House of the Dragon season 2 ending explained: What happened in the lead-up to the war and how it sets up season 3

EntertainmentTVFantasy ShowsHouse of the DragonHouse of the Dragon season 2 ending explained: What happened in the lead-up to the war and how it sets up season 3When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentTVFantasy ShowsHouse of the DragonHouse of the Dragon season 2 ending explained: What happened in the lead-up to the war and how it sets up season 3When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: HBO) House of the Dragon season 2packed a lot of Westeros drama into its season finale. Although the episode, titled ‘The Queen Who Ever Was’, keeps it light on the action and dragon fighting (we’re sure they’re saving that for season 3) there were a lot of moving parts on both sides Team Green and Team Black to keep up with, that all lead to yet another cliffhanger, leaving us absolutely desperate for the next installment. So, what just happened in the season 2 finale? And how does it set upHouse of the Dragon season 3? Well, we already know thatthe next season is on its way, and from what happened this season we expect the third installment to be packed with war as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen edges her way to the Iron Throne. But the season 2 finale plays a major part in what is to come, as in just one episode we saw alliances change, armies claimed, and yet another dragon tamed, which will all have major effects when swords are drawn next season. But before we get into how this episode really sets the show up for war, let’s dive into everything that happened. We’ll start with a recap of the episode and then get into the final details later. Are you ready? Let’s go. Warning, major spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8 follow, so make sure you are all caught up before reading on. What happened in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale? (Image credit: HBO) Things were just as bleak at Kings Landing as Larys Strong tried to convince a heavily wounded King Aegon to run away with him before Aemond kills him. Aegon first refuses but later in the episode, we see him feeling in a carriage with Larys. At the other side of the castle, Alicent is comforting a melancholy Helaena until Aemond walks in fresh from using Vhagar to burn down a small town for no apparent reason, and tries to convince Helaena to mount her dragon Dreamfyre and fight for him. She refuses, despite him trying again later, and tells him that she has seen he is going to die. This dispute leads Alicent to seek passage to Dragonstone, which leads to a shocking revelation later in the episode. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Still at Harrenhal, Daemon is further building his army but one night visits a blood-soaked tree in the Godswood. There he experiences a vivid vision where he sees the prophecy of The Song of Ice and Fire, AKA the whole plot of Game of Thrones. The vision ends with Rhaenyra sitting on the throne. So then when Rhaenyra lands at Harrenhal and sees the vast army her husband has built, he bends the knee as he knows now from the vision, that she is the one who must rule. As for some of the series’ side characters, Lord Corlys is preparing to send his fleet from The Step Stones but in trying to help his bastard son Alyn of Hull, he angers him and it is finally confirmed that he is Alyn’s father. The only time we see Ser Criston Cole in this episode is in the woods where Alicent’s brother confronts him after he is caught smelling her embossed handkerchief, but Criston’s proclaimed devotion to Alicent forces her brother to lower his sword. And, in the Vale, Rheana almost catches her death roaming the hills looking for the wild dragon we think is Sheepstealer, until she finally finds him. What happened between Alicent and Rhaenyra? (Image credit: HBO) Although the finale didn’t end in a blaze of dragon fire like we may have expected, the ending between Alicent and Rhaenyra still holds a lot of importance and is a satisfying conclusion to a heartbreaking friendship that has spanned over two seasons now. From what happened inseason 2 episode 7whenAlicent walked into the lake, symbolizing her washing away her duties and responsibilities, it was clear we were going to see a big change in the Dowager Queen. But no one could have expected her risking her life and showing up to Rhaenyra’s house in the night begging for help. Where is Otto Hightower? (Image credit: HBO) Who is on Team Green and Team Black now? (Image credit: HBO) Now, with that spliced final scene with each army riding out, it is a little confusing and hard to remember who exactly is fighting for who. But don’t panic, we’re going to go through it right here. Out of the armies marching out at the end, the dragon riding dragonseeds, the Stark army from The North, the Seasnake AKA Lord Corlys’ fleet from The Step Stones, and Daemon’s army at Harrenhaal are all Team Black and will be fighting for Rhaenyra. Whereas, the Hightower army alongside Alicent’s son Daeron Targaryen and his dragon, the Lannister’s army, and Tyland Lannister’s new fleet are all Team Green on Aegon and Aemond’s side. As for the main members, Team Black consists of Rhaenyra, Daemon, Jace, Baela, Rheana, Lord Corlys, Hugh Hammer, Addam of Hull, and Ulf. Team Green includes Aemond, Aegon, Ser Criston Cole, and Gwayne Hightower to name a few. For the full rundown, see our guide onGreens vs Blacks explained. Who has which dragons now? (Image credit: HBO) Over the last few episodes we have met quite a few new dragons, and two more even showed up during the finale. So to put any of your dragon-related questions to bed, here is a list ofevery dragon alive in House of The Dragonright now, and who they belong to. Team Green: Team Black: It is important to note that Aegon’s dragon Sunfyre is now deceased and Joffrey’s dragon is too small to ride. For the full rundown, see our list ofevery dragon in House of the Dragon. What does Daemon’s vision mean for the series? (Image credit: HBO) So what does this all mean? Well,The Song of Ice and Firecomes from Aegon the First himself, who believed that a long winter would come and end the world. This ties House of the Dragon and the main series Game of Thrones together, as GOT plays out the prophecy and joins Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen (Ice and Fire) together to save The Realm from The Ice King. Daemon practically sees key points from GOT play out in front of his very eyes from the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys, rising from the flames with three new dragons after dragons had died out long before, to the rise of The Ice King. How does the finale set up season 3? (Image credit: HBO) Well, pretty much all House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8 does is set itself up for season 3, where we will no doubt finally see the war of theDance of the Dragonscome to fruition. At the end of the episode, we see multiple armies setting off to war, presumably Harrenhaal where Daemon is waiting with his troops from the Riverlands. So, in season 3 we expect to see war break out between these men. However, in terms of dragons, it looks like Team Green’s beasts will take flight toward King’s Landing so that Rhaenyra may claim the Iron Throne with the help of her new ally Alicent who stated at the end of the finale that she is willing to allow her son Aegon to die on order for Rhaenyra to become Queen and her and her daughter Helaena to go free. However, Aegon is currently en route with Lord Larys Strong to go into hiding, so that may prove an issue for the rightful Queen. But that’s not to say we won’t see some dragon fights in season 3, as there is still the issue of Vhagar, who is set to fly to Harrenhal with his rider Aemond, so we are guessing Rhaenyra’s new band of dragons will be waiting for the biggest beast in the Realm to return, or maybe they will take their winged war out onto the battlefield. In terms of new faces and new storylines, we are yet to meet Alicent’s other son Daeron Targaryen. But as we saw at the end of episode 8, although we never actually saw his face, he is making his way on his dragon Tessarion, flying to war with the Hightower army. As for our new friends from Essos, they were promised The Step Stones, so it will be interesting to see how far they go in trying to claim what already belongs to Lord Corlys. Other than that we are looking forward to seeing how this war plays out, and who will end up on top. Well, that’s all for season 2, and what a ride it has been. Now we look forward to House of the Dragon season 3, which unfortunately at this time does not yet have a release date. 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Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”