What is your review of House of the Dragon Season 2 finale, Episode 8?
12.06.2025 06:32
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.
Daemon: I wasn’t expecting you.
Aemond: …I need you to fly with Dreamfyre to battle.
THEN COMES DAEMON AND RHAENYRA…
THEN COMES RHAENYRA AND ALICENT SCENE. REVERSE OF S2E3 ENDING.
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.
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Larys’ masterplan to have Aegon escape will be crucial for the Greens.
Daemon: They are sworn to me. And not a moment too soon.
The lack of emotional moments in this show is concerning, to say the least.
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However, first Tyland must convince Triarchy leader Lohar in this episode.
Rhaena finally sees a flying dragon in the sky.
Daemon just laughs it off.
Larys: It’s best to live, I think. However you do it?
…THEN COMES THE WHITE WALKERS…
THEN, WE CUT TO HARRENHAL.
Corlys reveals his new ship-The Queen Who Never Was. Named After Rhaenys. They sail for the Gullet on the morrow.
…THEN DAEMON WALKS AMONG THE FALLEN SOLDIERS-RESEMBLING PAUL ATREIDES OF DUNE’S VISION OF JIHAD…
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.
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Rhaenyra: History will paint you a villain. A cold Queen grasping for power and then defeated.
Aemond: That is a lie.
Rhaenyra reminds Alicent how she made virtue her banner. And how much she changed.
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…THEN OTTO IS SEEN IN A CELL AS HELAENA’S “THIS ONE STOPPED SINGING” PROPHECY COMES TRUE…
ALL RIVERMEN IN HARRENHAL BEND THE KNEE.
AS WE ENTER THE FINAL MONTAGE…
Hugh: And so many…
THEN, WE MATCH CUT TO DAEMON.
Corlys and Rhaenyra discuss her advantage over the Greens.
Daemon meets with Alfred who was sent by Rhaenyra.
Moved by his words, Rhaenyra takes Daemon’s hand.
It’s the little things that make Aegon a joy to watch.
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.
Rhaena looks for Sheepstealer in Vale.
Aegon: So, what was the fucking point in all this then? …No, No. I am the King. Why must I run?
Rhaenyra orders Addam to come with her to Harrenhal.
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…
THEN, Rhaena continues her hard search for Sheepstealer.
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.
…OF RHAENYRA AND ALICENT.
ALICENT LETS RHAENYRA HAVE AEGON.
…THEN COMES TYLAND LANNISTER SAILING WITH THE TRIARCHY…
A good choice of words.
THEN COMES THE VISIONS OF HOUSE OF UNDYING FOR DAEMON.
Helaena: And If I refuse? Will you burn me as you did Aegon?
Cannot believe how they cut Nettles off the show.
THEN,
Rhaenyra In High Valyrian: Leave me again at your peril.
…THEN LARYS AND AEGON ESCAPE KING’S LANDING…
AS HE ACCEPTS HIS FATE AS HE WILL HAVE THE MOST LEGENDARY BATTLE IN HISTORY. A LEGACY THAT OUTSHINES ALL OTHERS.
(Using the word “Story” proves how much he was affected by his vision.)
Daemon: The Realm’s only hope is a leader who can unite it. And my brother chose…you.
Baela: You wish for us to kill innocents.
As Addam worries about Vhagar, Ulf claims he is not afraid.
Aegon: He deserves no less.
Daemon: My Queen.
…THEN COMES THE LAST SHOT OF DAEMON LOOKING HIS RIVERMEN ARMY IN HARRENHAL…
Aegon: Fucking mad cunt…
A GREAT YET DISAPPOINTING SEASON.
Helaena: I was it. You burned him and you let him fall.
…THEN DAEMON DROWNS IN THE SEA OF BLOOD-RESEMBLING RAGNAR IN THE VIKINGS INTRO…
Rhaenyra: And who pays the price?
(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.)
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.
Alfred calls Daemon “A Leader Of Men” and a “King”. Wanting Daemon to declare for himself.
Tyland makes a deal with Triarchy to end Corlys’ blockade against King’s Landing.
