18:27 My favourite thing about this scene is Helaena telling Aemond about his fate in multiple tenses. “YOU'LL be dead. You WERE swallowed up in the God’s Eye, and you ARE never seen again.” Future, past, present. It’s all jumbled together for her. I really love that detail.
You made that up. She was telling him that Aegon is going to be king again and he will be dead when that happens. She said WERE both times after that, not are. Lol
Apparently, there’s actually a valid reason for why this ending felt so abrupt: Season 2 was originally supposed to be 10 episodes, but due to a mix of actor strikes and HBO budget cuts, they had to push the last two episodes to next season. So this was initially supposed to be Episode 8 of 10, not Episode 8 of 8. Which definitely sucks, but at least there *is* an actual technical reason why they did this.
Pretty interesting if the actor strikes had any effect as this is a British production so they are not apart of SAG-AFTRA. I remember when everyone was surprised this show wasn’t delayed because of they weren’t part of the strikes.
They pushed a big naval battle into season 3 because they felt they couldn't do it justice with the budget they had left for season 2 after they already have to create the battle at Rook's Rest and the Red Sowing. This show has a lot of money but not infinite money and all the dragons eat up a huge part of the budget every time.
The perfect framing of Rhaenyra surrounded by the scrolls {representing the "weight" of her family history and what she must do?} with perfect cut to Alicent in the exact same spot in the frame, but out in the open brwathing free air, is so well done.
I was too angry at the dumpster fire finale to appreciate any of it. It was very good, all of the shots but I was immediately on fire when I got the inkling the episode was actually gonna end without any payoffs or epic scenes(other than daemon submitting I guess).
The God's Eye is the lake right next to Harrenhal. It is called The God's Eye because of the small island in the middle of the lake, which makes it look like a giant eye when seen from above. The sacred area, inhabited by the Children of the Forest, used to be covered in Weirwood Trees & had strong magical properties. That is why King Harren the Black built his enormous castle there.
Aren't that too many scrolls for just 300 years? I know for you in the US, 300 years seems like a long time, but in the rest of the world, it's a very short time.
G.R.R.M co-writer Elio Garcia said, that it was supposed to be a 10 episode season. A month before filming (after 8 months of writing) HBO told them to cut episodes. Then the writer's strike started three months later, so the writers couldn't work during filming to reorganize things. So, yep, HBO shot themselves in the foot.
Aegon calling himself "The Realm's Delight" is a call back to Rhaenyra's nickname when she was born. It shows how much he has always felt inferior to Rhaenyra & her status as King Viserys's chosen heir, even though he is the first born son.
I thought aegon personally never really cared for it or he even envied rhaynera, he literally tells almond that he would just sail away from all of it if he could
@@Sith_Kermit I thought so, too. I thought he never really wanted the crown and responsibility until the day of his coronation when the crowd started cheering for him. That was the moment I think he changed his mind.
@@Sith_KermitHe didn’t want the responsibility, but he definitely cared about how he was the only firstborn son in history to be discarded. Even Aegon tells Alicent that Viserys didn’t name him heir because he didn’t like him. I imagine he’s always been envious of his father’s love for Rhaenyra. I think he associates the throne itself with his father’s love. “Rhaenyra’s the heir because my father loves her. I’m not the heir because he doesn’t love me.” Something akin to that.
This is what happens when you cut a 10 episode season down to 8 after the writers already wrote 10...you get an incomplete season, but I will say the acting this season carried the show on its back. Applause for the cast!
Yeah I’m pretty sure it was budgetary reasons they need to give them more money or more time or both because a season shouldn’t build to another season.
They literally cut 2 episodes I believe. In the original trailer for the season we saw a scene with Daemon sitting with the Dragonseeds on the table, I think they shot the battle of the gullet but scrapped it to make it better for the next season. I also think that because in the AI image promotional site for season 2 had some variants that were clearly in that battle
When WBD merged with HBO they cut the budget down, HBO was ready to do 10 episodes but could only manage 8 with the budget they were left with, they had to make a hard choice on what to keep for this season and leave for season 3.
HBO: "It's 8 episodes for story reasons." Sara Hess: "8 episodes was not our decision." And while the script was finished when they made that "choice," the strike was getting started, so they couldn't do a comprehensive rewrite and had to make due with minor tweaks and a montage.
It's also a budget reason if I understood it correctly. The big naval battle that happens was pushed to season 3 because the limited budget wouldn't allow them to do it justice in the way they felt it deserved. It's a fine breather episode. GOT had a lot of those as their final episodes.
@@scarletwizard5451 people would be hype if they expected payoff...a whole season 2 of all set up and no payoff hasn't exactly inspired confidence. Condom literally promised all-out war for s2...now the same for s3
@@allbutperfect He kinda shot himself cause if we get season 3 and 4 each 10 episode and 16 battles in total that would mean almost every episode a battle. The problem if they lacked the budget even to make "just" the Gullet in season 2 they will need a ten times bigger budget for the future seasons
You talking about dragons having identifying features to let people know if they’re friendly or not reminds me of the master list of ship silhouettes that German submarines had during the wars. Basically it was a massive book that had every known ship, either specific ships if they were important enough or their general classes, with a list of the countries they were from and the tonnage they were, so that a captain could safely identify a target through periscope and decide if he wanted to attack or not. It just made me think that commanders in Westeros would have a document with all the known dragons and illustrations of what they looked like for a similar purpose 😂
The "wooden throne" Aegon will sit on is probably the wheelchair Daeron designs for him. It was mentioned that Tyrion's gift to Bran was based on the chair that Daeron designed for his "crippled brother", IIRC.
No that was just made up bs. Daeron Targaryen had no crippled nephew as Tyrion said And the Daeron Targaryen Tyrion meant was for sure not Daeron tentsbane
13:33 if you remember in season 1 Rhaena says that Daemon only pays attention to Baela since she has a dragon which is most definitely why she's so desperate to bond to a dragon.
