House of the Dragon S2 First Episode's Meant to Make Audience Root for the Greens, Stars Say

Summary

• Episode 1 ended with the cold-blooded murder of little Prince Jaehaerys.
• While Team Black seems to be the fan favorite, the latest episode has cast a shadow over them.
• The tragedy will likely lead to another spiral of violence on the show.

After almost two years of waiting, Game of Thrones fans are finally in for a treat. Season 2 of GoT's prequel series, House of the Dragon, premiered yesterday with many exciting events to discuss – from Rhaenyra mourning the death of her son Lucerys, to Alicent reflecting on the tragedy of her old friend caused by her own son Aemond, to the scenes at the Wall.

None of these things, however, are as powerful as the atrocity that ended Episode 1 of Season 2. The spur-of-the-moment murder of King Aegon II's son and heir Jaehaerys, executed by the mercenaries Daemon Targaryen sent to kill Aemond in retaliation, was the most affecting moment of the opening episode of the new season of House of the Dragon. It also evened out the crime rate between Team Green and Team Black, and made you question the latter's claim to morality.

The House of the Dragon Stars Say This Murder Must Turn Many Viewers to Team Green

The war between the two Targaryen clans undoubtedly began because of the actions of Team Green. Aided by his queen mother and grandfather/Hand of the King, Aegon usurped the throne after the death of King Vyserys I, bypassing his older sister Rhaenyra. Aemond then killed Rhaenyra's son Lucerys, who was still a child and did not deserve to die at the hands of his half-uncle.

As a result, many viewers feel that Team Black has the moral high ground in this conflict. But the killing of Jaehaerys, who was just a little boy in the series, at the behest of Daemon Targaryen may have swayed some House of the Dragon fans to Team Green. At least according to Phia Saban, who portrays Queen Helaena, the mother of the slaughtered Jaehaerys, the murder was meant to make the audience 'feel for [the Greens] this season.'

'I think we do some sh*t – but we regret it. And hopefully you'll see some tenderness as well,' the actress recently said of Team Green, its crimes and its positives.

…And It's Sure to Have Serious Consequences

Though Daemon orders Aemond's murder on House of the Dragon and does not give clear instructions on Plan B – he does not tell the assassins to kill Jaehaerys – Team Black will bear the brunt of this atrocity, as the Greens are unlikely to let it go unanswered.

'Look, when something as tragic as a tragic thing happens, it leaves a stain on a human being to the point of probably no return,' Tom Glynn-Carney who plays King Aegon II said. 'It's a dangerous thing to happen to a very vulnerable and fragile and volatile human being [like my character].'

As for Aegon's reaction to the tragic news, we won't see it until Episode 2 premieres on June 23.

Source: People.