Sept. 19, 2024

House of the Dragon Season 2 Finale Breakdown: Dragons, Visions, and Westeros' Looming War

Show Notes
Transcript

Journey Joe Mitchell dives deep into the explosive "House of the Dragon" Season 2 finale, "The Queen Who Ever Was." Unpack Daymon's game-changing visions, Rhaenyra's political maneuvering, and the shocking peace offer from Alicent that could change everything. From Tyland's mud-wrestling diplomacy to Helaena's mysterious prophecies, we cover all the dragon-sized developments setting the stage for an epic Season 3. Is the Dance of Dragons finally ready to begin? Join us for expert analysis, fan theories, and a look ahead at what's next for the Targaryens and all of Westeros. Perfect for both casual viewers and die-hard fans of the Game of Thrones universe.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!

We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com

Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

WEBVTT

1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:12.160
Calarogus Shark Media. Welcome back to the TV basement, Wester

2
00:00:12.279 --> 00:00:15.679
Rosie Faithful. This is Journey Joe Mitchell, and today we're

3
00:00:15.720 --> 00:00:18.719
diving deep into the season finale of HBO's House of

4
00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:22.320
the Dragon. Season two has been a wild ride full

5
00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:26.320
of political intrigue, family drama, and of course, dragons. And

6
00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:29.640
this finale, titled The Queen Whoever Was, has left us

7
00:00:29.640 --> 00:00:32.960
with plenty to discuss. So grab your favorite arbor gold,

8
00:00:33.200 --> 00:00:36.320
settle into your iron throne replica, and let's soar into

9
00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:40.200
the fiery debate surrounding this season ender. First off, let's

10
00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:42.799
talk about the elephant in the room, or should I

11
00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:46.399
say the dragon. This finale was heavy on setup and

12
00:00:46.479 --> 00:00:49.000
light on the action many of us were expecting. But

13
00:00:49.119 --> 00:00:52.079
before we get into that, let's break down what actually

14
00:00:52.119 --> 00:00:55.799
happened in this jam packed episode. We start in tyrosh

15
00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:59.439
with Tyland Lanister trying to negotiate with the triarchy. Now

16
00:00:59.479 --> 00:01:02.719
I've got a day. Jefferson Hall deserves some serious props

17
00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:06.599
for his performance here watching Thailand, a man more accustomed

18
00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:09.560
to the polished halls of the Red keep awkwardly mud

19
00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:12.920
wrestle with the Pirate Queen Lohar was both hilarious and

20
00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:16.560
oddly endearing. It's moments like these that remind us that

21
00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:20.120
even in a world of dragons and magic, sometimes diplomacy

22
00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:23.480
comes down to good old fashioned mud wrestling. Back in

23
00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:26.480
King's Landing, the cracks in the Green Faction are starting

24
00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:29.799
to look more like chasms you and Mitchell's Emond is

25
00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:33.519
practically frothing at the mouth over their dragon disadvantage. His

26
00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:37.079
frustration is palpable, and you can almost feel the barely

27
00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:40.959
contained violence radiating off him. On the flip side, we

28
00:01:41.079 --> 00:01:45.319
have Fia Saban's Helena, who steadfastly refuses to join the fight.

29
00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:49.359
Her quiet determination is a stark contrast to Emon's rage,

30
00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:52.120
and it's a powerful reminder of the human cost of

31
00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:55.200
this conflict. But the real meat of this episode is

32
00:01:55.239 --> 00:01:58.959
over on Dragonstone, where Rayniera is juggling more balls than

33
00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:03.599
a flea bottom Street. Emma Darcy continues to impress as Raniera,

34
00:02:03.959 --> 00:02:06.519
bringing a regal bearing to the role that's tempered with

35
00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:10.479
very human vulnerability. The scenes with the new dragon rids

36
00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:14.719
Ulf Hugh and Adam are particularly telling. You can see

37
00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:17.280
Raniera trying to balance her need for their support with

38
00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:21.080
her wariness of these unknown quantities. And let's not forget

39
00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:25.080
Harry Collette as Jacaries, whose prickliness towards the newcomers speaks

40
00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:29.280
volumes about the tensions within Team Black. Now let's talk

41
00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:32.680
about the showstopper of the episode, Damon's vision quest in

42
00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:36.560
the Gods. Would Matt Smith folks Matt Smith if there

43
00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:39.599
were any doubts about his acting chops, this scene puts

44
00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:42.800
them to rest. Watching Damon grapple with visions of the

45
00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:45.680
past and future is like watching a masterclass in acting.