Guys, HBO cut the number of episodes AFTER the season was written, and the WGA strike took effect before production began, so they could not rewrite it to fit the shorter season. They also lost one-fifth of their per-episode budget. So yeah, they were still able to film the show and they were going to do so whether writer/producers Sara Hess and Ryan Condal stayed on or not. Condal said he talked to the WGA, and they understood. As long as Condal and Hess stayed on JUST as producers, they could go on with crossing the strike line. He said that Covid hit during filming of Season 1, and the strikes all happened during filming of Season 2. He's just praying that there isn't another "once in a generation world-changing event that happens before we can get to season 3." But really, when you look back on the 1st season of GOT, the only major thing that happened that season was Ned's death, and in Season 2 the only major thing was the Battle of the Blackwater. They've always focused on the political intrigue first and foremost. They had planned to give us 2 big battles this season -- Rook's Rest, and the Battle of the Gullet as the season-ender. But losing the budget and the 2 episodes, they had to restructure without re-writing and just focus on the character work to get it out of the way.
Damn, I went back and yep, I hear "traitor" and possibly another word after. Also it's louder in the left ear like it's coming from behind him. Very cool
Thank you Adam for saying the wooden throne could be a wheelchair. That's exactly what I was thinking when she said that. And I've been waiting on someone to think the same thing
The God’s Eye is the big lake in front of Harrenhal, named because it’s oval-ish and has a small green island of weirwoods in its center, like a pupil. Supposed to be sacred to the Old Gods.
in the “and who pays the price scene”, they pan to the dragons in the background. while i agree it can also apply to the smallfolk (its definitely a given that they will suffer lol), i think it can also mean the dragons. they are, at this point, just weapons of war and they almost all die out after the dance because of the fighting they are subjected to. sunfyre is the perfect example, that sweet dragon was put in a horrible position by aegon and paid the price.
Rhaena is obsessed with getting a dragon because she is desperate for Daemon's approval. He favored Baela because she is a dragon rider. Also, her mom, sister, and dad are all dragon riders. She wants to be like them.
13:25 Well, you should know that since last season because her introduction was her talking to her mother about how she thought her father didn't love her because she wasn't a dragonrider. It was her first scene with adult Laena, who told her that she could still become one like she did when she claimed Vhagar...
Man what a disgrace they made Alicent. I heard people joking that she'd surrender her sons to run off with Rhaenyra but she actually suggested that this episode 💀
How are you guys surprised by where it ended? The show has covered right about half of the book material so far and it's a 4 season show. We were never going to see the actual dance, it's too soon for that. This season was about major character development, political scheming, and some wow moments mixed in.
Ser Simon is the exception to the rule that snitches get stitches. Both he and Halaena were standouts this season for me. Now the long wait for S3 begins.
Hey boys!!! The Gods Eye is the lake surrounding Harrenhal. I believe it was mentioned a couple times earlier in the season when Harrenhal was a potential target for the greens. So when Helena tells Eamond he will sink into the Gods Eye she is saying he’s not gonna come back from this battle that’s coming up at Harrenhal.
The battle was always going to be in Season 3. The writers have stated this publicly. So even with the two extra episodes we would not have gotten that. I think people need to remember that this is a series based on ONE book. Not a series like GoT where you had tons of source material. So things will move at a slower pace. And I am fine with that as long as they stick the landing.
Why am I the only one who felt this build up and setting pieces in place was a perfect ending to a season? Everyone's desperate need for more is exactly why it works and was the right move. We're all dying for the explosion. If they kicked off the true war before the end of the season, chopping 1/3rd into the war, it would have been an awkward place to break for 2 years. Team black has fought and strategized, while also keeping bloodshed to a minimum so that they can now go to war. The pieces are assembled and ready. Next season will be amazing. I am so happy they took their time, didnt rush these character's stories and didnt just go for blockbuster dragon fights 'cuz its cooool'. Also, any comparison to Game of Thrones (ive seen this in other discourse) is nonsense cause there were a ridiculous number of characters, seasons and episodes to provide ample disposable characters for bloody surprises and 'Holy Shit' moments.. This show doesnt have that many to spare and needs to make the big moments hit like they should (Jace end of season 1, Rhaenys in season 2). Anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be happy when it returns :]
Amazing episode. I know the Marvel fans found it boring because Iron Man didn't show up at the end and make a funny quip, but that was a fantastic piece of art. Sad some people can't appreciate it.
13:36, after the 10 year jump Rhaena explains to her mother Laena that her father (DAEMON!!) ignores her in favour of Baela who has a dragon. She believes she’s a defective Targaryen without one: her grandmother rode Meleys, her mother rode Vhagar, her father rides Caraxes, her sister’s egg hatched Moondancer while her own egg never hatched and Seasmoke rejected her. Now Luke’s dead and she’s sent to babysit, she feels like she’s worthless without a dragon. She was convinced the Prince of Pentos would send her away at 8 because she didn’t have one so it’s tied into wanting to be wanted by her father and seen as Targaryen as her stepbrothers/half brothers and sister
This feels like something worse than a cliffhanger. Its a cliff approacher ending. We know a cliff is coming we want to see what happens at the cliff, but it ends before we get to the cliff.
Why does Rhaena want a dragon so much? Because EVERYONE in her family has one. Even the babies. Imagine not having something that everyone in your family gets to have. She feels like an outsider, like she doesn't belong, that something is wrong with her, and most particularly, that she's useless in a time of war where everyone else is doing their part to fly and fight. Imagine the centuries of legacy of dragonriding in your family and you don't get to do it, that even little babies in your family can do. It's extremely alienating, it makes you question who you are and where you belong. Rhaena wants a dragon because she wants to feel useful, to feel like she belongs to this family, to not feel like an outsider and not have something that everyone else gets to have. To be a Targaryen is to be a dragonrider, so if she can't even ride dragons, then how could she really be a Targaryen? It's essentially her feeling like part of her identity is missing.
The God's Eye is the lake with the island in it right next to Harrenhal. The fawn-like creature is probably one of the "Green Men" from the island. I believe that is what they are called?
I thought it was a good episode but not necessarily a good finale. Think HotD will be better received once it's done and you can view all 4 seasons as one whole rather than having to wait.
