A Son for a Son
Daemon vows revenge; assassins kill a child instead.
"A Son for a Son" opens the second season of the fantasy drama *House of the Dragon*. The episode was penned by co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal, with direction from executive producer Alan Taylor. It debuted on HBO and Max on June 16, 2024.
The story picks up immediately after the first season finale, dealing with the fallout from the killing of Rhaenyra’s second son, Lucerys Velaryon, and his dragon Arrax at Storm’s End. Rhaenyra discovers Arrax’s remains and vows revenge on Aemond. In response, her uncle-husband Daemon hires two assassins in King’s Landing to kill Aemond. When they cannot find him, they instead murder King Aegon II’s son and heir, Jaehaerys. The episode’s title comes from Daemon’s vow to avenge Lucerys by taking a son in return.
New cast members introduced include Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer, Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, and Tom Taylor as Cregan Stark. In the U.S., the premiere drew 7.8 million viewers on its first night, with 1.3 million watching on linear television. Critics gave it highly positive reviews, praising the writing, character work, setup for the coming war, improved pacing and lighting over the first season, and the performances of Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke.
**Plot**
At the Wall, Jacaerys negotiates with Lord Cregan Stark to recruit the North for the Blacks. After Jacaerys’s persuasion and reflection on past alliances, Cregan pledges 2,000 men to Rhaenyra’s cause. Their meeting is interrupted by a raven bearing news of Lucerys’s death. Rhaenyra flies to a small coastal village in the Stormlands and, upon finding Luke’s and Arrax’s remains tangled in a fishing net, breaks down in tears.
On Driftmark, Corlys meets Alyn of Hull, the sailor who saved his life during a deadly shipwreck in the Stepstones. Corlys thanks Alyn and says he is indebted to him, and also receives a small custom-made dagger meant to honor Luke’s ascension to the Driftmark throne. Rhaenys returns to Dragonstone from patrolling the Gullet to help enforce a shipping blockade of King’s Landing. Daemon approaches and demands she accompany him to King’s Landing to kill Aemond and his dragon Vhagar to avenge Luke. Rhaenys refuses, saying she only recognizes Rhaenyra’s authority and that Rhaenyra needs time to grieve.
Mysaria is arrested as a stowaway aboard a smuggler’s vessel caught running the blockade. Daemon accuses her of treason for aiding
- Episode
- Second-season premiere
- Series
- House of the Dragon
- Writer
- Ryan Condal
- Director
- Alan Taylor
- Air date
- June 16, 2024
- Network
- HBO and Max
- Viewership (premiere night)
- 7.8 million
Lore & Background
The episode opens with Jacaerys treating with Lord Cregan Stark at the Wall to recruit the North for the Blacks. Cregan pledges 2,000 men after reflection on old alliances. Their meeting is interrupted by a raven delivering news of Lucerys' death. Rhaenyra flies to a small coastal village in the Stormlands and finds Luke's and Arrax's remains tangled in a fishing net, breaking down in tears. On Driftmark, Corlys meets Alyn of Hull, the sailor who saved his life, and receives a dagger meant to honor Luke's ascension. Rhaenys returns to Dragonstone and refuses Daemon's demand to accompany him to kill Aemond. Mysaria is arrested as a stowaway; Daemon offers her freedom in exchange for help recruiting assassins. In King's Landing, Alicent is engaged in an affair with Ser Criston Cole. Aegon brings his son Jaehaerys to a Small Council meeting. Daemon sneaks into King's Landing and meets a City Watch guard nicknamed "Blood" and a rat-catcher called "Cheese," bribing them to kill Aemond. When Cheese asks what to do if they cannot find Aemond, Daemon gives a wry grin. The assassins fail to locate Aemond but find Queen Helaena and her children. After Helaena hesitates, she points to Jaehaerys' bed; the two murder the boy and remove his head.
Reader's Guide
"A Son for a Son" is significant as the second-season premiere of House of the Dragon, continuing the story from the first season finale. The episode introduces several new cast members, including Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer, Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, and Tom Taylor as Cregan Stark. It also features a new opening credits sequence depicting past events in the Targaryen family, described as a Bayeux-style tapestry. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, with praise for writing, character development, set up for the upcoming war, improved pacing and lighting compared to the first season, and performances of its cast, particularly Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke. The episode title refers to Daemon vowing revenge against Aemond for Lucerys' murder. In the source material Fire & Blood, Daemon does not instruct Blood and Cheese to find and kill Aemond; the intended target is unclear. The episode excludes the character Maelor, Helaena's third child, because the twins are depicted as younger than in the book.
Did You Know?
- The episode was written by series co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal, his fifth writing credit for the series.
- The episode was directed by Alan Taylor, marking his return to the Game of Thrones franchise and his eighth directorial credit in the franchise.
- The episode introduces a new opening credits sequence depicting past events in the Targaryen family, described as a Bayeux-style tapestry.
- In the source material Fire & Blood, Daemon does not instruct Blood and Cheese to find and kill Aemond; the intended target is unclear.
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