What is your review of House of the Dragon Season 2 finale, Episode 8?

…THEN RHAENA FINALLY FINDS SHEEPSTEALER…

As Cole smells the napkin Alicent gave him to remember her,

(Alicent in S1: You are the challenge, Aegon. Simply by living and breathing.)

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AS WE ENTER THE FINAL MONTAGE…

A good choice of words.

ALICENT BETRAYS THE GREENS AND BEGS RHAENYRA TO BE SPARED WITH HELAENA.

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Rhaenyra In High Valyrian: Leave me again at your peril.

Moved by his words, Rhaenyra takes Daemon’s hand.

JUST LIKE DAENERYS DID IN S8.

Hi everybody! I have been looking at posts on narcs and narc abuse on here and if has really helped me out a lot. I am currently struggling with my situation and need some advice/support. I met a narc last year, everything seemed to good to be true. Love bombing, always texting calling and taking me on dates. Everything changed when someone warned me about him out in public in front of him and who he is. This caused a conflict with us and the love bombing seized. he would tell me that everything is okay and i can come and talk. He would set a time limit on me and kick me out after that. he would then text me like everything was fine and we hung out again and after that he completely ghosted me for one week. He came back and texted me a week later laughing about the ghosting and acting like nothing had happened. he continued to text me ( not like in the beginning) make plans with me, then on the day of the plans he would just ghost me. One day he would act interested the next silence. i contacted him a month later and he acted like nothing happened. He was on a vacation and sent me a picture of another woman ( someone he allegedly met on the trip) to strike a reaction but i never gave him one. After the trip he came to my place and was extremely rude, accusing me of going on dates with a bunch of men. The next day he accused me of being an alcoholic and that he wanted nothing to do with me but said well maybe we can be "friends" then ghosted me i assumed at this point it was over and i would never hear from him again. He contacted me on the holiday a month later acting like everything was great. We ended up hanging out a month or so later and when we hung out it went well, i thought things were going in the right direction. after we hung out.. silence. I would try to text him and if he replied it would be very short then he just stopped replying. He ghosted me for almost three months. I thought he was done this time and of course he popped up again like nothing happened. At this point i was getting sick of if so i questioned him as to why he dissapeared and always does this. Of course he had some sob story about a injury and family member dying of cancer. I felt pity for him and he gave me an apology.. so i took him back stupidly. things seemed to be going smooth for a couple months, of course until his family member died and his injury got better he never contacted me and was distant. Menawhile, i was there for him during the difficult time for him. He lied to me about the funeral and never wanted to chat. I was chasing him and he would always claim nothing was wrong but when i said i thought he used me when he was down he could not handle it and would always tell me he didnt care and to go away. I would get so upset i would try texting him to work it out he would barelt respond and if he did he would not be nice about it. we did hang out a couple times after that, he would ignore me after. One day i was like hey i think you are seeing someone else, and i was like well ixam seeing someone so no problem if you are he said " buy bye good luck with your new guy stop contacting me" i was devastated and tried to get into contact with him for weeks then i just gave up and accepted it was over. He ended up contacting me a month later acting like everything was fine. He wanted to go out and have drinks i told him i would. He and i both seemed to have a great time. He ends up ignoring me again. I kept texting him trying to figure out what was wrong. He kept saying everything was fine and i said ok can we hang out again? He said maybe i was like why? He just kept saying maybe … our last conversation we had… i said what is wrong ? He said nothing is wrong everything is fine. I asked him why he keeps saying maybe. He said " maybe but i dont want to see you right now" i said why? He saix " im just not feeling it, if i wanted to date i would" i said why did you contact me less then a week ago wanting to go out? He said i didnt.. even though he did. So i said should i just move on or what? He said whatever you want to do. So i said that he was really confusing me and asked him if he had anything more to say before i move on? My messages were turning green so i panicked he blocked me and reacted irrationally. I said " omg did you block me? My messages are not going through. Even texted him on my work phone asking what was up. And called him twice ( please dont judge me i know it is pathetic i never was this type of girl before him) so he replied and said " Ok I'll block you now" then immedietly blocked me. He has never blocked me before since I have met him he will just ghost. Is this ths final discard aka " grand finale? Did i just push him too far? this has upset me so much its hard to even function.

Corlys: Everything I do, I do for her…Your Grace, you are ready. You have 6 dragons under your banner. My ships sail at your command, and my men serve you. But the Lannisters are marching. And the Hightowers from Oldtown. You must crush this beast at its head. And before too many days have flown. There is of course another player that has yet to be revealed.

Aemond: I could have you killed.