It's important for Rhaena MOSTLY because she is a teenager who feels invisible (and since not one damn person in that convoy seems to have turned around to make sure she wasn't falling behind or struggling on the path, she might be right). And she feels unloved; only her mama, her grandma, and her sister showed her any affection, and even then Grandma Rhaenys took _Baela_ to live with her and left Rhaena behind _with people grandma didn't even trust_ to raise her. Her dad never paid her any attention, then he got married and had NEW kids. ANd if her new stepmom was affectionate to her, the 3 growing sons, two babies, and a pregnancy probably ate up most of the attention she had to spare towards any kids. THEN, Dad and the new stepmom have a fight, and Dad yeets out on his suped-up ride without even saying goodbye, just LEAVING her with her stepmom. Luc got chomped and Jace and Baela spend a lot of time together...Rhaena is feeling alone and she's emotional, and she is DESPERATE to feel like she is worthy of being loved. And if she can't get actual love from anyone, at the least she can be _useful_ and feel seen. Plus, there's that whole "you will be transformed" aspect to bonding with a dragon Rhaenyra mentioned last episode, and Rhaena has seen that work. Aemond went from being a shy, quiet, bullied kid to someone brimming with enough confidence and enough "power" to fight off 4 other kids. (Granted, in that fact he went from being a victim to a psycho who was about to end someone's life with a rock to the head, but you know...there are pros and there are cons to dragon bonding.) She isn't seeing the job of protecting the kids and raising them like a mother would as mark of Rhaenyra's trust in her and respect for her. She thinks she was sent away with the babies because, like the babies, she's a liability and it isn't useful to have her around. Baela got to stay because she was "needed" at Dragonstone, _because_ she has a dragon. With Targaryen kids, it's all about the dragons. If you haven't claimed one by the time you are in your late teens, you are "ordinary" and your blood _must_ be more Westerosi than Valyrian. It's like belonging to a super-religious Christian family and being the only one at the family gathering who isn't baptized, the one everyone KNOWS is going to Hell because you didn't get baptized for whatever reason. Maybe it's not your fault; maybe you're allergic to something used in the ceremony. But no one wants to waste their time talking to you because you are marked for Hellfire and Brimstone.
I actually don’t mind it being left here for whatever reason. Because now we’ve got to wait two years for Dragon on Dragon battles. Also think on how much work has go to go into that. If you want all out dragon war surely it’s got to be done perfectly.
You may have thought of this already, but Aegon leaving could really throw a wrench into the deal that Rhaenyra and Alicent just made. Is she going to think that Alicent betrayed her?
Everyone got so mad at this episode, BUT, like for real, think back to when Game of Thrones was Peak, like Seasons 1-5 GOT, the final episode of the season is usually a comedown off the Penultimate one, the big event is typically in the episode before the finale, and the finale is lead-up to the next season. So when people are like "Oh man, this finale was bad" like, no, it was Game of Thrones doing what Game of Thrones does, they were setting the board for the next season. Introducing new characters, moving everyone around. I do hope they get an expanded budget and go to 10 episodes next season, I think it needs it. Besides, in the meantime next year we're getting the new Game of Thrones Series, 6 episodes, so it'll hold us over till HotD.
Well, we have a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to tide us over. Edit: I feel like they may be cooking something up that could possibly retcon season 8 of GoT. I just don't know what exactly.
Lmao it'd be hilarious if they just straight up went "oh by the way season 8 didn't actually happen, that was just a nightmare. We are finally releasing the long awaited season 8 to finally bring the story to a close."
I'm fine with where it ended. I read the book, and it does make sense to stop here. They would have needed more than two episodes to handle all that's on the immediate horizon. But I understand why people feel unsatisfied. I think folks have forgotten that on GOT it was usually the penultimate episode that had all the action. The finale was set up for the next season. I also think budget was a factor, even if the showrunners aren't saying that. Those dragons cost a ton. Another big battle was probably too much.
i was curious from the title and fast forwarded to the end to see what you were mad about and i kind of get it but i disagree that the status quo hasn’t changed at all. Daemon is now pledged to rhaenyra, rhaenyra has now taken a significant lead in the war, alicent is planning on betraying her family and running away with the current queen which isn’t going to end well at all, the greens are now allied with the triarchy, etc. i honestly enjoyed the slower pace and the teasing. this season was much more character driven which is something i like but i understand it’s not for everyone
I liked it too. I think people were expecting a battle and that's the big problem; they should have given us a conflict or a violent scene in this last episode. It was clearly a planning/budget issue I believe
Two days after watching the s2 finale, I changed my mind and actually liked the pacing of this season. I just wished they did the same thing with season 1 and fleshed out other characters like Laena and Harwin before they were taken from us. The first season was very fast-paced in comparison to this season, and that may be part of the reason why a lot of people are disappointed.
They wrote the script for ten episodes, hbo slashed their budget and knocked the last two episodes off and the actors strike started so it was either delay the season for longer or come out with what they had and add the last two episodes into next season which they have. So the beginning of next season will start with the battle of the gullet.
I LOVED this FINALE 🔥 my sweet boys, your reaction I think is what the showrunners wanted. This story has not ended yet, and I think with all the complications this show ran into during production, strikes, budget cuts, I think what they were able to pull off was awesome. GOT often did the same thing, think about it, the penultimate episode of Season 3 was the Red Wedding, not that the finale of season 3 wasn’t awesome but left it at a place where you’re like COME ON NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT, which is exactly what this finale did, it was so good that we can’t wait for season 3 and hopefully it delivers like this season has and what this finale sets up for next season because if it pays off what we didn’t get to in this season, or hell, this episode, season 3 is gonna be insane. Variety reported that apparently there will only be 2 more seasons so let’s hope they keep up the amazing work 🔥
I get everyone’s criticisms of this season, but equally a big part of high fantasy frequently is political intrigue, planning, prophecies, the ground needed to be laid to care about the characters we are following and the outcomes of the action and battles fought.
Personally, I love this season. They had originally meant this to be episode 8 of 10, which does suck. Everyone who is upset will probably appreciate this season more when we aren't two years away from season 3. That all being said, I'm very happy with the season. I would have loved something wildly epic to go down and definitely expected it. Oh well. Loved everything we got. Especially Daemon's arc. It's going to be a hard wait for season 3.
oh my goodness your reactions TOTALLY mirrored mine lol. 'oh Noice framing...OH NOICE FRAMING.....WHAT?!#$%#@$%$%^$%#$#%#$%#@$% NO NO NO NOT WTF?? WHAT????
