What is your review of House of the Dragon Season 2 finale, Episode 8?
08.06.2025 08:59
Season 2 was used as a mini season to set up the Real Dance of the Dragons in Season 3. GRRM said they were planning 4 seasons with 10 episodes each. Yet, Season 2 was only 8 episodes. Therefore, I believe there will be 5 seasons. However, Battle of the Gullet would have been the perfect choice for GOT’s famous Episode 9. What a missed opportunity. In any other tv show, this would be regarded as a great season but considering the source material and the potential and unnecessary changes, it was disappointing. Also, the lack of emotional scenes is concerning, to say the least.
Rhaenyra reminds Alicent how she made virtue her banner. And how much she changed.
…THEN COMES HELAENA. “ITS ALL A STORY. AND YOU ARE BUT ONE PART IN IT. YOU KNOW YOUR PART. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU MUST DO.”
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By the way, the Title “The Queen Who Ever Was” is for Rhaenyra. And a nod to Rhaenys-The Queen Who Never Was. Yet, eventhough history book is written by maesters who work with Hightowers, it is important to remember even Stannis calls Rhaenyra a traitor. In history, Aegon III was the successor of Aegon II, not of Rhaenyra. Her Reign remains questionable. Eventhough she remains the bloodline.
ALICENT LETS RHAENYRA HAVE AEGON.
THEN, WE CUT TO HARRENHAL.
As Aemond forces Helaena to come with him, Alicent intervenes…
As Cole smells the napkin Alicent gave him to remember her,
That line sets and scene as a whole sets up the last scene of Alicent with Rhaenyra.
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Ulf: Look at that hair. As dark as they say. Let them tell us we don’t have Targaryen blood, eh?
Alys: When you came here, you were a closed fist. You wished to bend the world to your will. But you’ve discovered, I think that, this world will not be governed. …Do you wish, then, to learn what is given to you? All your life, you have sought to command your own fate. But today you are ready.
…AND FINALLY, AS THE LAST SHOT OF HOTD S2, WE HAVE 2 BACK TO BACK MATCH CUTS…
Why does Rahul Gandhi have so many haters?
Essentially telling Baela “Such is the way of the World”.
…OF RHAENYRA AND ALICENT.
Helaena: I do not wish to fight.
How do I convince my husband that a threesome is okay?
Aegon not being able to have more children and the show eliminating Maelor leaves the Greens with Jaehaera as Aegon’s heir. The same reasoning they built their claim on. Destabilizing the succession of the Greens.
DAEMON BENDS THE KNEE.
THEY ALMOST TOUCH THEIR FOREHEAD. DAEMON’S WAY OF SHOWING HIS LOVE.
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Daemon: They are sworn to me. And not a moment too soon.
Rhaenyra: That seems rather a lapse in foresight. I see you have done well here.
ALL RIVERMEN IN HARRENHAL BEND THE KNEE.
Can we state Alia Bhatt as the most versatile actress in Bollywood now?
Setting up the Butcher’s Ball.
Larys: We must leave King’s Landing quickly and we will not return for some time.
Helaena: And If I refuse? Will you burn me as you did Aegon?
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AS HE ACCEPTS HIS FATE AS HE WILL HAVE THE MOST LEGENDARY BATTLE IN HISTORY. A LEGACY THAT OUTSHINES ALL OTHERS.
Helaena: I won’t burn anyone.
Daemon: I wasn’t expecting you.
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But Alyn loses it when Corlys claims he tries to help Alyn.
Hugh: And so many…
Aegon: He deserves no less.
What should I do if I love someone who does not love me?
Alicent: You let me go, to fo what I promised. And you fly to Red Keep in 3 days’ time. And you take your throne. I have neither weapon nor armor. My life itself is forfeit. I cast myself on the mercy of a friend who once loved me.
THEN,
Mysaria: …Be strong.
Daemon: This place will have you barking at the moon.
Calling Daemon a player when Alys calls him a piece on the board was intentional.
Daemon steps forward and speaks in High Valyrian. As these two usually do.
Jace remains unhappy about the Dragonseeds. If Rhaenyra is the Crown, Jace is the Succession. And as a bastrad, he rightfully worries over his claim being challenged even if he is her heir. Just like Viserys did with Rhaenyra.
…BOTH SIDES PREPARE FOR ALL OUT WAR IN SEASON 3.
WE START WITH BLOODRAVEN…
Rhaenyra: If I am to take the throne, I must put an end to the opposition. I must take Aegon’s head. And I have to do it for all to see. You know this.
The lack of emotional moments in this show is concerning, to say the least.
…THEN DAEMON DROWNS IN THE SEA OF BLOOD-RESEMBLING RAGNAR IN THE VIKINGS INTRO…
Gwayne draws his sword and threatens to send him to the Wall.
