The season 2 finale of House of the Dragon was a busy one… even if most of the various threads were left unresolved. There were surprising reveals, new characters introduced, and a whole lot of moving parts setting up a series of climactic season 3 showdowns.
You’d be forgiven for getting a bit lost in it all, especially with the expansive montage the episode ended on. When we talked about the episode as a staff, quite a few questions came up — clarifying particular characters’ motives, charting out where the various pieces on the board are, and even wondering “Hey… did I miss something?”
So no matter what camp you fall into there, we’ve compiled a list of likely questions you might have after watching the season finale — or, if you’re reading this in the future, some reminders of where things left off before heading to season 3.
Wait, so where is Otto Hightower?
It appears: in a dungeon. Earlier in the season, Aemond called for the small council to find Otto’s whereabouts, since he hadn’t been heard from since being dismissed as hand to the king (all while Alicent was told he couldn’t be reached).
In the closing montage of the season 2 finale, we see Otto behind bars, seemingly lit only by torchlight. It’s unclear exactly where he’s being imprisoned — it could be King’s Landing, but it’s unclear on whose orders, at this point — but suffice it to say he seems a little worse for the wear.
What’s the deal with Sharp Point?
As the episode establishes, Sharp Point was razed by Aemond after he found out that Rhaenyra had raised more dragonriders. If you watched this episode and wondered what strategic value Sharp Point has to the war, the answer is: Not a ton.
If you go look at the history of the town, it’s basically known for being the seat of House Bar Emmon and some stuff that happened back when Aegon the Conquerer was rolling around the continent. The Bar Emmon stuff might become more relevant next season, when we learn that, possibly, Bar Emmon doesn’t want to declare for the Greens after Aemond’s actions. Mostly it’s important to note that on the map, Sharp Point is the nearest locale to the island of Dragonstone, implying that Aemond is lashing out in a way that Rhaenyra will notice, even if there’s not really any strategic purpose for the violence.
How did Gwayne know about Criston and Alicent?
Although it’s been a couple weeks (both in our world and theirs) since we’ve seen Gwayne and Criston, they’ve been marching towards Harrenhal to try to take it from Daemon. So Gwayne’s turn here — threatening Criston because of his and Alicent’s sexual relationship — is a little out of the blue for the audience as well.
As the scene leads us to believe: Criston’s acts might’ve been something Gwayne heard through soldiers’ gossip (when Gwayne first holds his sword up to Criston the troops around them are clearly looking on). Unfortunately, Gwayne’s fury is no match for Criston’s hopelessness.
How many wives does Lohar have?
It’s unclear, but considering Tyland Lannister and Lohar both make the boat, I guess it wasn’t too many for him.
Where is Hugh’s wife?
One would assume still in King’s Landing among the starving commonfolk. It’s understandable why Rhaenyra wouldn’t extend a plus one to all the Targaryen bastards coming to test their mettle against Vermithor, but still, Hugh… kinda cold blooded to not bring her up even once.
Why did Aegon leave with Larys?
The injured king and Viserys’ Lord Confessor (not to mention Allicent’s former feet admirer) have struck up an unlikely alliance, culminating in the pair escaping King’s Landing at the end of the finale. The reason for their escape is pretty well-telegraphed by the show: Aemond, who is starting to lose his grip, would very much like his older brother to be dead so that there’s one less threat to his seat on the throne. With Aemond’s scheming and Rhaenyra’s growing cadre of dragons, King’s Landing is very much not a safe place for Aegon to be. But the strength of their bond might surprise some viewers.
One element of their connection is their relationships to their bodies, both dealing with disabilities (which is all very new for Aegon). Larys has counseled the bedridden king on adjusting to his new circumstances, and clearly feels a bond with the young ruler. But the origin of their connection more likely comes from Aemond, who rejected Larys as a potential candidate for his Hand, leading to Larys seeking an allegiance with Aegon instead.
Who is marching where/where do we leave everybody?
Everyone in Westeros is gear up for battle. Tyland Lannister is heading over the narrow sea with his hard won mercenaries from Essos in hopes of blocking the blockade that Corlys Velaryon has set up in Blackwater Bay. Unfortunately for Tyland, it seems that Rhaenyra and her host of new dragon riders, along with her husband and renewed ally Daemon, are heading toward King’s Landing as well. Elsewhere, we get glimpses of the Starks crossing the long bridge at The Twins, thanks to Jace’s deal with House Frey.
While the show outlines most of these lines clearly, there are still quite a few questions we need answers to before the war can begin. For instance, where exactly are Ser Criston Cole’s forces when he and Alicent’s brother get into their brief spat? And where are Aemond and Vhagar at — the answer to this question seems to be changing by the hour in this episode, at least. We also know that Daemon marshaled a large force around Harrenhal, but it’s not clear where they’re going just yet or who’s leading them while Daemon is away on dragon business.
Why did Daemon swear allegiance to Rhaenyra in the end?
For this we have Harrenhal and all its haunted happenings to thank. Daemon has spent the season more or less hidden away here, and been on a journey of self-discovery with the aid of some ghosts and possibly dosing from Alys Rivers. The result has seen him tumbling through the halls of Westeros as he confronts ghosts of his past — young Rhaenyra, the grand-nephew he had killed, his own mother, his second wife, and even Viserys — and interrogating why it is he has such a reckless thirst for power.
That all culminates in the finale with him getting a vision in the God’s Wood of what is yet to come — namely the events of the Dance of Dragons, a glimpse of the Others, and Daenerys bringing about the return of dragons to Westeros. All of that seems to make him buy in to backing Rhaenyra once and for all, which is a great relief not only to the couple but to Ser Simon Strong.
Is Ser Alfred Broome fucked now that Daemon bent the knee?
Can’t say his odds look good, now that Daemon’s firmly Team Rhaenyra, it’s no surprise he peaced out during Daemon’s rallying of the troops. Forget it, Alfred, it’s Westeros…
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