House of the Dragon season two just wrapped up with its finale, and to be honest, it wasn’t the epic conclusion I was hoping for. A big part of that disappointment comes from the truncated 8-episode structure—it felt like most of House of the Dragon season two was spent setting things up, teasing us with the promise of a big payoff. But in the end, the payoff is still on the horizon, as the finale closes with everyone gearing up for war.
We see Daeron and Tessarion flying alongside the Oldtown army, Tyland Lannister sailing with Admiral Sharako Lohar and the Triarchy force, Daemon assembling the Riverlands army, and the dragonseeds donning their battle armor. I can’t help but think they could’ve pushed an upcoming battle into House of the Dragon season two. The anticipation of the characters grappling with the aftermath would’ve been through the roof for the next season.
Instead, the finale—and really the whole of House of the Dragon season two—felt like a prolonged setup for what’s to come in season three. Though we didn’t get much in the way of war plots beyond Rook’s Rest, we did get some focused character arcs that will pay off in the coming season—assuming they won’t have much time to sit back for self-reflection once the war kicks off.
Visitor at Dragonstone
In Episode 8 of House of the Dragon season two, Alicent visits Rhaenyra, worn out by the endless plotting and war crimes. She confides in Rhaenyra that she plans to dismantle the guards and open the gates of King’s Landing when the Black Queen arrives to claim her throne. Rhaenyra insists that Aegon must be publicly executed; otherwise, her claim to the throne will always be contested.
Alicent, prepared to sacrifice Aegon, believes this is necessary to protect her daughter Halaena and her grandchild. This narrative shift has sparked serious discontent among book purists and even viewers who aren’t familiar with the Fire & Blood lore.
However, the larger issue is the slow pace at which the story progresses. Rhaenyra begins the season devastated by the loss of her son Lucerys, yet despite all the talk of war and revenge, she spends most of the season reluctant to start an all-out war, much like her weak father. Even by the finale, she’s still debating whether to use her dragons as mere deterrents rather than engaging in battle.
Daemon, meanwhile, spends the entire season moping around Harrenhal until a single vision changes his mind—a change that feels both sudden and underwhelming after episodes of inaction. Corlys Velaryon, the Master of Ships and newly appointed Hand of the Queen, also has a frustratingly slow arc, spending the season rebuilding a single boat and ignoring his illegitimate sons. While the show introduces us to these characters, the lack of forward momentum leaves the season feeling hollow.
In the original text, Alicent is portrayed as a fierce hater of Rhaenyra, unwaveringly loyal to her sons—even when they commit war crimes. Maybe the book purists were hoping for some of that fierce, protective mother energy from Alicent, like Cersei Lannister or Catelyn Stark. But honestly, I think this departure from the book is an improvement, contrary to popular opinion.
Here’s why. Firstly, the showrunners seem intent on giving Alicent a more nuanced character arc. From the start of House of the Dragon season two, the complex history and bond between Rhaenyra and Alicent have been emphasized, showing that despite the miscommunication and interference that drove them apart, these two women never stopped cherishing their friendship.
Secondly, Alicent mentions that Rhaenyra can sack King’s Landing in three days. While these two women are locked in a power play, back at King’s Landing, Larys is busy convincing the burn victim king to flee the city and survive. Reluctantly, Aegon agrees as Larys explains that if Aemond were captured and imprisoned, Aegon would lose his greatest weapon—Vhagar and his rider.
Meanwhile, with the new dragonseeds, Rhaenyra is sure to invade King’s Landing and see him executed. In an epic montage at the end of the episode, we see Aegon and Larys fleeing to Braavos to wait out the upcoming war. Why bring this up? Because after making her deal with Rhaenyra, Alicent may return to King’s Landing only to find that Aegon has vanished.
In true Westerosi fashion, this miscommunication could set off a chain of events. Rhaenyra arrives, takes King’s Landing, and discovers Aegon is gone. Will this infuriate Rhaenyra to the point that she locks up Alicent and Halaena, despite their earlier bargain? If so, the heart-to-heart in the House of the Dragon season two finale will take on a deeper meaning, making Alicent’s resentment and sense of betrayal seem more bitter, genuine, and justifiable. But hey, that’s just my theory.