It’s a good episode…. Just not a good season finale episode. Don’t get me wrong, I get why though - trying to squeeze a 10 episode storyline into a reduced 8 episodes is going to cause a few issues. I’m surprised there weren’t more to be honest.
Game of Thrones never had big season finales. The biggest episodes were usually the 9th... Now it's a synonym of failure if the season finale is not a crazy fight 🤨🙄. I don't understand people
Adam, please sit up straight! When you lean back, you have Randy Savage arms and your head is smaller than the Goomba heads in the original Super Mario Brothers movie!!!!!
It’s cause they didn’t have enough budget it’s why we only got 2 super heavy cgi sequences this season with the dragons. If we went any further they would’ve had to have added a 3rd cgi heavy sequence. It’s really sad but it’s just how it is
Aemond and vagahar apparently meet damon and caraxes over the gods eye and the gods wood which is the lake right beside Harrenhal at some point in the future and it doesn’t go well for either one of them.
Cant blame the show for the 8 episodes. Still a good season in my opinion. Acting was great, visuals were really good. I feel good going into season 3.
@@ItsAlwaysSlushie It was Warner Brothers decision to make it 8 episodes instead of 10. Not the writers or producers fault, they had no choice. Budget cuts was also a reason, it’s all WB
I've literally just been going through all my usual favorite reactors channels and skipping to the end to see if they have reacted as viscerally as me at the end credits and you guys delivered 😂 The last 3 episodes seemed so slow and now we get a wet blanket finale like this? Good to see HBO has learned their lessons from GOTS8 -_-
season 1 ends- green and blacks war starts season 2 1-7- building aries season 2 ends- green and blacks war starts 8 episodes to end up exactly where you were to start the season
I think it was a terrific episode, rounding off a really good season. It was a season primarily about character development or exploration. That said - (gestures upwards) What Adam said.
I have had my frustrations with this show since it started. It seems like a lot of people have been really into it with their blinders up... and the lack of criticism after last season as a result worried me. I hardly saw anyone talking about what seemed to me like obvious problems. THIS FINALE though, got people talking. Last season there were no notes. Seems like this season everyone's got plenty of notes and that makes me more hopeful for next season. I guess "3rd time's the charm" on this one but we gotta wait 2+ years to find out. I wonder how much of the reception of the first season was driven by the fact that 'Rings of Power' was airing at the same time, and the audience seemed to collectively decide that it was steaming pile... so therefore HOTD must be genius by comparison. 'Rings' got AAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the notes/critiques/smoke while HOTD barely got any. My hope is that Season 2 of R.O.P. kicks ass to prove the haters wrong... and Season 3 of HOTD in another few years FINALLY builds something we've all been waiting for after receiving the feedback they need to do so as a result of these two fairly lackluster seasons. I can't do another 5 seasons of "Winter is Coming" only to have it sorted in a single episode. We've been hurt before. We can't let them do it again
18:27 My favourite thing about this scene is Helaena telling Aemond about his fate in multiple tenses. “YOU'LL be dead. You WERE swallowed up in the God’s Eye, and you ARE never seen again.” Future, past, present. It’s all jumbled together for her. I really love that detail.
You made that up. She was telling him that Aegon is going to be king again and he will be dead when that happens. She said WERE both times after that, not are. Lol
Apparently, there’s actually a valid reason for why this ending felt so abrupt: Season 2 was originally supposed to be 10 episodes, but due to a mix of actor strikes and HBO budget cuts, they had to push the last two episodes to next season. So this was initially supposed to be Episode 8 of 10, not Episode 8 of 8. Which definitely sucks, but at least there *is* an actual technical reason why they did this.
That makes a lot more sense
Aye, it's a perfectly good episode 8 but not a great finale.
Pretty interesting if the actor strikes had any effect as this is a British production so they are not apart of SAG-AFTRA. I remember when everyone was surprised this show wasn’t delayed because of they weren’t part of the strikes.
@@SpikyBananas69so was it budget cuts/ cash flow ?
They pushed a big naval battle into season 3 because they felt they couldn't do it justice with the budget they had left for season 2 after they already have to create the battle at Rook's Rest and the Red Sowing. This show has a lot of money but not infinite money and all the dragons eat up a huge part of the budget every time.
The perfect framing of Rhaenyra surrounded by the scrolls {representing the "weight" of her family history and what she must do?} with perfect cut to Alicent in the exact same spot in the frame, but out in the open brwathing free air, is so well done.
I was too angry at the dumpster fire finale to appreciate any of it. It was very good, all of the shots but I was immediately on fire when I got the inkling the episode was actually gonna end without any payoffs or epic scenes(other than daemon submitting I guess).
The God's Eye is the lake right next to Harrenhal. It is called The God's Eye because of the small island in the middle of the lake, which makes it look like a giant eye when seen from above. The sacred area, inhabited by the Children of the Forest, used to be covered in Weirwood Trees & had strong magical properties. That is why King Harren the Black built his enormous castle there.
Ah, thank you. Appreciate the history lesson 😊
Aren't that too many scrolls for just 300 years? I know for you in the US, 300 years seems like a long time, but in the rest of the world, it's a very short time.
Season 1: "Do you want to play a game?"
Season 2: "Let's set up the board and pieces."
Season 3: "Time to play the game."
G.R.R.M co-writer Elio Garcia said, that it was supposed to be a 10 episode season. A month before filming (after 8 months of writing) HBO told them to cut episodes. Then the writer's strike started three months later, so the writers couldn't work during filming to reorganize things. So, yep, HBO shot themselves in the foot.
Aegon calling himself "The Realm's Delight" is a call back to Rhaenyra's nickname when she was born. It shows how much he has always felt inferior to Rhaenyra & her status as King Viserys's chosen heir, even though he is the first born son.
I thought aegon personally never really cared for it or he even envied rhaynera, he literally tells almond that he would just sail away from all of it if he could
@@Sith_Kermit Imagine thinking you're funny and original calling Aemond "Almond", literally the most unfunny joke I've ever heard.
