The ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Finale Exit Survey

Season 2 of Home of the Dragon has come to an finish. The finale might not have featured any huge battles or gorgeous betrayals, however there actually was loads of story improvement that ought to repay … finally! What lies forward for Staff Black and Staff Inexperienced on this drawn-out Dance of the Dragons? And the way did the second season play as an entire? Let’s talk about.

1. What’s your tweet-length evaluate of the Home of the Dragon Season 2 finale?

Katie Baker: Nicely that was enjoyable, can’t wait to see how they wrap issues up subsequent week! Now to take an enormous sip of espresso and test the TV listings …

Ben Lindbergh: Nice episode! So psyched for the massive battle. It’s all been constructing as much as this—subsequent week would be the one we’ve all been ready for!

Wait. Did you say finale?

Claire McNear: ARE YOU KIDDING ME? DID THEY FORGET TO INCLUDE THE LAST SCENE IN THE FINAL CUT? IS THIS THING ON???

Austin Gayle: My least favourite episode of the sequence so far. It was (clearly) a letdown for anybody anticipating dragonfire, however even past that, a few of the writing—I can’t get the scene between Rhaenyra and Corlys out of my head—felt so rushed and spoon-fed. I anticipated a lot extra and didn’t get it.

Kai Grady: I loved this season and the finale fairly a bit, however there’s no denying the ending felt a tad bit anticlimactic. I really like Sport of Thrones politicking and scheming as a lot as the following particular person, however the truth that we’re nonetheless organising chess items 18 episodes into the sequence makes it fall considerably flat.

2. What was the most effective second of the episode?

McNear: “I need you to fuck my wives” could be very presumably the one finest line within the historical past of the Thrones-verse.

Baker: I liked each of Rhaenyra’s exchanges on this episode with former family members—Daemon and Alicent—as they sought to attraction to her. Her character all the time works finest when she will play off another person, and these scenes jogged my memory of how unbelievable Emma D’Arcy’s work is. The Rhaenyra-Alicent convo was good appearing, on either side: I liked how steely Rhaenyra turned as she appeared her determined pal within the eye and named her worth.

Grady: Ulf the White appearing an absolute FOOL at his first dinner with the rightful queen. Do you see what number of dragons Rhaenyra has now?! Ulf’s unseriousness brings HotD some much-needed levity and retains his actions unpredictable. He jogs my memory of Tyrion, but when Tyrion was lowborn, much less competent, and had no actual curiosity within the machinations that include pursuing the crown.

Lindbergh: Rhaenyra reuniting with Daemon at Harrenhal. These two problematic Targaryen lovebirds had been aside since Episode 2, and quite a bit has occurred to each of them since then. It was immensely satisfying to see them come collectively once more in such an atmospheric setting, underneath such suspenseful, high-stakes circumstances. I significantly favored the distinction between their theatrical change for public consumption, within the frequent tongue, and their non-public, private communion amid that pomp and pageantry, in Excessive Valyrian. Many Brackens and Blackwoods died to carry us this reconciliation, however in the end Daemon did the proper factor and resisted the temptation to coup-operate with Alfred Broome. Congrats to Rhaenyra on escaping confinement on Dragonstone, a minimum of for one scene.

Gayle: Surprisingly, Criston Cole’s scene with Alicent’s brother, Ser Gwayne. He was (and possibly nonetheless is) probably the most hated man on TV proper now, however I’ve grown to love Cole much more post-haircut. A few of his dialogue in his dialog with Gwayne minimize deep:

“Or maybe all males are corrupt. And true honor is a mist that melts within the morning.

“The dragons dance, and males are like mud underneath their toes. And all of our nice ideas, all our endeavors are as nothing. We march now towards our annihilation. To die can be a form of aid. Don’t you assume?”

I really like that he’s in his “all males suck, together with me, and life is meaningless” period. Be a part of the remainder of us, lad.

3. What was your least favourite half?

Lindbergh:

Truly, no—individuals pay good cash to see stuff like that on-line. Let’s go together with Rhaena working across the Vale in pursuit of a dragon that the sequence hasn’t set as much as appear significantly essential.

Grady: Once I began to empathize with Criston Cole. I’m aware of your recreation, Thrones—look no additional than the arcs of former GOT characters like Jaime Lannister, the Hound, and Theon Greyjoy, to call a couple of.

McNear: “Nicely, subsequent season can be superior” is just not the compelling enterprise proposition that Max appears to assume it’s.

