House of the Dragon - Season 2 Presentation

Key Characters and Their Arcs

Alicent Hightower

• Deep regret for pushing Aegon to be king
• Struggles with her conscience throughout Season 2
• Feels isolated yet finds a confidant in Criston
• Liberation theme: personally and sexually

Daemon Targaryen

• Likes challenge and violence
• Sees Aemond as a major threat due to his dragon
• Driven by vengeance and revenge

Aemond Targaryen

• Displays guilt and complex emotions
• Struggles with controlling his dragon, Vhagar
• Hides his weaker side to maintain a tough exterior

King Aegon II

• Stakes are high due to his need for legitimacy
• Richard II comparison: quest for love, power, and respect
• Struggles managing the small council; feels overshadowed by Otto
• Often manipulative but aims for internal validation

New Characters and Surprises

• Introduction of G. Hightower, a significant influence on Alicent
• Simon Strong adds unexpected dimension to Daemon’s character
• Marrying new additions with core cast members’ arcs

Themes of Liberation and Relationships

• Alicent and Criston’s evolved relationship
• Daemon’s complex feelings towards others, including Simon Strong
• Relationships between characters vary in strength and trust

Leadership Dynamics

• Rayna and Corlys’ dynamic leadership
• Importance of mutual trust and understanding within character relationships
• Ineffectiveness of Viserys as King; more focus on wartime leadership in Season 2

The Role of Dragons

Technical Notes

• Improved buck work for dragon riding scenes
• Realistic camera work mimicking WWII dogfights for immersive experience
• Dragons - not just taxis; must be integral to the story

In-Character Perspectives

• Frustration felt by Aegon about not being allowed to ride his dragon
• Emotional and instinctual connections between dragon and rider

Emotional and Psychological Depths

Jace and Baela’s Lost Relationships

• Jace’s emotional landscape deeply affected by the loss of his brother Luke
• Baela’s influence from Rhaenys and mistrust of Daemon

Scheming Tactics and Trust

• Larys Strong: Calculated manipulatory tactics, zero trust in others
• Driven by an aim to make an impact and out-intellect others

Title Sequence and Production Insights

• Transition to tapestry from bloodlines to symbolize documented history
• Feedback-intense title making process; potential for evolving sequence

Setting and Scenes

Opening Sequence of Season 2

• Set in Winterfell & Night’s Watch; strategic importance
• Opens with Jace’s diplomatic mission to the North
• Reflects the juxtaposition of impending war and the fragile peace left by news of Luke’s death

Final Thoughts

• Strong human connections being emphasized in Season 2
• Leaders balancing power and compassion
• Rich emotional texture and character complexities to look out for