@@Sith_Kermit I thought so, too. I thought he never really wanted the crown and responsibility until the day of his coronation when the crowd started cheering for him. That was the moment I think he changed his mind.
@@SaintJust1214 You from the 50’s? It’s called auto correct.
@@Sith_KermitHe didn’t want the responsibility, but he definitely cared about how he was the only firstborn son in history to be discarded. Even Aegon tells Alicent that Viserys didn’t name him heir because he didn’t like him. I imagine he’s always been envious of his father’s love for Rhaenyra.
I think he associates the throne itself with his father’s love. “Rhaenyra’s the heir because my father loves her. I’m not the heir because he doesn’t love me.” Something akin to that.
This is what happens when you cut a 10 episode season down to 8 after the writers already wrote 10...you get an incomplete season, but I will say the acting this season carried the show on its back. Applause for the cast!
Yeah I’m pretty sure it was budgetary reasons they need to give them more money or more time or both because a season shouldn’t build to another season.
They literally cut 2 episodes I believe. In the original trailer for the season we saw a scene with Daemon sitting with the Dragonseeds on the table, I think they shot the battle of the gullet but scrapped it to make it better for the next season. I also think that because in the AI image promotional site for season 2 had some variants that were clearly in that battle
Waaaaaaaaaaaaa
They pushed a big naval battle into season 3 because they don't have an infinite budget for this show.
When WBD merged with HBO they cut the budget down, HBO was ready to do 10 episodes but could only manage 8 with the budget they were left with, they had to make a hard choice on what to keep for this season and leave for season 3.
I’d rather them cut it short due to the strikes, rather than rush everything. 😉
HBO: "It's 8 episodes for story reasons."
Sara Hess: "8 episodes was not our decision."
And while the script was finished when they made that "choice," the strike was getting started, so they couldn't do a comprehensive rewrite and had to make due with minor tweaks and a montage.
I think everyone could feel that it was just an episode ending instead of an ending that should make you hype for a 2+ years break
It's also a budget reason if I understood it correctly. The big naval battle that happens was pushed to season 3 because the limited budget wouldn't allow them to do it justice in the way they felt it deserved. It's a fine breather episode. GOT had a lot of those as their final episodes.
@@scarletwizard5451 people would be hype if they expected payoff...a whole season 2 of all set up and no payoff hasn't exactly inspired confidence. Condom literally promised all-out war for s2...now the same for s3
@@allbutperfect He kinda shot himself cause if we get season 3 and 4 each 10 episode and 16 battles in total that would mean almost every episode a battle.
The problem if they lacked the budget even to make "just" the Gullet in season 2 they will need a ten times bigger budget for the future seasons
@@scarletwizard5451 Seasons 3 and 4 will only be 8 episodes.
You talking about dragons having identifying features to let people know if they’re friendly or not reminds me of the master list of ship silhouettes that German submarines had during the wars. Basically it was a massive book that had every known ship, either specific ships if they were important enough or their general classes, with a list of the countries they were from and the tonnage they were, so that a captain could safely identify a target through periscope and decide if he wanted to attack or not.
It just made me think that commanders in Westeros would have a document with all the known dragons and illustrations of what they looked like for a similar purpose 😂
We were thinking of that as well
The Realm's Delight is what they used to call Rhaenyra. Aegon wants to steal her throne AND HER nickname lol
he want to be her so bad 😭
@@anais6654 aegon wants to be a daughter, and rhaenyra wants to be a son 😢
fr it's the most annoying thing when you want a nickname that's already taken but the person doesn't use it anymore 😭😭
@@anais6654 Nah, he kills her
12:09 The two wildly different facial expressions when saying "No" in sync :D
Brilliant 😅
The "wooden throne" Aegon will sit on is probably the wheelchair Daeron designs for him.
It was mentioned that Tyrion's gift to Bran was based on the chair that Daeron designed for his "crippled brother", IIRC.
No that was just made up bs.
Daeron Targaryen had no crippled nephew as Tyrion said
And the Daeron Targaryen Tyrion meant was for sure not Daeron tentsbane
@@scarletwizard5451 Okay.
13:33 if you remember in season 1 Rhaena says that Daemon only pays attention to Baela since she has a dragon which is most definitely why she's so desperate to bond to a dragon.
It was one scene in season 1 episode 6, and she's been the 27th most important character in this show
Guys, HBO cut the number of episodes AFTER the season was written, and the WGA strike took effect before production began, so they could not rewrite it to fit the shorter season. They also lost one-fifth of their per-episode budget. So yeah, they were still able to film the show and they were going to do so whether writer/producers Sara Hess and Ryan Condal stayed on or not. Condal said he talked to the WGA, and they understood. As long as Condal and Hess stayed on JUST as producers, they could go on with crossing the strike line. He said that Covid hit during filming of Season 1, and the strikes all happened during filming of Season 2. He's just praying that there isn't another "once in a generation world-changing event that happens before we can get to season 3."
But really, when you look back on the 1st season of GOT, the only major thing that happened that season was Ned's death, and in Season 2 the only major thing was the Battle of the Blackwater. They've always focused on the political intrigue first and foremost.
They had planned to give us 2 big battles this season -- Rook's Rest, and the Battle of the Gullet as the season-ender. But losing the budget and the 2 episodes, they had to restructure without re-writing and just focus on the character work to get it out of the way.
I need to go back and try to hear it. But apparently, when Broom shows his true colors to Daemon, what he hears is Harrrenhal whisper, "Traitor."
just checked it,you're right,you can hear it in the wind,right before he turns around and asks "do you hear that?"
It’s the three eyed raven
Damn, I went back and yep, I hear "traitor" and possibly another word after. Also it's louder in the left ear like it's coming from behind him. Very cool
I had captioning on, can confirm the wind whispered traitor.
Thank you Adam for saying the wooden throne could be a wheelchair. That's exactly what I was thinking when she said that. And I've been waiting on someone to think the same thing
The God’s Eye is the big lake in front of Harrenhal, named because it’s oval-ish and has a small green island of weirwoods in its center, like a pupil. Supposed to be sacred to the Old Gods.
The wind carried the voice of the old Gods, whispering Traitor….
Tree face of George r. R. Martin
Ulf is totally the "relaxed" uncle that makes family dinners weird.
