The dragon claiming scene looked amazing. Ulf instantly deciding to fly over King's Landing (presumably to impress his drinking buddies) kind of makes me think he isn't the best choice as dragonrider!
Spoilers Game Of Thrones’ Spinoff ‘House Of The Dragons’ ordered to series
- Thread starter Enterprise is Great
- Start date
Took me awhile but I'm finally fully aboard on this show.
But before we get to that incredible third act, I just have to say the opening shot of this episode is probably the most breathtaking shot of the show to date. I'm always a sucker for beachside confrontations (At World's End comes to mind...) but to put two dragons into the mix with a queen meeting an uncertain new dragonrider made it all the sweeter. Yes, the drama of the dragonclaiming in the third act was incredible, but that quiet moment in the opening shot blew me away.
For all my issues with the first season, I will applaud the second season for its ability to weave both Hugh's and Ulf's storylines into the tapestry of the show as natural outliers in reaction to the bigger situations going around them in King's Landing. Perhaps it was obvious to others (especially those who've read the book whereas I have not) but I loved seeing how those threads dovetailed into their mutual decision to follow Rhaenyra's call for dragonseeds to Dragonstone and ultimately became dragonriders.
With only one episode left (already?!), I'm very curious how much will happen in the looming Dance of the Dragons we'll get to see before the long wait for the third season.
But before we get to that incredible third act, I just have to say the opening shot of this episode is probably the most breathtaking shot of the show to date. I'm always a sucker for beachside confrontations (At World's End comes to mind...) but to put two dragons into the mix with a queen meeting an uncertain new dragonrider made it all the sweeter. Yes, the drama of the dragonclaiming in the third act was incredible, but that quiet moment in the opening shot blew me away.
For all my issues with the first season, I will applaud the second season for its ability to weave both Hugh's and Ulf's storylines into the tapestry of the show as natural outliers in reaction to the bigger situations going around them in King's Landing. Perhaps it was obvious to others (especially those who've read the book whereas I have not) but I loved seeing how those threads dovetailed into their mutual decision to follow Rhaenyra's call for dragonseeds to Dragonstone and ultimately became dragonriders.
With only one episode left (already?!), I'm very curious how much will happen in the looming Dance of the Dragons we'll get to see before the long wait for the third season.
So... Aegon is running away. Daemon seems to have learned something from being at Harran Hall. Ulf is an idiot. And I can't see Helaena being willing to fight. Oh! And Alicent admits she was wrong.
This final was weak.
Did they run out of money, so was unable to film a final?
Did they run out of money, so was unable to film a final?
So this whole season was just a set up for season 3?
The show will conclude after S4.
variety.com
This season has been such a mixed bunch. Great acting and SFX, some incredible spectacle, a lot of which has been undone by bizarre pacing and an inexplicable decision to stick Matt Smith offside, repeatedly having visions and being snapped out of it by a permanently befuddled Sir Simon Strong. I thought the finale was building up for Rhaenyra to retake Kings Landing but nope, we got a cliffhanger instead.
Honestly, another season could tell the story if they weren’t determined to maintain the recent sluggish pace.
‘House of the Dragon’ to End With Season 4, Season 3 to Begin Production in Early 2025
Send a raven: It's finally been confirmed how many seasons HBO's "House of the Dragon" will run.
variety.com
This season has been such a mixed bunch. Great acting and SFX, some incredible spectacle, a lot of which has been undone by bizarre pacing and an inexplicable decision to stick Matt Smith offside, repeatedly having visions and being snapped out of it by a permanently befuddled Sir Simon Strong. I thought the finale was building up for Rhaenyra to retake Kings Landing but nope, we got a cliffhanger instead.
Honestly, another season could tell the story if they weren’t determined to maintain the recent sluggish pace.
Yes. They are stretching three seasons into four to save money.
QUOTE="Captain Shaw, post: 14889204, member: 2051"]
This final was weak.
Did they run out of money, so was unable to film a final?
[/QUOTE]
QUOTE="Captain Shaw, post: 14889204, member: 2051"]
This final was weak.
Did they run out of money, so was unable to film a final?
[/QUOTE]
Very good episode 8 of 10. Does an excellent job setitng up the no doubt huge battle we'll see next week in episode 9. And I'm sure the fallout in episode 10 will make for a great finale!
Wait...what do you mean THIS was the finale!?
No, but really, what happened. Did they litereally write the scripts for a 10 episode season, then HBO told them they could have 8 and they just kept everything how it was, keeping the last 2 scripts back for season 3? Becasue this did not feel like a finale! Other than the Rhaenyra/Daemon scene it was wall set-up for "next week" (or rather 2026.) It's pretty annoying! I liked the stuff that happened but it really feels like a like a season cut short.
