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<div><strong><span style="color:red"></span></strong><span style="color:red"><strong>WARNING: This review contains spoilers for Episode 8 of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2.</strong></span></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1722854239729hod.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/>A scene from ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 finale. <em>HBO</em></div><p>The final installment of the second season of &quot;House of the Dragon&quot; is likely to disappoint fans who were eagerly anticipating an epic dragon battle between the Greens and the Blacks, especially after last week’s thrilling dragon-matching ceremony at Dragonstone. Titled “The Queen Who Ever Was,” this episode effectively makes the previous installment feel more like the true finale while prolonging the setup for the much-anticipated dragon clash that has been eagerly awaited throughout the season.</p><p>Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate quiet and slow episodes when executed well — my previous reviews prove that — and Episode 8 is technically good. It just doesn’t deliver as a season finale. It’s fair to expect an epic conclusion to a season that feels like an overly extended setup for scenes that should’ve already happened.</p><p>The episode is supposed to deliver Rhaenyra’s grand victory — Daemon swearing allegiance and Alicent offering to hand over King’s Landing — but it disappoints and lacks the spark to make her triumph feel truly exhilarating. Was it due to the finale leak that left fans underwhelmed last week? Or perhaps it’s the showrunners milking the narrative and stretching it too thin? It’s hard to say.</p><p>We finally get a glimpse of Sheepstealer, yet we don’t see Rhaena claim her or officially take on Nettles’ character arc. While this might set the stage for an epic Season 3 premiere, it’s baffling why this couldn’t be included in the Season 2 finale, especially when the episode is focused on Rhaenyra’s allies.</p><p>The only part of the finale that truly captivated me was Daemon finally confronting his visions. He has been trapped at Harrenhal for what feels like an eternity, and we’ve been stuck with him — not out of sympathy, but because the showrunners crafted his scenes to test our patience. It turns out, the wait was worth it.</p><p>With Alys Rivers’ help, Daemon touches the blood-soaked eyes of the Weirwood tree, plunging into a series of prophetic visions. He witnesses the Three-Eyed Raven and a white walker leading an army, followed by a haunting vision of his own death. As the visions progress, Daemon glimpses a future where his descendant, Daenerys Targaryen, rises from the ashes with three new dragons. I paused this moment and soaked in the nostalgia that Daenerys brings.</p><p>Episode 8 was essentially an overlong teaser for the next season. Given its excessive runtime, this review will be mercifully brief. Much like Aegon, we fans need a real-world Larys to spirit us away to our own Braavos. There, our wounded and frustrated hearts can recover and prepare for the promise of Season 3. Until then.</p><p>Ralph Revelar Sarza is a freelance TV and film critic and a metadata development specialist at The Big Dipper Digital Content and Design, Incorporated, an ABS-CBN company. This review was originally published on the author’s blog, “<a href="https://www.walphs.com/2024/08/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-episode-8-recap.html">WALPHS.com</a>.”</p>

<p>When 'winter is coming' is spoken in High Valyrian and you don’t feel a shiver down your spine, you know something is seriously amiss with the episode.</p>

When 'winter is coming' is spoken in High Valyrian and you don’t feel a shiver down your spine, you know something is seriously amiss with the episode.

‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 finale recap: The best episode that never was

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‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 finale recap: The best episode that never was

ABS-CBN News,

Ralph Revelar Sarza

Published Aug 05, 2024 06:46 PM PHT

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House of the Dragon

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