‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Finale Explained: From Daemon’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Vision to the Final Battle Prep, Decoding Events of ‘HOTD’ S2 Episode 8 and What To Expect in Season 3 (SPOILER ALERT)

We may have to wait a couple of years for the next episode of House of the Dragon to arrive, as season 2 of the Game of Thrones prequel has just ended. The finale episode, which aired on August 4 in the USA (August 5 in India), wasn't particularly action-packed except for Aemond's burning of Sharp Point—collateral damage stemming from his humiliation at the end of the previous episode. Yet, we only see the aftermath and not the direct attack. Alternatively, you might consider Tyland Lannister's hesitant mud-fighting with Lohar, the captain of the Triarchy Fleet, who drops an interesting Easter egg when she mistakenly calls him 'Tywin'. ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Ep 8 Reactions: Netizens Are Disappointed With the Action-Less Season Conclusion, Call It ‘A Waste of Time’.

Apart from that, the finale is relatively subdued, with characters making their choices on their own (Daemon) or being forced to make choices (Alicent) or accepting their resigned fates (Cole), as Team Red and Team Black prepare for battle. If you were expecting the season 2 finale to be more action-packed, based on the promises made in episode 7 of House of the Dragon S2, you might be disappointed. However, the finale ends with a promise that the upcoming season will be more action-oriented, as men are expected to fight men while trying to escape the dance of the dragons.

Here are some important events that happened in the season finale episode of House of the Dragon season 2:

Daemon's Final Vision (Hopefully?)

It might not surprise us, but it certainly did for Rhaenyra when she landed at Harrenhal expecting mutiny, only to find complete fealty from her rogue husband, Daemon. Not that people didn't try to make him defect. Alfred Boome attempted to persuade Daemon to become King himself, but unfortunately for him, Alys had one more vision for the king-consort that cleared his doubts forever. If you are a Game of Thrones fan (duh, otherwise why would you be here?) and were Team Daenerys, you'll find some intriguing flash-forwards in his new vision. Led by Alys into the godswood to the weirwood tree, Daemon touches the blood flowing from the tree and sees a series of visions from the future. This includes the death of the dragons, Daemon walking through a battlefield strewn with corpses, three dragon eggs, and a certain Targaryen lady sitting naked among the smoke with three dragon hatchlings on her body. If you don't know who she is, why are you even watching this show? Unfortunately, we never get to see Emilia Clarke's face (otherwise, HBO would have to pay her more residuals). And yes, he also sees the Three-Eyed Raven, the White Walkers, and a red comet. To our surprise, Helaena is also part of his vision, telling him that he is just part of a story. We'll come back to her shortly.

Daemon also sees the Iron Throne, and who is sitting there but his own wife. It is then that Daemon completely realises that it is not he, but Rhaenyra who deserves to be on the throne, and even if the war ends in her favour, it is just the beginning of their troubles. Here's where Daemon drops that iconic GoT line 'Winter is coming' when she comes intending to confront him, prompting Rhaenyra (while conversing with each other in Valyrian) to remark that he sounds like her father (and his brother). Daemon has truly changed, and we have to thank the crazy hallucinations at Harrenhal for that, even if it means we have to endure that yucky incest sex dream of his. BTW, Alfred Boome survived the episode with his head intact. Bummer!

The Queen Who Never Was

The season finale episode gets its name from Ser Corlys renaming his ship as a tribute to his dead wife. When Rhaenyra visits him, he is preparing his fleet and advises her to strike first. He also hints at another player who might join her forces along with her dragonriders and fleet. Is he referring to Rhaena? Or is he talking about Daemon? Later, Corlys has a conversation with Alyn, where he wants to offer help. In the heated conversation that unfolds, it is confirmed that Alyn and his brother are indeed the bastard children of Corlys himself, as Alyn reminds his father of the shame, humiliation, and hunger he endured while his father and legitimate son walked past him in the market, happy and well-fed.

Alyn says he is honourable enough to be loyal to Corlys, but once the war is over and if he survives, he will return to what he was earlier - alone. While the season has been setting Alyn as Corlys' true heir, it seems a daunting task for the father.

Helaena's a Dreamwalker?

Helaena has some intriguing moments in the episode. Her irreverent brother Aemond tries to persuade her to ride her dragon, Dreamfyre, so that Vhagar can have more support when facing six dragons on the opposite side. He first tries by force and gets thwarted by their mother, Alicent, and then through persuasive conversation that ends with not only a refusal from his sister but also a warning from her. She tells him that she knows he is responsible for Aegon's burnt state and that he is going to meet his end soon at 'God's Eye'. Also, yes, she claims that Aegon will soon be king, which, of course, clashes with Daemon's vision of which Helaena was also a part. ‘House of the Dragon’: From Rhaenyra’s Syrax to Addam’s Seasmoke, Know All Dragons and Their Dragon-Riders Before Heading to Season 2 Finale (SPOILER ALERT).

BTW, how did Helaena know about Aemond being responsible for Aegon's condition? What does her prophecy for him mean, and why was she part of Daemon's vision? Is she a very powerful Dreamwalker who can warg, see the future, and travel elsewhere? The books don't hint at this, though they certainly mention a very tragic ending for the queen-consort.

