The HBO television series Game of Thrones has successfully aired eight seasons. Despite the final season being controversial and disappointing to some, it did not diminish the show’s impact on its devoted fanbase. To continue the legacy of Game of Thrones, the prequel series House of the Dragon premiered its first season in 2022, achieving remarkable success with an average viewership of 29 million per episode. The viewership numbers for this prequel even surpassed its source material, establishing it as one of the top series in the U.S. television landscape today.
After a two-year hiatus, the second season launched in June this year, greatly exciting the fanbase of the series. Season 2 continues to delve into the battle for the Iron Throne amidst the Targaryen civil war, with two major factions being prominently defined in the inaugural season: Rhaenyra Targaryen, also known as the Blacks, and Alicent Hightower, referred to as the Greens, represented by the respective colors of their houses.
However, House of the Dragon has sparked intense debates due to its controversial content. One of the notable scenes aired in the third episode was quite shocking. Ewan Mitchell, who plays Aemond Targaryen in the series, portrayed a scene that was entirely uncensored. Despite being accustomed to many provocative scenes in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, audiences were still taken aback by Aemond’s character being depicted in such an explicit manner without any cover-ups or special effects. In an interview with Vulture, the actor expressed his desire to “shock” the audience by going all in without any assistance during the filming of that scene. Many netizens have shared their unfiltered opinions online, questioning why the series seems to prioritize explicit content in its quest for power.
Shocking scene from episode 3.
Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen.
Season 2 of House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, has debuted with 7.8 million viewers across all platforms, marking a significant 22% decline compared to Season 1. This decline in viewership is attributed to a decrease in HBO’s audience, while viewership on other platforms remains stable. Although it is a highly anticipated television series, the critical reception for Season 2 of House of the Dragon has not been overwhelmingly positive. The introduction of numerous new characters has spread the storyline too thin, alongside a stronger focus on the narrative of the younger generations of royalty, resulting in fewer favored roles from the first season being reprised in Season 2. Nevertheless, House of the Dragon remains one of the most-watched television programs currently, and HBO continues to have faith in the franchise’s potential.
