Does the idea of a more concise, eight-episode season fill you with dread or anticipation?

SUMMARY

There will only be eight episodes in the forthcoming second season of House of the Dragon.
The show will reportedly prioritize story-driven pacing, mirroring the decision made by Game of Thrones to cut back on the number of episodes.

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House of the Dragon fans have been excitedly awaiting any updates regarding the second season. However, it seems that history is repeating itself with a familiar mistake that is leaving some fans frustrated.

Well, a recent report from Entertainment Weekly has lit up the fandom with the announcement that the eagerly awaited House of the Dragon Season 2 will indeed come with a sharpened focus on story-driven pacing, even if it means echoing Game of Thrones’ unpopular decision to reduce the episode count.
House of the Dragon‘s Velaryon family
As a devoted Westerosi spectator, we recall the ache of wanting more as GoT neared its end, and now, that familiar feeling resurfaces with House of the Dragon. The latter’s second season, which will hopefully avoid the hurried storytelling that dogged Game of Thrones, will only have eight episodes.

Understanding the Shortened Season 2 of House of the Dragon

Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the first season of the Game of Thrones prequel has received positive reviews from critics and a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The first season premiered with one of the highest viewerships ever, and the second season was quickly renewed.

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However, many fans are dissatisfied that the second season will only contain 8 episodes. Clare Kilner, the director of House of the Dragon, explained why there will be fewer episodes in season 2 than in season 1.
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen | Source: House of the Dragon
Kilner, who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, disclosed that the decision to reduce the number of episodes was made by Ryan Condal, the showrunner who took over after Miguel Sapochnik left:

“There are eight wonderful episodes with so much happening in every episode, and we have trouble, at times, bringing them down to one hour. Ryan’s decision was to give it a good opening and a good ending, and they’re jam-packed with emotional and visually exciting events.”

The decision to have only 8 episodes for Season 2 is eerily similar to the trimming down of episodes that beleaguered Game of Thrones in its later seasons, much to the dismay of fans who were hungry for more content.

Sara Hess, the writer of the House of the Dragon series, recently discussed the upcoming season in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, revealing that Season 2 will be somewhat shorter. She said:

“It wasn’t really our choice.”

Hess elaborated on the decision to reduce the show’s run from ten to eight episodes, saying that it was not their call, but she also didn’t explain why it was made or how it might affect the show.

House of the Dragon Season 2: Are Fans Experiencing a Game of Thrones Deja Vu? 

While some may argue that fewer episodes can lead to better storytelling and pacing, there is a sense of disappointment among fans who were hoping for a more expansive season.
The Bells | Game of Thrones (via HBO)
The reduction of episodes may be a strategic move to ensure a tighter narrative, but it risks falling into the same trap that Game of Thrones did when it rushed through its final seasons, leaving many storylines unresolved and characters undeveloped.

Let’s see what fans have to say:

Positively, the show’s actor Emma D’Arcy has reassured fans that Season 2 of House of the Dragon will “absolutely hit the ground running” (via EW), with an intriguing plot that will have viewers gripping their seats. The finale of Season 1 has set the stage for an intense and emotional journey ahead, focusing on the personal and political struggles of characters like Rhaenyra as she navigates grief and fights for her inheritance.

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As we eagerly await the premiere of Season 2, it remains to be seen whether the decision to have fewer episodes will pay off in terms of storytelling and character development. Let’s hope that House of the Dragon can learn from the mistakes of its predecessor and deliver a season that will actually entertain and satisfy fans.

The eight-episode second season of House of the Dragon is set to premiere on June 16, 2024.

Previous episodes of House of the Dragon & Game of Thrones are streaming on Max.