The final touches before the approaching Dance of the Dragons, Daemon's ultimate decision, Alicent's attempts to find a peaceful solution – we tell you about this and other events of the final episode of the second season of House of the Dragon.
If you expected Rhaenyra and her new dragon army to fight Aemond, Vhagar, and the Greens… you'll have to wait another year or so. House of the Dragon has been in no hurry all season, smoothly preparing key players for the Dance of the Dragons, and ended just before the long-awaited clash. After the fiery scene of finding new dragon riders last week, the finale doesn't quite feel like a traditional Game of Thrones finale (sorry, no parties battles).
Previous recaps:
Warning: spoilers for Episode 8 of House of the Dragon Season 2 ahead
Unexpected Allies
First, Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) tries to get the Triarchy to swear fealty to Aemond, but in return they want control of the Stepstones – a territory disputed for centuries. As soon as he concedes (promising lands after the final victory in the war), they set one last condition: the commander of the Triarchy fleet must join him in battle, otherwise the sailors won't want to obey a foreign leader. Commander Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn), sizing up Tyland, mistakenly calls him Tywin, initially finds him too frail, and refuses to sail. A reincarnation of Yara Greyjoy, by the gods.
After a dirty fight, Tyland earns Lohar's respect and gets an invitation to dinner. The woman makes him sing a song at the feast, after which she agrees to go into battle with him. And also: Lohar wants Tyland to have children with her wives. Yes, exactly that.
Meanwhile, Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), who fled Dragonstone at the sight of Rhaenyra's new dragon riders, vents his rage on a nearby town, burning its innocent inhabitants.
Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) continues to recover in bed when Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) visits him with a proposal to leave King's Landing because, in his opinion, Aemond will kill his brother. Fortunately, Larys has already transferred his gold to the Iron Bank in Braavos, so they can live there for now. Aegon doesn't like the idea of fleeing, but eventually Larys's arguments convince him. He says they can return to the capital when the time comes, and Aegon will be a liberating hero.
New Riders, New Plans
Prince Jace (Harry Collett) feels threatened by the newly minted riders, and a chance encounter with Ulf (Tom Bennett), whose feet are on the painted table, doesn't help. The new rider of Silverwing tells the young prince that they are 'cut from the same cloth' – both bastards who ride dragons. But Jace insists they are not alike. Later, Baela tells him not to worry about the recruits: Jace has something more than his status and dragons. Now he must prove the doubters wrong.
Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) has renamed his ship 'Sea Snake' to 'The Queen Who Never Was' in honor of his late wife Rhaenys. When Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) asks him what he thinks of Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), instead of telling about their kinship, Corlys simply replies that the boy was one of his shipwrights. He advises the queen to strike at the Greens' forces now that her dragon squadron is assembled, and Aemond hasn't used all possible riders (obviously referring to Helaena and Daeron, who we still haven't seen).
Remember Ser Alfred Broome (Jamie Kenna), the sexist from Rhaenyra's council? He arrived at Harrenhal at her request to find out Daemon's (Matt Smith) intentions. But when he and the king consort meet privately, the envoy urges the Targaryen to take the throne himself. Daemon only smirks in response, while Ser Simon Strong (Bill Simon Russell) watches from the shadows.
Later, Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) wakes Daemon (how much he slept this season!) and leads him to a sacred grove. The witch senses he is ready to learn his fate. Daemon places his hand on a tree and sees the future: the Bloody Raven and the Three-Eyed Raven, the White Walkers, Daenerys Targaryen, and the birth of her three dragons. Then he sees Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne, signaling to the king consort that his wife is destined to rule.
Salvation or Certain Doom?
Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) has returned to King's Landing after her forest trip. Her daughter, Helaena (Phia Saban), says she was happier before becoming queen. Alicent suggests leaving the city. But before she can say where they will go, Aemond enters and orders his sister to participate in the upcoming battle on her dragon Dreamfyre, to which Alicent protests. She will not allow her innocent daughter to be corrupted by Aemond's lust for power. She finds Grand Maester Orwyle and asks for help with an important matter.
