“House of the Dragon” Season 2, Episode 8, “The Queen Who Ever Was,” begins in Tyrosh, where Ser Tyland Lannister asks the Triarchy for help from its fleet across the Narrow Sea. They are talking about how to break the Velaryon blockade. That is the defining issue of this episode: breaking the blockade. He says he wants to meet their commander. That is Admiral Sharako Lohar. They end up mud-wrestling after she says she will not sail with a man who cannot best her. She gets the early edge, but he holds up well and lands the final blow, and she sails with him.
The episode is the “House of the Dragon” Season 2 finale. It was reviewed as being somewhat anticlimactic, owing to the lack of cliffhangers, and it holds a 46% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the series’ lowest-rated episode at the time. However, the impending naval battle is exciting, and Daemon’s vision of the White Walkers and Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne is enticing. With Season 3 now in the books, it’s worth a second look. Despite lacking the cliffhanger punch usually associated with season finales, there are several important stories in this episode. Here are a few in chronological order. Do you think this episode was a good season-ending episode?
The Continuing Recovery of Aegon
The king, once thought to be on the verge of death, is making an impressive recovery. Larys comes to see him while he is still bedridden. Larys tells him they must leave King’s Landing because “the Pretender” has three new dragons. Now she has a total of six dragons with riders. Larys suggests they flee while Aemond and Rhaenyra fight and destroy each other. They do leave, slipping out of the city in a covered wagon by the end of the episode.
Daemon’s Dream
Daemon is awoken by Alys Rivers and follows her to the godswood at Harrenhal, where he has a mystical experience. She says there are omens there for those who seek them. She says he can see the future if he touches the weirwood tree at the center of the wood. He does, and the visions come in flashes: a red comet, the White Walkers marching with the army of the dead, Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne and Daenerys Targaryen with her three newborn dragons. It is the same prophecy that obsessed Viserys in Season 1. Then he hears Helaena tell him it’s all a story and he is but one part. He knows what he must do. This is an important part of “House of the Dragon” Season 2, Episode 8.
Daemon Bends the Knee
Ser Simon Strong sends word to Rhaenyra that Daemon has raised an army, and he fears treachery. Rhaenyra takes one of her new dragonriders, Addam, and flies to Harrenhal to meet Daemon. This is interesting because Simon Strong and Rhaenyra think Daemon is going to betray her. Maybe his vision changed things, but in a very dramatic moment he bends the knee to her and pledges his fealty, backed by his new army. This secures her an important alliance she was not sure about for most of the episode.
Alicent’s Midnight Offer
Alicent meets Rhaenyra on Dragonstone in the middle of the night. Alicent is steadfast in her desire to walk away from the war. She offers a deal: when Aemond flies to Harrenhal, Rhaenyra can take King’s Landing without a fight in three days’ time. Rhaenyra agrees, but she insists Aegon must die for the war to truly end. Neither queen knows Aegon is already on his way out the door.
Final Analysis: Was This a Good Season Finale?
The title for “House of the Dragon” Season 2, Episode 8, “The Queen Who Ever Was,” plays on the name of Corlys’ ship. He renames his flagship, once the Sea Snake, “The Queen Who Never Was,” in honor of his late wife, Rhaenys. The meeting between Alicent and Rhaenyra is an important scene and, when coupled with Daemon’s dream and the fleeing of Aegon, the other major storylines of this episode, makes “House of the Dragon” Season 2, Episode 8 a finale built on setup rather than payoff. There are some major stories set up. The episode ends with a montage set to music showing several of the main characters moving into position for the battles to come, including a first look at Prince Daeron on his dragon, Tessarion.
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