By Michael Trueswell Staff Writer “House of the Dragon” explores Rhaenyra and her half brother Aegon Targaryen struggle for the iron throne. After the anticlimactic ending of the “Game of Thrones” TV series, many viewed a return to Westeros with skepticism. But two years ago, the first season of “House of the Dragon” reset fantasy expectations with its adaptation of George R. R. Martin's book “Fire and Blood.” The new eight-episode season delivered the first battles of the war the last season built up to. The first few episodes have good pacing with its characters receiving consequences for missteps and tangible payoffs to their actions. The new season continues the first season’s momentum only slowing after the fifth episode. Unfortunately, the remainder of the season lags, spending a majority of its remaining time building toward an unsatisfying cliffhanger. As the leading characters in each faction struggle to secure loyalty and prevent their power from being subverted or usurped, both claimants are supported by their own coalitions, as they traverse the internal power struggles that made “Game of Thrones” so captivating. The impressive quality of costuming and visual effects was maintained this season. With the dragon's destructive ability on display, we are shown repeatedly how dangerous and intimidating these animals are, highlighting the devastating consequences of war. The relationship between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower was given needlessly more screen time in this season, with the majority of the new interactions between the two spent parroting previous moments. Irritatingly, these interactions are only possible because of contrivances in the show’s plot, breaking immersion. Exploring this relationship more felt unnecessary. As this season had fewer episodes, it wasted valuable screen time that would have been better spent developing minor characters’ relationships with Alicent or Rhaenyra. Olivia Cooke managed an overall outstanding performance as Alicent connecting with emotional and somber moments. Alicent asserts herself for the first time in this season, massively developing her character by the end. Although not enough to justify its inclusion in an already limited season, Cooke and Emma D’Arcy complement each other’s performances on screen. D’Arcy’s range in their performance as Rhaenyra was an underappreciated take away in this season. D'Arcy's acting range gave a deeper layer to the character. Rhaenyra starts the season in deep mourning and subsequently discovers herself as a leader, futilely attempting to prevent more bloodshed. D’Arcy has excellent chemistry with nearly all of the cast. However, little time is spent elaborating on Rhaenyra’s relationship with Mysaria and her family, specifically her husband Daemon and eldest son Jacaerys. Tom Glynn-Carney’s performance as Aegon II is emotional and carries the audience with him through his sorrow, shame, and regret. His personal losses and anguish at first mirror his sister Rhaenyra, but to his detriment he goes down a different path and takes revenge. Glynn-Carney developed a monstrous character, showed him at his lowest points, and made the audience pity an ignorant evil character. Unfortunately, all the actors’ hard work was diminished by this season’s blunt writing and contrivances in the plot. The conclusion of the second season felt unfinished, especially after having started so strongly, beginning the war that the first season was building toward. Although the second season of “House of the Dragon” started strong, it struggled to maintain its momentum and fizzled out in its final episodes. Rating: B- The season burned bright - until it burned out