HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 Parents Guide
An In-Depth Look at What to Expect in the Next Season of the Hit HBO Show
House of the Dragon, the critically acclaimed HBO series set as a prequel to the hugely popular Game of Thrones, took the world by storm when it debuted in 2022. The first season introduced viewers to the dynasty of House Targaryen and all the political intrigue, family drama, and of course, fearsome dragons that come with it.
Now fans are eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated second season, which promises more jaw-dropping moments, heart-stopping action scenes, and an intricate web of schemes and betrayal as an epic civil war divides the kingdom.
For parents debating whether House of the Dragon is suitable viewing for their families, this comprehensive parents guide aims to break down exactly what's in store for the next chapter of this epic fantasy tale.
Season Overview - Setting the Stage for an Explosive Civil War
The closing events of the first season lay the groundwork for an epic civil war - the Targaryen civil war known as the "Dance of Dragons" - that will engulf Westeros in the fight over who will rule on the Iron Throne.
King Viserys I Targaryen has died, and his named heir, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, is challenged by her younger half-brother Aegon II Targaryen for control over the Seven Kingdoms. Lines have been drawn and complex alliances formed, with some backing the king's official chosen successor Rhaenyra, while others support Aegon's claim as the last male heir.
What follows is an incredible display of claims, deception, bloodshed and fire as two branches of House Targaryen war for the throne with their immense dragons and armies of followers. This civil war will reshape the kingdom of Westeros for generations to come.
So in summary for season two:
- The kingdom is fractured into opposing faction supporting rival Targaryen heirs
- Alliances are made and betrayed, with shifting loyalties and schemes driving the action
- Epic battles ensue on land, sea, and air with deadly weapons and larger-than-life dragons
- Major characters meet their demise in shocking and gruesome ways
- The Targaryen dynasty itself comes under threat from forces within and beyond
Advisory for Age and Mature Themes
As with Game of Thrones before it, House of the Dragon is decidedly NOT for children's eyes. This sprawling adult drama features extremely mature themes and content throughout its runtime. Parents are highly advised to check ratings and oversee their teens watching of this series.
Some key factors to be aware of:
- TV-MA rating for graphic violence, nudity, adult language
- Intense and gory battle sequences with dismemberments and torture
- Strong sexual content including incestuous scenes and brothel imagery
- Alcohol consumption and drunkenness frequently depicted
- High body count with beloved characters meeting brutal ends
In short, nearly every episode will contain content inappropriate for young viewers. House of the Dragon should be viewed only by mature audiences.
Managing Screen Time and Involvement
The compelling characters, intricate plotting and cliffhanger endings of House of the Dragon make it extremely addicting viewing even for adults. Parents may want to set reasonable limits around screen time for themselves and older teens watching the show.
Some tips include:
- No binge watching - limit sessions to 1 or 2 episodes at a time
- Set a cutoff time in the evening for viewing to avoid sleep disruption
- Remind teens not to neglect schoolwork, reading or social time for screens
- For families watching together, discuss character motivations and themes after each session
- Make alternative plans on occasion rather than defaulting to watching the show
- If signs of unhealthy obsession emerge, take a temporary break
Creating structure and reasonable boundaries will allow older viewers to enjoy House of the Dragon responsibly and not lose themselves (or their sleep!) to the enthralling drama.
Talking With Teens About Difficult Topics
| Difficult Topic | Conversation Points |
|---|---|
| Incest | Remind teens incest is illegal; talk through why it's unethical. |
| Violence against women | Make clear that domestic abuse is never tolerated or justified. |
| Alcohol overuse | Discuss repercussions and risks of excessive drinking. |
| Suicide | Note suicide should be taken seriously; offer resources. |
Keeping dialogue open will help teens process challenging material and understand your family's perspectives.
Benefits of Watching Together As a Family
Despite its dark themes, older teens can still find social and intellectual value in viewing House of the Dragon together with parents through open discussions about characters and analyzing interpersonal dynamics. Potential benefits include:
- Bonding through shared interest in an engrossing show
- Learning about leadership by observing how rulers treat subordinates
- Appreciating tight knit families banding together amid adversity
- Sparking an interest in genealogy by tracing complex dynastic relations
- Gaining exposure to moral ambiguity in how characters wrestle with ethical dilemmas
- Fostering creative writing skills by exploring fan fiction plots of beloved characters
With the right oversight and guidance, House of the Dragon can make for meaningful family viewing.
Protecting Younger Siblings
For parents with both teens and young children at home, extra precautions should be taken around restricting full access to House of the Dragon by little ones while older siblings are viewing it. Strategies include:
- Set house rules that this show can only be viewed in parents’ presence
- Ensure separate profiles on streaming accounts to limit access
- Make the TV room off limits for younger kids when the show is on
- Turn off AutoPlay to avoid shocking scenes starting without intent
- Remind teens not to discuss inappropriate storylines openly
Following guidelines like these and taking sensible protections can help avoid tricky situations with R-rated content being glimpsed prematurely.
Alternatives for Younger Viewers
Although House of the Dragon is geared towards adults, the fantasy genre offers several family-friendly shows that can satisfy kids’ and early teens’ craving for dragon adventure. Some popular alternatives include:
- Dragon Riders - Animated series on Netflix suitable for ages 8+
- Dragon Booster - Live action adventure for tweens rated TV-Y7
- How To Train Your Dragon - Acclaimed Dreamworks film franchise for all ages
- Pete’s Dragon - Whimsical Disney live action movie good for most ages
- Dinotrux - Children’s show on Netflix featuring dinosaur-truck hybrids
Consulting parent guides, ratings and reviews will help determine age-appropriate programs to delight and captivate imaginative young viewers.
In Conclusion: An Epic Drama With Extreme Adult Themes
House of the Dragon has certainly made waves with its dramatic portrayal of power struggles within the formidable Targaryen dynasty. Buzz around season two, chronicling an explosive civil war for control of the Iron Throne, promises to deliver even more lavish production values, palace intrigue, and visually stunning dragon action.
However, maturity and discretion should be exercised for viewing, especially by youths, due to consistent graphic content, violence, sensuality and other adult themes. Parents are advised to screen the series first themselves and subsequently supervise teens wishing to watch this compelling but controversial HBO fantasy drama.
With the right protections and guidance, older teens may benefit from thoughtfully engaging with House of the Dragon as a family. But overwhelmed youngsters still have fantastic alternatives like How To Train Your Dragon.
Whichever flight of fancy on dragons families may choose in the end, maintaining open communication and setting appropriate boundaries will allow these epic tales to entertain rather than overwhelm.