The season 2 finale of House of the Dragon is only a few days away, and there’s plenty of exciting material expected to cap off the season. Following the death of King Viserys I Targaryen in season 1, season 2 has seen Westeros divided into the Blacks and Greens, with both sides trying to claim allies amid the beginning of a violent cycle. From the murder of Lucerys Velaryon to the Blood & Cheese assassinations to the duel of the Cargylls, the dance fully began at the Battle of Rook’s Rest, where Targaryens fought one another on dragonback.
House of the Dragon is based on the book Fire & Blood, which is an extension of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire book series. Based on the source material, plenty of battles and dragon fights are still to come, though season 2 was mostly about the opposing sides assembling their forces for the conflict. The Greens have raised the armies of the Reach and the Westerlands, while the Blacks have raised the armies of the North, the Vale, and the Riverlands, with new dragonriders supplementing their forces.
10The Arrival Of Tessarion & Daeron Targaryen
Alicent’s Third Son & His Dragon Can Finally Appear
For show watchers, it may have come as a surprise when Alicent Hightower mentioned having a third son. Aegon and Aemond have been present since season 1, but Alicent and Viserys had a third boy, who’s also a prince and a dragonrider. Prince Daeron Targaryen has been raised in Oldtown, the seat of House Hightower, but is now prepared to enter the conflict. As mentioned in season 2, episode 7, Tessarion has “taken flight.”
Season 2 has seen Criston Cole leading the forces of the Greens from King’s Landing, but they have a whole, separate army mobilizing from the Reach, which should arrive in the finale. The trailer shows this army accompanied by a smaller blue dragon, Daeron’s Tessarion. An actor for Prince Daeron still hasn’t been announced, so it’s possible it’ll just be a shot of his dragon accompanying the army, with him fully arriving in season 3’s premiere.
9Daemon Assembles The Riverlands Army
Daemon’s Arc At Harrenhal Is Finally Over
Prince Daemon Targaryen has been an X factor throughout House of the Dragon season 2. This segment of the book doesn’t see much activity from Daemon aside from him raising armies at Harrenhal, so the television writers crafted an original story surrounding him, Alys Rivers, and the lords of the Riverlands. While he previously upset these lords, he seems to have gotten them back on track in 2×07 by appealing to the young Oscar Tully.
The Riverlands army has now agreed to fight beside Prince Daemon and the Blacks. This means the greatest question looming over the season 2 finale is whether Daemon is on Rhaenyra’s side or his own. He has always wanted to be king, but his dream sequences with Viserys indicate him realizing he’s best without the burden of rule. It’s most likely Daemon will assemble the land army Rhaenyra so badly needs, with the Riverlands, the Vale, and the North uniting at Harrenhal.
8The Winter Wolves Arrive
Cregan Stark’s Promised Northern Forces Are On The Way
One of House of the Dragon season 2’s most exciting new characters is Lord Cregan Stark of Winterfell, the ancestor of Eddard Stark and many of Game of Thrones’ most beloved figures. Jacaerys delegated with Cregan, who agreed to commit 2,000 fierce Northern warriors to Rhaenyra’s cause. He wanted to commit more, as per his family’s oath to Viserys, but he felt he had a greater duty to guard the North from threats beyond the Wall.
The teaser for House of the Dragon’s finale shows the Northern men, the Winter Wolves, passing through the Twins to enter the Riverlands. Jacaerys met with House Frey of the Twins to allow for the crossing of the Northerners and to bring them to his mother’s side, and this importantly sets up a parallel with Game of Thrones. A Northern army marches south, through the Twins, to combat a Lannister force that approaches the edge of the Riverlands.
7Rhaenyra Assembles Her Dragonseeds
Rhaenyra’s Dragon Roster Is Growing
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7’s ending saw an event called the Sowing of the Seeds. Rhaenyra Targaryen invited those with Valyrian blood to travel to Dragonstone and attempt to bond with the unclaimed dragons. The process quickly turned violent as the dragon Vermithor began to massacre the Valyrian commoners, but two managed to prevail. Hugh claimed Vermithor, and Ulf claimed Silverwing.
With those two, along with Addam of Hull, who previously claimed Seasmoke, Rhaenyra has a significant roster of dragonriders. The next step will be organizing their personalities and sorting out their intentions. These men, who she doesn’t know or trust, have instantly become some of the most powerful men in the Seven Kingdoms, and it will be fascinating to see how these dynamics play out in the finale and in season 3.
6Rhaena Mounting Sheepstealer
Rhaena Could Have Her Own Dragon Soon
One House of the Dragon plotline that seems to be shifting away from Fire & Blood is that of Rhaena Targaryen. In the book, she leaves and has a dragon egg hatch in the Vale, naming it Morning. It takes some time for the dragon to grow and Rhaena to become a dragonrider. The TV series seems to be expediting this process by having her tame a wild dragon, hinted at heavily in episodes 6 & 7 with her discovering burnt sheep.
