5 Reasons Why House of the Dragon Season 2 is Better Than Season One (So Far)

There are at least 5 reasons why House of the Dragon season 2 is better than season one (so far). It’s easy to state that there are many other reasons that season 2 is better, but while season 1 kicked things off, the second season has dug harder into the story and produced a few more highly engaging thrills.

There’s more action

The first season did show a few exciting action scenes, but the second season unleashed the dragons in ways that speak volumes about their capabilities. Where GoT made it clear that dragons were dominant when present, HotD has doubled down and given the fans even more reasons to appreciate the majestic beasts.

The losses are more heart-rending

The ending to season 1 created a shock that left many fans wondering what would happen next. There’s no longer any doubt that Aemond is a psychopath who will turn on anyone if he sees a benefit. But armed with a dragon the size of Vhagar, he’s even harder to stop. And as Rhaenys quickly found out, he’s fond of attacking from below to maximize his chances of success.

Aemond has become a (nearly) perfect villain

There’s still reason to sympathize with Aemond since he is the awkward child who was picked on when he was younger. But that past has made it very easy to vilify him, considering which direction he’s gone in. As fans of the show have seen, he’s already turned on several individuals, killing his own kin and walking away from his brother as he lay dying.

If that’s not a villain, then the definition might need adjusting.

It’s tough to stand against either matriarch

Both women, Alicent and Rhaenyra, have shown questionable character when dealing with the conflict between their kingdoms. Alicent is sometimes powerless to stop her foolish son, Aegon, from acting impulsively, while Rhaenyra hesitates to enter the fight. The unfortunate fact is that both women have erred in this war.

But it’s tough to blame either woman, as each of them continues to count losses while trying to find the best way forward. Alicent might be the worst, but Rhaenyra’s unfortunate need to hold back has yet to pay off.

Ser Cristos is easy to dislike

It’s so easy to criticize a knight who secretly betrays his oaths and proves that he is a grasping, uncaring individual who seeks to hold onto his position. But that’s just a part of what makes Cristos such an intriguing character. Bound to protect the king (which he fails at) and allowed to be as brutal as possible, Cristos is the villain many fans want to see fall hard eventually.