We cut to Rhaena chasing a dragon 5 times in the episode and the pay off is just it roaring at her? That doesn't feel finale worthy! All the talk of the blockade all season and we finally get some movment at the very end of this episode...but then it just ends? Come on. I'm convinced they were cut off and HBO is trying to drag the show out as long as possible.
Also putting Rhys Ifans' name in the opening credits when his only appearance was a few seconds in a cage(?) was some bullshit.
When Heleana was speaking to Daemon in his vision I thought for a second it was going to be Dany.
At least Tyland got to have some fun?
I hope I'm still alive in 2026.
Wait...what do you mean THIS was the finale!?
No, but really, what happened. Did they litereally write the scripts for a 10 episode season, then HBO told them they could have 8 and they just kept everything how it was, keeping the last 2 scripts back for season 3? Becasue this did not feel like a finale! Other than the Rhaenyra/Daemon scene it was wall set-up for "next week" (or rather 2026.) It's pretty annoying! I liked the stuff that happened but it really feels like a like a season cut short.
We cut to Rhaena chasing a dragon 5 times in the episode and the pay off is just it roaring at her? That doesn't feel finale worthy! All the talk of the blockade all season and we finally get some movment at the very end of this episode...but then it just ends? Come on. I'm convinced they were cut off and HBO is trying to drag the show out as long as possible.
Also putting Rhys Ifans' name in the opening credits when his only appearance was a few seconds in a cage(?) was some bullshit.
When Heleana was speaking to Daemon in his vision I thought for a second it was going to be Dany.
At least Tyland got to have some fun?
I hope I'm still alive in 2026.
If only Rhaenyra and Alicent knew Larys had already convinced Aegon to flee the Seven Kingdoms...
Alas.
That said, I am rather amused how ruffled so many people are about this cliffhanger. I think it makes perfect sense to end on this note. The marching of armies to great and terrible battles next season. I'm fine with waiting for that. The spectacle has never been that much of interest for me in this show.
But I realize I'm in the minority.
But, again, I realize I'm in the minority on this point.
As I was throughout most of season one about just everything.
Alas.
That said, I am rather amused how ruffled so many people are about this cliffhanger. I think it makes perfect sense to end on this note. The marching of armies to great and terrible battles next season. I'm fine with waiting for that. The spectacle has never been that much of interest for me in this show.
But I realize I'm in the minority.
Honestly, I'm glad for it, even as I finally come aboard fully. Better to have a clear and near end goal to this conflict instead of dragging it on and on for seasons. I say this as someone who has no clue how this plays out (other than lots of blood and fire, of course).The show will conclude after S4.
‘House of the Dragon’ to End With Season 4, Season 3 to Begin Production in Early 2025
Send a raven: It's finally been confirmed how many seasons HBO's "House of the Dragon" will run.
While I understand your complaints here (and at least io9 agrees with you), but Daemon's story arc this season has been one of my favorites. I love the weird and murky and the questioning of ones self-confidence and self-worth. I was rather baffled by Matt Smith's casting during the first season (spoken as a massive Eleventh Doctor fan) but I quite loved what he had to work with this season.
But, again, I realize I'm in the minority on this point.
As I was throughout most of season one about just everything.
Last edited:
I really enjoyed Daemon's storyline, too. I appreciate how HotD is emphasizing the impending threat of the Long Night and that this war is just a fleeting thing compared to that. It's something that I think GoT frequently lost sight of, to that show's detriment in its later seasons. But I think part of the point of this show, in the end, will be that all of the people who are aware of the threat will die without passing on the warning, and the rest of the world will return to its petty squabbling over power.
Taken on its own merits, I thought this was a very enjoyable finale, but I am a little frustrated only because now we have to wait two years to see what happens next. Thankfully we'll have season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms next year to tide us over, but I do miss the old days when they were able to put out ten episodes every year.
Taken on its own merits, I thought this was a very enjoyable finale, but I am a little frustrated only because now we have to wait two years to see what happens next. Thankfully we'll have season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms next year to tide us over, but I do miss the old days when they were able to put out ten episodes every year.
I'm fine on balance with Daemon's story this season, enjoyed the Riverlands goodness overall - Oscar Tully is still brilliant - but I haaaaate the ending of it in this episode. Seriously, I despise it.
Why? Because vision after vision after vision has been seeing Daemon come to terms with his own self - his flaws, his pride, his manipulations, everything except his murder of his first wife anyway - and everything was perfectly set up for Daemon to realize that in fact he was changed and supported Rhaenyra for Rhaenyra's sake and his love for her and his brother's memory.
But no, apparently human emotional growth isn't good enough, there has to be a damned weirwood vision and a needless cameo of Brynden Rivers, the White Walkers, and even Daenerys herself before Helaena shows up (?) and apparently that is what he needed. So it's not about anything more than the (Old) Gods Will It and Daemon decides to accept his fate. Bah. If all that had happened after his reuniting with Rhaenyra and having the Rivermen publicly declare for her, that would be one thing but as it is, felt like the writers saying "Oh no, it's really all about Prophecy and not that he's had a change of heart."