Helaena: Why does everybody hate us? …I was happier before I was Queen.
Cole: Desire for women have brought me grief after grief…Perhaps all men are corrupt. And true honor is a mist that melts in the morning.
…THEN COMES THE END OF DANCE OF THE DRAGONS-WITH ALL DRAGONS DEAD…
(Viserys would be proud.)
Corlys: I’ve had little to do with him…to my regret.
Baela: You wish for us to kill innocents.
Tyland makes a deal with Triarchy to end Corlys’ blockade against King’s Landing.
One of the best monologues of the franchise. Fantastic scene.
YET, IN SEASON 3, THE REAL DANCE WILL BEGIN.
THEN, IN OUR FIRST SCENE, WE HAVE TYLAND.
Daemon to Alys: Do you never sleep, witch?
But when he learns Aemond ruined a whole town with Fire and Blood,
…THEN OTTO IS SEEN IN A CELL AS HELAENA’S “THIS ONE STOPPED SINGING” PROPHECY COMES TRUE…
Jace: It is hard but it cannot be helped.
THEN COMES AEMOND VS HELAENA-WHO STANDS THE SAME WAY AND DRESS AS SHE DID IN DAEMON’S VISION. PROVING SHE MEANT AEMOND.
THEN, WE MATCH CUT TO DAEMON.
Rhaenyra In High Valyrian: Leave me again at your peril.
Rhaenyra: And to whom are you sworn?
…THEN LARYS AND AEGON ESCAPE KING’S LANDING…
And Jace’s doubts about using Bastards will be proven right in time.
…THEN RHAENYRA WITH HER CROWN SITS ON THE IRON THRONE…
THEN COMES THE TIME THE GREENS FRACTURE,
AEMOND ON VHAGAR BURNS DOWN SHARP POINT INTO THE GROUND.
Rhaenyra: What of Aegon?
Alyn: Do you know what it was like for us? To grow up fatherles, to be sneered upon as bastards, never sure of the bread to feed us? Do you know what hunger does to a boy? What grief does? Or shame? I sold fish from the market from cold dawn until sunset, putting my coppers to stave off the winter, and I watched the man who sired me walk past with his son and heir with a fur around his shoulders choosing sweetmeats to eat after supper by the fire. And now that boy is dead. And his sister before him. And the heir that took his place. And now, now, now you remember I live. Now you wish to suddenly scatter the crumbs of your favor. I am an honorable man, and I will serve you because I must. But if it is all the same, I will decline any offers of help. If I survive this war, I will continue as I began…Alone.
Rhaenyra: And who pays the price?
But I’d change it with a more touching Jace scene. Since the Gullet is coming.
THEN, Rhaena continues her hard search for Sheepstealer.
Rhaenyra orders Addam to come with her to Harrenhal.
This proves that Daemon was in fact right. Had he wanted to took the Iron Throne alone, he could have. And the people would follow. But he chose to remain loyal to his family and his brother. Much Thanks To Alys.
…THEN COMES DAERON THE DARING ON TESSARION WITH HIGHTOWERS…
THEN,
AS WE ENTER THE FINAL MONTAGE…
…THEN COMES TYLAND LANNISTER SAILING WITH THE TRIARCHY…
…THEN VISION ENDS. AND JUST LOOK AT DAEMON’S FACE.
WE SEE DRAGONSEEDS PREPARE TO RIDE THEIR DRAGONS…
Mysaria: …Gods favor you. They put the means to victory in your hands.
Daemon: The Realm’s only hope is a leader who can unite it. And my brother chose…you.
Aegon: Fucking mad cunt…
Daemon In High Valyrian: I saw it. I saw that we cannot withstand it…and yet, somehow we must.
Triarchy wants Stepstones in return. As they lost it to Corlys and Daemon in S1.
Alicent: He’s broken beyond recognition.
Addam will be right be proven right.
Having Lohar call Tyland as “Tywin” was a nice touch.
Aemond: …I need you to fly with Dreamfyre to battle.
After learning Rhaenyra has 7 dragons and even Aemond flew away,
Aegon: Aegon the Realm’s Delight.
Daemon: For every one of us who falls…A hundred of them. There will be no mercy. We fight for our Queen.
Team Blacks have dinner together. Dragonseeds included.
Rhaenyra: It’s Too Late, Alicent.
This sets up Battle Of The Gullet-The Bloodiest Sea Battle We’ll See. With Huge Consequences.
As is the words of House Hightower, “We Light The Way”.
Larys: Do not despair, Your Grace. There are better days ahead. Let your brother and the Pretender destroy themselves in blood and bitterness. When they are spent and their armies in tatters, we will return. And the people will rise up to meet us. They will be tired of endless deprivation and fear. They will hail the returning King, his father’s true heir…
Aegon: My cock is destroyed.
