September 19, 2024 • 8 mins
Journey Joe Mitchell dives deep into the explosive "House of the Dragon" Season 2 finale, "The Queen Who Ever Was." Unpack Daymon's game-changing visions, Rhaenyra's political maneuvering, and the shocking peace offer from Alicent that could change everything. From Tyland's mud-wrestling diplomacy to Helaena's mysterious prophecies, we cover all the dragon-sized developments setting the stage for an epic Season 3. Is the Dance of Dragons finally ready to begin? Join us for expert analysis, fan theories, and a look ahead at what's next for the Targaryens and all of Westeros. Perfect for both casual viewers and die-hard fans of the Game of Thrones universe.
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calarogus Shark Media. Welcome back to the TV basement, Wester
Rosie Faithful. This is Journey Joe Mitchell, and today we're
diving deep into the season finale of HBO's House of
the Dragon. Season two has been a wild ride full
of political intrigue, family drama, and of course, dragons. And
(00:26):
this finale, titled The Queen Whoever Was, has left us
with plenty to discuss. So grab your favorite arbor gold,
settle into your iron throne replica, and let's soar into
the fiery debate surrounding this season ender. First off, let's
talk about the elephant in the room, or should I
say the dragon. This finale was heavy on setup and
(00:46):
light on the action many of us were expecting. But
before we get into that, let's break down what actually
happened in this jam packed episode. We start in tyrosh
with Tyland Lanister trying to negotiate with the triarchy. Now
I've got a day. Jefferson Hall deserves some serious props
for his performance here watching Thailand, a man more accustomed
(01:06):
to the polished halls of the Red keep awkwardly mud
wrestle with the Pirate Queen Lohar was both hilarious and
oddly endearing. It's moments like these that remind us that
even in a world of dragons and magic, sometimes diplomacy
comes down to good old fashioned mud wrestling. Back in
King's Landing, the cracks in the Green Faction are starting
to look more like chasms you and Mitchell's Emond is
(01:29):
practically frothing at the mouth over their dragon disadvantage. His
frustration is palpable, and you can almost feel the barely
contained violence radiating off him. On the flip side, we
have Fia Saban's Helena, who steadfastly refuses to join the fight.
Her quiet determination is a stark contrast to Emon's rage,
and it's a powerful reminder of the human cost of
(01:52):
this conflict. But the real meat of this episode is
over on Dragonstone, where Rayniera is juggling more balls than
a flea bottom Street. Emma Darcy continues to impress as Raniera,
bringing a regal bearing to the role that's tempered with
very human vulnerability. The scenes with the new dragon rids
Ulf Hugh and Adam are particularly telling. You can see
(02:14):
Raniera trying to balance her need for their support with
her wariness of these unknown quantities. And let's not forget
Harry Collette as Jacaries, whose prickliness towards the newcomers speaks
volumes about the tensions within Team Black. Now let's talk
about the showstopper of the episode, Damon's vision quest in
the Gods. Would Matt Smith folks Matt Smith if there
(02:36):
were any doubts about his acting chops, this scene puts
them to rest. Watching Damon grapple with visions of the
past and future is like watching a masterclass in acting.
We see glimpses of White Walkers, Danaris and her dragons,
and even Raynerer on the Iron Throne. It's a sequence
that ties House of the Dragon firmly to the larger
Game of Thrones mythology, while also hinting at the tragic
(02:58):
fate that awaits the Targara dynasty. But it's not just
the visions themselves that are important. It's how they change Damon.
