Screen Queen review: House Of The Dragon S2, Sugar, Federer: Twelve Final Days, The Boys S4 & Bluey mini-sodes

The West Australian Perth Now Click to open navigation ‌‌ News Chevron Down Icon Breaking News Western Australia National World Technology Opinion Weather Sport Chevron Down Icon AFL Cricket Soccer Basketball Tennis NRL Rugby Motor Racing MMA Golf Netball Cycling Entertainment Chevron Down Icon Confidential Movies Best Short Film Television Music Reviews Books Competitions Business Chevron Down Icon Breaking News Economy Markets Property Commercial Property Workplace Matters Lifestyle Chevron Down Icon Food Personal Finance Health Parenting Fashion Travel Home & Garden Relationships Stars Real Estate HUH? Local News Chevron Down Icon North Central South Mandurah Competitions Find My Paper Digital Editions Shop Now Read your local paperNews to your inbox Confidential Movies Best Short Film Television Music Reviews Books Competitions Camera IconMatt Smith (Daemon Targaryen) and Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra Targaryen) in House Of The Dragon season two. Credit: Binge/HBO/HBO review Screen Queen review: House Of The Dragon S2, Sugar, Federer: Twelve Final Days, The Boys S4 & Bluey mini-sodes Katherine FlemingSTM June 16, 2024 2:00AM Comments TopicsTV Reviews House Of The Dragon S2 Monday, streaming on Binge As an unabashed Game Of Thrones fan, I will admit to mixed feelings about House Of The Dragon. I really enjoyed the first season — despite the jarring time jump, there were castles and swords and dragons (oh my!) and so much of the back-room scheming and world-building that I loved about the original GOT. TheNightly Get in front of tomorrow’s news for FREE Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.READ NOW There were great performances from just about everyone, but let’s name-check Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, Milly Alcock and then Emma D’Arcy as his daughter Rhaenyra, her best-friend-turned stepmother/nemesis Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Matt Smith as the diabolical but magnetic Daemon Targaryen. By way of recap, after Viserys’ death, his widow Alicent attempts to install their son Aegon on the iron throne in place of Rhaenyra, setting the stage for an epic and bloody, ahem, game of thrones. Season one ends with a lingering shot of Rhaenyra’s face, a mask of grief and rage, after her son is murdered on dragon-back by Alicent’s misfit son, Aemond. Given the look in her eyes (D’Arcy can convey everything from searing fury to a mother’s tender devotion without speaking a word), season two would surely throw us headlong into all-out war. But two episodes in and the opposing sides are mostly still in their favour-currying, bannerman-rallying, political-manoeuvring-in-gloomy-castles era, albeit with some pretty noteworthy acts of brutal violence thrown in. That’s OK; Game Of Thrones seemed to move slowly at times too, and the pay-off was almost always well worth the wait. But my main issue with this season of House Of The Dragon so far is that it is so relentlessly bleak. There’s no moments of levity — no good-natured ribbing between the Stark siblings, no Tormund flirting with Brienne, no zingers from The Hound. As Vanity Fair put it, “there’s not a single character with the wit of a Tyrion or the sting of a Cersei”. Without a sprinkling of black humour, all the death and blood and plotting and betrayal feels a bit like a never-ending sea of grim. And with the possible exception of Rhaenyra, there’s no one I care much about. There’s no Jon Snow or Arya Stark to barrack for, and no Joffrey or Tywin whose comeuppance I eagerly await. Will I keep watching? Of course. As we Game Of Thrones fans know, when all those slow-burn narratives eventually intersect, it (usually) makes you glad you persisted. Maybe someone could crack a wee joke, though?Camera IconHouse Of The Dragon. Credit: Supplied/TheWest Sugar Streaming now on Apple TV PlusCamera IconColin Farrell stars in Sugar. Credit: Apple TV Plus I really enjoyed this series, from its film noir feel and narration, through to its twisty storyline and enigmatic detective, played by Colin Farrell. The mystery that private investigator John Sugar is investigating — the disappearance of a wealthy producer’s granddaughter — is pretty so-so but the show is still so watchable because Farrell, excellent in just about everything, is just so charismatic. Sugar is, for want of a better description, a strange cat and Farrell plays his eccentricities perfectly, with an air of vulnerability that is really endearing. Please do yourself a favour and do not read up beforehand about the twist, which is surely one of the all-time greats — I quite literally gasped ‘WHAT?!’ Federer: 12 Final Days Thursday, streaming on Prime VideoCamera IconRoger Federer in Federer: Twelve Final Days Credit: Prime Video/Courtesy of Prime Aw Rog, bless ya cotton socks. This doco follows the nicest man in tennis and possibly anywhere as he prepares to call time on his 24-year professional career and captures the reaction of those around him, including friend and rival Rafael Nadal. Heartwarming. Bluey minisodes Today, 8am on ABC KidsCamera IconA batch of Bluey minisodes is about to be released. Credit: Ludo Studios Everyone with kids (and some without) knows that too much Bluey is never enough, so rejoice that five three-minute shorts are on the way (20 in total will be rolled out). Excited to read that the awful/hilarious Unicorse might make an appearance. The Boys S4 Streaming now on Prime VideoCamera IconAntony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season four. Credit: Jasper Savage/Jasper Savage/Prime Video This show is, as the kids say, a lot. It pits a publicly revered, privately corrupt group of superheroes, led by the truly terrifying Homelander, against The Boys, the ragtag band that seeks to destroy them. This black comedy is packed with smart social critique, complicated characters and horrific, visceral violence. Mileage will vary. Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Email Us Copy the Link Register and have your say. Register to comment Already have an account? Log in Get TicketsWarm up your winter with incredible circus, free family fun, luxury dining and MORE at RE//PERTH this July. From around the site YUM!The little-known restaurant serving up Perth’s best burgers Comments updated updatedWork ceased updated‘Asbestos’ discovery halts multi-million dollar WA project Comments DevastatingCommon symptom makeup artist ignored before her tragic death Comments Perth Now exclusive Perth Now exclusiveSEE INSIDE Perth Now exclusiveTrendy venue opens next to Cottesloe’s luxe new restaurant Comments Your Local News Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to InstagramShare to YoutubeEmail UsGet Digital Edition Get TicketsWarm up your winter with incredible circus, free family fun, luxury dining and MORE at RE//PERTH this July. Perth Now Email UsNewsletter Chevron Down IconSubmit story tip Camera IconSubmit photos Get Digital EditionDigital edition Chevron Down IconBack to top Follow Us Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to InstagramShare to YoutubeGet Digital EditionEmail Us About Us Contact Us Careers Letter to the Editor Place an Ad Privacy Policy Code of Conduct Editorial Complaints Terms of Use Cookie Settings © West Australian Newspapers Limited 2024 News Sport Entertainment Business Lifestyle Shop Now Privacy Policy Code of Conduct Editorial Complaints Terms of Use Cookie Settings Subscribe to the Paper Read your PerthNow Local Newspaper Advertise on PerthNow Our Partners Real Estate View Healthengine Huddle Insurance Carbar CarExpert Raiz Invest Institchu Starts at 60 MoneyMe Iseekplant The Nightly The West Australian 7plus 7NEWS TV Guide Streamer