…THEN ALYN AND CORLYS SAILING ON THE QUEEN WHO NEVER WAS…

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Cole: She saved my life. Twice. …She’s the beacon I follow.

Aemond: Sister. We share the same blood, you and I. I know you wish no harm to anyone. But in a time like this, when the good of the realm depends on us…Our Mother is not a dragonrider. She cannot understand that you and I have a truer call to heed. Come with me…To Harrenhal? We will lay waste to Daemon and his army. Let our enemy see that we will answer outrage with outrage.

Rhaenyra: And who pays the price?

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Aegon: My cock is destroyed.

WE SEE DRAGONSEEDS PREPARE TO RIDE THEIR DRAGONS…

THAT ROAR OF MEN THAT DAEMON LEAD IS AMAZING.

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Mysaria: …Be strong.

Ulf: Look at that hair. As dark as they say. Let them tell us we don’t have Targaryen blood, eh?

Rhaenyra reminds Alicent how she made virtue her banner. And how much she changed.

How do you emotionally react to when others seem to feel sorry for you?

Corlys and Rhaenyra discuss her advantage over the Greens.

This sets up Battle Of The Gullet-The Bloodiest Sea Battle We’ll See. With Huge Consequences.

Having Aegon chose Rhaenyra’s nickname was unexpected, to say the least.

My marriage is fixed. My future husband repeatedly calls me to meet me in private and pressure me to have a relationship. What should I do?

(Alicent in S2E3: It’s Too Late, Rhaenyra.)

Alfred calls Daemon “A Leader Of Men” and a “King”. Wanting Daemon to declare for himself.

…THEN COMES HELAENA. “ITS ALL A STORY. AND YOU ARE BUT ONE PART IN IT. YOU KNOW YOUR PART. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU MUST DO.”

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Baela: Do you believe that you are the first noble heir who was not sired by his noble father? Such is the way of the world, Jace.

Rhaenyra: History will paint you a villain. A cold Queen grasping for power and then defeated.

Rhaenyra takes a step back.

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THEN COMES RHAENYRA AND ALICENT SCENE. REVERSE OF S2E3 ENDING.

…THEN VISION ENDS. AND JUST LOOK AT DAEMON’S FACE.

THEN,

Do you ever feel like you are doing good, but would do better if people hadn’t blamed you or even bothered you? I have gotten lonely, but I always am up to something (creating my destiny).

…THEN COMES TYLAND LANNISTER SAILING WITH THE TRIARCHY…

Aemond: What you say is treason.

(Viserys would be proud.)

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Helaena: I was it. You burned him and you let him fall.

…THEN GREGAN STARK’S THE WINTER WOLVES PASS THE TWINS-THANKS TO JACE…

Daemon just laughs it off.

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THEN COMES THE VISIONS OF HOUSE OF UNDYING FOR DAEMON.

Rhaenyra: A Toast. To Our New Riders. …We must strike while we have the advantage and end this war. …You will fly in two days time. The strongholds of the usurper, Oldtown and Lannisport, and their armies, all must be subdued. Alone, without allies, he will have no choice but to surrender.

But when he learns Aemond ruined a whole town with Fire and Blood,

How did the trans issue metastasize within just a decade from being a question of kindness and tolerance to a tiny minority to convulsing a whole society?

But Alyn loses it when Corlys claims he tries to help Alyn.

Corlys: I’ve had little to do with him…to my regret.

Alicent: …No ambition greater than to walk where I please and to breathe the open air. …And be free. Come with me.

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This scene breaks Alicent’s spirit and splits the Greens even further.

Alys: When you came here, you were a closed fist. You wished to bend the world to your will. But you’ve discovered, I think that, this world will not be governed. …Do you wish, then, to learn what is given to you? All your life, you have sought to command your own fate. But today you are ready.

THEN,

Jace remains unhappy about the Dragonseeds. If Rhaenyra is the Crown, Jace is the Succession. And as a bastrad, he rightfully worries over his claim being challenged even if he is her heir. Just like Viserys did with Rhaenyra.

THEN, WE CUT TO HARRENHAL.

AS HE ACCEPTS HIS FATE AS HE WILL HAVE THE MOST LEGENDARY BATTLE IN HISTORY. A LEGACY THAT OUTSHINES ALL OTHERS.

Daemon: They are sworn to me. And not a moment too soon.

First of all, they added Rhaenyra on Syrax and all her Team Black’s Dragons chasing away Vhagar into the Intro.