Alicent’s decision to prioritize her own peace over her duty to the realm marks a significant evolution in her character. Her life choices were heavily influenced by her father, Otto, who ingrained in her the belief that fulfilling his ambitions would ensure her security. Throughout House of the Dragon season two, Alicent’s internal struggle between her imposed duty and her personal desires—to avoid the public eye and stay close to her dear friend, Rhaenyra—has been a central theme.
Thus, her ultimate choice to embrace her own desires over her obligations should not come as a surprise. Nonetheless, it must be incredibly challenging for her to choose personal happiness over her son’s life. In many respects, Alicent’s journey is reminiscent of Sansa Stark, who, despite lacking battle prowess or dragon privileges, strives to survive and thrive amid the turmoil of civil war.
Prophecy for the Second Sons
House of the Dragon season two has a habit of dangling foreshadowing right in front of us. While subtle hints can be a fun game of “spot the clue,” the foreshadowing in House of the Dragon season two is becoming less “hint” and more “neon sign.” Back in Episode 3, Alys casually mentions to Daemon that he’ll die in Harrenhal. Fast forward to the season finale, and we see Halaena and Alys sort of astral-projecting Daemon with visions.
These visions are packed with Game of Thrones Easter eggs, including a young Three-Eyed Raven, one of the Night’s Generals, Daenerys giving birth to dragons, and—just for good measure—Rhaenyra sitting on the Iron Throne. So, basically, Daemon gets the VIP tour of A Song of Ice and Fire. The show keeps reminding us that the Targaryens weren’t just throne-hungry—they had an exclusive club of “chosen” heirs who knew about Aegon the Conqueror’s dream.
This knowledge was supposed to keep them from plunging the continent into war because, you know, Westeros has its own version of the apocalypse coming on the horizon. But I digress. Aside from Aegon the Conqueror’s dream, Daemon also sees himself drowning, which fans were quick to interpret as a prophecy of his death. If we tie this back to Alys’ earlier comment, it seems likely that Daemon’s demise could happen at Harrenhal.
And here’s where it gets interesting: Halaena dream-chats with Daemon and tells him he’s just a pawn in a bigger game. I think the Harrenhal-Amityville arc, the final vision, and Halaena’s prophetic work are a fix-it for Daemon’s impulsiveness and destruction next season. Maybe he’ll start thinking before leaping into action for once.
Now, here’s a thought: since Daemon sees the death of dragons and the birth of dragons from a female Targaryen, does he suddenly think it’s his duty to father a daughter with Rhaenyra? Is he convinced that his bloodline will carry on the Targaryen dynasty? Does he believe his next daughter could be the prophesied Azor Ahai, or is he thinking she’ll be born in a later Targaryen generation? Writing this article has been an eye-opener for me—I’ve realized I really need to know how Daemon interprets this vision.
As Halaena continues to astral-project Daemon with prophecies, Aemond interrupts her. Aemond is hell-bent on escalating the war and securing victory at any cost. Aemond’s influence in the war has seriously grown. He killed Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys at Rook’s Rest, paralyzed and burned Aegon and his dragon, and rose to the status of Prince Regent.
When he saw how Rhaenyra gathered dragonseeds, Aemond was so furious that he torched the entire town of Sharp Point just to soothe his bruised ego. It’s safe to say that Aemond’s temper and a dragon the size of Vhagar make for a very combustible combination. The guy has become the terror of the continent, and the Blacks spell out his name like he is the damn Boogeyman.
Prince Aemond undergoes significant character growth, becoming even more villainous as the season progresses. His slaying of the dragon Meleys and her rider, Rhaenys, is the tragic high point of the season, offering a glimpse of the excitement the show promised.
However, despite this midseason climax, Aemond’s actions afterward are largely predictable. By the end of the season, he has his mother and sister fearing for their lives, while his convalescent brother King Aegon II is urged to recover quickly, lest Aemond finish him off in the night.
