Dragons Ramps Up

House of the Dragon Season 2 will ultimately dive deeper into the war, with Daemon Targaryen’s true colors in particular coming to light. With House of the Dragon seemingly greenlit for four seasons in total, the show is going to have to step it up a gear to truly capture the sheer ambition of the original text the show is based on. The Dance of the Dragons is a moment that’s alluded to in the original Game of Thrones series, just like the novels, and thus, it has to play out in a way that matches expectations. It’s easy to see how the battle lines are being drawn as the major households and members of each party choose their side in the war that is yet to come.

Season 2 of House of the Dragon will thus launch into this political conflict further, with the underhand scheming, bloody battles, and pledges of open allegiance weaving a complicated web of subplots and narrative arcs. The show’s very premise takes its cues from the novel Fire & Blood, which will continue shaping how the second season plays out. Audiences should thus look out for characters like Criston Cole who has deepend his alliance with the Hightowers, while new characters such as Cheese, Blood, Gwayne Hightower, Alys Rivers, and Hugh Hammer make their own impact on the rising war. This is a period of unrest for Westeros, and its very future is in the hands of those who decide upon the Iron Throne. The King’s Council is of particular note, therefore, with the line-up changing and evolving based on the maneuverings of the royal family.

House of the Dragon Continues to Setup Game Of Thrones

Westeros History is Incredible Cyclicle

House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones are more interlinked than many might think. History has a habit of repeating itself and the events playing out across Season 1 and Season 2 of House of the Dragon create a Westeros which leads to the events of Game of Thrones. The original George R.R. Martin series depicted the Seven Kingdoms without any dragons and with the Targaryens no longer in power. Without the Dance of the Dragons and the eventual rise of the Mad King, perhaps the Targaryens would have sat on the throne for much longer, completely avoiding the War of the Five Kings. Game of Thrones also features many texts that talk of the history of the kingdoms. The deeds the brave knights committed and the wars that were fought. The actions of the Dance of the Dragons are so famous that they reappear again and again as fables for new heroes to aspire to.

House of the Dragon also features major households like the Hightowers, which are far less significant by the time Game of Thrones rolls around. Their importance diminishes as they are replaced with new people of power. The likes of the Lannisters find a way to fill that void, especially with the Targaryens leaving a true vacuum of influence as their dragons are almost wiped out. House of the Dragon shows how wealth and the right political allegiance may lead to a completely different status quo. But outside of the war that shapes a people, House of the Dragon has also highlighted some prophecies that may one day come to pass. The kind that speaks of trouble beyond the wall, the need for a hero of fire and blood, and an undead army that will one day pose a threat to Westeros. The trailer for Season 2 highlights some new narratives, and there’s no doubt that Game of Thrones will continue to play a factor in them.

Season 2 is Just the Latest Step in a Wider Plan For Game of Thrones

Many More Spinoffs Are in Store For Westeros Fans

House of the Dragon might not just lead into its sequel show, though. There are other projects it could inspire. Once Game of Thrones came to an end, HBO went into development on a whole host of spinoff shows set in Westeros. House of the Dragon was the first to come to fruition, and that has been aided by the fact that the Targaryen’s storied history has been covered in a pre-existing text. Audiences should take notice of that trend and look to the other novels George R.R. Martin has written. It’s probable that the next spinoffs that get to see the light of day will follow suit and be based on books that have already been released. The spinoff show based on the adventures of Dunk and Egg seems to be a possible candidate to follow on from House of the Dragon, but the Westeros show has already spawned a spinoff of its own. HBO is also working on a series titled The Sea Snake, which follows the voyages of Corlys Velaryon, a standout character in House of the Dragon.

Ultimately, House of the Dragon has given HBO the confidence to move forward with its many sequels and prequels. Season 2 of House of the Dragon could well set up some of the spinoffs that are to be developed, with characters like the Sea Snake getting a greater focus and crucial pieces of lore being spotlighted to tease what’s to come. With a strong cast, fantastic creative minds, and an epic piece of source material to adapt, House of the Dragon Season 2 appears to be on track to surpass the first. Audiences can learn more about the show from the recently released trailer ahead of its Summer launch. The true Dance of the Dragons is about to begin, and it has the potential to be even more impactful than the sprawling Game of Thrones.