Fans of Game of Thrones were eagerly awaiting the missing Season 2 Episode 8, and now it’s finally here! Let’s get ready to watch!
In the season finale, Rhanerya is preparing the bastards for war while Aemond is losing control. Alicent’s redemption arc is showcased, and Lord Corlys is facing consequences for his actions. We also catch a glimpse of Ser Otto Hightower, making for a eventful finale.
1. Rhaenyra & Alicent: Understanding their Conversation, Decisions, and Future Explained
The heart of House of the Dragon season 2’s finale, much like the rest of the plot, centers around Rhaenyra and Alicent. In a twist from their previous encounter in season 2, episode 3, Alicent makes the journey to Rhaenyra in search of a solution to quell the ongoing violence. However, Rhaenyra’s response of “it’s too late”showcases the depth of their characters and the significance of their roles in the show’s narrative, leading to profound consequences.
Why Does Alicent Agree to Aegon’s Death? Will It Happen?
Alicent’s original desire was for Rhaenyra to conquer King’s Landing and rescue her children, with the exception of Aemond (whose current path she has come to accept as irreversible).
Rhaenyra acknowledges that she will always face opposition to her claim as queen unless King Aegon is eliminated, and surprisingly, Alicent reluctantly agrees. In a way, this decision is out of their hands as Rhaenyra and her soldiers are determined to assassinate Aegon regardless. Nevertheless, Alicent’s approval serves as a testament to her diminishing power.
Her initial intention in instigating this conflict was to secure the Iron Throne for her son, despite being misled. However, she is currently focused on protecting herself and her daughter, Helaena.
Despite his sorrowful nature and the fact that he is a victim of his environment in many ways, Aegon also has a cruel side. If given the choice between sacrificing Aegon to save the kind and innocent Helaena (and possibly Daeron) or risking the suffering and death of all of them, Alicent would choose the former.
Alicent has consistently made an effort to prioritize responsibility, relying on values like honor, righteousness, and virtue to reassure herself that she was making the correct decision.
Despite the importance of performing her duty to the king, Alicent must remove her cloak. She decides to prioritize her own freedom and the well-being of her daughter over her son, who deserves the least amount of suffering compared to the one who has caused the most. This choice offers Alicent the best chance of protecting what is important to her and potentially preserving her own life.
The one issue, however, is that according to the book, Rhaenyra does not actually kill Aegon. Unbeknownst to Alicent, he has been secretly taken out of the city by Larys Strong, just as it happens in Fire & Blood. This means that Aegon will not be present when Rhaenyra marches to the capital, and she will not receive the demanded “son for a son”retribution.
3. Why did Daemon bend the knee to Rhaenyra Targaryen?
During House of the Dragon season 2, Daemon Targaryen had several visions at Harrenhal, but the most impactful occurred when Alys Rivers urged him to touch the weirwood tree. The tree, which bore the likeness of George R.R. Martin, revealed to Daemon the fate of House Targaryen in Game of Thrones. The vision included significant figures and surprising events, ultimately leading to Daemon pledging his loyalty to Rhaenyra by kneeling before her.
In the future Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, he envisions the presence of Bloodraven or Brynden Rivers. He also foresees the army of the dead, led by a formidable White Walker, along with fallen dragons and the aftermath of the Battle of the Trident. This event would mark the end of House Targaryen’s reign in Westeros.
As Daemon’s vision continues to shift, he witnesses the birthing of Dany’s three dragons. Suddenly, the scene changes and he sees Rhaenyra perched on the Iron Throne.
Helaena appears in his vision, imploring him to comprehend his role in the plot.
Upon receiving an alarming message about potential treason, Rhaenyra rushes to Harrenhal where Daemon humbly kneels before her, finally understanding their roles in the prophecy of the Song of Ice and Fire.
Who imprisoned Otto Hightower in the Dungeon?
Ever since Aegon dismissed him from his post as Hand of the King, Otto Hightower has been missing. However, in a shocking turn of events during the season 2 finale, he resurfaces – but with a twist. He is discovered to be locked in a dungeon, though the exact location and timing of this imprisonment remain a mystery as all we see is the cell, which is not described in Fire & Blood.
Nevertheless, there are a few remarkable options.
Perhaps the most probable situation is that Otto is being held captive in one of the Red Keep’s cells. Given the similarities and the fact that these cells have been shown the most in both series, it would be the most straightforward way to inform viewers of their whereabouts. It is also highly likely that Larys Strong was involved in this occurrence.
Aemond instructed Larys to summon Otto with the intention of reinstating him as Hand. However, Larys took offense to this and viewed Otto as a direct threat to his own pursuit of power. In an attempt to further his own agenda, Larys had the ability to imprison anyone, including Otto, in a dungeon.