46
00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:49.120
We see glimpses of White Walkers, Danaris and her dragons,

47
00:02:49.360 --> 00:02:52.599
and even Raynerer on the Iron Throne. It's a sequence

48
00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:55.319
that ties House of the Dragon firmly to the larger

49
00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:58.680
Game of Thrones mythology, while also hinting at the tragic

50
00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:02.240
fate that awaits the Targara dynasty. But it's not just

51
00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:06.280
the visions themselves that are important. It's how they change Damon.

52
00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:10.080
We've spent two seasons watching this character scheme and fight

53
00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:13.400
and rage against the world, but in this moment we

54
00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:17.240
see him truly shaken the realization that he might not

55
00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:20.080
be the main character in this story, that his role

56
00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:23.039
might be to support rather than to lead is a

57
00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:26.520
pivotal moment for Damon, and when he kneels before Raniera

58
00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:29.520
later in the episode, it feels earned in a way

59
00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:33.560
it might not have before this vision quest. Speaking of Raniera,

60
00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:37.439
let's talk about that face off with Allison. Olivia Cook

61
00:03:37.479 --> 00:03:39.479
and Emma Darcy are at the top of their game

62
00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:43.319
in these scenes. The history between these two characters, once

63
00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:48.479
friends now rivals, crackles in every exchange. Allison's peace offering

64
00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:51.560
is a brilliant twist, forcing Raniera to grapple with the

65
00:03:51.639 --> 00:03:54.599
human cost of her ambition. It's a reminder that in

66
00:03:54.639 --> 00:03:58.039
the Game of Thrones there are no easy choices. Now

67
00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:00.199
I know what many of you are thinking. Where there's

68
00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:03.159
the big battle. Where's the dragon on dragon action we've

69
00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:06.439
been waiting for? And I hear you. After a season

70
00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:08.360
of build up, it would have been satisfying to see

71
00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:10.560
at least some of these conflicts come to a head.

72
00:04:11.039 --> 00:04:14.639
The various armies and fleets converging, the dragons taking flight.

73
00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:17.199
It all feels like it's building to something that will

74
00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:20.480
have to wait another year or more to see. But

75
00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:23.959
here's the thing. House of the Dragon has always been about.

76
00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:27.680
The slow burn it's about the political machinations that lead

77
00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:31.639
to war rather than the war itself, and in that respect,

78
00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:35.839
this finale delivers in spades. We're seeing all the pieces

79
00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:39.040
move into place for what promises to be an epic conflict.

80
00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:42.879
Let's break down some of those pieces. First, we have

81
00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:46.319
the Greens in King's Landing, with Egon out of commission

82
00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:50.079
and Helena refusing to fight. Emond is essentially a loose cannon.

83
00:04:50.600 --> 00:04:53.240
His attack on Sharp Point shows just how dangerous he is,

84
00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:55.560
and I can't help but wonder if he might end

85
00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:57.879
up being as much a liability to his own side

86
00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:01.040
as he is a threat to the Blacks. Then there's

87
00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:04.160
Allison's peace offer. Is it genuine or is there more

88
00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:06.680
going on here? The look on her face as she

89
00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:10.120
leaves Dragonstone is ambiguous to say the least. Could she

90
00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:12.879
be playing a longer game On the Black side? We

91
00:05:12.959 --> 00:05:16.240
have the new dragon rids. Ulf Hugh and Adam are

92
00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:20.160
wild cards. They bring much needed dragon power to Raneera's side,