We've spent two seasons watching this character scheme and fight
and rage against the world, but in this moment we
see him truly shaken the realization that he might not
be the main character in this story, that his role
(03:20):
might be to support rather than to lead is a
pivotal moment for Damon, and when he kneels before Raniera
later in the episode, it feels earned in a way
it might not have before this vision quest. Speaking of Raniera,
let's talk about that face off with Allison. Olivia Cook
and Emma Darcy are at the top of their game
in these scenes. The history between these two characters, once
(03:43):
friends now rivals, crackles in every exchange. Allison's peace offering
is a brilliant twist, forcing Raniera to grapple with the
human cost of her ambition. It's a reminder that in
the Game of Thrones there are no easy choices. Now
I know what many of you are thinking. Where there's
the big battle. Where's the dragon on dragon action we've
been waiting for? And I hear you. After a season
(04:06):
of build up, it would have been satisfying to see
at least some of these conflicts come to a head.
The various armies and fleets converging, the dragons taking flight.
It all feels like it's building to something that will
have to wait another year or more to see. But
here's the thing. House of the Dragon has always been about.
The slow burn it's about the political machinations that lead
(04:27):
to war rather than the war itself, and in that respect,
this finale delivers in spades. We're seeing all the pieces
move into place for what promises to be an epic conflict.
Let's break down some of those pieces. First, we have
the Greens in King's Landing, with Egon out of commission
and Helena refusing to fight. Emond is essentially a loose cannon.
(04:50):
His attack on Sharp Point shows just how dangerous he is,
and I can't help but wonder if he might end
up being as much a liability to his own side
as he is a threat to the Blacks. Then there's
Allison's peace offer. Is it genuine or is there more
going on here? The look on her face as she
leaves Dragonstone is ambiguous to say the least. Could she
be playing a longer game On the Black side? We
(05:12):
have the new dragon rids. Ulf Hugh and Adam are
wild cards. They bring much needed dragon power to Raneera's side,
but can she trust them? The tensions we see bubbling
up in this episode suggests that integrating these newcomers into
Team Black might not be as smooth as Raniera hopes,
and Let's not forget about Damon. His vision quest and
subsequent pledge of loyalty to Raniera is a game changer,
(05:36):
But this is still Damon we're talking about. Can he
truly set aside his own ambitions and play second fiddle
to Raniera. One of the most intriguing developments of this
episode is the revelation of Helena's possible prophetic abilities. This
adds a whole new layer to her character and could
have major implications for the story going forward. Is she
(05:56):
the key to understanding the larger destiny of the Targarian dynasty.
The episode ends with a montage that shows all these
pieces moving into place. We see armies marching, fleet sailing,
and dragons being armored for war. It's a masterclass in
building tension, leaving us on the edge of our seats
for what's to come. Now, let's talk about what worked
(06:17):
and what didn't in this finale. The performances across the
board are stellar. Matt Smith, Emma Darcy, and Olivia Cook
in particular, deliver some of their best work of the season.
The political maneuvering and character development are top notch, giving
us a deeper understanding of these complex characters. In the
world they inhabit. The visuals, as always, are stunning, from
(06:39):
the mud pits of Tyrosh to the Godswood on Dragonstone.
Every frame is packed with detail and atmosphere, and while
we might not have gotten a full on dragon battle,
the glimpses we do get of the dragons being prepared
for war are tantalizing. On the flip side, the lack
of major plot progression might leave some viewers feeling frustrated
after a season of build up to end on what
(07:00):
is essentially another cliffhanger. Feels a bit anti climactic, and
while the slow burn approach has its merits, there's a
risk of losing momentum if the payoff is delayed too long.
So what does this all mean for Season three? Well,
if this finale is any indication, we're in for one
hell of a ride. The stage is set for an
epic clash between the Greens and the Blacks, with dragons
(07:22):
on both sides ready to rain fire on Westeros. But
beyond the spectacle, I'm most excited to see how these
character arcs continue to develop. Will Rania be able to
hold her coalition together, Can Allison navigate the competing interests
in King's landing, and what role will Damon play in
the conflicts to come. Before we wrap up, I want
to hear from you, dear listeners. What did you think
(07:44):
of the House of the Dragon season two finale? Did
it live up to your expectations or did you find
yourself wanting more? What are your predictions for season three
and how do you think this series is shaping up
compared to its predecessor, Game of Thrones. This is journey,
Joe Mitchell, signing off from the t V basement. Thank
you for joining me on this dragon filled journey through Westeros.
