House of the Dragon season 2 episode 2 recap and Easter eggs: Double trouble

Here’s your spoiler-filled recap

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 2 delivers the fallout from the brutalBlood and Cheese storyline. Now,whatever you thought of the grisly openingto the second season, there’s no denying it will have huge repercussions throughout Westeros. As the scales tip towards war in the kingdom too, cracks begin to emerge for both sides from within as well as on a larger scale.

Below, we get into the granular details about everything that happens in the second episode, from the immediate fallout to some game-changing decisions. There’s also a fair few Easter eggs dotted throughout the latest outing, including the introduction of some book characters who have a big role to play in the next stage of this story. For more on that, read on for your complete guide to House of the Dragon season 2 episode 2. But be warned,we’re getting into big spoiler territory from here out, somake sure you’re up to date before reading on.

Pure horror

Episode 2 begins in the wake of Blood and Cheese with panic in the Red Keep as the hunt begins for the men who committed the crime. “I’ll kill them, I’ll kill them all,” Aegon screams as he smashes the model of the kingdom to pieces and vows war. Meanwhile, Aemond realizes that he was the initial target for the killing as he finds a clue as to who is responsible after spotting a coin from the Blacks.

The decision is made by Otto Hightower to use the death of Jaehaerys to let Westeros know the crimes committed, placing the blame at Rhaenyra’s feet. It’s decided that Alicent and Helaena will ride on a procession through King’s Landing with the corpse of the young boy. Meanwhile, the first of the men responsible is caught. Blood is questioned by Larys and he reveals Daemon’s involvement before Aegon arrives and smashes his skull in with a bat.

Across the bay at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra realizes that she’s been played by Daemon as she finds out that he sanctioned the killing. She confronts him, asking him exactly what he told the assassins to do. “You have wounded me, weakened my claim to the throne,” she tells her husband as the splinters between the two only grow larger. Daemon sets off on his dragon Caraxes, leaving Dragonstone behind.

Seeing double

Ser Criston Cole struggles to deal with his role in the lack of palace security, so instead places pressure on Ser Arryk Cargyll, questioning his loyalty to the crown thanks to his twin brother. He comes up with a plan to send the knight to Dragonstone to pretend to be Ser Erryk and kill Rhaenera. Meanwhile, Aegon kills every rat catcher, hanging them from the walls of the city. Among them is Cheese, as his poor little dog looks on.

Otto is not too pleased by Aegon’s choice as he feels it weakens their position in the city. It’s a poor play though as he is removed as the Hand of the King, as Criston becomes the king’s new right-hand man. Otto speaks to Alicent about the choice, vowing to go to Oldtown instead and meet Daeron. However, she urges him to go to High Garden instead as we say goodbye to Otto for now.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

Meanwhile, back in Dragonstone, Rhaenyra does some scheming of her own, speaking to the White Worm about her role in helping Daemon employ Blood and Cheese. The women reach some common ground, lamenting over being used as pawns by men. Rhaenyra sets her free to sail on a boat out, but as she goes she notices Arryk walking up to the palace and seemingly alerts the guards.

However, she can’t stop him before he finds his way inside towards Rhaenyra’s quarters. He pretends to be his brother, drawing her sword on her, but he’s stopped just in time by his brother as the men fight it out to the death, and end up both dying. Erryk kills Arryk, before falling on his sword for his family’s betrayal. It’s another brutal end to a House of the Dragon episode and sets up more bloodshed to come in this war.

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 2 Easter eggs

House of the Dragon continues weekly on Sky and NOW in the UK and HBO in the US. For even more on the show, check out our deep dives on:

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I’ve also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

George R. R. Martin reveals another Game of Thrones spin-off was shelved “a couple of years ago” at HBO

Good Omens will conclude with one, feature-length episode rather than a full season 3

Kingdom Come: Deliverance dev explains that the RPG had to take place at a very specific point in time - so that there aren’t any guns