Season 2 was used as a mini season to set up the Real Dance of the Dragons in Season 3. GRRM said they were planning 4 seasons with 10 episodes each. Yet, Season 2 was only 8 episodes. Therefore, I believe there will be 5 seasons. However, Battle of the Gullet would have been the perfect choice for GOT’s famous Episode 9. What a missed opportunity. In any other tv show, this would be regarded as a great season but considering the source material and the potential and unnecessary changes, it was disappointing. Also, the lack of emotional scenes is concerning, to say the least.

THEN,

Aemond: ‘Tis no longer our rule that is threatened, our very lives. Would you not have us prevail?

Aegon: Is it? My dragon is dead. I am burnt and disgusting and alone. And I’m a cripple.

Calling Daemon a player when Alys calls him a piece on the board was intentional.

THEN COMES AEMOND VS HELAENA-WHO STANDS THE SAME WAY AND DRESS AS SHE DID IN DAEMON’S VISION. PROVING SHE MEANT AEMOND.

As Addam worries about Vhagar, Ulf claims he is not afraid.

Jace and Ulf does not get along, to say the least.

Larys’ masterplan to have Aegon escape will be crucial for the Greens.

Daemon meets with Alfred who was sent by Rhaenyra.

Baela: You wish for us to kill innocents.

Daemon: The Realm’s only hope is a leader who can unite it. And my brother chose…you.

THEN COMES LARYS AND AEGON,

Rhaena finally sees a flying dragon in the sky.

Gwayne draws his sword and threatens to send him to the Wall.

Daemon puts his hand on the Weirwood Tree with GRRM’s face carved onto it.

THEN,

ALICENT LETS RHAENYRA HAVE AEGON.

Aegon: He deserves no less.

THEN, Rhaena continues her hard search for Sheepstealer.

Rhaenyra orders Addam to come with her to Harrenhal.

Alyn: Do you know what it was like for us? To grow up fatherles, to be sneered upon as bastards, never sure of the bread to feed us? Do you know what hunger does to a boy? What grief does? Or shame? I sold fish from the market from cold dawn until sunset, putting my coppers to stave off the winter, and I watched the man who sired me walk past with his son and heir with a fur around his shoulders choosing sweetmeats to eat after supper by the fire. And now that boy is dead. And his sister before him. And the heir that took his place. And now, now, now you remember I live. Now you wish to suddenly scatter the crumbs of your favor. I am an honorable man, and I will serve you because I must. But if it is all the same, I will decline any offers of help. If I survive this war, I will continue as I began…Alone.

Daemon: My Queen.

Daemon: I wasn’t expecting you.

Helaena and Daeron the Daring with their dragons are mentioned.

THEN,

Rhaenyra: What of Aegon?

Back on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra discuss what is to come with Mysaria.

Helaena: And If I refuse? Will you burn me as you did Aegon?

Cole: Desire for women have brought me grief after grief…Perhaps all men are corrupt. And true honor is a mist that melts in the morning.

Aegon: Aegon the Realm’s Delight.

After learning Rhaenyra has 7 dragons and even Aemond flew away,

Alicent: The Crown will pursue war and victory at any cost. But as for me…I would take my daughter and her child and leave it all behind.

ALICENT LEAVES.

Just look at how Cole And Alicent changed their beliefs on decency.

It is a nice way of showing the consequences of putting class structures and being a bastard in Westeros.

Cannot believe how they cut Nettles off the show.

Rhaenyra: That seems rather a lapse in foresight. I see you have done well here.

…THEN COMES DAENERYS TARGARYEN-THE MOTHER OF DRAGONS…

Aegon: Fucking mad cunt…

Rhaenyra: It’s Too Late, Alicent.

Hugh: And so many…

Alicent: Not Like This.

Helaena: Why does everybody hate us? …I was happier before I was Queen.

Helaena: It wouldn’t change anything.

Larys: We must leave King’s Landing quickly and we will not return for some time.

Rhaenyra: And to whom are you sworn?

Daemon: This place will have you barking at the moon.

YET, IN SEASON 3, THE REAL DANCE WILL BEGIN.

THEN,

Larys: You’re not alone.

…THEN COMES DAERON THE DARING ON TESSARION WITH HIGHTOWERS…

Daemon In High Valyrian: I saw it. I saw that we cannot withstand it…and yet, somehow we must.

But I’d change it with a more touching Jace scene. Since the Gullet is coming.

A good choice of words.

…THEN DAEMON DROWNS IN THE SEA OF BLOOD-RESEMBLING RAGNAR IN THE VIKINGS INTRO…

THEN, IN OUR FIRST SCENE, WE HAVE TYLAND.

IN THE END, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 WAS GREAT YET DISAPPOINTING.

