Despite having a season that was mostly filled with monotonous, stretched-out war strategies, meaningless subplots, strange alterations from the source material, and wayward character arcs, the second season finale of HBO’s House of the Dragon didn’t even try to redeem itself and simply left viewers in anticipation of the upcoming conflict. Previously, Rhaenyra’s Dragonseed ploy became successful in a roundabout way after Addam of Hull claimed Seasmoke, Hugh Hammer became the rider of Vermithor, and Ulf the White claimed Silverwing. With more battle-ready dragons by her side, Rhaenyra has a clear advantage over the Greens and can take the battle to the enemy frontier whenever need be. However, having lowborn Targaryen bastards claim the dragons didn’t sit well with the Black Council, Dragonkeepers, and the queen’s elder son, Jacaerys himself—whose own identity as Harwin Strong’s bastard results in him feeling insecure after the inclusion of lowborn Dragonseeds in their force.
Daemon has raised a substantial army by uniting the Riverlands and gaining the allegiance of the Tullys, but the concern over his allegiance remains all the same in the context of his state of mind. Elsewhere, under Aemond’s command, Tyland Lannister ventured south to form an alliance with the Triarchy to get assistance in dismantling the blockade at the Gullet formed by the Velaryon fleet. In the second season finale, both rival factions gear up for an all-out war—which viewers will have to wait a couple years to see, when the third season finally premieres.
Spoilers Ahead
Tyland Forms An Alliance With Triarchy
The finale begins with Tyland having a meeting with the leaders of the Triarchy, as he requests the assistance of their formidable naval armada to disperse the Velaryon blockade. The leaders want control of the Stepstones in exchange, and even while knowing that the islands situated in the bordering area of the Narrow Sea and Summer Sea have historically been the most disputed area, Tyland has no option except to agree. Additionally, Tyland has to please the armada captain, Sharako Lohar, with the strength of his character to secure the deal, even if it means wrestling with her in a mudpit, because why not? In the end, even with his apprehensive, anxious demeanor getting the better of him, Tyland manages to win Lohar’s heart, and the naval might of the Triarchy rages through the sea to journey towards the impending battle at the Gullet.
Panic Among the Greens
In the previous episode, Aemond was forced to flee with his tail between his legs after witnessing that Rhaenyra’s dragon numbers had doubled in strength, and being the impulsive and brash second son of his family, he decides the only best way to get rid of his shame is to burn the Sharp Point with Vhagar’s flame. At the Red Keep, Maester Orwyle’s magic potions have healed Aegon II surprisingly well, to such an extent that it becomes impossible to tell that he had sustained a fatal burn in dragonfire and miraculously survived falling from a great height. Clubfoot meets the crippled king to inform him about his brother’s recent exploits and Rhaenyra’s dragon might, and to advise him to flee from the capital before the war breaks out—fueling Aegon’s daydream of returning as an honored, rightful king when the time is right. Clubfoot clings to the vain hope of every major claim to the throne ending with death and destruction, and Aegon, whose own family has turned their backs against him, has only this fleeting hope to cling on to as well.
Mimicking the ineptness of his bedridden brother, a fuming Aemond meets Helaena and tries to force her into riding her steed Dreamfyre—possibly the third largest living dragon in Westeros—to assist him in taking Harrenhal. Alicent disciplines her son, while Helaena is unwilling to take any part in further bloodshed.
Seeing the Conqueror’s Dream, Daemon Returns to be By Rhaenyra’s Side
At the Dragonstone, the situation is not quite right, with Jace getting into squabbles with the Dragonseeds quite often, and Ulf’s foolhardy, uncouth behavior acting as major triggers for the insolent, image-conscious prince. Baela tries to comfort Jace’s mind and suggests he take his rightful place by his mother’s side, but it seems at present he is too unsure whether, like the other Targaryen bastards he chastised hours earlier, as a bastard himself he too is worthy to be called the rightful heir of the queen.