93
00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:23.399
but can she trust them? The tensions we see bubbling

94
00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:26.360
up in this episode suggests that integrating these newcomers into

95
00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:29.319
Team Black might not be as smooth as Raniera hopes,

96
00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:32.879
and Let's not forget about Damon. His vision quest and

97
00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:35.879
subsequent pledge of loyalty to Raniera is a game changer,

98
00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:39.120
But this is still Damon we're talking about. Can he

99
00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:42.000
truly set aside his own ambitions and play second fiddle

100
00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:45.680
to Raniera. One of the most intriguing developments of this

101
00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:50.160
episode is the revelation of Helena's possible prophetic abilities. This

102
00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:52.680
adds a whole new layer to her character and could

103
00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:56.360
have major implications for the story going forward. Is she

104
00:05:56.480 --> 00:06:00.120
the key to understanding the larger destiny of the Targarian dynasty.

105
00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.439
The episode ends with a montage that shows all these

106
00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:07.680
pieces moving into place. We see armies marching, fleet sailing,

107
00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:11.519
and dragons being armored for war. It's a masterclass in

108
00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:14.240
building tension, leaving us on the edge of our seats

109
00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:17.160
for what's to come. Now, let's talk about what worked

110
00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:20.480
and what didn't in this finale. The performances across the

111
00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:24.560
board are stellar. Matt Smith, Emma Darcy, and Olivia Cook

112
00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:27.279
in particular, deliver some of their best work of the season.

113
00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:31.680
The political maneuvering and character development are top notch, giving

114
00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:34.720
us a deeper understanding of these complex characters. In the

115
00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:39.360
world they inhabit. The visuals, as always, are stunning, from

116
00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:42.480
the mud pits of Tyrosh to the Godswood on Dragonstone.

117
00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:46.279
Every frame is packed with detail and atmosphere, and while

118
00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:48.480
we might not have gotten a full on dragon battle,

119
00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:51.360
the glimpses we do get of the dragons being prepared

120
00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:54.480
for war are tantalizing. On the flip side, the lack

121
00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:57.920
of major plot progression might leave some viewers feeling frustrated

122
00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:00.720
after a season of build up to end on what

123
00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:04.639
is essentially another cliffhanger. Feels a bit anti climactic, and

124
00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:07.399
while the slow burn approach has its merits, there's a

125
00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:10.240
risk of losing momentum if the payoff is delayed too long.

126
00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:14.319
So what does this all mean for Season three? Well,

127
00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:17.439
if this finale is any indication, we're in for one

128
00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.720
hell of a ride. The stage is set for an

129
00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:22.920
epic clash between the Greens and the Blacks, with dragons

130
00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:25.879
on both sides ready to rain fire on Westeros. But

131
00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:28.839
beyond the spectacle, I'm most excited to see how these

132
00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:32.279
character arcs continue to develop. Will Rania be able to

133
00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:36.319
hold her coalition together, Can Allison navigate the competing interests

134
00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:39.279
in King's landing, and what role will Damon play in

135
00:07:39.319 --> 00:07:42.399
the conflicts to come. Before we wrap up, I want

136
00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:44.800
to hear from you, dear listeners. What did you think

137
00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:47.759
of the House of the Dragon season two finale? Did

138
00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:49.920
it live up to your expectations or did you find

139
00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:53.399
yourself wanting more? What are your predictions for season three

140
00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:55.680
and how do you think this series is shaping up

141
00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:59.399
compared to its predecessor, Game of Thrones. This is journey,

142
00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:02.639
Joe Mitchell, signing off from the t V basement. Thank

143
00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:05.639
you for joining me on this dragon filled journey through Westeros.

144
00:08:06.040 --> 00:08:08.519
Until next time, keep your eyes on the skies and

145
00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:11.639
your wits as sharp as Valerian steel. And remember, in

146
00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:14.120
the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. But

147
00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:15.720
great television lives forever.