In the season finale of Season 2, Rhaenyra (Emma D 217;Arcy) has gathered all her dragon riders around a table. However, there is no big battle. Image: HBO.
Warning, spoilers: The following article contains spoilers about plot details from House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 8: The Queen Who Ever Was
If you haven’t seen the season finale yet, read from here on at your own risk.
House of the Dragon Season 2 is over, but fans’ desire for more action from the Game of Thrones universe is apparently not yet satisfied. Because although the season finale has some new developments and surprises in store for viewers, the big bang is still missing.
And that is exactly what many fans find annoying. The second season did not skimp on its marketing, teasers, plot structure and narrative dynamics to suggest to viewers that a really big battle was about to take place – but it never came.
The great battle called Battle of the Gullet
only comes in season 3Season 2 ends with a cold cliffhanger. All the characters have been carefully placed, alliances forged and armies set in motion. Then the credits roll.
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House of the Dragon: In season 2, a bitter war for the Iron Throne breaks out
Fans express disappointment online
Online, viewers responded to the season finale with mocking memes. Some people think that false expectations were deliberately created here.
Others are disappointed by the long wait for season 3, which is currently scheduled to air on HBO in 2026. Before that, the new spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
planned.
We have included some of the best Twitter reactions below.
Link to Twitter content
Link to Twitter content
Link to Twitter content
How do the series creators react?
In view of the fan criticism of the finale, the series makers also felt compelled to explain why we will not see any action in episode eight. IGN Showrunner Ryan Condal explained that this decision was made very consciously for reasons of resource management.
Because to stage a battle of this magnitude, you need time, people and money. Instead, they concentrated on working towards the battle at the throat:
The battle is imminent. And it will be the biggest we’ve ever pulled off. We wanted to reflect that scale and give the event the room it needs to breathe, so we’ve pushed the battle back to Season 3.
Ryan Condal
In addition, the battle would not have worked as a season finale, as essential plot elements were missing at the beginning of the episode: The Lannisters’ alliance with the Triarchy had not yet been established, Alyn and Corlys still had to have a clarifying conversation, and the new dragon riders also had to be carefully introduced.
It’s about the relationships
At the same time, episode director Geeta V. Patel understands the fans’ criticism:
As a fan, I guess I expected a battle, but when I read the script, I was pleasantly surprised because I think we put too much emphasis on battles overall. I think what’s really interesting about this episode is that it’s about relationships. It’s the dialogue, the twists, the relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra and between Rhaenyra and Alicent.
Geeta Patel
And ultimately, that’s exactly why the episode worked without a battle. Now all the characters know where they stand; all the uncomfortable truths are on the table. And with that, House of the Dragon is ready to strike with full force in 2026. The big battle should then take place right at the beginning of the season.
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How did you like the season finale of House of the Dragon Season 2? Did you find the season overall lahm
Or are you generally satisfied? Write it in the comments!