(08:06):
Until next time, keep your eyes on the skies and
your wits as sharp as Valerian steel. And remember, in
the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. But
great television lives forever.
Calarogus Shark Media. Welcome back to the TV basement, Wester
Rosie Faithful. This is Journey Joe Mitchell, and today we're
diving deep into the season finale of HBO's House of
the Dragon. Season two has been a wild ride full
of political intrigue, family drama, and of course, dragons. And
(00:26):
this finale, titled The Queen Whoever Was, has left us
with plenty to discuss. So grab your favorite arbor gold,
settle into your iron throne replica, and let's soar into
the fiery debate surrounding this season ender. First off, let's
talk about the elephant in the room, or should I
say the dragon. This finale was heavy on setup and
(00:46):
light on the action many of us were expecting. But
before we get into that, let's break down what actually
happened in this jam packed episode. We start in tyrosh
with Tyland Lanister trying to negotiate with the triarchy. Now
I've got a day. Jefferson Hall deserves some serious props
for his performance here watching Thailand, a man more accustomed
(01:06):
to the polished halls of the Red keep awkwardly mud
wrestle with the Pirate Queen Lohar was both hilarious and
oddly endearing. It's moments like these that remind us that
even in a world of dragons and magic, sometimes diplomacy
comes down to good old fashioned mud wrestling. Back in
King's Landing, the cracks in the Green Faction are starting
to look more like chasms you and Mitchell's Emond is
(01:29):
practically frothing at the mouth over their dragon disadvantage. His
frustration is palpable, and you can almost feel the barely
contained violence radiating off him. On the flip side, we
have Fia Saban's Helena, who steadfastly refuses to join the fight.
Her quiet determination is a stark contrast to Emon's rage,
and it's a powerful reminder of the human cost of
(01:52):
this conflict. But the real meat of this episode is
over on Dragonstone, where Rayniera is juggling more balls than
a flea bottom Street. Emma Darcy continues to impress as Raniera,
bringing a regal bearing to the role that's tempered with
very human vulnerability. The scenes with the new dragon rids
Ulf Hugh and Adam are particularly telling. You can see
(02:14):
Raniera trying to balance her need for their support with
her wariness of these unknown quantities. And let's not forget
Harry Collette as Jacaries, whose prickliness towards the newcomers speaks
volumes about the tensions within Team Black. Now let's talk
about the showstopper of the episode, Damon's vision quest in
the Gods. Would Matt Smith folks Matt Smith if there
(02:36):
were any doubts about his acting chops, this scene puts
them to rest. Watching Damon grapple with visions of the
past and future is like watching a masterclass in acting.
We see glimpses of White Walkers, Danaris and her dragons,
and even Raynerer on the Iron Throne. It's a sequence
that ties House of the Dragon firmly to the larger
Game of Thrones mythology, while also hinting at the tragic
(02:58):
fate that awaits the Targara dynasty. But it's not just
the visions themselves that are important. It's how they change Damon.
We've spent two seasons watching this character scheme and fight
and rage against the world, but in this moment we
see him truly shaken the realization that he might not
be the main character in this story, that his role
(03:20):
might be to support rather than to lead is a
pivotal moment for Damon, and when he kneels before Raniera
later in the episode, it feels earned in a way
it might not have before this vision quest. Speaking of Raniera,
let's talk about that face off with Allison. Olivia Cook
and Emma Darcy are at the top of their game
in these scenes. The history between these two characters, once
(03:43):
friends now rivals, crackles in every exchange. Allison's peace offering
is a brilliant twist, forcing Raniera to grapple with the
human cost of her ambition. It's a reminder that in
the Game of Thrones there are no easy choices. Now
I know what many of you are thinking. Where there's
the big battle. Where's the dragon on dragon action we've
been waiting for? And I hear you. After a season
(04:06):
of build up, it would have been satisfying to see
at least some of these conflicts come to a head.