The drunk inappropriate uncle 😂
in the “and who pays the price scene”, they pan to the dragons in the background. while i agree it can also apply to the smallfolk (its definitely a given that they will suffer lol), i think it can also mean the dragons. they are, at this point, just weapons of war and they almost all die out after the dance because of the fighting they are subjected to. sunfyre is the perfect example, that sweet dragon was put in a horrible position by aegon and paid the price.
Rhaena is obsessed with getting a dragon because she is desperate for Daemon's approval. He favored Baela because she is a dragon rider.
Also, her mom, sister, and dad are all dragon riders. She wants to be like them.
13:25 Well, you should know that since last season because her introduction was her talking to her mother about how she thought her father didn't love her because she wasn't a dragonrider. It was her first scene with adult Laena, who told her that she could still become one like she did when she claimed Vhagar...
Man what a disgrace they made Alicent. I heard people joking that she'd surrender her sons to run off with Rhaenyra but she actually suggested that this episode 💀
How are you guys surprised by where it ended? The show has covered right about half of the book material so far and it's a 4 season show. We were never going to see the actual dance, it's too soon for that. This season was about major character development, political scheming, and some wow moments mixed in.
The Realms Delight was Rhaenyra's moniker when she was young.
Ser Simon is the exception to the rule that snitches get stitches. Both he and Halaena were standouts this season for me. Now the long wait for S3 begins.
Hey boys!!! The Gods Eye is the lake surrounding Harrenhal. I believe it was mentioned a couple times earlier in the season when Harrenhal was a potential target for the greens. So when Helena tells Eamond he will sink into the Gods Eye she is saying he’s not gonna come back from this battle that’s coming up at Harrenhal.
The battle was always going to be in Season 3. The writers have stated this publicly. So even with the two extra episodes we would not have gotten that. I think people need to remember that this is a series based on ONE book. Not a series like GoT where you had tons of source material. So things will move at a slower pace. And I am fine with that as long as they stick the landing.
It's not even based on a whole book. The entire "Dance of the Dragons" is only a few chapters in the book.
Plus if The Dance was the season 2 finale than what would they do for the next two seasons lol?
The God's eye is a lake
It makes me happy to know that I wasn't the only one who immediately started singing Lothar of the Hill People during this episode.
Why am I the only one who felt this build up and setting pieces in place was a perfect ending to a season? Everyone's desperate need for more is exactly why it works and was the right move. We're all dying for the explosion. If they kicked off the true war before the end of the season, chopping 1/3rd into the war, it would have been an awkward place to break for 2 years. Team black has fought and strategized, while also keeping bloodshed to a minimum so that they can now go to war. The pieces are assembled and ready. Next season will be amazing. I am so happy they took their time, didnt rush these character's stories and didnt just go for blockbuster dragon fights 'cuz its cooool'. Also, any comparison to Game of Thrones (ive seen this in other discourse) is nonsense cause there were a ridiculous number of characters, seasons and episodes to provide ample disposable characters for bloody surprises and 'Holy Shit' moments.. This show doesnt have that many to spare and needs to make the big moments hit like they should (Jace end of season 1, Rhaenys in season 2). Anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be happy when it returns :]
Exactly
“I’m not pouting I’m brooding.” - Jace/Batman
Amazing episode. I know the Marvel fans found it boring because Iron Man didn't show up at the end and make a funny quip, but that was a fantastic piece of art. Sad some people can't appreciate it.
Heck even the early seasons of Game of Thrones weren't full on action packed or had a battle in all season finales.
13:36, after the 10 year jump Rhaena explains to her mother Laena that her father (DAEMON!!) ignores her in favour of Baela who has a dragon. She believes she’s a defective Targaryen without one: her grandmother rode Meleys, her mother rode Vhagar, her father rides Caraxes, her sister’s egg hatched Moondancer while her own egg never hatched and Seasmoke rejected her. Now Luke’s dead and she’s sent to babysit, she feels like she’s worthless without a dragon. She was convinced the Prince of Pentos would send her away at 8 because she didn’t have one so it’s tied into wanting to be wanted by her father and seen as Targaryen as her stepbrothers/half brothers and sister
I rate it 8 / 10 episodes because we are missing the end of the damn bloody season
This feels like something worse than a cliffhanger. Its a cliff approacher ending. We know a cliff is coming we want to see what happens at the cliff, but it ends before we get to the cliff.
Why does Rhaena want a dragon so much? Because EVERYONE in her family has one. Even the babies. Imagine not having something that everyone in your family gets to have. She feels like an outsider, like she doesn't belong, that something is wrong with her, and most particularly, that she's useless in a time of war where everyone else is doing their part to fly and fight. Imagine the centuries of legacy of dragonriding in your family and you don't get to do it, that even little babies in your family can do. It's extremely alienating, it makes you question who you are and where you belong. Rhaena wants a dragon because she wants to feel useful, to feel like she belongs to this family, to not feel like an outsider and not have something that everyone else gets to have. To be a Targaryen is to be a dragonrider, so if she can't even ride dragons, then how could she really be a Targaryen? It's essentially her feeling like part of her identity is missing.
It’s a political show with some war. Mainly political drama. I love it
Aegon leaving is gonna make her look so bad
The God's Eye is the lake with the island in it right next to Harrenhal. The fawn-like creature is probably one of the "Green Men" from the island.
I believe that is what they are called?
Your right my friend
I thought it was a good episode but not necessarily a good finale. Think HotD will be better received once it's done and you can view all 4 seasons as one whole rather than having to wait.
Broome dipped like a Diary Queen ice cream cone.
I’ve said this in every reactor I watch but Sheepsteeler looks like he smoke Camel no filters and listens to death metal
This episode was originally named “Blue Balls”
Otto waking up in Tijuana was something i wasnt expecting 😮
Nah, they have a modern jail now. Uh.... I heard from a friend.
It's important for Rhaena MOSTLY because she is a teenager who feels invisible (and since not one damn person in that convoy seems to have turned around to make sure she wasn't falling behind or struggling on the path, she might be right). And she feels unloved; only her mama, her grandma, and her sister showed her any affection, and even then Grandma Rhaenys took _Baela_ to live with her and left Rhaena behind _with people grandma didn't even trust_ to raise her. Her dad never paid her any attention, then he got married and had NEW kids. ANd if her new stepmom was affectionate to her, the 3 growing sons, two babies, and a pregnancy probably ate up most of the attention she had to spare towards any kids.