But when he learns Aemond ruined a whole town with Fire and Blood,
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S2 FINALE E8 REVIEW
Essentially telling Baela “Such is the way of the World”.
ALICENT LEAVES.
Helaena: It wouldn’t change anything.
Triarchy wants Stepstones in return. As they lost it to Corlys and Daemon in S1.
As Aemond arrives, the whole scene changes…
Helaena: Why does everybody hate us? …I was happier before I was Queen.
DAEMON BENDS THE KNEE.
Rhaenyra In High Valyrian: You sound just like my father.
Aemond: ‘Tis no longer our rule that is threatened, our very lives. Would you not have us prevail?
Just look at how Cole And Alicent changed their beliefs on decency.
Daemon to Alys: Do you never sleep, witch?
Daemon: This place will have you barking at the moon.
…THEN COMES DAERON THE DARING ON TESSARION WITH HIGHTOWERS…
Back on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra discuss what is to come with Mysaria.
But Alyn loses it when Corlys claims he tries to help Alyn.
As Alys leads Daemon into the Godswood…
Cole mentions this would dishonor the Hightower name. Much like the Lannisters. Family Name is All.
Helaena and Daeron the Daring with their dragons are mentioned.
Helaena: I do not wish to fight.
Larys: You’re not alone.
THEN, Tyland battles to convince Lohar to sail to Westeros.
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.
Triarchy Vs Velaryons Is Set Now. “To the Gullet On The Morrow”.
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 In High Valyrian: I could not. I have tried.
THEN,
Aemond: Our wishes must take second place now to what is necessary to preserve the throne.
Having Aegon chose Rhaenyra’s nickname was unexpected, to say the least.
Rhaenyra: And to whom are you sworn?
A good choice of words.
Rhaenyra: My part is here, whether I will or no. It was decided for me long ago. Go.
First of all, they added Rhaenyra on Syrax and all her Team Black’s Dragons chasing away Vhagar into the Intro.
THEN,
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.
THEN,
Corlys: I’ve had little to do with him…to my regret.
Gwayne draws his sword and threatens to send him to the Wall.
THEN COMES AEMOND VS HELAENA-WHO STANDS THE SAME WAY AND DRESS AS SHE DID IN DAEMON’S VISION. PROVING SHE MEANT AEMOND.
THEN, Tyland sings “The Captain’s Daughter” for the Triarchy.
But I’d change it with a more touching Jace scene. Since the Gullet is coming.
Alicent: What would you think about leaving this place?
…THEN COMES THE END OF DANCE OF THE DRAGONS-WITH ALL DRAGONS DEAD…
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.
As is the words of House Hightower, “We Light The Way”.
Rhaenyra: What of Aegon?
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: …No ambition greater than to walk where I please and to breathe the open air. …And be free. Come with me.
(Tywin: Any man who must say I am the King is no true King.)
…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.”
Larys mentions even if Aegon puts Aemond in prison, he can’t beat Rhaenyra without Vhagar.
Jace: It is hard but it cannot be helped.
Aemond: I could have you killed.
JUST LIKE DAENERYS DID IN S8.
THEY ALMOST TOUCH THEIR FOREHEAD. DAEMON’S WAY OF SHOWING HIS LOVE.
Addam: There will be time enough to see which one of us is a coward.
Ulf: Look at that hair. As dark as they say. Let them tell us we don’t have Targaryen blood, eh?
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.
Helaena: Aegon will be King again. He’s yet to see victory. He sits on a wooden throne.
AEMOND ON VHAGAR BURNS DOWN SHARP POINT INTO THE GROUND.
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.
Mysaria: …Gods favor you. They put the means to victory in your hands.
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.
(Viserys would be proud.)
Alicent: He’s broken beyond recognition.
THEN COMES THE TIME THE GREENS FRACTURE,
Jace and Ulf does not get along, to say the least.
And in response to news of Rhaenyra,
WE SEE DRAGONSEEDS PREPARE TO RIDE THEIR DRAGONS…
Corlys tells Alyn that they will sail to protect the Blockade soon.