I also continue being sick to death of how they're writing Jace - at least this time he had some backup when it came to Ulf, but this whole stick up his ass is nothing like the book Jace. And of course he couldn't come around on his own either, it was only through the wise counsel of a woman (have we gotten to see Baela do anything else than be the Wise Woman that encourages Jace and Corlys to make the right choices? What about Moondancer, being a tomboy, a dragonrider...?).
They could have completely cut out all that bizarre, pointless stuff with Tyland Lannister in Essos. I definitely agree this was likely supposed to be 10 episodes though, with the Triarchy vs Velaryons on the one side of the continent, while the Northmen and some Rivermen (including the Freys) fight the Lannisters on the other and other Rivermen (and maybe the mentioned-but-unseen Reach rebels like the Beesburys) try to intercept the Hightower host. It was nice to see a glimpse at least of Tessarion flying over the Hightower Army.
Let me give some well-deserved praise before I get to my biggest problem though. The brothers Hull are absolutely killing it. Heroic Addam with his comment to Ulf the Sot about seeing who would be the coward, but especially especially Alyn. Abukar Salim is fantastic, and that scene where he confronted Corlys, the speech about what he had to see every time Laenor went by, and excorciating him for only caring once his 'true' children were dead? Fantastic, excellent stuff. I'll continue watching just for the Hull brothers and Corlys, if nothing else.
By far my biggest "What..." of the episode though was the whole scene between Alicent and Rhanaerya on Dragonstone. I know this Alicent isn't the same Alicent from Fire and Blood but what the hell was that? Selling out the plans of the war she started? Forget Aegon, which was absurd that she'd consent to his execution, but does she not care about her brother or her third son? Remember, the one she was so happy to hear is kind? Does she think Rhaenyra is going to let Daeron live, when he's just as much a threat to her rule as Aegon or Aemond and is, like them, a dragonrider? How can she possibly expect Daeron to survive when Blood and Cheese just happened? Ridiculous, just... ridiculous. I get that Olivia Cooke is wonderful and you want her to be a central person which requires redoing her story and taking the main rivalry away from her son with Rhaenyra but this is just... it's the whole "women only want peace, men are the ones who want war" nonsense that has been all over this season. Let the women be villains!
Why? Because vision after vision after vision has been seeing Daemon come to terms with his own self - his flaws, his pride, his manipulations, everything except his murder of his first wife anyway - and everything was perfectly set up for Daemon to realize that in fact he was changed and supported Rhaenyra for Rhaenyra's sake and his love for her and his brother's memory.
But no, apparently human emotional growth isn't good enough, there has to be a damned weirwood vision and a needless cameo of Brynden Rivers, the White Walkers, and even Daenerys herself before Helaena shows up (?) and apparently that is what he needed. So it's not about anything more than the (Old) Gods Will It and Daemon decides to accept his fate. Bah. If all that had happened after his reuniting with Rhaenyra and having the Rivermen publicly declare for her, that would be one thing but as it is, felt like the writers saying "Oh no, it's really all about Prophecy and not that he's had a change of heart."
I also continue being sick to death of how they're writing Jace - at least this time he had some backup when it came to Ulf, but this whole stick up his ass is nothing like the book Jace. And of course he couldn't come around on his own either, it was only through the wise counsel of a woman (have we gotten to see Baela do anything else than be the Wise Woman that encourages Jace and Corlys to make the right choices? What about Moondancer, being a tomboy, a dragonrider...?).
They could have completely cut out all that bizarre, pointless stuff with Tyland Lannister in Essos. I definitely agree this was likely supposed to be 10 episodes though, with the Triarchy vs Velaryons on the one side of the continent, while the Northmen and some Rivermen (including the Freys) fight the Lannisters on the other and other Rivermen (and maybe the mentioned-but-unseen Reach rebels like the Beesburys) try to intercept the Hightower host. It was nice to see a glimpse at least of Tessarion flying over the Hightower Army.
Let me give some well-deserved praise before I get to my biggest problem though. The brothers Hull are absolutely killing it. Heroic Addam with his comment to Ulf the Sot about seeing who would be the coward, but especially especially Alyn. Abukar Salim is fantastic, and that scene where he confronted Corlys, the speech about what he had to see every time Laenor went by, and excorciating him for only caring once his 'true' children were dead? Fantastic, excellent stuff. I'll continue watching just for the Hull brothers and Corlys, if nothing else.
