House of the Dragons’ season 2 finale is a bad sign for show’s future

As a devoted fan of George R.R. Martin’s epic saga since the very first page of “A Game of Thrones,” I must admit that my heart races with every conversation, decision, and glance on “House of the Dragon.” The tension is palpable, the stakes are high, and yet…it seems we are still waiting for the dragonfire and swordplay to erupt.


In the final episode of the second season, the climactic moments in House of the Dragon were as explosive as Aemon’s and Sunfyre’s fire, according to many viewers. The tension had been escalating across eight episodes, with intricate plot twists on the brink of spectacular action.

Audience flocked to Twitter immediately following the finale, and their responses were just as astonishing as the unexpected explosion of Aegon’s likeness resembling a burst sausage on a spit.

As a passionate viewer of “Game of Thrones”, I must express my disappointment with the latest season of “House of The Dragon”. Compared to the entire “GOT” universe, including the much-debated eighth season, this current season falls short for me. However, it’s essential to note that it didn’t quite reach the level of dissatisfaction I felt during Daenerys’ fall from grace.

possible way of paraphrasing: “They suggested that instead of stringing out the final episodes, they should have given us a true season finale. It felt like each episode promised to be the climax, but the actual conclusion seemed to be perpetually delayed for another two years.”

House of the Dragons' season 2 finale is a bad sign for show's future

Their dissatisfaction was echoed by another, who wrote:

“Perhaps the least satisfying season finale I’ve ever watched was House of Dragons. Throughout the entire season, there was only one truly engaging episode. Reflecting on it now, I find the show to be quite disappointing.”

In contrast to the intense and action-packed pace that “Game of Thrones” fans are accustomed to, the second episode of “House of the Dragon” took a more leisurely approach, with fewer dramatic events compared to its first episode.

Unlike Game of Thrones, which skillfully combined elements of surprise and universe development, House of the Dragon leans heavily towards character-driven storytelling, creating a more personal and immersive viewing journey for its audience.

Season two stands out, and truth be told, we haven’t been upset about it. In fact, we find ourselves appreciating it, and might even venture to say we prefer this unique take on the original series.

House of the Dragons' season 2 finale is a bad sign for show's future

Mostly, it’s not the gruesome scenes or intense combat that make this show captivating. Instead, powerful moments arise from the tense longing for reconciliation hidden within the sharp exchanges between Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). They are also found in Daemon’s submission to his queen, creating a palpable sense of tension. Additionally, the audience experiences a chill watching Helaena (Phia Saban) resist Aemond’s demands, knowing full well the sinister nature of his thoughts.

In every chat, choice, glance, or subtle avoidance, there’s an intense pressure that builds. Unfortunately, this situation is like a battlefield, where the simmering tension might be intriguing, but eventually, the significant risks demand explosive displays of conflict – like dragons breathing fire and warriors clashing swords.

In the finale of season one, Lucerys’ (Elliot Grihault) death seemed like it would trigger a brutal conflict. However, the series didn’t follow through with this expectation. The grim sound of infant Jaehaerys’ (Jude Rock) decapitation at the start of season two fueled anticipation for a war, but the show fell short in delivering the escalating violence and progression of war that such an event should have sparked.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my frustration over the way House of the Dragon concluded its latest episode. Instead of building up the tension and excitement for the impending war, they chose to end on an underwhelming cliffhanger, with the Blacks, Greens, and their respective houses marching off to conflict we’ve already foreseen. This decision seems to have drained all suspense from the upcoming events, leaving us wondering ‘Will it ever truly unfold?’

House of the Dragons' season 2 finale is a bad sign for show's future

It’s concerning that this situation might point towards a bigger issue for the series. Could there be enough narrative to sustain multiple seasons ahead? Alternatively, could it be that House of the Dragon would have been more effective with a compact, focused run?

In contrast to “Game of Thrones,” which is adapted from George RR Martin’s five published books (with two more in the pipeline), “House of the Dragon” narrates the Targaryen civil war in its entirety within a single book titled “Fire & Blood.” This novel, marketed as a ‘history’ book, offers fewer resources for development and less established structure to follow.

If it’s currently slimmer than Game of Thrones, could it be that it has already been extended beyond its limits?

House of the Dragons' season 2 finale is a bad sign for show's future

As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but be captivated while watching Aemond nonchalantly claim the role of Prince Regent. His casual strut into power left me intrigued, much like Daemon’s storyline at Harrenhal seemed to drift away from the main narrative. However, everything fell neatly into place when Aemond publicly pledged allegiance to Rhaenyra. After all, a self-centered and proud individual like Daemon wouldn’t follow blindly; he would need a stronger reason than just affection – ‘I love you.’ Now, it all makes perfect sense.

However, the seemingly slower pace of story development in season two leaves us wondering if some of the episodes might be fillers, serving as a bridge towards key events that are still to unfold.

We haven’t decided to discard everything about “HotD” just now. Instead, we strongly feel there are still compelling stories left untold within it. These stories will unfold naturally, much like the anticipated river of blood. However, we can’t help but speculate if season three should be the last for “House of the Dragon.” This is because we don’t want a repeat of what happened in the eighth season of “Game of Thrones.”

In the United States, you can stream seasons 1 and 2 of “House of the Dragon” on both HBO and Max, as well as on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

Game of Thrones seasons 1-8 are also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

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2024-08-05 20:19

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