Ser Alfred Broome reaches Harrenhal to see Daemon raising a mighty, large army of Rivermen under the banner of the Blacks, and being the infuriating detractor he is, he tries to fan the flames of Daemon’s ambition to seize control from Rhaenyra and become the king to lead the Blacks in retaking the capital. Given Daemon’s recent disposition, the advice of this turncoat might have pleased him—had it not been for Alys Rivers’ showing him a teaser to Game of Thrones. I mean a glimpse into Aegon the Conqueror’s dream. At the break of dawn, Alys takes Daemon to the Godswood, deeming him to be finally ready after his recent psychological trails—and as Daemon touches the bleeding bark of the tree, he sees a vision of White Walkers, the Three Eyed Raven, vicious wars, and finally a Targaryen descendant girl emerging from the flames with her three dragon hatchlings—the series fans will have no issue identifying her as Daenerys Targaryen. Daemon’s vision shows him he is but a mere cog in the larger, intricate, and extensive order of things—the conqueror’s dream, which will only come to pass if Rhaenyra sits on the throne. Daemon also sees Helaena in his vision, conveying to him the importance of knowing the part he needs to play to ensure history moves in the right direction, and it is revealed that Helaena was communicating with him from King’s Landing through a psychic connection. Aemond tries to approach his sister with the same request that she ride her dragon to assist him, this time with a gentler, sentimental approach, only for Helaena to rebuff his request, exposing his kinslaying tendencies by sharing her knowledge about his actions, which crippled Aegon, and prophesizing his inconsequential end.
An overly enthusiastic Simon Strong sends raven to Rhaenyra to warn her about Daemon’s possible shift in allegiance, prompting Rhaenyra to expect the worst and fly to Harrenhal with Syrax, while accompanied by Addam and Seasmoke. However, Simon’s jaw hits the ground, much like Ser Alfred’s, when, in the presence of thousands of soldiers at Harrenhal, Daemon swears his fealty to the one true queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen, motivating the soldiers to raise their banners and flags in her name.
Has the Battle of Gullet Finally Begun?
At Driftmark, Corlys meets Alyn of Hull and offers him his assistance—possibly to make up for being an absent father to his bastard children. Alyn’s sharp retort, pronouncing his self-assurance and disdain for his negligent father, stings the Sea Snake like a sharp fang, but he must admit the truth of his words. Elsewhere, while moving towards Harrenhal, Criston Cole reminisces about his time spent with Alicent, seeing which her brother/Criston’s war comrade Gwayne gets a bit infuriated, chastising the Dornish Lord Commander for maligning his vows as Kingsguard. Cole replies with hard-hitting questions about the futility of their moral values in the face of all-consuming war and the insignificance of men when dragons rage amok about the realm—something that baffles Gwayne so much that she shuts up for the moment. Cole too has realized his place in this ongoing conflict all too well, and now, like a jaded, tired warrior, is waiting for the misery to end with a quick death.
Alicent somehow sneaks her way into the Dragonstone to meet Rhaenyra in the dark of the night and tries to somehow convince her to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Alicent mentions that Aemond will remain absent while he ventures towards Harrenhal, leaving the Blacks an easy opening to seize control over King’s Landing with no resistance at all—especially given the fact Alicent will ensure Helaena allows an unchallenged entry to the capital. It is time for Rhaenyra to have a chuckle at the expense of her former friend’s misery, and she takes her time to savor every bit of it as well. Rhaenyra is not willing to let her compassion be perceived as weakness and mentions that it’s imperative that Aegon be killed, with the rightful heir taking the throne from the usurper—a son for a son, as Alicent herself had mentioned all those years ago. Alicent sheds tears but eventually agrees to her proposition; she doesn’t seem to have much love left for her sons after all—but given their overall disposition, it is understandable as well.
As the finale ends, we see all the parties taking up battle formation in their own way, tying up the events in a narrative circle. After chasing ghosts in the Vale throughout the episode, Rhaena finally finds Sheepstealer, which hints at her role in the future as a replacement for Nettle. Three Dragonseed get dressed up in Targaryen armor, as they are destined to venture to Oldtown and Lannisport to weaken the Greens by destroying their allies. A glimpse of the blue-orange-hued dragon, Tessarion, is seen as Daeron Targaryen flies towards King’s Landing, leading the Hightower army. Stark Greybeards move through the Crossing, the Lannister army marches towards Harrenhal, Otto Hightower is seemingly returning to the capital to serve as Aemond’s Hand, and the opposing naval forces sail towards an impending war at the Gullet. The matriarchs from rival factions look at the horizon, with a feeling of desperation, anticipation, and fear numbing their senses—and the not-so-eventful finale ends on a pensive note.