Gayle: Corlys’s dialogue in his ultimate scene with Rhaenyra; Daemon screaming giddily like a baby in entrance of a military that he barely cobbled collectively whereas a identified turncloak, Ser Alfred Broome, sneaked away effortlessly; the entire Triarchy scenes with Tyland Lannister—they included characters I didn’t care about and have been extra lighthearted than what I hoped from the finale. Additionally, the trailer-esque montage on the finish?! I imply, they have been laughing in our faces at that time.

Baker: So as from least to most egregious:

4. Criston Cole’s full lack thereof. Dude, you might be neither Laid-Again Jim NOR Cool, Hip Jim!

3. I favored assembly Admiral Lohar, who answered the unasked query of “What if Brienne of Tarth have been extra like Yara Greyjoy?” with bizarre leering aplomb. However! That mud-wrestling scene was cringe and tryhard and felt like one thing out of this season of The Boys. I shan’t be elaborating additional.

2. Everybody who claimed that Mysaria’s accent had “gotten higher” this season. I really feel lied to, hoodwinked, led astray.

1. That we now in all probability have to attend years, plural, for some decision. (I notice it is a very The meals is horrible! And such small parts! grievance.)

4. The finale eschewed a climactic battle in favor of setup for future occasions. What story or character improvement are you most intrigued by?

Gayle: Cole. He’s one way or the other come out of this season as the one character who nonetheless feels able to wowing me proper now. Larys and Aegon are gone. Alicent and Helaena are searching for methods out. Daemon spent a complete season away from the primary forged following ghosts round a citadel simply to have his total outlook and demeanor change with one contact of a tree. The extra Aemond spoke within the ultimate episode, the much less I feared him—his mystique carried a lot greater than his precise phrases (and boyish voice). I’m bored of Jace’s pouting. Corlys and his son Alyn are due for what ought to be enjoyable ship battles, however I don’t really feel tremendous related to both of them or to the Triarchy they’re set to sq. off towards. Rhaenyra and her new dragonriders can be cool when, um, WE ACTUALLY SEE THEM FIGHT OTHER DRAGONS. We bought as many dragon battles in Season 2 as we did in Season 1 … certain, the Season 2 escapade concerned three dragons as an alternative of two, however you get my level.

Baker: This query really helps me see that the finale was successful on some ranges, as a result of I’m having bother deciding. Form of a three-way tie between (a) seeing what depressive-pixie-dream-girl Helaena’s function within the battle will wind up being; (b) following together with Larys and Aegon out on the open street—somebody get these guys a very good Cameron Crowe soundtrack, stat!; and (c) seeing what occurs when Rhaenyra tries to take Alicent up on her provide and finds the king’s quarters unoccupied.

Lindbergh: I’m taken with seeing the dragonseeds sprout. Given Rhaenyra’s present dragon benefit—which can solely develop if Rhaena claims Sheepstealer—the queen all of the sudden appears OP. However with a minimum of two seasons of Dragon to go, this civil conflict can’t be near its finish. One thing has to occur to stability the scales (so to talk), and Rhaenyra’s impressed recruiting gambit might include a catch. Will her upjumped dragonriders ship? Or will the reaping be redder than the Sowing? As Addam informed Ulf, “There can be time sufficient to see which considered one of us is a coward.”

McNear: Let’s get Daemon again within the recreation! Matt Smith’s roguish efficiency was maybe the one finest aspect of Season 1—solely to have him spend Season 2 moping round Harrenhal, largely in solitude. With Daemon now formally again on Staff Rhaenyra, I’m trying ahead to him getting the heck out of the melted haunted home (and much, far-off from Alys Rivers) and resuming the drawling, canny efficiency that we all know and love.

Grady: Who the hell took Otto? He’s been off the board since early within the season, and the present little doubt suffered attributable to his absence. I have to know who took him and why. He’s a slippery snake, so it will presumably take somebody of equal or greater mental stature to nab him.

5. Who was the sneaky MVP of Season 2?

Lindbergh: Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Sturdy. This season spent a ton of time in Harrenhal, the place there was subsequent to no motion. A few of these scenes would’ve dragged way more than they did with out the presence of Ser Simon to tether the Targaryen imaginative and prescient quest to actuality, present a extra grounded counterpart to Alys, and add a bit levity to brooding Daemon.