THEN, Dad and the new stepmom have a fight, and Dad yeets out on his suped-up ride without even saying goodbye, just LEAVING her with her stepmom. Luc got chomped and Jace and Baela spend a lot of time together...Rhaena is feeling alone and she's emotional, and she is DESPERATE to feel like she is worthy of being loved. And if she can't get actual love from anyone, at the least she can be _useful_ and feel seen.
Plus, there's that whole "you will be transformed" aspect to bonding with a dragon Rhaenyra mentioned last episode, and Rhaena has seen that work. Aemond went from being a shy, quiet, bullied kid to someone brimming with enough confidence and enough "power" to fight off 4 other kids. (Granted, in that fact he went from being a victim to a psycho who was about to end someone's life with a rock to the head, but you know...there are pros and there are cons to dragon bonding.)
She isn't seeing the job of protecting the kids and raising them like a mother would as mark of Rhaenyra's trust in her and respect for her. She thinks she was sent away with the babies because, like the babies, she's a liability and it isn't useful to have her around. Baela got to stay because she was "needed" at Dragonstone, _because_ she has a dragon. With Targaryen kids, it's all about the dragons. If you haven't claimed one by the time you are in your late teens, you are "ordinary" and your blood _must_ be more Westerosi than Valyrian.
It's like belonging to a super-religious Christian family and being the only one at the family gathering who isn't baptized, the one everyone KNOWS is going to Hell because you didn't get baptized for whatever reason. Maybe it's not your fault; maybe you're allergic to something used in the ceremony. But no one wants to waste their time talking to you because you are marked for Hellfire and Brimstone.
The WB/HBO merger really, really hurt things
Today I learned that Dragonlords and the writers are also EdgeLords. Leaving us hanging like that until next season! Grrrr!!
I actually don’t mind it being left here for whatever reason. Because now we’ve got to wait two years for Dragon on Dragon battles. Also think on how much work has go to go into that. If you want all out dragon war surely it’s got to be done perfectly.
Even with the "short-cut" at The Twins, Winterfell is a good march from the Riverlands.
You may have thought of this already, but Aegon leaving could really throw a wrench into the deal that Rhaenyra and Alicent just made. Is she going to think that Alicent betrayed her?
Rhaenyra leaving Seasmoke & Addam on CAP in case Daemon tried to flee, though.....
I literally felt the exact same way. Even counting down to the credits expecting something to happen
Everyone got so mad at this episode, BUT, like for real, think back to when Game of Thrones was Peak, like Seasons 1-5 GOT, the final episode of the season is usually a comedown off the Penultimate one, the big event is typically in the episode before the finale, and the finale is lead-up to the next season. So when people are like "Oh man, this finale was bad" like, no, it was Game of Thrones doing what Game of Thrones does, they were setting the board for the next season. Introducing new characters, moving everyone around. I do hope they get an expanded budget and go to 10 episodes next season, I think it needs it. Besides, in the meantime next year we're getting the new Game of Thrones Series, 6 episodes, so it'll hold us over till HotD.
Missed the Dragons Dance Poem/Monologue from Criston Cole (his one redeeming quality, this whole show).
Also, love Ser Simon's Slow Clap at the end. 😁
This was a great trailer for season 3.
Now were is the season finale? 🙃
Bot
@@daurydavis3983 ...wut?
I was so pissed as well. I was screaming at the TV....
Can't wait for a Ben & Jerry's Realms Delight
Well, we have a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to tide us over.
Edit: I feel like they may be cooking something up that could possibly retcon season 8 of GoT. I just don't know what exactly.
Dunk & Egg FTW!!!!!
Lmao it'd be hilarious if they just straight up went "oh by the way season 8 didn't actually happen, that was just a nightmare. We are finally releasing the long awaited season 8 to finally bring the story to a close."
Could just say it was all a dragon dream lol
Thank you, Addam. My reaction at the end was exactly the same as yours.
"Once you're covered in mud, you're covered in mud. Ya know?"
Brilliant line, love it!😂😂😂
Hunter S Thompson eat your heart out
I'm fine with where it ended. I read the book, and it does make sense to stop here. They would have needed more than two episodes to handle all that's on the immediate horizon. But I understand why people feel unsatisfied.
I think folks have forgotten that on GOT it was usually the penultimate episode that had all the action. The finale was set up for the next season.
I also think budget was a factor, even if the showrunners aren't saying that. Those dragons cost a ton. Another big battle was probably too much.
i was curious from the title and fast forwarded to the end to see what you were mad about and i kind of get it but i disagree that the status quo hasn’t changed at all. Daemon is now pledged to rhaenyra, rhaenyra has now taken a significant lead in the war, alicent is planning on betraying her family and running away with the current queen which isn’t going to end well at all, the greens are now allied with the triarchy, etc. i honestly enjoyed the slower pace and the teasing. this season was much more character driven which is something i like but i understand it’s not for everyone
I liked it too. I think people were expecting a battle and that's the big problem; they should have given us a conflict or a violent scene in this last episode. It was clearly a planning/budget issue I believe
Two days after watching the s2 finale, I changed my mind and actually liked the pacing of this season. I just wished they did the same thing with season 1 and fleshed out other characters like Laena and Harwin before they were taken from us. The first season was very fast-paced in comparison to this season, and that may be part of the reason why a lot of people are disappointed.
Helaena gave partial “spoilers”. The how and why will be awesome.
Was a good episode but by no means an adequate finale
Felt like the penultimate episode
@@celalith267100%
They truly reflected GRRM in the pacing of this season
They wrote the script for ten episodes, hbo slashed their budget and knocked the last two episodes off and the actors strike started so it was either delay the season for longer or come out with what they had and add the last two episodes into next season which they have. So the beginning of next season will start with the battle of the gullet.
My mom has an embroidery machine and it's awesome
The Gullet would have been a perfect tradition to follow GOT classic insane episode 9's, but I guess we have to wait for Season 3.
