How the House of the Dragon Finale Sets Up Season 3

The fires have burned to an ember on House of the Dragon season 2, but as HBO’s hit series is already confirmed to unfurl its wings for season 3, the Targaryen civil war is far from over. While some have complained that season 2 crawled along as it delivered some divisive turns away from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood Targaryen history, “The Queen Who Ever Was” teased a high-adrenaline return to form.

Here’s what you missed in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale and how it sets up season 3. 

Visions at Harrenhal

One of the season’s most controversial arcs has seen Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) holed up in the charred remains of Harrenhal. Haunted by the ghosts of the past, Daemon has been visited by the likes of his deceased brother and wife, as well as the welcome return of Milly Alcock as a young Rhaenyra. 

Having survived this haunted house, Daemon has one more vision thanks to the witchy Alys Rivers and a weirwood tree. We get a breakneck montage of the Three-Eyed Raven, a tease of the White Walkers, and the return of Daenerys Targaryen (albeit without Emilia Clarke).

For those who watched Game of Thrones, the idea that the vision makes Dany the fabled Prince That Was Promised is sure to be a tenuous attempt to redeem the hated season 8 finale.

Daemon didn’t believe the whole prophecy of Aegon the Conqueror’s dream, but realising only a united house and Targaryen on the throne can stop the war to come, he finally bends the knee to his niece/wife, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy).

Unfortunately, Daemon might not be making it that far, with his vision foreshadowing his supposed death in the Battle Above the Gods Eye. Speaking of prophecy, Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) gives Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) his own grim tease, warning, “You will be swallowed by the God Eye,” during his fight with Daemon. 

Alicent’s Betrayal 

If you thought Rhaenyra sneaking into King’s Landing to try and broker peace with Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) was daring, the latter returns the favour by sneaking off to Dragonstone. Rae’s former BFF calls for peace and offers to give up the capital if Rhaenyra spares her, Helaena, and her granddaughter.

It’s not that simple, and remembering Rhaenyra still wanting justice for the death of her son in the season 1 finale, this will come at the cost of giving up King Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carrey).

Even though an emotional Alicent agrees, Aegon has already fled amidst fears for his safety. After Aegon was charred by his own brother, Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) convinces him to abdicate the throne. The book states that an unmanned King’s Landing is easy to sack, and Aegon is nowhere to be found; however, the finale fleshes out his escape. The question is, with Alicent inadvertently going back on her side of the bargain, will Rhaenyra go full Mad Queen? 

While it’s no secret that Rhaenyra eventually gets to sit on the Iron Throne, there are still some major battles ahead. House of the Dragon is pencilled in for a potential four-season run, and if she’s not crowned by the end of season 3, we’d be very surprised. 

Setting Sail and Taking Flight 

Elsewhere, Ser Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) tries to curry favour with the pirate lords of the Triarchy. Abigail Thorn makes her debut as Sharako Lohar, giving us a gender-flipped version of the character and adding some welcome comic relief. With a new navy sailing under the Greens, season 3 will surely kick off with the famed Battle of the Gullet.

Some hoped we’d get the nautical bloodbath in season 2, but showrunner Ryan Condal explained (via The Wrap) that it’s being saved to “give it the time and the space that it deserved.”

Lord Corlys Velaryon (Stephen Toussaint) has kept his foot firmly on the neck of King’s Landing with his blockade, but as Condal promises, The Battle of the Gullet is the “second most anticipated action event” of the book. Corlys has some much-needed support in the form of his son, Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim). As the bastard son of Corlys, Alyn rebuffs his father’s attempts at reconciliation.

Elsewhere, Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) is Rhaenyra’s teacher’s pet, accompanying her to Harrenhal as her newest dragonrider. Despite Rhaenyra’s ranks being bolstered by the newly-formed dragonseeds, there’s treachery ahead.

 As well as Ser Alfred Broome (Jamie Kenna) proving his turncoat potential, others are destined to betray her after the First Battle of Tumbleton. Tom Bennett’s Ulf the White doesn’t seem to be taking war particularly seriously, and if anyone’s going to throw her under the bus first, it’ll be him.

There’s one final victory for Rhaenyra, and although the fan-favourite character of Nettles has seemingly been written out, Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell) is taking her arc by finally meeting the wild dragon in the Vale known as Sheepstealer. 

A March to War

The Greens might be down in terms of dragons, but some support is coming in the form of the Hightower bannermen. One of the final shots shows the Hightowers marching from Oldtown, with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance of Daeron Targaryen’s dragon, Tessarion. Alicent’s youngest has been MIA but mentioned several times in the season. Condal recently told Variety that Daeron the Daring hasn’t been cast, although he’s set to be a major player in season 3. 

The final montage also catches up with Otto Hightower. Rhys Ifans’ former Hand of the King has been sorely missed since Aegon fired him for Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). We last heard he’d gone to Oldtown to catch up with grandson Daeron, but seemingly imprisoned in a cell, it’s clear things aren’t going well for him.

A throwaway mention earlier in the season of House Beesbury wanting revenge for the death of Lord Lyman suggests this could be the reason behind Otto’s incarceration, but with him eventually making it back to King’s Landing, Daeron could be hatching an escape plan. 

Set to Ramin Djawadi’s dramatic score, those final moments serve as a sizzle real of the battles to come. The Greens are destined to butt heads with the Blacks’ dragonseeds at the Gullett, while the Lannisters are due to lock horns with Prince Daemon’s Rivermen allies, and the Starks are looking to march on King’s Landing.

Where Aegon has scuttled off to remains to be seen, however, the fact he pops up at the unexpected hideout of Dragonstone in the book means he’s not out of the picture just yet. For those who are disappointed that House of the Dragon season 2 skimped on the big battles, the eventual release of season 3 promises to up the ante.

We don’t imagine season 3 will air before 2026, but at least it gives you plenty of time to catch up on Fire & Blood.