Yet, despite Aemond’s growing menace, the season fails to deliver on its buildup. While Aemond’s scenes are compelling, the broader narrative remains stagnant. The so-called Dance of Dragons is still only a matter of minor skirmishes, with the major battles seemingly always on the horizon, never materializing.
Now, with Aegon out of commission and high on Milk of the Poppy, Aemond craves more dragon-dances. He believes he’s protecting his family, though his complete disregard for casualties has Alicent a bit on edge. But here’s the deal—the Greens don’t have that many dragons. Vhagar is their only real powerhouse. Halaena refuses to ride Dreamfyre into battle, and Sunfyre is wounded and possibly dead (thanks to Aemond).
Even if Sunfyre and Daeron’s dragon Tessarion were ready to go, that still only gives them three dragons against Rhaenyra’s seven dragons. And let’s be real—Daeron and his dragon are both young. Halaena won’t fight, Alicent isn’t eager for bloodshed, so in Aemond’s mind, it’s all on him. If he doesn’t step up and crush the Blacks, Rhaenyra will have them all executed.
He sees himself as the stronger one, the guy who can end AND win the war. He’s basically stepping up as the family breadwinner.
Aemond is getting desperate. When he found out that Rhaenyra found riders for Vermithor, Silverwing, and Seasmoke, it was a major blow to his ego. To make himself feel better, he did what any dark and sullen Targaryen would do—he burned an entire town near Dragonstone. If that’s not a symptom of someone who idolizes his uncle Daemon, I don’t know what is.
Aemond tried to force Halaena to ride Dreamfyre and accompany him to Harrenhal for battle. His first attempt was firmly shut down by Alicent, who was not having it. The second time didn’t go well either. Aemond tried to be gentler in his approach, but even then, he got hit with a death prophecy. Halaena boldly declares that Aegon will be king again and that Aemond will die, swallowed by the God’s Eye—a massive lake surrounding Harrenhal.
This is intriguing because earlier, Alys told Daemon that he would die in Harrenhal, and in this episode, Daemon envisions himself drowning. The repeated foreshadowing makes it seem likely that both Daemon and Aemond will meet their ends in Harrenhal, probably fighting each other. Now, as much as I love a good spoiler to keep my anxiety in check—whether from reading the books or a quick Google search—I can’t help but think as a general viewer.
Do we really need to know the exact moment our favorite characters are going to bite the dust? Book adaptations have been around forever, and they usually don’t hand us the unsolicited predictions of death. For those viewers who haven’t read the books, avoiding spoilers is practically a full-time job. So, when the show starts giving us tarot card-style fortune-telling about events way down the line, it is truly ironic.
It might be better if the show kept us in the dark about the two princes’ fates and let us be blissfully ignorant for a little while longer.
The Great Reunion at Harrenhal
Daemon’s time at Harrenhal marks a significant shift in his character. Initially plagued by insomnia and haunted by his past, he eventually becomes comfortable, almost like a local. His remark to Ser Alfred Boone—”This place will have you barking at the moon”—shows how accustomed he’s become to the eerie atmosphere. After his big fight with Rhaenyra about killing Helaena’s son, Daemon essentially crashes at Harrenhal like a guy who fought with his wife and refuses to leave his friend’s couch.
The place becomes a twisted form of therapy for him, forcing him to confront his unresolved traumas, almost like an acid trip with a side of Amityville horror. Alys Rivers remains an enigma, with her love for weirwood paste and penchant for feeding it to husbands who’ve wronged their wives. Yet, Daemon seems to pass her test, seamlessly coexisting with the Riverlords, Lord Simon Strong, and Alys herself.
Unlike most guests who overstay their welcome, Daemon becomes an amusing presence, commanding respect and instilling fear in equal measure—a perfect balance for winning over the Riverlords. Even when Lord Oscar Tully tries to rough-shoulder him, Daemon plays it cool, allowing Oscar to earn his moment of respect in front of his bannermen. In return, Daemon secures the Riverlands army, knowing how to gain what he needs without overplaying his hand.
