HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S2E8 THE QUEEN WHO EVER WAS 😊

The second season finale of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON was such a letdown compared to the past few weeks. It fell back into a couple of issues this show has been plagued with from the start: It tells us more than it shows us.  Audiences want to see battles, not hear about them. We want to see why characters carry a disdain for each other, not just listen to someone telling us.  The second issue is more complicated as it has to do with the source material which I haven’t read. I cautiously did some research so as not to spoil myself. The main drama upon which HOUSE OF THE DRAGON is based takes place during a pretty short period. HBO, on the other hand, wants to drag out one of its flagship series for as long as successfully possible. And thus, the viewers are punished here by dragging out events over multiple episodes and seasons. THE QUEEN WHO EVER WAS was filled with build-up but never delivered upon that. Again, we will wait another year or longer for the outcome.

There is one single scene in THE QUEEN WHO EVER WAS that allows me to give this a better than 🤮review. I don’t know if it was taken directly from George R.R. Martin’s written books and stories, or made up entirely for the series, but for me it was unexpected and that’s what I loved about it. It’s a scene between one of my favorite and least favorite characters, but all of the acting within is remarkable. 

Every episode of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON (and GAME OF THRONES before it) is incredibly cinematic, no matter how good or bad it turns out. Many episodes clock in at over an hour as well and this is no different. THE QUEEN WHO EVER WAS is 70 minutes of exposition for next season and beyond. Perhaps E7 should have been the final of S2, as this feels more like a season opener than closer. At the same time, THE RED SOWING had already set us up for plenty of action and drama. But wait, there’s more info-dumping to be had! Even the scene I enjoyed is pretty much all tell. If it wasn’t for such strong actors showing such a range of emotions and how those are affecting the plot, this entire episode would have mostly been for naught.  

Seasons 1 & 2 of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON are streaming in full on Max.