Season 2’s finale could show Sheepstealer for the first time.
Sheepstealer is an unclaimed dragon, though, unlike Vermithor and Silverwing, it has never had a rider. This makes it far more feral and difficult for humans to approach, giving Rhaena an immense task to bond with it. The season has shown that she’s determined to involve herself as her sister, Baela, has, and she shows an intent to risk herself to support her family. Season 2’s finale could show Sheepstealer for the first time.
5The Lannister Army Marches On The Riverlands
Jason Lannister And His Lions Are On The Move
Lord Jason Lannister was shown in season 2, episode 6, arriving at the Golden Tooth with the armies of the Westerlands and some caged lions. He demanded the presence of Aemond Targaryen and his dragon to support their invasion of the Riverlands, which the Prince Regent was insulted by. Unlike his more reserved twin brother, Tyland, Jason is a smarmy, insufferable Lannister with a big head, and it will be exciting to see how his attitude shifts as he sees bloodshed.
With the Lannister army marching into the Riverlands and Daemon assembling the Tully banners, it’s highly likely these two forces will meet sooner rather than later. If the season 2 finale is to have a battle scene, the Battle at the Red Fork from Fire & Blood could be an excellent option, as it’s one that doesn’t involve any dragons yet has some significant consequences.
4Helaena’s Dragon, Dreamfyre
Aemond Tells Helaena To Ride Dreamfyre In The Trailer
Helaena Targaryen has spent most of season 2 scarred in the aftermath of Blood & Cheese. After a few brief scenes with Alicent trying to comfort her, it seems like much of the family has forgotten about her. Aemond is occupied by the war. Aegon never really cared about her feelings and is now bedridden by injury. Yet, the season 2 finale teaser shows Aemond explaining that she may need to mount her dragon, Dreamfyre, to aid them in battle.
Dreamfyre is an older dragon, best known as a breeder and not a warrior.
Out of the dragons in House of the Dragon, Dreamfyre is one that hasn’t been shown on the TV series. Dreamfyre is an older dragon, best known as a breeder and not a warrior. However, Aemond is desperate, given Rhaenyra’s new dragonriders, and likely just wants numbers to pad out their forces while he deals damage on Vhagar. Regardless, getting a first glimpse of Dreamfyre could be terrific, as she’s one of the more vibrant, colorful dragons in the series.
3Aemond’s Reaction To The Dragonseeds
Aemond Will Be Furious After The Sowing
Season 2, episode 7, already saw Aemond having to retreat on Vhagar after seeing Silverwing mounted, but the show still hasn’t shown his reaction to the idea of new riders. Aemond has gotten very comfortable very quickly in his new position of power, and it will be wonderful to see him trying to hold it together, realizing how outnumbered he is. He’ll also likely take a Targaryen purist stance on commoners mounting dragons.
Strategically, Aemond is in a pickle. He rides the world’s largest dragon, but he can’t fight all of them on his own. He needs to readjust his strategy immediately, but previous episodes have shown how much he hates showing weakness. It’s possible that Aemond will express his fury independently but continue to act impetuously in front of the council.
2Otto Hightower’s Return
Aemond Wants Otto Back As His Hand
Otto Hightower was dismissed as Hand of the King by Aegon II in episode 3, and things have since gone south for the Greens. In episode 6, Aemond tasked Larys Strong with bringing Otto back to King’s Landing to serve as his hand, which should introduce a fascinating dynamic that’s original to the TV series. When Otto returns is to be seen, but it’s likely House of the Dragon doesn’t want to waste the talent of actor Rhys Ifans.
With the Hightower army on the move, it’s possible Otto could be back in some capacity in the finale. He could arrive in King’s Landing to take part in Aemond’s strategy with the Triarchy, or he could be seen marching with his family from the Reach. He’ll definitely be back at some point in season 3, if not in season 2.
1The Velaryon & Triarchy Navies
A Big Naval Battle Is Being Set Up In House Of The Dragon’s Finale
House of the Dragon season 2 has been setting up one of the Dance’s key battles since the premiere episode. Corlys Velaryon has established a blockade of the Gullet, preventing sea trade routes from entering and exiting King’s Landing, causing the city’s food shortage. Aemond has retaliated by requesting aid from the Triarchy, knowing they hate Daemon and Corlys due to the War in the Stepstones from season 1.
The Triarchy is the name for three allied cities of Essos: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh.
The season 2 finale teaser shows glimpses of the Triarchy, with shots of Essos. This will likely set up their fleet mobilizing, setting sail for Blackwater Bay to combat the Velaryon blockade. The trailer also shows Alyn of Hull kitted in Velaryon armor, hinting at Corlys Velaryon’s growing trust in his bastard son. It will be exciting to see these forces collide in House of the Dragon season 3, as the Game of Thrones universe hasn’t seen a true naval battle yet.