And in true rogue fashion, he doesn’t hesitate to slaughter Willem Blackwood to solidify that support. Alys carefully microdosed him with hallucinations, leading him to acknowledge his wrongdoings and accept the existence of the paranormal. Though Daemon never cared for dreams or visions, Harrenhal broke him down, making him a believer in otherworldly forces.
This psychedelic journey ultimately brought him back to Rhaenyra’s side, absolving whatever resentment he had about her claim. When Rhaenyra flies to Harrenhal on dragonback, she reunites with Daemon. He swears allegiance to her, bends the knee to her, and hands over the support of the assembled river army. Their intimate conversation, as always, unfolds in Valyrian—a language that binds them in both transparency and love.
Rhaenyra’s words, “Leave me at your own peril,” are met with Daemon’s mischievous yet honest response, “I have tried, I could not.” This exchange, layered with both tenderness and resolve, reveals the depth of their bond. Daemon’s rallying cry to the men, as he flings Dark Sister into the air, is a powerful display of loyalty as the King Consort to Rhaenyra.
There is something utterly captivating about a dangerous, morally grey character standing unwaveringly beside his wife in times of trial. It’s in these moments that Daemon and Rhaenyra reveal themselves as true Targaryen royals—regal, admirable, and powerful. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with, embodying the very essence of what it means to be a Targaryen Queen and King Consort.
We Love to Hate Cole
No matter whether you’re Team Green or Team Black, one thing unites us all: our shared disdain for Ser Criston Cole. He’s been grappling with a serious case of war-induced PTSD ever since Rook’s Rest. Watching people melt and turn to ashes in dragonfire has left him, well, a bit on the suicidal side. For all Cole knows, he may never return, and it seems like he’s already made peace with that grim reality. He’s convinced they’re all marching toward their own annihilation.
Meanwhile, Gwayne, in his classic Oldtown, old-money fashion, never misses an opportunity to remind Cole that he is just a steward’s son from Dorne. Gwayne confronts Cole, demanding to know why he’s sleeping with his sister. But then, Cole hits him with a crisis-ridden philosophy that leaves Gwayne completely speechless, ultimately making him sit down and reconsider his life choices.
Special Mentions
- Ulf the White – His hunger for bird meat is real, and watching him enjoy dinner with such enthusiasm is a moment that deserves some recognition. Ulf might not take much seriously, but when it comes to a good meal, he’s all in—proof that even during war, a hearty appetite can’t be ignored.
- Simon Strong – The true Daemyra shipper. One whiff of treason and he sends a raven to Rhaenyra. Notice how he also smiles and claps when Daemon kneels and pledges his fealty to Rhaenyra? There’s also a hint of an unexpected friendship between Daemon and Strong. In another world, they might have been great pals, hanging out, sharing a beer, and watching football games. Strong has a way of putting Daemon in his place. (It’s very important to know the difference between King and King Consort). I would like to imagine when Daemon leaves Harrenhal’s stronghold for war, Simon would go to the chambers where the prince stayed and sit there for a while because he misses his dear friend.
- Alys Rivers – I’m eager to uncover Alys’s backstory and her true intentions in supporting Rhaenyra. While the prophecy goes beyond the Dance of Dragons, what was her role in all of this? Where do her true loyalties lie? Alys was visibly crying before revealing the final prophecy to Daemon, which makes me think she is a lonely person. Like Lord Simon, Alys probably found companionship in Daemon. She knew that once she showed him the vision, he’d leave to join Rhaenyra in the war—a bittersweet outcome she had to accept. Safe to say, I’ll miss the Harrenhal version of the Addams Family next season.
I find the second season of House of the Dragon to be extremely frustrating. The show has everything for greatness: talented cast, stunning visuals, and a rich source. material—yet it falls short. Lack of action makes it short and sluggish. The short season may be partly to blame.The season is beautifully crafted but unsatisfying as the show has yet to take flight.
Season three of House of the Dragon is expected to air in 2026, with production likely starting in early 2025. This season seems to have focused on setting up both Team Green and Team Black’s chess pieces with a character-driven approach. Season three won’t be able to avoid the war, so I can only hope they give the battles a narrative worthy of the build-up, even if the loss of men and dragons breaks our hearts.
