House of the Dragon's penultimate episode premiered on Sunday night, meaning that the stage is set for the finale of the Game of Thrones prequel. This show has been crazy. I haven't watched Game of Thrones, but I can understand why people were in love with it for so many years. Anyways, I have a lot of predictions for this finale, so I wanted to put them out here.
A Massive Dragon Fight
One thing House of the Dragon has been light on is action. I think this episode will have lots of that. And, since the show's titular creatures have been somewhat in the background, I think they will be brought into the foreground this episode. I have a feeling there is going to be an epic battle of dragons, and I am very excited to see it. This show has a massive budget, so I feel like they'd be able to pull it off.
An Action-Packed Episode
On that same note, I think there will be plenty of melee combat. We've gotten glimpses of the brutal medieval action that Game of Thrones is known for, but there hasn't been that huge, memorable battle sequence. I think that comes in this episode as tensions explode between Rhaenyra's side and Alicent's side.
Rhaenyra and Alicent Converse One Last Time
Rhaenyra and Alicent's relationship is at the core of this show. They started off as friends and slowly became enemies. Episode eight had them seemingly begin to work out their differences, but episode nine throws a wrench in that plotline. Since Aegon has been named king, I think Rhaenyra will be betrayed, but I don't think their conflict comes in physical form. I think Alicent apologizes to Rhaenyra but continues to support Aegon as we see the last glimmer of their friendship fade away.
Criston Cole Dies
One of the best characters in the show is Ser Criston Cole, who has had a tragic journey. In love with Rhaenyra, he lost it when she was betrothed to Laenor Velaryon. The anger that was present in episode five has been his character ever since, and I don't think he gets redeemed. I think his tragic arc ends here. My belief is that Daemon will be the one who kills him, but I'm not confident enough to make that an official prediction.
A Rematch Between Aemond and Lucerys
Almost all of the characters in House of the Dragon are flawed, complicated characters. None are totally good. None are totally bad. The closest to totally bad is Aemond Targaryen, and the closest to totally good is Lucerys Velaryon. They have a massive rivalry that we've seen in episodes seven and eight, but it hasn't fully exploded yet. I think it explodes here. Aemond has tons of hatred for Luke for cutting his eye out, but Aemond's also just a jerk, so I think him and Luke will have a very intense fight scene in this final.
Daemon Kills a TON of People
Daemon Targaryen is another highlight of this show, and I think we see him go nuts in this episode. We've seen him kill without purpose throughout this show. He's so obviously uncaring when it comes to human life, and I think that shines through here as he slaughters tons of people in King's Landing. He's shown to have been violent, and I really think they let him off the leash here.
The War Officially Begins
House of the Dragon is about the Targaryen civil war. Well, that civil war hasn't officially happened yet. It would make sense to save the start for the final episode. Tensions have been built over nine episodes and nineteen years, and it all comes to a head here. Viserys is dead. Aegon is king. Rhaenyra's claim to the throne has been usurped. Otto Hightower has shown he's merciless, and Rhaenyra and Daemon have both shown how greedy they are. That is where the war stems from. And I think season two is all about that war.