IN THE END, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 WAS GREAT YET DISAPPOINTING.
Daemon puts his hand on the Weirwood Tree with GRRM’s face carved onto it.
Cole: …The Dragons Dance. And men are like dust under their feet. …We march now toward our annihilation. To die will be a kind of relief.
It’s the little things that make Aegon a joy to watch.
Helaena and Daeron the Daring with their dragons are mentioned.
…THEN COMES THE LAST SHOT OF DAEMON LOOKING HIS RIVERMEN ARMY IN HARRENHAL…
THEN COMES RHAENYRA AND ALICENT SCENE. REVERSE OF S2E3 ENDING.
Triarchy Vs Velaryons Is Set Now. “To the Gullet On The Morrow”.
THEN, Tyland battles to convince Lohar to sail to Westeros.
THEN,
Larys: It’s best to live, I think. However you do it?
Cannot believe how they cut Nettles off the show.
Alfred calls Daemon “A Leader Of Men” and a “King”. Wanting Daemon to declare for himself.
ALICENT BETRAYS THE GREENS AND BEGS RHAENYRA TO BE SPARED WITH HELAENA.
Corlys reveals his new ship-The Queen Who Never Was. Named After Rhaenys. They sail for the Gullet on the morrow.
Rhaenyra: History will paint you a villain. A cold Queen grasping for power and then defeated.
It is a nice way of showing the consequences of putting class structures and being a bastard in Westeros.
As Addam worries about Vhagar, Ulf claims he is not afraid.
THEN,
A GREAT YET DISAPPOINTING SEASON.
Daemon just laughs it off.
Having Aegon chose Rhaenyra’s nickname was unexpected, to say the least.
Aegon: So, what was the fucking point in all this then? …No, No. I am the King. Why must I run?
Corlys and Rhaenyra discuss her advantage over the Greens.
When Rhaenyra mentions Addam of Hull,
(Alicent in S2E3: It’s Too Late, Rhaenyra.)
Aemond: I could have you killed.
THEN COMES LARYS AND AEGON,
Larys mentions even if Aegon puts Aemond in prison, he can’t beat Rhaenyra without Vhagar.
AND HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 ENDS.
JUST LIKE DAENERYS DID IN S8.
Aegon: Is it? My dragon is dead. I am burnt and disgusting and alone. And I’m a cripple.
Aemond: Sister. We share the same blood, you and I. I know you wish no harm to anyone. But in a time like this, when the good of the realm depends on us…Our Mother is not a dragonrider. She cannot understand that you and I have a truer call to heed. Come with me…To Harrenhal? We will lay waste to Daemon and his army. Let our enemy see that we will answer outrage with outrage.
Addam: There will be time enough to see which one of us is a coward.
Back on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra discuss what is to come with Mysaria.
(Using the word “Story” proves how much he was affected by his vision.)
Alicent: …You wish to rule the Seven Kingdoms but you rain ruin and death upon the Smallfolk…And now you seek to corrupt your sister, of all our line, the gentlest and most deserving of your protection…
Larys mentions he out Harrenhal money into Iron Bank of Braavos.
And in response to news of Rhaenyra,
A good choice of words.
Larys’ masterplan to have Aegon escape will be crucial for the Greens.
Rhaenyra: We must break the will of our enemy…or more will die in a struggle that stretches on without end.
GRRM ONCE SAID THAT 4 SEASONS WITH 10 EPISODES EACH ARE NEEDED FOR HOTD. BUT THEY USED S2 AS A SET UP FOR S3 AND S4. I BELIEVE THEY WILL GO FOR 5 SEASONS IN TOTAL. NOT USING BATTLE OF THE GULLET AS THE FAMOUS EPISODE 9 IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.
Cole: She saved my life. Twice. …She’s the beacon I follow.
As Alys leads Daemon into the Godswood…
…THEN COMES DAENERYS TARGARYEN-THE MOTHER OF DRAGONS…
Moved by his words, Rhaenyra takes Daemon’s hand.
(Alicent in S1: You are the challenge, Aegon. Simply by living and breathing.)
THEN,
Alicent: …No ambition greater than to walk where I please and to breathe the open air. …And be free. Come with me.
Aemond: ‘Tis no longer our rule that is threatened, our very lives. Would you not have us prevail?
THEN COMES DAEMON AND RHAENYRA…
Aemond: Our wishes must take second place now to what is necessary to preserve the throne.
Alicent: Aemond will soon fly to join Cole in the Riverlands. When he’s gone, Helaena as Queen will be the Crown’s authority. If you come then to King’s Landing, I will see to it that our guards throw down their arms, we will open the gates, we will shed no blood. You will enter as a Conqueror. Already you have the stronger hand. Once you take the throne, this senseless war must end.
