House of the Dragon wrapped up its second season with what seemed like an eight-episode trailer for Season 3. Regardless, fans are more dismayed over one thing the show could have used as a stronger end note for the series.
Remember Rhaenyra Targaryen with Syrax, Vermithor, and Silverwing at the end of Episode 7? This should have been the final scene in the season finale according to many viewers.
House Of The Dragon Missed The Chance To Use The Most Epic Shot In Season Finale
The penultimate chapter of House of the Dragon saw two riderless dragons, Vermithor and Silvering, claimed by Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) and Ulf the White (Tom Bennett), respectively. When the latter found himself in the dragon’s lair, he surprisingly charmed Silverwing enough to let him take her for a ride in the sky.
They soared above King’s Landing which alerted the smallfolk, the guards, and especially the Greens. Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) went to follow the mysterious dragon on Vhagar’s back, only to be led in Dragonstone where he sees Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) with three dragons at her back.
The audience could discern the evident fear in Aemond’s face as he retreated. With the Blacks possessing more dragons, this is absolutely bad news for the Greens as they are quite short on firepower. With King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Sunfyre both incapacitated and Helaena (Phia Saban) refusing to ride Dreamfyre, their case is already hopeless.
Rhaenyra’s stunning shot with the dragons indeed conveys a very powerful message for their enemies. Fans truly believe the show should have ended with that striking image.
Episode 8 should have been episode 7 and this should have the last shot
— AJ (@acconajo) August 5, 2024
This would actually make so much more sense
— DragonFi (@DragonFi_Realm) August 5, 2024
True…this final episode felt like a trailer for S3
— Tanay Singh Thakur (@TanaysinghT) August 5, 2024
Totally agree. Alternatively, episode 8 could have been a set up for the finale episode.
— Jen Truly (@JenTruly07) August 5, 2024
Agreed! Most anticlimactic finale ever.
— Mother of Bad Dogs 🐀 (@HeathRobin) August 5, 2024
One can say it’s a missed opportunity for the series to have not thought of using the closing scene in Episode 7 for the season finale. After all, the audience has mixed emotions regarding the final episode.
Ryan Condal Explains Mellow Season Finale
The season finale of House of the Dragon indeed sets up for the upcoming war between the Blacks and the Greens, but many complained that Episode 8 was but a long-winded teaser for Season 3.
Showrunner Ryan Condal defends his choice in a press conference (via The Hollywood Reporter):
We just wanted to have the time and the space to do that at a level that is going to excite and satisfy the fans in the way it’s deserved. We also wanted to build some anticipation toward it.
Many major battles will hopefully take place in the upcoming season, such as The Battle of the Gullet, The Butcher’s Ball, The First Battle of Tumbleton, and The Battle Above the Gods Eye.
House of the Dragon Season 2 is streaming on HBO.
