One of the main problems of the first season appears to have been resolved in the second
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| Image Credit: HBO |
The second season of House of the Dragon is here. The first episode of the new year featured a series of big events, including a significant death. But let's be honest, the great news is: you can see the dark scenes. It is public knowledge that some episodes of House of the Dragon had incomprehensible scenes due to the imbalanced contrast, and watching the series during the day was a practically impossible task. The worst case of all was the scene between Rhanerya (Emma D'Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith) on the beach — a moment, in fact, that was filmed during the day.
This is a problem that has existed since Game of Thrones (to this day, it's difficult to understand everything that happens in last season's "The Long Night"), and one that appears — perhaps, fingers crossed, pray — to have been resolved in the second season. I may be celebrating too soon (I'm writing this having seen the first two episodes of the season, and I don't think HBO will complain if I point out that this isn't a problem in the second episode either), but it was a great feeling to watch this debut and understand all the scenes, whether they are at night or in dark environments.
And it's not just our opinion. Showrunner Ryan Condal admitted to the Hollywood Reporter that lighting changes were made: "We went into season two very conscious of that feedback," he said. "Season two is much more in line with my particular aesthetic and what I think the show should be. It's not a huge difference, but I hope I don't get the 'it's too dark' message again." In several cases, it was just a matter of better lighting the scenes with natural light, as in the image at the top of this text, and in others, it was just a matter of adjusting the exposure, as in the photo below. May it continue like this.
House of the Dragon, the first spin-off from Game of Thrones, begins by following King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), his firstborn Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock in the younger version and Emma D'Arcy in the older one), the girl's uncle, Prince Daemon (Matt Smith). In addition to these three, there is Rhaneys Valeryion (Eva Best), wife of the king who married Lord Corlys “The Sea Snake” Valeryon (Steve Toussaint) and was first in line for the kingship before her brother.
Married to King Viserys is Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey in the younger version and Olivia Cooke in the older), daughter of the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). Together, the couple are the parents of Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney). We will follow this group, and other figures, over years and years. Therefore, some characters have more than one actor. The plot focuses on the power game within the Targaryen family itself, whose members, through marriage and inheritance, try to strengthen their position to ensure that they will inherit the coveted Iron Throne.
In particular, Rhaenrya and Alicent are placed in opposition to a rivalry that has grown over the years. This feud, as it involves armies and dragons, could lead to war between houses and change the fate of the entire Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. In the second season, we will see the war between the two factions of the Targaryen family and their dragons. On one side are the Hightower, Alicent, and Otto, and their children, against Rhaenyra and Daemon's alliance. There will be eight episodes released on HBO Max and HBO, a slightly smaller amount than the traditional 10 for the Game of Thrones series.
The complete first season of House of the Dragon is available on Max.