The various armies and fleets converging, the dragons taking flight.
It all feels like it's building to something that will
have to wait another year or more to see. But
here's the thing. House of the Dragon has always been about.
The slow burn it's about the political machinations that lead
(04:27):
to war rather than the war itself, and in that respect,
this finale delivers in spades. We're seeing all the pieces
move into place for what promises to be an epic conflict.
Let's break down some of those pieces. First, we have
the Greens in King's Landing, with Egon out of commission
and Helena refusing to fight. Emond is essentially a loose cannon.
(04:50):
His attack on Sharp Point shows just how dangerous he is,
and I can't help but wonder if he might end
up being as much a liability to his own side
as he is a threat to the Blacks. Then there's
Allison's peace offer. Is it genuine or is there more
going on here? The look on her face as she
leaves Dragonstone is ambiguous to say the least. Could she
be playing a longer game On the Black side? We
(05:12):
have the new dragon rids. Ulf Hugh and Adam are
wild cards. They bring much needed dragon power to Raneera's side,
but can she trust them? The tensions we see bubbling
up in this episode suggests that integrating these newcomers into
Team Black might not be as smooth as Raniera hopes,
and Let's not forget about Damon. His vision quest and
subsequent pledge of loyalty to Raniera is a game changer,
(05:36):
But this is still Damon we're talking about. Can he
truly set aside his own ambitions and play second fiddle
to Raniera. One of the most intriguing developments of this
episode is the revelation of Helena's possible prophetic abilities. This
adds a whole new layer to her character and could
have major implications for the story going forward. Is she
(05:56):
the key to understanding the larger destiny of the Targarian dynasty.
The episode ends with a montage that shows all these
pieces moving into place. We see armies marching, fleet sailing,
and dragons being armored for war. It's a masterclass in
building tension, leaving us on the edge of our seats
for what's to come. Now, let's talk about what worked
(06:17):
and what didn't in this finale. The performances across the
board are stellar. Matt Smith, Emma Darcy, and Olivia Cook
in particular, deliver some of their best work of the season.
The political maneuvering and character development are top notch, giving
us a deeper understanding of these complex characters. In the
world they inhabit. The visuals, as always, are stunning, from
(06:39):
the mud pits of Tyrosh to the Godswood on Dragonstone.
Every frame is packed with detail and atmosphere, and while
we might not have gotten a full on dragon battle,
the glimpses we do get of the dragons being prepared
for war are tantalizing. On the flip side, the lack
of major plot progression might leave some viewers feeling frustrated
after a season of build up to end on what
(07:00):
is essentially another cliffhanger. Feels a bit anti climactic, and
while the slow burn approach has its merits, there's a
risk of losing momentum if the payoff is delayed too long.
So what does this all mean for Season three? Well,
if this finale is any indication, we're in for one
hell of a ride. The stage is set for an
epic clash between the Greens and the Blacks, with dragons
(07:22):
on both sides ready to rain fire on Westeros. But
beyond the spectacle, I'm most excited to see how these
character arcs continue to develop. Will Rania be able to
hold her coalition together, Can Allison navigate the competing interests
in King's landing, and what role will Damon play in
the conflicts to come. Before we wrap up, I want
to hear from you, dear listeners. What did you think
(07:44):
of the House of the Dragon season two finale? Did
it live up to your expectations or did you find
yourself wanting more? What are your predictions for season three
and how do you think this series is shaping up
compared to its predecessor, Game of Thrones. This is journey,
Joe Mitchell, signing off from the t V basement. Thank
you for joining me on this dragon filled journey through Westeros.
(08:06):
Until next time, keep your eyes on the skies and
your wits as sharp as Valerian steel. And remember, in
the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. But
great television lives forever.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!