Baker: Aemond! One thing in regards to the more and more chilly look on his face as he was speaking to his sister/sister-in-law Helaena sealed the deal on this for me. Each time he’s been on-screen this season I’ve perked up, and I’m absolutely on board with no matter “Aemond is the Night time King” idea it’s that I’ve seen cooking.

Grady: Woman Mysaria! The White Worm leveled up in an enormous method this season by proving her price to Rhaenyra, each within the streets and within the sheets (I’ll see myself out). Cozying as much as the once-heir to the Iron Throne was the neatest transfer she might have made and already has given her a larger function and a better standing. Oh, and Sonoya Mizuno’s accent work was sooooooooooo a lot better this time round.

Gayle: Cole, in fact. He’s off ladies for now and dealing on himself. We love a self-aware, self-caring king.

McNear: What’s Larys as much as? Final season, he was at Alicent’s beck and name. This season, he betrayed her to again Aemond as regent. Now he’s smuggled Aegon out of the Crimson Maintain to security—each from his stabby brother and his newly infanticidal mom. It’s not clear at this level that he serves anybody aside from himself, and he does it with aplomb.

6. A phrase on Daemon’s non secular journey this season, please. What are your ideas on his arc?

Grady: Daemon lastly accomplished his Harrenhal facet quest, and HotD is healthier for it. Whereas the opening few episodes of his hallucinogen-filled dungeon arc have been intriguing, it in the end overstayed its welcome. The return of fan favorites Milly Alcock and Paddy Considine was a deal with, but it surely wasn’t price sidelining the present’s most compelling wild card for an Aaron Rodgers–esque imaginative and prescient quest.

McNear: I say this from a spot of affection: Daemon must go to rehab. Perhaps a pleasant one with a pool in Dorne! Extra to the purpose, I’m not a lot of a fan of the best way prophecy is utilized in George R.R. Martin’s work. Daemon’s newest binge of the great things has proven him that winter is certainly coming—which, certain, glad he’s on the identical web page as Rhaenyra (lastly). Is it one way or the other past the powers of weirwood to convey extra particular info—say, the best way to successfully battle the Night time King, or that Daenerys isn’t a very good egg, or, I don’t know, that the Night time King is in the end defeated and Westeros lives on? Maybe his imaginative and prescient conveyed to him some vital reality about why Rhaenyra should overcome the greens to ensure that his prophecy to come back true—but when so, why not share it far and extensive? In any case, I don’t know that I purchase that Daemon would immediately take this imaginative and prescient as canon however not, say, the dream the place he was rolling within the hay along with his mom.

Baker: Daemon was in all probability my favourite character within the first season, and I used to be excited to see what Matt Smith meant when he described his function as “softer, lazier, fatter, slower” this season. (In any other case often known as: me watching the Olympics.) I assume that his arc this time round was doubtless essential to arrange what’s to come back, however the precise week-to-week expertise of watching him mope and stagger round Harrenhal was largely fairly disagreeable! All that mentioned, it took only some strains of Excessive Valyrian exchanged with Rhaenyra, and I used to be instantly again in.

Lindbergh: I like the place it wound up, even when it was generally sluggish going to get there. I share Zach Kram’s considerations about Dragon’s dependence on predestination and ties to Sport of Thrones and the big Westeros small-screen universe—Alys’s line “It’s all a narrative, and you might be however one half in it” appears like one thing David Zaslav would say as he orders one other spinoff—however on a person stage, I really like this extra mature, chastened Daemon. Having been humbled by Oscar Tully and having acquired the identical foreknowledge that’s pushed Viserys and Rhaenyra, Daemon is embracing his brother’s needs and heeding the recommendation of the Viserys in his visions. “Go away me once more at your peril,” Rhaenyra warns her uncle/consort. Daemon solutions, “I couldn’t. I’ve tried.” Is he surrendering to destiny, or has he gained perspective? Daemon isn’t a very good man, however he’s a modified man, which makes for a compelling counterpoint to Ser Criston’s nihilistic flip.

Gayle: Boring. It was clearly vital, as a result of it turned him into the tree-toucher he wanted to be with the intention to see the longer term, however you possibly can’t argue that it wasn’t boring. Daemon is without doubt one of the most beloved characters within the present. Matt Smith is without doubt one of the sequence’ finest actors. I saved saying to my companion as we watched each Sunday, “Can Daemon simply do one thing cool?” I didn’t even care if it was good or unhealthy; I simply needed to see one thing.

