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The Season 2 finale ofHouse of the Dragon, titled ‘The Queen Who Ever Was’, delivers a dramatic conclusion that sets the stage for the devastating conflicts to follow. The episode has a lot going on, with multiple storylines intertwining until the final conclusion of the armies marching to war.
A lot of people don’t like the ending of Season 2 because it all supposedly builds up to a cliffhanger that fans now have to wait for two years to get answers to. But the ending is still one of the best episodes this season and, with so many new reveals, characters, and a completely different direction for some characters when compared to the books, Season 3 just can’t come any sooner.
Tyland Lannister And Essos
Tyland Lannister’s mission to Essosis a huge subplot in the finale. He has been dispatched by Aemond tosecure the military might of the Triarchyandhis success hinges on gaining the favor of their admiral, Sharako Lohar.
The Triarchy asks for the Stepstonesin return for their support in breaking the blockade and Tyland hesitantly agrees. This diplomatic mission holds significant consequences for the future of Westeros, as the Triarchy’s naval powercould prove decisive in breaking the Velaryon blockadethat threatens King’s Landing.
After a fight in the mud anddinner with Sharako Lohar, it seems everything is being built up towardsthe battle of the Gullet and this fight is a big one, much bigger than Rook’s Rest. The battle will showcase when the Sea Snake, Lord Corly Velaryon,faces the Triarchy once againin a desperate attempt tomaintain the blockade on Kingslanding.
Daemon’s Visions And Helaena’s Powers
Daemon’s visions and Helaena’s powers intertwinein the finale in a very unexpected way. Daemon,under the guidance of Alys Rivers,experiences a series of prophetic visionsafter touching Harrenhal’s weirwood tree.
These visions includeglimpses of the White Walkers, a young Daenerys Targaryen with her newly-hatched dragons,the Three-Eyed Raven in his youth, and it all seems to confirm the significance ofAegon the Conqueror’s prophecyand the threat of the White Walkers to Westeros.
This war is just the beginning. Winter is Coming, with darkness and doom.
- Daemon to Rhaenyra
Notably,Helaena appears in Daemon’s vision, and tells him about how he’s just a part of a grander story,and then later tells Aemond about his death at the God’s Eye,showing her full powers as a Targaryen dreamer.
The visions also confirmBrynden Rivers or Bloodraven as the Three-Eyed Raven, which was stronglyhinted at in Game of Thrones but never confirmed.
Alicent’s Guilt And Surrender
Alicent’s attempt to surrender to Rhaenyrain the finale marks a significant turning pointin her character arc. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt over the escalating conflict and the losses she has endured,Alicent seeks to end the bloodshedby secretly going to Dragonstone, and admitting that she was wrong the entire time.
I was raised to believe there was an order to things, that there was security in following the path laid out for us. I resented you, I think, for caring so little for any of it, for knowing what you wanted. I did not know what I wanted. I knew only what was expected of me.
- Alicent to Rhaenyra
As she pours her heart out to Rhaenyra, she makes just one request of her, to spare her and Helaena sothat they can be away from the warand leave it all behind.
She then proceeds to tell Rhaenyra thatAemond will be leaving for the Riverlandsalongside Vhagar and Rhaenyra can enter the city andtake control peacefully. But for that to happen, Alicentwill have to give up Aegonand have Rhaenyra execute him so thatno one else can challenge her claim.
Alicent reluctantly agrees; however,her efforts are thwarted by Aegon’s unexpected escape from King’s Landingthat she is not yet aware of, aided by Larys Strong. Larys suspected that the King’s life was in danger, given how volatile Prince Aemond is, sohe arranges for Aegon to be smuggled out of Kingslanding.
Rhaena And Sheepstealer
Rhaena,after leaving the Vale of Arryn, leaves her company and goes on her own to find the large dragon that has apparently made its home in the vale. Unfortunately for her, she didn’t properly think this through and issoon hungry and thirsty as well as lost.
Rhaena spends many days trying to find her wayuntil finally she runs into the dragon known as Sheepstealer. It looks likeRhaena will claim this dragonnext season and join the Blacks as a dragon rider. Rhaena also appearsto be replacing Nettles entirely, a change some book fans aren’t very happy about.
Armies Are Marching And Sir Otto Hightower Is Still Missing
The final scene of the season finale delivers a chilling reminder ofthe impending war that will engulf Westeros. The sight of thousands of soldiers, knights, and even a dragon marching towards an inevitable clash shows themagnitude of the conflict and the consequences it will unleash.
The Stark greybeards, the Lannister army, the Triarchy and the Velaryon Fleet, as well asan army march out from Oldtownwith their ownshiny blue dragon, speculated to be Tessarion.Daeron Targaryen will undoubtedly finally come out of the shadowsin the next season alongside his dragon,to lead the Hightower host in the coming war.
Daeron Targaryen is the fourth child of Viserys and Alicent, sent to Oldtown to live with the Hightowers.
One of the biggest reveals in the finale was that of Sir Otto Hightower,who happens to find himself locked in a cage somewhere, in the hands of his enemies. Though it’s not confirmed who exactly has Otto locked up,it’s probably House Beesburywho have captured him to useas a bargaining chip.
This final shot serves as a powerful cliffhanger, leaving fans eager to witness the epic battles to come and thefury that the dragons will unleash upon Westeros. Everything that’s to come is going to be huge in scale, but we’re going to have to wait to see it.
