'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Finale: 5 burning questions Season 3 must answer
Contains spoilers and speculations for 'House of the Dragon'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Even though the last episode of 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 does not include the much-anticipated battle between the Green and Black factions, the show successfully sets the stage for Season 3 by ending on a cliffhanger.
The last episode showed Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) armies preparing for combat, and major characters take up positions, including Ser Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) negotiating with the Triarchy in Essos and the Greens, commanded by Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Prince Daeron, marching on Harrenhal.
Meanwhile, Rhaenyra's supporters, notably Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), mobilize their troops, while Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is discovered to be behind bars.
In another surprising turn of events, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) visits Rhaenyra at the Dragstone and proposes an alliance to her, laying the groundwork for high-octane drama in season three.
As the finale episode of the second season was packed with political intrigue, let's discuss five important questions that 'House of the Dragon' Season 3 must answer.
1. What are Alicent Hightower's real intentions?
Alicent's late-night meeting with Rhaenyra and her offer to assist her in conquering King's Landing while Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) is gone exemplifies a clever political maneuver as she offers Rhaenyra the chance to usurp the throne with no opposition.
However, Alicent's intentions do sound fishy, given the complicated and often changing connections and objectives of the show.
Additionally, Alicent's primary concern is her children's safety and future, and if she feels Rhaenyra is a danger to them, especially Aegon, she may take extraordinary steps to protect them, even treachery.
2. Will Daemon Targaryen remain loyal to Rhaenyra Targaryen?
Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) has always been motivated by ambition and a desire for power, often behaving autonomously and unpredictablely. His presence in Harrenhal at first was driven by his latent aspirations, independent of Rhaenyra.
However, Demon's vision in the godswood, which foreshadows key future events, might either strengthen his commitment or create a conflict of interest if he perceives these visions as requiring different acts than Rhaenyra's.
Daemon's bowing before Rhaenyra and vowing to serve her until death or the conclusion of their episode is a profound act of devotion, however, how long Daemon will stay faithful to her wife will be revealed in Season 3 of the show.
3. Who imprisoned Otto Hightower?
In the last episode of Season 2, a stunning discovery is made: Otto is imprisoned, and the identity of his captor remains unknown. So, Season 3 will undoubtedly shed additional light on this.
Meanwhile, we might speculate that Otto may be imprisoned by Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), the Master of Whisperers, who is notorious for his cunning and manipulative personality.
By imprisoning Otto, he may be attempting to alter the balance of power in his favor, which might align more closely with the Blacks if he perceives a strategic benefit.
4. What will happen with Aegon II Targaryen?
At the conclusion of Season 2, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) escaped King's Landing on the advice of Larys Strong to avoid the danger presented by his brother Aemond and Rhaenyra's oncoming army.
Aegon has sustained crippling injuries, rendering him physically susceptible, which is likely to have an influence on his psychological state and decision-making
Aegon may endeavor to mobilize fresh support for his cause, which may include contacting other prominent households or political forces dissatisfied with Rhaenyra's authority.
Furthermore, the tension between Aegon and Aemond may escalate in Season 3, and with Larys's powerful manipulation, things are likely to get even more perilous as Larys may encourage Aegon to engage in actions that promote his interests, placing him at further risk.
5. Who will win the war at Harrenhal?
With both the Green and Black groups preparing to face off, the next season will include more intrigue, gore, and, of course, the return of fan-favorite characters.
Based on current dynamics, Rhaenyra's side is stronger since she has six dragons, including Syrax and Seasmoke, which gives substantial battlefield supremacy, and she also has an advantage with Dameon on her side and an army.
However, the result will depend on various circumstances, including the unforeseen acts of Aemond, who will not easily bow since he has a backer.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is available to stream on HBO Max. The streaming platform normally provides three bundles that are available for selection based on your budget.
The budget-friendly subscription option that includes ads is priced at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. The second package, devoid of advertising, has a monthly fee of $15.99 or a yearly cost of $149.99.
Meanwhile, the third subscription, named Ultimate Ad-Free, costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 yearly.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 trailer