House of the Dragon season 2’s explosive start and stellar fourth episode built my anticipation for the finale. Unfortunately, it ended with a whimper instead of a bang.
The series dropped on HBO last night and will air on Sky Atlantic in the UK tonight – although the episode is already available on demand. It also leaked earlier this week, so kudos if you managed to avoid spoilers.
Speaking of which, spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2 and Game of Thrones follow.
With the promise of three new dragon riders and battalions, on land and sea, I thought we at least… some action. However, the last episode was nothing more than a build-up to a war that we never properly witnessed.
We went straight back to the beginning of Season 1, where characters spent far too long discussing battle strategies and court etiquette. There was even a bizarre mud wrestling scene where Ser Tyland Lannister was thrown in, presumably to break up the endless banter.
Theo Whitman/HBO
Theo Whitman/HBO
Theo Whitman/HBO
Perhaps the episode’s biggest moment came during a scene with Daemon Targaryen, who was brought to the Godswood to see his true purpose: fighting for Rhaenyra instead of against her and ensuring she ends up on the Iron Throne.
During this sequence, we saw snippets of what will presumably be The Battle Above the Gods Eye, a pivotal battle in the series that could potentially be the show’s highlight, period. It’s also key to Daemon’s character arc, which he’s been trying to discover during his bizarre, hallucination-filled time in Harrenhal, while Ser Simon Strong casually roasts him in the background.
However, we also saw a flash-forward to the far future – one in which the dead walk past The Wall and a scorched blonde woman sits with her three baby dragons.
Fans of Game of Thrones will immediately recognize Night King and Daenerys Targaryen, two of the biggest characters from the original show. While this moment was meant to cheer fans up for the finale, it did the opposite for me.
When I saw Daenerys, all I could think of was her terrible character arc in Game of Thrones season 8, where she decided to burn King’s Landing to a crisp, seemingly on a whim, before being anti-climatically stabbed by her lover. This all happened after seasons of build-up and the promise of liberation for the people from years of tyrannical Lannister rule that never materialized.
Are we really to believe that the higher purpose of Daemon (of the Old Gods, no less) is to ensure that? this happens in the future?
Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO
Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO
Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO
This moment may be more intended to reinforce the show’s lore, possibly implying that Daenerys was the “Prince Who Was Promised” of ancient tales, a savior of the land – so Daemon must protect his lineage. But then again, if that’s the case, in what world does this prophecy come true? Not in the Game of Thrones ending, that’s for sure.
He even utters the ominous phrase “Winter is coming” to Rhaenyra, but again, we know how that ends. In a battle far too dark to be visible on most TV screens, D&D writers ‘subvert our expectations’ through what should have been the show’s biggest battle, far removed from the carnage we expected, and the guy we thought would do it. be the savior – Jon Snow – and don’t appear in any form.
This scene felt like it was only included because the finale had few set piece moments. Instead, time was wasted as Rhaena Targaryen ran through the Vale, and Jacaerys Velaryon became irritated because commoners were rude at the dinner table.
But most of all, it wasn’t necessary. House of the Dragon has now proven that its characters have the power to stand on their own. It has the potential to have a more satisfying ending than the original show ever did, and its predecessor’s dredging up of the past and disappointing conclusion doesn’t do it any favors.
Despite the flat ending, season 2 had some incredible moments – let’s hope the next installment ends on an action-packed high.