It appears that someone is approaching Otto at the end, indicated by a torchlight and his upward gaze. This could be the person responsible for providing him with sustenance to survive, or it could be a recognizable individual such as Grand Maester Orwyle, who is known for his allegiance to Alicent and, therefore, Otto.
If Otto is not present at the Red Keep, there are few obvious contenders besides any of Rhaenyra’s loyal houses. One potential candidate could be House Beesbury, as there are rumors of mutiny within the house after the death of Lord Beesbury at the hands of Ser Criston Cole. Their stronghold, Honeyholt, is situated on the road to Oldtown, which aligns with both geography and motive. However, this choice still seems somewhat arbitrary compared to King’s Landing and Larys.
5. Rhaena Claiming Sheepstealer?
Rhaena Targaryen makes a brief appearance in the season 2 finale of House of the Dragon, as she embarks on a search for the wild dragon in the Vale of Arryn. It is speculated that the dragon she finds is Sheepstealer, the only wild dragon in Fire & Blood that has been claimed by someone. However, in the book, it is revealed that the person claiming Sheepstealer is not Rhaena.
Nettles, a fierce 16-year-old girl, claims the title of Sheep Stealer. Every morning, she brings him sheep until he learns to trust her. She then takes him into battle alongside the other dragon seeds.
It appears that House of the Dragon has removed Nettles from the story, and based on the season 2 finale where Rhaena confronts Sheepstealer, it is likely that she will be the one to tame the wild dragon.
In the book, Morning, Rhaena obtains a dragon of her own that hatches from one of the dragon eggs she brought to the Vale. However, due to its size, Morning is unable to participate in the Dance of the Dragons. It is possible that showrunner Ryan Condal and his writers have chosen to make this decision in order to give Rhaena a more prominent role in future events.
The Various Armies & Battles Set Up For House Of The Dragon Season 3
The finale of House of the Dragon Season 2 concludes with a montage that serves as a reminder of each character’s whereabouts at the end of Episode 8.
The several armies unite and set out to converge on King’s Landing. We possess:
- The Hightower host is accompanied by Daeron Targaryen, who has not yet been cast, and his dragon, Tessarion.
- The Lannister army, under the leadership of Jason Lannister, is making its way towards the Red Fork.
- The “greybeards”known as The Winter Wolves, who were sent by Lord Cregan Stark of Winterfell, pass through The Twins and into the Riverlands.
- The commander of the Velaryon fleet was Lord Corlys Velaryon, accompanied by his illegitimate son, Alyn of Hull.
- Admiral Lohar, who has been gender-swapped for the show, leads the Triarchy’s warships, which are now joined by Tyland Lannister.
There are multiple upcoming conflicts to be waged in this location. The initial clash between the Lannisters will take place at the Battle of the Red Fork, situated at a crossing in the western riverlands.
The Hightower army, along with Daeron and Tessarion, will join forces in the Battle of the Honeywine in the Reach, where they will face off against multiple houses from Team Black, most notably the Beesbury family.
During the Civil War, the Winter Wolves participated in numerous battles in the Riverlands, including the infamous Fishfeed at the Lakeshore, which was considered the most brutal land conflict. At the same time, the Velaryon fleet and the Triarchy were preparing for the Battle of the Gullet, predicted to be the most massive and fatal naval encounter in the history of Westeros.
7. What To Expect From House Of The Dragon Season 3?
With HBO’s confirmation of House of the Dragon’s third season, viewers can rest assured that the ongoing events will be resolved. When the season premieres, we can anticipate Rhaenyra’s early takeover of King’s Landing with the support of Daemon by her side.
Similarly, it is expected that the Battle of the Gullet will take place in the initial episodes. It is also possible that the encounter between Aemond and Daemon at God’s Eye will happen, although it may be delayed.
The House of the Dragon season 2 finale contains numerous storylines that are building towards significant events, setting the stage for an even more eventful season 3.
The main uncertainty is the release date. Typically, there is a gap of approximately two years between seasons 1 and 2 for major television productions such as this one. Given that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to debut in 2025, it is likely that season 3 of House of the Dragon will be released in the Summer of 2026.
About House Of The Dragon
The prequel series, House of the Dragon, is based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood and serves as a continuation of HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones.
Three hundred years before the events depicted in Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will explore the reign of the Targaryen family in Westeros before the disappearance of dragons. The series will center on the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra, who battled for control of the throne following the death of their father, Viserys I.
The show features an all-star cast including Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Craney as Aegon II Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish, with direction from Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik.
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