Somewhere in a forest camp, Alicent's brother Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) tells Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) that he knows about the affair with his sister. He doesn't deny it. He says Alicent saved his life twice and became a beacon he follows. Though we remember how he supported her on the Small Council, aye. Cole is nihilistic as his army marches to battle, likely to certain death. 'Dying is a kind of relief, don't you think?' he asks. Gwayne is stunned.
Aemond again tries to convince Helaena to fly to Harrenhal. She tells Aemond she knows he burned Aegon in the battle with Rhaenys and let him fall from his dragon. She also predicts that Aegon will be king again:
He has yet to see victory, he will sit on the throne. And you will be dead. You will be swallowed by the God's Eye, and you will be seen no more.
Daemon's Decision
A family dinner of Targaryens with the new riders takes place on Dragonstone. Rhaenyra promises that if they serve her well, she will knight them. But she needs them to do what Corlys said and strike while they have the advantage. They must take Oldtown and Lannisport to end the war as soon as possible. Hugh Hammer and Baela disapprove of this idea, but Jace says it must be done. Before the discussion can continue, a message arrives from Harrenhal – from Simon Strong, who reports that Daemon has successfully gathered an army but fears betrayal. The queen decides to go there herself and asks Addam to accompany her – to Jace's surprise.
Rhaenyra and Addam arrive at Harrenhal and find Daemon's army formed. The entire hall and nearby areas are filled with warriors. They have sworn to Daemon – but to whom has Daemon sworn?
When she catches her husband off guard, Daemon speaks in Valyrian, saying his mind has changed. The visions in the forest have affected him: now he, like Viserys before, believes that Rhaenyra must unite the kingdom to survive the coming horrors. He kneels and proclaims Rhaenyra the true queen. His men kneel behind him. Rhaenyra is impressed. He calls his soldiers to 'fight for our queen,' and they roar in response.
Final Preparations
Back home, Rhaenyra finds an unexpected guest on Dragonstone – Alicent. A return curtsy, so to speak. Hightower declares she is ready to leave royal life with Helaena and become free, but this does not convince Rhaenyra. Even the offer of an easy victory – when Aemond flies to Harrenhal, Rhaenyra can take King's Landing without a fight – does not have the desired effect.
As for Aegon, once he recovers, Alicent is sure she can persuade him to kneel before Rhaenyra. The queen does not like that her former friend is still protecting her usurper son. And declares that for a real victory in the eyes of the people, she must kill the enemy. Is Alicent ready to sacrifice her son for the desired outcome? Alicent is in tears, but… barely nods in agreement. She asks Rhaenyra to let her go to fulfill her promise, and even offers to go with her. But the Targaryen decides to stay put. Alicent leaves alone. Now the question is whether Rhaenyra will use the option her childhood friend has just opened for her.
In the final montage, everyone prepares for battle:
- Ulf, Hugh, and Addam put on armor;
- The Hightower army marches, and Daeron flies overhead on his dragon Tessarion. Also, a glimpse of Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), who is somehow in captivity;
- The Stark army crosses the Twins, as promised by the Freys (though this scene was cut and can only be seen online);
- Tyland Lannister and Lohar sail with the Triarchy fleet;
- Corlys and Alyn row to 'The Queen Who Never Was';
- Rhaena finally comes face to face with a wild dragon;
- Aegon and Larys escape the capital. If Rhaenyra agrees to Alicent's offer and expects to get Aegon's head, she will not be pleased to learn he has fled.
If the first season of House of the Dragon was, though leisurely, quite chaotic with endless time jumps, then season two covered a short period and focused on preparing the sides for conflict.
Many viewers did not like this slowness combined with a number of unclear motivations. But this clearly shows the commercial side of the issue – the series is officially extended for four seasons, and each must attract the audience in some way. To do this, the authors slightly alter the source material, and some trump cards are dealt out in portions. The 2024 release will be remembered for the bright battle of Rhaenys with Aegon and Aemond, the crazy scene of taming dragons by Targaryen bastards, and Daemon's endless delusional trips to Harrenhal. And that's already a lot! Now we wait for the legendary Dance of the Dragons, where many beloved and not-so-beloved characters will fall.
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