7. What are you most trying ahead to in Season 3?

Baker: Extra footage of Otto Hightower cowering in a cage.

Gayle: Matt Smith appearing with extra of the primary actors from the present, PLEASE. His scene with Emma D’Arcy in Episode 2 is without doubt one of the most memorable moments of the sequence, and we didn’t see them collectively after that for over a month. I’m praying to the outdated gods and the brand new that Matt isn’t off on one other facet quest in Season 3.

Lindbergh: I’m particularly trying ahead to [redacted]. And [redacted]. Extra broadly, although, I’m anticipating the beginning of subsequent season tapping into the pent-up demand generated by this abrupt Season 2 finale and the following two-year wait. Early Season 3 can be nothing however bangers, and the remainder of the season ought to sustain the tempo. We’ve seen the setup; now put together for the payoff. The delayed gratification goes to be good.

Grady: BLUE DRAGONS!!! I’ve been anxiously ready to see Dreamfyre on-screen for no cause aside from that blue dragons are sick. I imply, let’s not neglect how cool Viserion sorted you recognize who did you recognize what. Sadly for me, my hopes and goals have been squashed when Helaena declined Aemond’s pleas for her to saddle up and be part of the conflict effort. So think about my nice shock when Daeron Targaryen’s dragon, Tessarion, swooped in over Cole’s military towards the top of the finale. I can’t wait to see the Blue Queen (and hopefully Dreamfyre) in motion!

McNear: One of many central issues with Hearth & Blood as a supply textual content is that most of the Dance of the Dragons’ key figures spend a lot of the conflict in separate locations. This season, the Home of the Dragon staff wasn’t shy about diverging from that and getting characters again collectively for occasions that don’t happen within the guide. These scenes—Rhaenyra sneaking into King’s Touchdown, Alicent coming to Dragonstone, Rhaenyra and Daemon’s standoff at Harrenhal—have been a few of the season’s strongest, and so they added new, fascinating dynamics to the written story. To me, this appears like an indication that the powers that be are rising extra comfy tweaking and including to the unique story, which is essential for the present to achieve the seasons to come back.

8. As humble viewers members, what’s your finest recommendation for the Home of the Dragon artistic staff going ahead?

Lindbergh: You’ve performed the arduous half: the introductions, the time jumps, the primary stirrings of civil conflict. Now simply get to the great things with out extra delay. And if HBO tries to shorten subsequent season, say no.

Grady: Extra dragon dancing selection, please.

Gayle: Extra Matt Smith. Extra dragonfire. (We didn’t even see Aemond torch Sharp Level … like, come on. Present us the goddamn dragons.) And higher plotters and schemers?! Larys is working away. Alicent is making an attempt to run away. Hearth is Aemond’s solely plot and scheme. I WANT MORE.

McNear: It was all the time going to be tough to inform a narrative with this many characters. The weaker episodes of this season typically felt like strings of conferences: This particular person went to speak to that particular person, after which that particular person went to speak to this particular person, for 75 minutes. The sooner seasons of Sport of Thrones are a helpful instance right here: That present additionally had a bounty of personas taking part in out their very own dramas elsewhere, however Thrones did a a lot better job of preserving the would-be tedium of noble home roulette at bay. That was principally completed by zeroing in on the extra compelling story strains and leaving some characters on the periphery, and even off digicam completely. I feel Home of the Dragon can be a lot better served by making an attempt to do this—possibly we don’t want 10 scenes of Rhaena’s soul-searching on the Eyrie, or Jace being a cranky teen, or Mysaria purring at Rhaenyra. A few of that can be vital setup for future occasions, however I’d go away a lot of it on the cutting-room ground and refocus on the motion.

Baker: Expensive artistic staff, sustain the bizarre work! I really assume it is best to flip this complete operation into a proper high-concept bit by which each season is only a greater and bolder commercial for the season to come back. The sport throughout the recreation, if you’ll. Maybe Nathan Fielder can advise? See what number of instances you possibly can drive the guide readers to get into that tremendous mode the place they’re concurrently internally apoplectic and outwardly defensive in regards to the materials. (“Oh, simply you wait! They’re laying the muse!” is to GRRM followers what “Uh, really, the automobile is supposed to collapse like that; it’s a characteristic, not a bug” is to Cybertruck homeowners.) You may’t spell Home of the Dragon’s vastly anticipated third season! with no bunch of e-d-g-i-n-g, in any case.