'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Ending Explained: Who sits on Iron Throne? Finale sets up major Season 3 plot
Contains spoilers for 'House of the Dragon'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Every nook and cranny of Westroes is buzzing with anticipation with the question of who will prevail over the Iron Throne in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2.
The seventh episode of the show established how Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) Black faction was able to produce more dragonriders, giving them a significant advantage over the Green faction, which was also witnessed by Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).
However, the finale episode of the show refrained from the much anticipated confrontation of the Greens and Blacks but it did have a significant amount of political intrigue. This sets the stage for the future season, which will undoubtedly be loaded with violence and complex plots as the battle for the Iron throne becomes more intense
Did Daemon Targaryen have a change of heart in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 8?
While dining with the recently recruited dragonriders, Rhaenyra receives a message from Harrenhal that Daemon Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) has successfully raised his army, but the doubts of his betrayal is also there which prompts Rhaenyra to make a decision to visit the place herself.
On the other hand, Daemon is led by Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) to the godswood at Harrenhal, where he experiences a prophecy about important characters and happenings in the future of the Targaryen, culminating with Rhaenyra sitting on the Iron Throne.
After this vision, Daemon's viewpoint alters as he welcomes Rhaenyra and vows allegiance to her, thinking that she is the one who needs to bring the world together to fight the impending evil.
Rhaenyra asserts her right to be called the rightful queen when Daemon and his warriors swear fealty to her.
Why did Alicent Hightower visit Rhaenyra Targaryen in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 8?
After a time of solitude, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) returns to King's Landing to discover her daughter, Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban), very distressed by her new position as queen. Observing an increasing distance between them, Alicent suggests a risky departure from the poisonous court life.
Later, unexpectedly, Rhaenyra is visited by Alicent, her former friend turned adversary. Unexpectedly, Alicent presents a viable strategy for winning: a concerted assault on Harrenhal, in which Alicent controls the castle from inside. But considering her steadfast devotion to her son Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), Rhaenyra is cautious about putting her confidence in Alicent's intentions.
The final moments of the finale episode show a montage where Ser Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall), Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn), and the Triarchy march from Essos, while Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) ride Tessarion to Harrenhal.
On the other hand, Rhaenyra's supporters also mobilize, as Lord Corlys 'The Sea Snake' Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) plan to breach the siege, and Lady Rhaena Targaryen (Eva Ossei-Gerning) stumbles upon a wild dragon that she may be able to tame.
The ending also shows Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is imprisoned, but his captor's identity remains unclear.
As Alicent and Rhaenyra watch the rising light, the foreboding soundtrack foreshadows the approaching war, with both sides bracing for a terrible collision.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 trailer