Spoiler note: This House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 review discusses “The Rogue Prince” in full. Mary & Blake cover the show as TV-first viewers and avoid future Fire & Blood spoilers.In our House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 review, we break down “The Rogue Prince,” an episode where almost everyone tries to preserve peace and somehow makes the next war more likely.That is the real tension of the episode. Viserys wants to avoid conflict. The Small Council wants him to act like a king. Corlys wants him to deal with the Crabfeeder. Otto wants control. Daemon wants attention. Rhaenyra wants to prove she is more than a ceremonial heir. Alicent is being moved into position by her father. And Rhaenys says the quiet part out loud: men would sooner put the realm to the torch than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne.Quick answer: House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2, “The Rogue Prince,” takes place six months after the premiere. Daemon has occupied Dragonstone and stolen a dragon egg, Rhaenyra outmaneuvers Otto by confronting Daemon herself, Viserys chooses Alicent Hightower as his next wife instead of Laena Velaryon, and Corlys turns to Daemon to deal with the Crabfeeder in the Stepstones. The episode works because it shows how “the order of things” keeps pushing the realm toward disaster, even when everyone claims they are trying to prevent it.Watch Or Listen To Our House Of The Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 ReviewWatch our full House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 review for “The Rogue Prince,” or use the podcast player on this page to listen to the full recap and reaction.In this episode, Mary & Blake discuss why the stakes still feel strangely low, how the kingdom keeps suffering because of “the order of things,” why Rhaenyra’s Dragonstone entrance is the episode’s most electric moment, and why Ser Criston Cole might be Pearl Jam guy — but only the early stuff.Watch the House Of The Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 review on YouTubePrefer audio? Use the podcast player on this page to listen to the full episode.House Of The Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 CoverageUse these links to move through Mary & Blake’s House of the Dragon coverage in order.Season 1 Hub: Full recap, episode guide, podcast coverage, and war setupPrevious Episode: Season 1 Episode 1, “The Heirs Of The Dragon”Next Episode: Season 1 Episode 3, “Second Of His Name”Season 2 Guide: Recaps, reviews, podcast reactions, and fallout from the warSeason 3 Guide: Teasers, explainers, and the next stage of the DanceHouse Of The Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 Recap: What Happens In “The Rogue Prince”?“The Rogue Prince” picks up six months after “The Heirs Of The Dragon.” Rhaenyra has been named heir, Viserys is still grieving Aemma, and Daemon has taken over Dragonstone with his gold cloaks and his dragon, Caraxes. He has also stolen a dragon egg, claimed he is taking Mysaria as a second wife, and announced a pregnancy that is not actually real.At the same time, the Crabfeeder is becoming a problem in the Stepstones. Corlys Velaryon wants Viserys to act, but Viserys keeps choosing caution. He does not want war with the Free Cities, he does not want to escalate the conflict with Daemon, and he does not want to admit that every delayed decision is still a decision.The Small Council also pushes Viserys toward remarriage. Corlys and Rhaenys offer Laena Velaryon as the politically obvious match, which would repair a major alliance and strengthen the crown. But Viserys has been spending private time with Alicent Hightower, who has been sent to comfort him by Otto. In the end, Viserys chooses Alicent.That choice detonates the episode’s quietest bomb. Rhaenyra is blindsided. Corlys is insulted. Rhaenys’ warning about the realm’s refusal to accept a woman ruler becomes even more pointed. And Alicent, who is still Rhaenyra’s closest friend, is now being placed directly into the line of succession conflict.The episode’s biggest action beat comes at D