…THEN COMES DAENERYS TARGARYEN-THE MOTHER OF DRAGONS…
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 ALYN AND CORLYS SAILING ON THE QUEEN WHO NEVER WAS…
Aegon: Is it? My dragon is dead. I am burnt and disgusting and alone. And I’m a cripple.
THAT ROAR OF MEN THAT DAEMON LEAD IS AMAZING.
That line sets and scene as a whole sets up the last scene of Alicent with Rhaenyra.
IN THE END, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 WAS GREAT YET DISAPPOINTING.
…THEN RHAENA FINALLY FINDS SHEEPSTEALER…
THEN,
Daemon puts his hand on the Weirwood Tree with GRRM’s face carved onto it.
It is a nice way of showing the consequences of putting class structures and being a bastard in Westeros.
As Aemond forces Helaena to come with him, Alicent intervenes…
…THEN GREGAN STARK’S THE WINTER WOLVES PASS THE TWINS-THANKS TO JACE…
Addam will be right be proven right.
One of the best monologues of the franchise. Fantastic scene.
Alicent: Not Like This.
Ironic to see how it will come true for Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra: That seems rather a lapse in foresight. I see you have done well here.
…AND FINALLY, AS THE LAST SHOT OF HOTD S2, WE HAVE 2 BACK TO BACK MATCH CUTS…
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.
Larys: We must leave King’s Landing quickly and we will not return for some time.
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.
YET, IN SEASON 3, THE REAL DANCE WILL BEGIN.
Mysaria: …Be strong.
Helaena: I won’t burn anyone.
Cole: She saved my life. Twice. …She’s the beacon I follow.
This scene breaks Alicent’s spirit and splits the Greens even further.
THEN,
And Jace’s doubts about using Bastards will be proven right in time.
Aemond: What you say is treason.
WE START WITH BLOODRAVEN…
AND HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 ENDS.
And a message from Harrenhal arrives. Simon has concerns about Daemon and his men.
Team Blacks have dinner together. Dragonseeds included.
Jace: If you hinder our efforts through sloth and unreadiness, I’ll see you hanged.
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…
(Alicent in S2E3: It’s Too Late, Rhaenyra.)
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.
THEN, IN OUR FIRST SCENE, WE HAVE TYLAND.
Rhaenyra: It’s Too Late, Alicent.
As Cole smells the napkin Alicent gave him to remember her,
Aegon: Aegon the Realm’s Delight.
Daemon In High Valyrian: I saw it. I saw that we cannot withstand it…and yet, somehow we must.
Daemon steps forward and speaks in High Valyrian. As these two usually do.
Setting up the Butcher’s Ball.
After learning Rhaenyra has 7 dragons and even Aemond flew away,
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.
…THEN RHAENYRA WITH HER CROWN SITS ON THE IRON THRONE…
THEN,
THEN,
THEN COMES LARYS AND AEGON,
…BOTH SIDES PREPARE FOR ALL OUT WAR IN SEASON 3.
When Rhaenyra mentions Addam of Hull,
…THEN JASON LANNISTER MARCHES ON RIVERLANDS…
Rhaenyra: A SON FOR A SON.
Daemon: For every one of us who falls…A hundred of them. There will be no mercy. We fight for our Queen.
This sets up Battle Of The Gullet-The Bloodiest Sea Battle We’ll See. With Huge Consequences.
Larys mentions he out Harrenhal money into Iron Bank of Braavos.
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.
Aegon: My cock is destroyed.
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.
…THEN VISION ENDS. AND JUST LOOK AT DAEMON’S FACE.
(Alicent in S1: You are the challenge, Aegon. Simply by living and breathing.)
Rhaenyra: We must break the will of our enemy…or more will die in a struggle that stretches on without end.
Calling Daemon a player when Alys calls him a piece on the board was intentional.
THEN,
Rhaenyra takes a step back.
ALL IN ALL,
ALICENT BETRAYS THE GREENS AND BEGS RHAENYRA TO BE SPARED WITH HELAENA.
THEN,
Helaena: And you..you’ll be dead. You were swallowed up in the God’s Eye, and you were never seen again.
Having Lohar call Tyland as “Tywin” was a nice touch.
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.
As they talk, we hear the winds call him a “Traitor”.