What are critics saying about the first episode in season 2 of House of the Dragon?

House of the Dragon 2 has finally arrived on HBO and Sky Atlantic and the reviews for the first episode are in.

Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon is set during the time that the Targaryen dynasty ruled over the Seven Kingdoms, but on the brink of a civil war from within their own house.

Devastated by the death of his wife and infant son, King Viserys sent shockwaves through the kingdom by declaring his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra, his heir. However, the ailing king’s marriage to Alicent of House Hightower, encouraged by her father and Hand of the King Otto Hightower, results in a male heir – Aegon Targaryen – putting Rheanyra’s claim on the Iron Throne in question.

Now in season two, with Westeros on the brink of a bloody civil war with Green and Black Councils fighting for King Aegon and Queen Rhaenyra respectively, viewers will see the house that dragons built and learn how they tore it all down.

Forbes refers to the season opener as “Blood and Cheese”, labelling it “a brilliant season premiere”. IGN write: “the first episode of the new season delivers a brutal outcome after a time of plotting and planning”.

Variety say it hits “its Stride in a Bigger, Bleaker Season 2”, and Empire concludes it’s “a confident and elegant improvement upon the first season, having settled into its cast, characters and era. It may still not be as much of an ‘adventure’ as Game Of Thrones, but the personal/political drama is as sharp as ever”.

Here at wheretowatch.tv we loved the brash and bold opening episode, which delivers everything fans want and more. It doesn’t go down any lazy our easy routes and instead establishes S2 as an epic story in its own right.

Watch the first episode now on HBO, Sky TV or NOW.