We could end up arguing a lot if you have any opinion other than that the penultimate episode of House of the Dragon season 2 is easily the best of the new season. With the second season ending next week, House of the Dragons has seen some major changes in the power dynamics of the show, and a crucial factor for that is dragons. With the main characters divided into Team Black (led by rebel Queen Rhaenyra from Dragonstone) and Team Red (led first by King Aegon and now by King-regent Aemond from King's Landing), the season 2 has seen the advantage shift smoothly from latter to former thanks to the events of episode 7. ‘House of the Dragon’ S2 Review: Critics Hail Episode 7 As ‘Visual’ Feast With Rhaenyra’s Dragonriders Taking Flight.

While most of the Targaryens have dragons, Aemond's Vhagar has proven to be the largest and most powerful. He has also been responsible for the death of two dragons and their riders from Team Black—Luke and his dragon, Arrax, and Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys. At the same time, Team Red may have also lost one of their own dragons, Aegon's Sunfyre, who was grievously injured as collateral damage (which could be deliberate) when Vhagar attacked Meleys.

In episode 5 of House of the Dragon S2, Rhaenyra laments to her son Jacerys about the lack of dragon riders on their team. The latter suggests she look for riders who may not be of pure Targaryen or Velaryon blood. In the book, these riders, who come from mixed ancestry, with some from lower classes, are called Dragonseeds. ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Episode 5 Ending Explained: Did ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Just Hint at ‘Dragonseeds’? We May Have Already Met Them!

Rhaenyra agrees it's a good idea, and in episode 6, she tries out deadly auditions for Dragonriders, which, while getting derision from her own council and even the Dragon priests, does not go exactly as she planned. Like Ser Steffon Darklyn, who got burnt crisp by the dragon Seasmoke, who flew out and chose her own rider in Addam of Hull.

Now, in episode 7, encouraged by what Seasmoke did, Rhaenyra carries out more such 'auditions', which, while it leads to more casualties (the poor dies, why should the royals care?), she does end with three more Dragonriders. The finale scene of the episode has her go for a badass pose with her newly reined dragons by her side, which even makes Aemond and his dragon, Vhagar, backtrack from their flight.

With House of Dragon season 2 readying for its finale (the show has been renewed for another season), it is time for us to cut the previous losses in dragons and their riders and see where Team Black and Team Red stand in terms of which dragons they currently have and who are riding them.

Team Black

1. Syrax - Rhaenyra

2. Caraxes - Daemon

3. Vermax - Jacerys

4. Moondancer - Baela

5. Silverwing - Ulf the White

6. Seasmoke - Addam of Hull

7. Vermithor - Hugh Hammer

Apart from these, Rhaenyra's young sons - Joffrey and Aegon (why would you name your kid after your enemy?) - have their own dragons in Tyraxes and Stormcloud, respectively.

Team Red

1. Vhagar - Aemond

2. Dreamfyre - Helaena (the finale preview has a scene where Aemond asks his sister to ride the dragon)

3. Tessarion - Daeron (Alicent's son and Aemond's brother who is in the Hightower, yet to appear in the show)

4. Sunfyre - Aegon (the dragon's mortal status is presently unknown)

As you can see from the above, Team Black currently has an advantage due to the increase in the number of dragons. What's more, they could have one more dragon and its rider by the finale, based on a certain plotline that gets easily overlooked, thanks to the other main events.

Will Rhaena Targaryen Get Her Own Dragon?

The season has a few mentions of how Rhaena Targaryen - the daughter of Daemon and his dead ex-wife, Lady Laena Velaryon - is not able to ride her own dragon. She must be annoyed since her twin sister - Baela - has one. However, if you have read the book Fire & Blood, you know she is bound to get one. What's more, the second season has been teasing about this, where she is shown pursuing a dragon in Vale, which is shown even in episode 7, even if the dragon isn't glimpsed yet. Here's, however, where things get interesting.

Watch the Promo of 'House of the Dragons' S2 Finale:

In the book, Rhaena Targaryen gets to ride a dragon called Morning. The show could possibly take a detour from what the book has to say on this, which is something it has been doing for some time now. Going by that possibility, Rhaena may (or may not, who knows) find a new dragon to ride. The one flying around Vale is not Morning, but Sheepstealer, a wild dragon. It remains to be seen if Rhaena will manage to tame this beast or if she has to wait for Morning to be hatched as described in the book. The finale episode, in most probability, would answer that.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2024 05:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).