Rhaenyra: If I am to take the throne, I must put an end to the opposition. I must take Aegon’s head. And I have to do it for all to see. You know this.

GRRM ONCE SAID THAT 4 SEASONS WITH 10 EPISODES EACH ARE NEEDED FOR HOTD. BUT THEY USED S2 AS A SET UP FOR S3 AND S4. I BELIEVE THEY WILL GO FOR 5 SEASONS IN TOTAL. NOT USING BATTLE OF THE GULLET AS THE FAMOUS EPISODE 9 IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

Helaena: And you..you’ll be dead. You were swallowed up in the God’s Eye, and you were never seen again.

…THEN OTTO IS SEEN IN A CELL AS HELAENA’S “THIS ONE STOPPED SINGING” PROPHECY COMES TRUE…

AND HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 ENDS.

Alicent: …You wish to rule the Seven Kingdoms but you rain ruin and death upon the Smallfolk…And now you seek to corrupt your sister, of all our line, the gentlest and most deserving of your protection…

THEN, Tyland sings “The Captain’s Daughter” for the Triarchy.

Daemon In High Valyrian: The world is not what we thought it was. This war is just the beginning. WINTER IS COMING. With Darkness and Doom.

As they talk, we hear the winds call him a “Traitor”.

(Tywin: Any man who must say I am the King is no true King.)

Alicent: He’s broken beyond recognition.

One of the best monologues of the franchise. Fantastic scene.

WE START WITH BLOODRAVEN…

Rhaena looks for Sheepstealer in Vale.

When Rhaenyra mentions Addam of Hull,

Rhaenyra: My part is here, whether I will or no. It was decided for me long ago. Go.

…OF RHAENYRA AND ALICENT.

THEN COMES THE TIME THE GREENS FRACTURE,

Helaena: I do not wish to fight.

However, first Tyland must convince Triarchy leader Lohar in this episode.

THEN,

As Aemond forces Helaena to come with him, Alicent intervenes…

And in response to news of Rhaenyra,

…THEN COMES THE WHITE WALKERS…

Having Lohar call Tyland as “Tywin” was a nice touch.

And Jace’s doubts about using Bastards will be proven right in time.

Rhaenyra In High Valyrian: You sound just like my father.

As Alys leads Daemon into the Godswood…

Rhaenyra: And yet, to claim it, I must strike. And in striking, I doom thousands to their deaths. I do not believe my father would’ve wished this.

THEY ALMOST TOUCH THEIR FOREHEAD. DAEMON’S WAY OF SHOWING HIS LOVE.

Larys mentions he out Harrenhal money into Iron Bank of Braavos.

A GREAT YET DISAPPOINTING SEASON.

AEMOND ON VHAGAR BURNS DOWN SHARP POINT INTO THE GROUND.

Alicent: You let me go, to fo what I promised. And you fly to Red Keep in 3 days’ time. And you take your throne. I have neither weapon nor armor. My life itself is forfeit. I cast myself on the mercy of a friend who once loved me.

THEN, WE MATCH CUT TO DAEMON.

Daemon: For every one of us who falls…A hundred of them. There will be no mercy. We fight for our Queen.

Addam: There will be time enough to see which one of us is a coward.

Jace: If you hinder our efforts through sloth and unreadiness, I’ll see you hanged.

Rhaenyra: A SON FOR A SON.

Rhaenyra: We must break the will of our enemy…or more will die in a struggle that stretches on without end.

ALL RIVERMEN IN HARRENHAL BEND THE KNEE.

As for the characters, They butchered characters of Alicent and Cole. They wasted Daemon’s potential and clearly do not understand his character. They pushed a propaganda for Rhaenyra and her alone. Also, how losing Luke in Season 1 being not enough for Rhaenyra to change is incomprehensible. Since Battle of the Gullet is next, I truly wished to see more of Jace, especially with Cregan. They also made Aemond betray Aegon which was questionable. And most surprisingly, they turned Aegon into a fan favorite. Rook’s Rest was fantastic-the best of the best so far. But nothing can pay for the way they adapted Blood & Cheese.

(Proving Alicent’s “You are the challenge, Aegon. Simply by living and breathing.” line and most of her actions Justified. Not by Viserys last wish. But to through protecting her family.)

…AND FINALLY, AS THE LAST SHOT OF HOTD S2, WE HAVE 2 BACK TO BACK MATCH CUTS…

Addam will be right be proven right.

It’s the little things that make Aegon a joy to watch.