By far my biggest "What..." of the episode though was the whole scene between Alicent and Rhanaerya on Dragonstone. I know this Alicent isn't the same Alicent from Fire and Blood but what the hell was that? Selling out the plans of the war she started? Forget Aegon, which was absurd that she'd consent to his execution, but does she not care about her brother or her third son? Remember, the one she was so happy to hear is kind? Does she think Rhaenyra is going to let Daeron live, when he's just as much a threat to her rule as Aegon or Aemond and is, like them, a dragonrider? How can she possibly expect Daeron to survive when Blood and Cheese just happened? Ridiculous, just... ridiculous. I get that Olivia Cooke is wonderful and you want her to be a central person which requires redoing her story and taking the main rivalry away from her son with Rhaenyra but this is just... it's the whole "women only want peace, men are the ones who want war" nonsense that has been all over this season. Let the women be villains!
Last edited:
I actually liked the storyline on Essos with the Greens and Triarchy business. We get to see Essos after a long time and we also got to see again the light hearted side of the Lannisters who are almost like the comic relief of the show.
BTW i read that the house of the dragon is supposed to last for only 4 seasons which means it may only cover the dance of the dragon war. I was hoping for the blackfyre rebellions to be featured in the later seasons. I personally find the blackfyre rebellions to be more interesting than the dance of the dragon.
BTW i read that the house of the dragon is supposed to last for only 4 seasons which means it may only cover the dance of the dragon war. I was hoping for the blackfyre rebellions to be featured in the later seasons. I personally find the blackfyre rebellions to be more interesting than the dance of the dragon.
Well, the show continues to be infinitely better than the book it's based on. I figured I would have checked out at some point this season, but not yet. They have improved the story in pretty much every way, and the cast is awesome, but there is still no one you can really root for. They're all self-righteous assholes. I'm curious to see if they can continue to make a good show from here on out seeing as how the rest of the story in the book is pretty much shit. I probably said the same thing after the season 1 finale 
‘House of the Dragon’ to End With Season 4, Season 3 to Begin Production in Early 2025
Send a raven: It's finally been confirmed how many seasons HBO's "House of the Dragon" will run.
variety.com
It will end at Season 4, and Season 3 starts production early 2025.
Despite having earlier commented on events happening in Season 2, I deliberately held off on actually watching the season until now on the off chance that private fears I held about the possible detrimental treatment of certain characters turned out to be confirmed (which, thankfully, they were not). Now that I am watching, though, I'm even more convinced than I'd previously been that portions of the HotD fandom have sadly turned increasingly toxic and are just flailing around looking for things to complain about.
I don't think I've flat-out said this directly, but as a show-only consumer, I'm actually very happy with how the show chose to veer away from the strict text of Fire & Blood (based on what little I've found about it) when it came to the 'Blood & Cheese' incident because, as I've previously touched on, the changes that they made to Helaena's characterization would not have allowed them to depict the murder of her son - and the resulting ripple effects - without leaving themselves vulnerable to career and show-killing backlash from Autistic viewers and their supporters.
And speaking of Helaena, my absolute favorite moment with her in the entire show thus far is the moment in Episode 2x02 when the wagon carrying Jaeherys' embalmed body gets stuck and forces the carriage bearing her and Alicent to stop, giving the smallfolk a chance to well-intentionally press in on them to try and console her and offer their sympathies and adulation. The abject terror on her face and the visible shudder that went up her body was so well-played by Phia Saban that, as an Autistic person, I wanted to both stand up and cheer and try and sooth her.
I already know where things are headed and so that might be influencing my feelings,, but I love Mysaria's return to the story.
I'm going to close this post by cross-posting, in part, something that I posted a few days elsewhere that has suddenly become super-relevant given the contents of Episode 2x08.
I don't think I've flat-out said this directly, but as a show-only consumer, I'm actually very happy with how the show chose to veer away from the strict text of Fire & Blood (based on what little I've found about it) when it came to the 'Blood & Cheese' incident because, as I've previously touched on, the changes that they made to Helaena's characterization would not have allowed them to depict the murder of her son - and the resulting ripple effects - without leaving themselves vulnerable to career and show-killing backlash from Autistic viewers and their supporters.
And speaking of Helaena, my absolute favorite moment with her in the entire show thus far is the moment in Episode 2x02 when the wagon carrying Jaeherys' embalmed body gets stuck and forces the carriage bearing her and Alicent to stop, giving the smallfolk a chance to well-intentionally press in on them to try and console her and offer their sympathies and adulation. The abject terror on her face and the visible shudder that went up her body was so well-played by Phia Saban that, as an Autistic person, I wanted to both stand up and cheer and try and sooth her.
I already know where things are headed and so that might be influencing my feelings,, but I love Mysaria's return to the story.
I'm going to close this post by cross-posting, in part, something that I posted a few days elsewhere that has suddenly become super-relevant given the contents of Episode 2x08.
DigificWriter;110811069 said:
That's usually how a multi-season adaptions of books work.