House of the Dragon’s superb second season ends on an incomplete note with an uneven finale.
This article contains spoilers forHouse of the Dragonseason 2 episode 8.
To die unremarked, unnoticed, and be free, Alicent says.
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Its not strange that the highborn characters ofHouse of the Dragonwould care about their legacy.
In the world ofGame of Thrones, legacy is pretty much all they have.
Thats not even to mention theGeorge R.R.
Martin-approved improvementsto the beleaguered King Viserys I and the dreamy Queen Helaena as characters.
I just dont want the show to be focused on it as it clearly is.
But mostly, its due to the fact that theres no real conclusion here.
Rightly or wrongly, this finale carries with it the taint of executive interference.
But now it feels as though the writers received the altered episode order 55 pages into penning this installment.
HBOs pockets are vast, but perhaps they are not two Rooks Rests deep.
In response, Collett is able to turn Jaces meme-worthy moodiness into something more relatable and present.
Another subtle episode highlight is Rhaenyra instructing Addam and Seasmoke to join her on her Harrenhal journey.
In Kings Landing, Aemonds descent into something resembling madness is believable and disturbing.
Rarely has aGame of Thronescharacter been so equal parts believably ethereal and human.
Outside of Kings Landing and Dragonstone, the episodes secondary plots vary considerably in quality.
Tyland Lannister in Essos, however?
In the book, Lohar is briefly mentioned offscreen as a Lysene admiral.
And then theres Daemon (Matt Smith).
Leave me again at your peril, Rhaenyra tells Daemon in High Valyrian.I could not.
I have tried, he responds.
As penned by Sara Hess, episode 8 is filled with shockingly lyrical dialogue.
We march now toward our annihilation.
The textual skill on display is appreciated and would be appropriate for a mid-season installment.
The imagery and action, however, fall well short of finale expectations.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword and thats all well and good.
But lets hope season 3 brings us some actual swordplay.
Rating:
3 out of 5
