House of the Dragon (2×08) The Queen Who Ever Was Review

For our review of the last episode of House of the Dragon, click here.

So, everything that has happened over the course of this latest season of House of the Dragon has been leading up to this. The bulk of the season saw both Team Black and Team Green gearing up for an inevitable war over the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Within that, there has of course been plenty of internal drama on either side as the heart of the series, the relationship between Rhaenyra and Alicent, kind of got lost in all the plotting, maneuvering, and backstabbing that took place around them. Nevertheless, as they tried to fight for themselves against the men that looked to hop over them, marginalizing them and taking away their agency, in their search for power. Coming from different circumstances, that fight took different forms as they sought to figure out the kind of people they wanted to be. That journey required some soul searching. Dragging as the season took its sweet time as both sides tried to get their affairs in order, the outcome of that still remains to be seen, it finally saw some headway near the end.

The episode continued the mutual plotting as King’s Landing’s Master of Ships, Ser Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) ventured to Braavos to sure up the crown’s sea offensive in order to take on The Sea Snake’s blockade. However, that task did not come without some wooing. Meanwhile, Aemond did not take well being challenged at Dragonstone therefore had a hissy fit and took out his frustration on Sharp Point for which he burned to the ground and killing its residents in order to maintain his misguided need to prove his superiority. To him, being a king was all about power and winning at all costs rather than tending to his people. It was in that moment of weakness and desperation, Rhaenyra was advised to strike. Her emissary to Harrenhal, Ser Alfred Broome (Jamie Kenna), did more than assess the situation with Daemon but instead, tried to convince him to reign instead of Rhaenyra.

Faced with an identity crisis as whispers pushed him to doubt his upbringing, Jacerys’ further resentment of the new dragon riders left him on edge. It also didn’t help that Ulf’s new position started to get to his head, becoming unbearable, he needed to be knocked back down to earth. Believing himself to be unworthy, it was up to him to prove that he was. Heeding a warning by Ser Simon Strong, Rhaenyra finally caught up with Daemon at Harrenhal. A trip to the gods wood and a vision of the future appeared to turn the tides as he and his forces swore their fealty to her and her cause (spending so much time apart from one another, the chemistry between Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy remains very strong). However, unlike Aemond, Rhaenyra showed more concern towards the collateral damage any strike of hers would cause.

Lord Larys’ loyalty to Aegon never subsided. Preparing for the worst, he saw what was coming and convinced him to leave, ushering him out of King’s Landing for his own safety, so he could one day come back and reclaim the Iron Throne after Aemond and Rhaenyra presumably eliminated each other. Aemond continued to spiral, attempting to enlist Helaena Targaryen to his cause. Alicent, also seeing the writing on the wall, found her way to Dragonstone to apologize for her resentment and how it forced a wedge between them. She wanted to leave it all behind but their deep-seeded issues remained. Offering Rhaenyra a chance to swoop into King’s Landing and take the Iron Throne. Though for the transition to work, some tough choices have to be made. Both aware of the gravity of the situation, their encounter got emotional, as reflected in Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke’s strong performances in that scene.

Sent to the Vale previously to protect Rhaenyra’s young son Prince Joffrey, and three dragon eggs, Lady Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell) has been searching for a wild dragon living somewhere within the kingdom and now she finally found it, amongst a montage that featured forces on all sides taking position towards or away from the war to come (including a quick glance at a returning character). Stopping short at what most viewers have been waiting for all season, the end will come as a shock. Running at only 8 episodes this season, it’s a shame that it didn’t have at least one more. Unfortunately, viewers will have to wait until next season just to see how it will all play out and who will come out on top.

still courtesy of HBO

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.