(Tywin: Any man who must say I am the King is no true King.)
Rhaena finally sees a flying dragon in the sky.
Helaena: Aegon will be King again. He’s yet to see victory. He sits on a wooden throne.
And a message from Harrenhal arrives. Simon has concerns about Daemon and his men.
This scene breaks Alicent’s spirit and splits the Greens even further.
Aemond: What you say is treason.
THEN,
Corlys: Everything I do, I do for her…Your Grace, you are ready. You have 6 dragons under your banner. My ships sail at your command, and my men serve you. But the Lannisters are marching. And the Hightowers from Oldtown. You must crush this beast at its head. And before too many days have flown. There is of course another player that has yet to be revealed.
As for the characters, They butchered characters of Alicent and Cole. They wasted Daemon’s potential and clearly do not understand his character. They pushed a propaganda for Rhaenyra and her alone. Also, how losing Luke in Season 1 being not enough for Rhaenyra to change is incomprehensible. Since Battle of the Gullet is next, I truly wished to see more of Jace, especially with Cregan. They also made Aemond betray Aegon which was questionable. And most surprisingly, they turned Aegon into a fan favorite. Rook’s Rest was fantastic-the best of the best so far. But nothing can pay for the way they adapted Blood & Cheese.
Rhaena looks for Sheepstealer in Vale.
Corlys tells Alyn that they will sail to protect the Blockade soon.
Aemond: That is a lie.
…THEN JASON LANNISTER MARCHES ON RIVERLANDS…
THAT ROAR OF MEN THAT DAEMON LEAD IS AMAZING.
Daemon In High Valyrian: I could not. I have tried.
THEN COMES THE VISIONS OF HOUSE OF UNDYING FOR DAEMON.
Alicent: The Crown will pursue war and victory at any cost. But as for me…I would take my daughter and her child and leave it all behind.
…THEN GREGAN STARK’S THE WINTER WOLVES PASS THE TWINS-THANKS TO JACE…
Rhaenyra: And yet, to claim it, I must strike. And in striking, I doom thousands to their deaths. I do not believe my father would’ve wished this.
First of all, they added Rhaenyra on Syrax and all her Team Black’s Dragons chasing away Vhagar into the Intro.
Daemon meets with Alfred who was sent by Rhaenyra.
ALL IN ALL,
As Aemond arrives, the whole scene changes…
Baela: Do you believe that you are the first noble heir who was not sired by his noble father? Such is the way of the world, Jace.
Jace: If you hinder our efforts through sloth and unreadiness, I’ll see you hanged.
THEN, Tyland sings “The Captain’s Daughter” for the Triarchy.
Alicent: Not Like This.
Rhaenyra takes a step back.
Daemon In High Valyrian: The world is not what we thought it was. This war is just the beginning. WINTER IS COMING. With Darkness and Doom.
…THEN ALYN AND CORLYS SAILING ON THE QUEEN WHO NEVER WAS…
(Proving Alicent’s “You are the challenge, Aegon. Simply by living and breathing.” line and most of her actions Justified. Not by Viserys last wish. But to through protecting her family.)
Just look at how Cole And Alicent changed their beliefs on decency.
THEN,
Daemon: My Queen.
THEN,
Cole mentions this would dishonor the Hightower name. Much like the Lannisters. Family Name is All.
Alicent: What would you think about leaving this place?
Rhaenyra: A Toast. To Our New Riders. …We must strike while we have the advantage and end this war. …You will fly in two days time. The strongholds of the usurper, Oldtown and Lannisport, and their armies, all must be subdued. Alone, without allies, he will have no choice but to surrender.
Helaena: I was it. You burned him and you let him fall.
ALICENT LEAVES.
…THEN DAEMON WALKS AMONG THE FALLEN SOLDIERS-RESEMBLING PAUL ATREIDES OF DUNE’S VISION OF JIHAD…
THEN,
…THEN RHAENA FINALLY FINDS SHEEPSTEALER…
However, first Tyland must convince Triarchy leader Lohar in this episode.
…THEN COMES THE WHITE WALKERS…
Helaena: And you..you’ll be dead. You were swallowed up in the God’s Eye, and you were never seen again.
Rhaenyra: A SON FOR A SON.
Larys: You’re not alone.
As they talk, we hear the winds call him a “Traitor”.
THEN,
Daemon: You are the True Queen, Rhaenyra. First of her name. Protector of the Realm. I am meant to serve you, and all of these with me. Until Death or the End of our Story.
Rhaenyra In High Valyrian: You sound just like my father.
Ironic to see how it will come true for Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra: My part is here, whether I will or no. It was decided for me long ago. Go.
Jace and Ulf does not get along, to say the least.
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S2 FINALE E8 REVIEW
Helaena: It wouldn’t change anything.
A good choice of words.