Lannisters Always Pay Their Debts

A curious subplot in the season finale involves Tyland Lannister trying to convince the Triarchy, on behalf of Aemond, to send their fleet to fight for them. They have certain conditions, though; for one, they want control of the Stepstones, to which he agrees. Secondly, they want the commander of the fleet, Lohar, to join him in battle, to which Tyland also agrees, only to find that Lohar is a not a cis man as he expected (again a departure from the books). Lohar, however, refuses to sail with Tyland, saying he is not worthy of a warrior and must prove himself first. How? Well, they end up mud-wrestling with each other, and after getting beaten up by her, Tyland finally lands some punches, earning their respect.

They later have a feast to celebrate, where Lohar declares their intent to sail with him and fight Corlys. However, they also has another condition for Tyland - he must sleep with their wives and impregnate them. We don't know what to make of that. In the final scene, we see them set sail together to King's Landing, so we assume Tyland had to exert himself in the bedchambers. In the books, her actions during the battle eventually leads to the destruction of the Triarchy itself, so there's that.

Alicent's Sophie’s Choice

For the second time this season, former friends Rhaenyra and Alicent meet, but this time Alicent is on the back foot. Wanting nothing more than to protect her daughter and her children, Alicent tells her old bestie that she is willing to betray the kingdom to end this senseless war. She tells Rhaenyra that once Aemond marches to battle, Helaena will be the Queen Authority, and she will convince her daughter to keep the gates open for Team Black to enter King's Landing and take over the Iron Throne. In return, Alicent demands refuge for her family. Rhaenyra keeps throwing hurtful barbs at her, and Alicent keeps countering, but they know this is the only way forward without a terrible war.

However, Rhaenyra presents Alicent with a difficult proposition—she tells her that this condition would be agreed upon only if Alicent allows Rhaenyra to behead Aegon and present his head to her people, as is customary. Also, a 'son for a son', thus fulfilling her vengeance for Luke's death. After painful and tearful consideration, Alicent agrees, which parallels how the first episode of this season ended—when her daughter had to choose between her children. Like Helaena, Alicent chooses her daughter over her son. Little does she know that Aegon had other plans...

Aegon Escapes to Braavos

Aegon is still burnt (and confirms his cock is melted) and in grave mortal peril, no matter who wins this war. Larys knows this and tries to convince Aegon to escape with him to Braavos, where he has hidden a stash of gold to meet their needs. Aegon is reluctant at first, but the final scene shows him travelling hidden in a carriage to Braavos with Larys. If Aegon has escaped and Rhaenyra wins the war (as the books say), will she be angry at this treachery? Or will Aemond's head be a good enough replacement? He has a major role to play in the upcoming events, including allowing us to see if he can fulfil his sister-wife's prophecy of ascending the throne. Those who have read the books know that both Daemon's vision and Helaena's prophecy are fulfilled. How? It's better for the show to answer that. Just so you know, there is no winner here in this dance of the dragon.

Cole Knows His Doomed Future

One of the best moments in the finale was Criston Cole opening up to Alicent's brother, Gwayne Hightower, about their doomed fates. Gwayne knows about his affair with Alicent, and Cole doesn't deny it, though he adds that he hasn't broken any rules. Earlier, we see him kissing the hanky embroidered with Alicent's name, confirming he truly loves her. He tells Gwayne why he loves his sister, who rescued him twice from death, once by his own hands. However, he has no hopes for his future, having seen firsthand at Rook's Nest how dragons could easily lay waste to armies, either deliberately or collateral. He knows he is marching to his death, fighting this battle for an unsure king, but he sees relief in that death. Going by the books, that's exactly the fate he is going to meet.

Who Captured Otto Hightower?

After Aegon dismisses her grandfather as the Hand of the King and is then sent by Alicent to go to Highgarden and get the support of the Tyrells, we don't see much of Otto Hightower until the last sequence of the season finale, where he is shown entrapped in a cell. But whose? The Tyrells'? The answer is unclear. Going by the books, he isn't going to have a long life wherever he is now. ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Finale Falls Victim to Piracy; Episode 8 Leaks on Social Media and Torrent Sites Ahead of Its Premiere on August 4.

Rhaena Gets a Dragon?

The finale sequence is a montage of scenes of Team Black and Team Red preparing for battle. We see Rhaenyra and her dragonriders donning their armour to take flight. The Hightower marching alongside them includes our first glimpse of a still-unseen grownup Daeron (Alicent's son) and his dragon Tessarion, as well as the armies and fleets of Starks, Lannisters, and Lefford. A sombre Corlys is seen on a boat rowing to his main ship with a still seething Alyn. Tyland is now sailing with Lohar. The chessboard is set, with the pieces in place, waiting to see who will make the first move and who will be checkmated (if you have read the books, you know your favourite team with the most dragons will win, albeit with terrible consequences).

Also, yes, Rhaena is seen running through the Vale, chasing after her nomadic dragon, and in the final scene, she finally comes face to face with the dragon, which we assume to be Sheepstealer. If she manages to rein it in, this would be a major change from the books, since her dragon in the books is Morning, who has yet to be hatched during the show's events.

The makers of House of the Dragon, while having renewed the show for its third season, still haven't confirmed when season 3 will be released. Reports suggest it might arrive in spring 2026 or late 2025. It is also unclear if this will be the final season. However, those who will miss some of Westeros' action for a couple of years will be glad to learn that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the GoT spin-off, will arrive in 2025.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2024 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).