…THEN COMES THE END OF DANCE OF THE DRAGONS-WITH ALL DRAGONS DEAD…

…THEN JASON LANNISTER MARCHES ON RIVERLANDS…

THEN COMES DAEMON AND RHAENYRA…

This proves that Daemon was in fact right. Had he wanted to took the Iron Throne alone, he could have. And the people would follow. But he chose to remain loyal to his family and his brother. Much Thanks To Alys.

Aemond: Our wishes must take second place now to what is necessary to preserve the throne.

…THEN LARYS AND AEGON ESCAPE KING’S LANDING…

Daemon In High Valyrian: I could not. I have tried.

…BOTH SIDES PREPARE FOR ALL OUT WAR IN SEASON 3.

Cole mentions this would dishonor the Hightower name. Much like the Lannisters. Family Name is All.

(Using the word “Story” proves how much he was affected by his vision.)

Larys: It’s best to live, I think. However you do it?

Triarchy wants Stepstones in return. As they lost it to Corlys and Daemon in S1.

Aegon: So, what was the fucking point in all this then? …No, No. I am the King. Why must I run?

ALL IN ALL,

Daemon to Alys: Do you never sleep, witch?

Corlys reveals his new ship-The Queen Who Never Was. Named After Rhaenys. They sail for the Gullet on the morrow.

Alicent: Aemond will soon fly to join Cole in the Riverlands. When he’s gone, Helaena as Queen will be the Crown’s authority. If you come then to King’s Landing, I will see to it that our guards throw down their arms, we will open the gates, we will shed no blood. You will enter as a Conqueror. Already you have the stronger hand. Once you take the throne, this senseless war must end.

THEN,

The lack of emotional moments in this show is concerning, to say the least.

Helaena: I won’t burn anyone.

Larys: Do not despair, Your Grace. There are better days ahead. Let your brother and the Pretender destroy themselves in blood and bitterness. When they are spent and their armies in tatters, we will return. And the people will rise up to meet us. They will be tired of endless deprivation and fear. They will hail the returning King, his father’s true heir…

THEN, Tyland battles to convince Lohar to sail to Westeros.

THEN,

Jace: It is hard but it cannot be helped.

And a message from Harrenhal arrives. Simon has concerns about Daemon and his men.

…THEN RHAENYRA WITH HER CROWN SITS ON THE IRON THRONE…

Larys mentions even if Aegon puts Aemond in prison, he can’t beat Rhaenyra without Vhagar.

Ironic to see how it will come true for Rhaenyra.

Daemon steps forward and speaks in High Valyrian. As these two usually do.

As Aemond arrives, the whole scene changes…

Helaena: Aegon will be King again. He’s yet to see victory. He sits on a wooden throne.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S2 FINALE E8 REVIEW

That line sets and scene as a whole sets up the last scene of Alicent with Rhaenyra.

…THEN DAEMON WALKS AMONG THE FALLEN SOLDIERS-RESEMBLING PAUL ATREIDES OF DUNE’S VISION OF JIHAD…

Cole: …The Dragons Dance. And men are like dust under their feet. …We march now toward our annihilation. To die will be a kind of relief.

Corlys tells Alyn that they will sail to protect the Blockade soon.

Team Blacks have dinner together. Dragonseeds included.

THEN,

Tyland makes a deal with Triarchy to end Corlys’ blockade against King’s Landing.

Essentially telling Baela “Such is the way of the World”.

By the way, the Title “The Queen Who Ever Was” is for Rhaenyra. And a nod to Rhaenys-The Queen Who Never Was. Yet, eventhough history book is written by maesters who work with Hightowers, it is important to remember even Stannis calls Rhaenyra a traitor. In history, Aegon III was the successor of Aegon II, not of Rhaenyra. Her Reign remains questionable. Eventhough she remains the bloodline.

Setting up the Butcher’s Ball.

Triarchy Vs Velaryons Is Set Now. “To the Gullet On The Morrow”.

Aemond: …I need you to fly with Dreamfyre to battle.

As is the words of House Hightower, “We Light The Way”.

…THEN COMES THE LAST SHOT OF DAEMON LOOKING HIS RIVERMEN ARMY IN HARRENHAL…

DAEMON BENDS THE KNEE.

Aemond: That is a lie.

Mysaria: …Gods favor you. They put the means to victory in your hands.

Aegon not being able to have more children and the show eliminating Maelor leaves the Greens with Jaehaera as Aegon’s heir. The same reasoning they built their claim on. Destabilizing the succession of the Greens.

Alicent: What would you think about leaving this place?

Daemon: You are the True Queen, Rhaenyra. First of her name. Protector of the Realm. I am meant to serve you, and all of these with me. Until Death or the End of our Story.