People Can't Stop Talking About Emma D'Arcy In The "House Of The Dragon" Season 2 Premiere, And These 19 Reactions Prove Why

🚨 There are obviously MASSIVE spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 1! 🚨

After almost two years since the heart-wrenching and jaw-dropping Season 1 finale, House of the Dragon finally returned this week with Season 2. HBO Sundays are back, baby.

Rhaenyra Targaryen, Jacaerys Velaryon, and Joffrey Velaryon stare into the distance holding blankets, from House of the Dragon
Theo Whiteman / HBO

The Season 2 premiere kicks off after Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and the Greens stole the throne and crowned Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) as king. The episode notably sees the aftermath of Lucerys's death at the hands of Aemond, too.

Top image: Alicent Hightower and Otto Hightower sit at a table in a medieval setting. Bottom image: Aegon Targaryen sits on a throne wearing a crown
HBO

With war on the horizon, Aegon tries to keep a grip on the throne while Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) grieves the devastating loss of Lucerys, and Daemon (Matt Smith) prepares for battle alongside the rest of Team Black.

Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, in a medieval-style dress, in a scene from "House of the Dragon"
HBO

The episode also included the infamous "Blood and Cheese" moment from the books, as Rhaenyra demands a "son for a son" and asks Daemon to end Aemond.

Rhaenyra Targaryen, dressed in a coat, stands solemnly in a dimly lit room with candles in "Game of Thrones"
HBO

The whole episode was so good, but nothing really compared to the devastating and masterclass performance from Emma, who literally only had one line in the entire episode.

Emma D'Arcy in costume, crying on a beach in three different scenes
HBO

Rhaenyra's grief is the true center of the House of the Dragon Season 2 premiere, and Emma showcases a mother's heartbreak effortlessly. Plus, Harry Collett gives an outstanding performance as Jacaerys, who is also grieving the loss of his brother.

Three scenes from "House of the Dragon" featuring actors Emma D’Arcy and Harry Collett in medieval-style attire

I'll be thinking about the scene between Jacaerys and Rhaenyra forever. It broke me.

HBO

Speaking about portraying Rhaenyra's grief in the after-episode discussion, Emma said, "I guess one of, sort of, the maddest things about death is that it seems sort of impossible, especially because really the overriding feeling often is you just sit with the absence."

  HBO
HBO

They continued, saying, "And so, anything that has, like, a tangibility about it, I think, is vitally important. Her son's cloak, the wing of his dragon, I think it's devastating but I think it galvanized a vengeful feeling, one that maybe she hasn't paid so much mind to previously."

Top and bottom images of Rhaenyra Targaryen from Game of Thrones. Top: Rhaenyra stands on a beach beside her dragon. Bottom: Rhaenyra weeps over a scorch-marked cloak
HBO

As soon as the episode ended, fans — including myself — began flocking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their love for Emma's performance and how it's likely just the first performance in an entire season that should win them an Emmy Award. Here are 19 of the best reactions:

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1.

HBO / Via Twitter: @emmadarcybest

2.

HBO / Via Twitter: @HOTDNewsHBO

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3.

HBO / Via Twitter: @allurequinn

4.

HBO / Via Twitter: @silvcrwings

5.

HBO / Via Twitter: @Targ_Nation

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6.

HBO / Via Twitter: @noradominick

7.

HBO / Via Twitter: @rhaelina

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8.

HBO / Via Twitter: @sansagirlfail

9.

HBO / Via Twitter: @rhaenyrasrealm

10.

HBO / Via Twitter: @VISVNYA

11.

HBO / Via Twitter: @eclipsedelights

12.

HBO / Via Twitter: @jjmileo

13.

HBO / Via Twitter: @eclipsedelights

14.

HBO / Via Twitter: @velaryonfruits

15.

HBO / Via Twitter: @Mayham_H

16.

HBO / Via Twitter: @RON1NSenju

17.

HBO / Via Twitter: @theblacks_

18.

HBO / Fox / Via Twitter: @Mirnalove45

19. And finally:

HBO / Via Twitter: @bookpurism

What did you think of the House of the Dragon Season 2 premiere? Tell us in the comments below!

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