Despite receiving widespread criticism for its latest episode, many viewers were still eagerly anticipating the next episode of House of the Dragon Season 2. Unfortunately, it appears that Episode 9 will not be airing next week, bringing disappointing news to fans.
The conclusion of House of the Dragon Season 1 saw Aemond unintentionally causing the death of Lucerys, ultimately triggering the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons.
Despite the anticipation for a thrilling second season, it may be underwhelming for those expecting constant action. Apart from the events at Rook’s Rest and Rhaenys’ death, the season has mainly focused on laying the groundwork for major events such as the Battle of the Gullet, the Fall of King’s Landing, and potentially even the Battle Above Gods Eye.
The ending scenes of Season 2 Episode 8 are incredibly thrilling as Tyland Lannister embarks on a journey with Sharako Lohar, Aegon manages to flee with Larys, and Tessarion makes a brief but impactful appearance. With this intense finale, the question arises- will there be another episode next week?
Why There Isn’t a House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 9
House of the Dragon Season 2 is only eight episodes long, therefore Episode 9 will not be included.
With the exception of Game of Thrones Seasons 7 and 8 (in more ways than one), this marks a significant shift. Traditionally, new seasons consist of 10 episodes and adhere to a certain structure: the penultimate episode features a major event (such as Ned’s beheading, the Battle of Blackwater Bay, or the Red Wedding) and the finale deals with the aftermath.
The inaugural season of House of the Dragon also featured a similar plot, as Episode 9 saw Aegon’s crowning ceremony followed by Rhaenys’ sudden appearance with Meleys, causing chaos as they escape from King’s Landing.
Did I just watch a 70 minute trailer for Season 3? #HouseOfThedragon pic.twitter.com/Mpo0OTpltP
— GameofThrones Quotes (@ASOIAFQuotesGOT) August 5, 2024
Thus, what was the reason for the shorter season? According to a previous article from Deadline, it was a deliberate decision as part of HBO’s future plans for the show, which also involves considering a third season.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Clare Kilner explained that the goal was to create a strong opening and closing for the show, with both packed full of emotional and visually thrilling moments.
According to Sara Hess, one of the writers for the show, the decision to reduce the number of episodes was not made by them, as she stated in an interview with EW.
It is widely believed among fans that HBO’s decision to order a shorter season was driven by the high cost of producing a large-scale event like the Battle of the Gullet.
The initial report from Deadline stated that a key conflict was being postponed to Season 3, and outlined a larger vision for the show to span four seasons.
Fans criticize Season 2 for being incomplete in light of finale
It’s safe to say that House of the Dragon fans were not pleased with the Season 2 finale. Many have described it as an underwhelming and lackluster “70-minute trailer”for the upcoming Season 3.
Despite the slow pace of the show, it’s easy to lose sight of the ongoing war, making it feel like the season was mostly filled with unnecessary episodes.
When we didn’t get any action in the finale and have to wait 2 years for the Battle of the Gullet:#HouseOfThedragon pic.twitter.com/lJJV2aZszZ
— House of the Dragon News (@HOTDNewsHBO) August 5, 2024
Another viewer expressed their disappointment with the season finale, stating on Twitter, “I have to say, that was one of the least exciting season finales I’ve ever seen. HBO, what were you thinking? Cliffhangers are fine, but S2E8 was a slow and uneventful ending. It felt incomplete, like a disappointing flashback to the finale of Game of Thrones. Where is the rest of the episode? I am not impressed, #HBO.”Another Twitter user echoed this sentiment, writing, “HBO really dropped the ball with this finale. It was a slow and lackluster ending that left me feeling unsatisfied. #disappointed #S2E8.”
Geeta Vasant Patel, the director of Episode 8, shared her thoughts on the season finale lacking another major battle, although Condal has yet to respond to the complaints.
“I had no idea what to anticipate. I wasn’t sure if it would be a struggle or something else entirely. As a fan, I likely imagined a battle. However, when I received the script, I was pleasantly delighted and content. I believe we often put too much emphasis on battles,”she elaborated.
What I find most intriguing about this episode is its exploration of relationships. From the dialogue to the unexpected plot twists, we see the dynamic between Daemon and Rhaenyra, as well as Rhaenyra and Alicent. Personally, I found it exhilarating to delve into the dramaturgy of these relationships. It’s something I truly enjoy.
“I was thrilled to delve into this project. I certainly recognized the challenge of living up to expectations for an epic battle, but having previously worked on Episode 8 of Season 1, I was confident that if we executed the script effectively, it would be magnificent.”
While you wait, you can explore information on House of the Dragon Season 3 and also check out five other shows similar to House of the Dragon. And don’t forget, there is also a new Game of Thrones spinoff currently in development.
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