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House of the Dragon – Season 2, Episode 2 Rhaenyra the Cruel

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House of the Dragon – Season 2, Episode 2

Rhaenyra the Cruel

Aired Jun 23, 2024

Drama

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

96%

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24 Reviews

Both Alicent and Rhaenyra are facing the consequences of the murder of King Aegon's heir; Otto schemes to turn the public against her; Rhaenyra questions Daemon's loyalty.

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Critics Consensus

An episode punctuated by grief and retribution, "Rhaenyra the Cruel" deepens House of the Dragon's ensemble with new emotional layers while heaping on memorably bloody countermoves.

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Ryan Condal

Creator

George R.R. Martin

Creator

Matt Smith

Prince Daemon Targaryen

Emma D'Arcy

Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

Rhys Ifans

Otto Hightower

Steve Toussaint

Lord Corlys Velaryon ("The Sea Snake")

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Glen Weldon

NPR

08/05/2024

For my money, though, it’s Ifans’s hilarious, slow-burn reaction to hearing about Criston Cole’s Erryk vs. Arryk plan that’s the high point of this episode.

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Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

08/05/2024

A heartbreaking scene that would have been doubly so if the Tittensors had been granted any hint of interiority to individualize them beyond their duties.

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Benji Wilson

Daily Telegraph (UK)

06/24/2024

3/5

It made for a teasing back and forth, full of charged two-handers between fine actors earning their fine money, but it couldn't hide the fact that House of the Dragon is in a holding pattern.

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Anthony Whyte

The Movie Blog

Sep 1

While the episode has many high points, there are a few areas that fall flat. The pacing can be uneven at times, with some scenes dragging on a bit too long. The episode tries to juggle multiple storylines, and occasionally, it feels a bit cluttered.

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CK Anderson

Loud and Clear Reviews

08/13/2024

Once again, House of the Dragon elects to take its time rather than rush headlong into war, giving ample space to flesh out its vast ensemble of characters.

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Cheryl Eddy

io9.com

07/05/2024

House of the Dragon underlines its emerging theme about the struggles of the smallfolk by shifting scenes...

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Synopsis

Both Alicent and Rhaenyra are facing the consequences of the murder of King Aegon's heir; Otto schemes to turn the public against her; Rhaenyra questions Daemon's loyalty.

Director: Clare Kilner
Creator: Ryan Condal, George R.R. Martin
Executive Producer: George R.R. Martin, Ryan Condal, Sara Hess, Alan Taylor, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin De La Noy, Loni Peristere, Vince Gerardis, Miguel Sapochnik
Screenwriter: Sara Hess
Network: HBO
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date: Jun 23, 2024