I LOVED this FINALE 🔥 my sweet boys, your reaction I think is what the showrunners wanted. This story has not ended yet, and I think with all the complications this show ran into during production, strikes, budget cuts, I think what they were able to pull off was awesome. GOT often did the same thing, think about it, the penultimate episode of Season 3 was the Red Wedding, not that the finale of season 3 wasn’t awesome but left it at a place where you’re like COME ON NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT, which is exactly what this finale did, it was so good that we can’t wait for season 3 and hopefully it delivers like this season has and what this finale sets up for next season because if it pays off what we didn’t get to in this season, or hell, this episode, season 3 is gonna be insane. Variety reported that apparently there will only be 2 more seasons so let’s hope they keep up the amazing work 🔥
I get everyone’s criticisms of this season, but equally a big part of high fantasy frequently is political intrigue, planning, prophecies, the ground needed to be laid to care about the characters we are following and the outcomes of the action and battles fought.
I think the younger sister was feeling useless and a glorified babysitter. imo, she's looking to contribute to the cause
Well in the books she is pretty useless except she will marry a Hightower after the Dance is over.
I agree. It was a brain dead move to put a total setup episode in as the finale. No bang, just a whimper.
25:11 "Eeeven Rocky had a montage! "🎶🎶
About time Daemon, glad he finally got himself sorted
Personally, I love this season. They had originally meant this to be episode 8 of 10, which does suck. Everyone who is upset will probably appreciate this season more when we aren't two years away from season 3. That all being said, I'm very happy with the season. I would have loved something wildly epic to go down and definitely expected it. Oh well. Loved everything we got. Especially Daemon's arc. It's going to be a hard wait for season 3.
oh my goodness your reactions TOTALLY mirrored mine lol. 'oh Noice framing...OH NOICE FRAMING.....WHAT?!#$%#@$%$%^$%#$#%#$%#@$% NO NO NO NOT WTF?? WHAT????
It’s a good episode…. Just not a good season finale episode.
Don’t get me wrong, I get why though - trying to squeeze a 10 episode storyline into a reduced 8 episodes is going to cause a few issues. I’m surprised there weren’t more to be honest.
Game of Thrones never had big season finales. The biggest episodes were usually the 9th... Now it's a synonym of failure if the season finale is not a crazy fight 🤨🙄. I don't understand people
so crying the season was amazing
Adam, please sit up straight!
When you lean back, you have Randy Savage arms and your head is smaller than the Goomba heads in the original Super Mario Brothers movie!!!!!
Lothar of the Hill People is an old AF SNL reference that I know because I am old AF. Many things I have seen and many things I have done…
It’s cause they didn’t have enough budget it’s why we only got 2 super heavy cgi sequences this season with the dragons. If we went any further they would’ve had to have added a 3rd cgi heavy sequence. It’s really sad but it’s just how it is
Exactly
Great episode 8 of 10! Not a season finale! Well done Warner Bros, your penny-pinching ruins yet another thing!
Aemond and vagahar apparently meet damon and caraxes over the gods eye and the gods wood which is the lake right beside Harrenhal at some point in the future and it doesn’t go well for either one of them.
They should have ended the season after ONE initial battle. Also, Lothar, Old School, and Liar Liar...oh the references date me.
Yes! Adam is exactly how I reacted at the end, but I said Hell No! 👎
So, when Daemon woke up with "blood" on his hands, it apparently was rapid evaporating tree sap.....
Say hello to Lord Boodraven/Brynden Rivers/three eyed raven.
Now all I want is a nice quality sweater with the logo. lol
Cant blame the show for the 8 episodes. Still a good season in my opinion. Acting was great, visuals were really good. I feel good going into season 3.
I absolutely can blame the show. Writers strike or not someone made that decision to end it like that and gave an unsatisfactory ending to the season.
@@ItsAlwaysSlushie It was Warner Brothers decision to make it 8 episodes instead of 10. Not the writers or producers fault, they had no choice. Budget cuts was also a reason, it’s all WB
I've literally just been going through all my usual favorite reactors channels and skipping to the end to see if they have reacted as viscerally as me at the end credits and you guys delivered 😂 The last 3 episodes seemed so slow and now we get a wet blanket finale like this? Good to see HBO has learned their lessons from GOTS8 -_-
Well, it seems they did learn the lesson tbh LOL GOTS8 HBO would have given the whole story in 4 episodes and be done with it
"GoT sucked because they rushed it!" "HotD sucks because it's taking too long!"
@@waynedennyphoto both can be true. Pacing is a thing lol
That perfectly mirrored my reaction when the credits rolled..."no! No!"
"Were all stories in the end. Just make it a good one aye."
The wind whispered trailer to Ser Alfred when he was with Damon
guys...no
I was going to leave a funny comment here on this video but I think I’ll wait 2 more years before I post it. 😂😂😂
season 1 ends- green and blacks war starts
season 2 1-7- building aries
season 2 ends- green and blacks war starts
8 episodes to end up exactly where you were to start the season
I think it was a terrific episode, rounding off a really good season. It was a season primarily about character development or exploration.
That said - (gestures upwards)
What Adam said.
I have had my frustrations with this show since it started. It seems like a lot of people have been really into it with their blinders up... and the lack of criticism after last season as a result worried me. I hardly saw anyone talking about what seemed to me like obvious problems.
THIS FINALE though, got people talking. Last season there were no notes. Seems like this season everyone's got plenty of notes and that makes me more hopeful for next season. I guess "3rd time's the charm" on this one but we gotta wait 2+ years to find out.
I wonder how much of the reception of the first season was driven by the fact that 'Rings of Power' was airing at the same time, and the audience seemed to collectively decide that it was steaming pile... so therefore HOTD must be genius by comparison. 'Rings' got AAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the notes/critiques/smoke while HOTD barely got any. My hope is that Season 2 of R.O.P. kicks ass to prove the haters wrong... and Season 3 of HOTD in another few years FINALLY builds something we've all been waiting for after receiving the feedback they need to do so as a result of these two fairly lackluster seasons.
I can't do another 5 seasons of "Winter is Coming" only to have it sorted in a single episode.
We've been hurt before. We can't let them do it again