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Writer's picturesamuel chatman

House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 8: The Queen Who Ever Was


Corlys walks beside Rhaenyra on her right.
Corlys advises Rhaenyra.

Source: HBO


Overall 7.8/10


Story 7.7/10

Daemon catches a glimpse of things to come. Rhaenyra solidifies her forces, while Alicent tries to make things right. The Sea Snake is laid low for his past failings. The dogs of war have been unleashed.


Writers have ratcheted up the temperature. War is imminent in the Seven Kingdoms. But the tone is not all dark and bleak. There are moments of light. At any rate, the characters steel themselves in preparation for what is to come.


From left to right Hugh, Ulf and Addam seat at a table full of food and hold up goblets.
Hugh, Ulf and Addam, from left to right, feast at the queen's table.

Source: HBO


Character 7.9/10

Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) has a good heart. She doesn't take spilling blood lightly. Even now after everything her enemies have done, she still searches for ways not to unleash the full extent of her wrath. But there comes a time when the talking is done, and all that’s left is the dragon's breath.


Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) becomes enlightened. The pettiness of his selfish ambitions is dwarfed when put beside the peril coming to the Seven Kingdoms. He understands what he must do if the world of men is to stand a chance.


Ser Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) offers small gestures to his sons to make amends for the years he ignored them. Perhaps he offers them as an apology. Or maybe it's because his acknowledged children are dead. At any rate, it seems these gestures have come far too late for, at least, one of his sons.


Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) has a lot on his chest. He’s been keeping it there for a long while. Alyn had to fight claw and scratch for everything he now holds. He did it all without his father's help. So in his mind, why would he need a father now? When he needed one, there wasn't one to be found.


Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) has bloody hands. She seeks to make amends for betraying Rhaenyra by betraying the Greens. No matter what she does, her hands will never be clean. Will she wash away the blood of others with the blood of her sons?


Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) has finally reached the point of clarity and strength to find the truth. Now she can speak it plainly and without fear.  


Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) has seen dragon warfare. And it has shaken his worldview. He believes that in the grand scheme of things, man is nothing. 


Aemond Targaryen’s (Ewan Mitchell) twisted deeds have been uncovered. He dares to reach for help from his sister after sacrificing his brother for the Iron Throne. He is a desperate captain on a sinking ship. 


Lord Tyland leans on his side covered in mud.
Lord Tyland Lannister wallows in the mud for a fleet.

Source: HBO


Final Thoughts

It's a solid season finale. War is upon us. Now is the time for the Dance of the Dragons

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