First off, I will say that this episode is both well-shot and well-acted. Unfortunately, the scenes only work well in isolation. If you place them in the context of the characters' arcs and the overall season, you will notice not only inconsistencies but also how pointless some of the subplots turned out to be. Seriously, the lack of continuity in some of the subplots from even one episode to the next is very concerning. It seems the writers have gotten so used to employing plot contrivances to bring about certain events and developments that they have become seriously careless about the implications of said plot points on character and story development.
It was already clear in this season's first few episodes that the writers had given up on carrying over many of the plot points they laid out in season one, but with this episode, many of the plot points introduced this season have also been rendered useless. Moreover, the show's choices about what to focus on and what to forget or plainly retcon (hello, Rhaenys's massacre from S01E09) are so frustrating that they bring the plot integrity of the whole show into question.
I won't even delve into the mess they've made of some characters by, on one hand, straying too far from the book and, on the other, still sticking with the fixed events from the book. Nor will I comment on the writers' poor understanding of the material they are supposedly adapting (massive air quotes on that part) and their questionable attitude towards gender. I don't think we would ever get a character like Cersei, Catelyn, or Sansa from these writers, and if we do, the portrayal is sure to lack nuance.
At this point, the only way to enjoy the show is to just watch and refrain from looking too deeply into the many different subplots because it really does punish you for thinking too deeply about it.
Review by whos_ur_buddhaBlockedParent2024-08-05T02:39:45Z
Imagine being promised a grand feast, only to be served a lukewarm appetizer. That's what watching the season finale of House of the Dragon Season 2 felt like. Episode 8, titled "Dance of the Cliffhangers," was a slow burn that never quite ignited into the inferno fans were hoping for.
The episode opens with a scene that feels more like a detour than a destination. Tyland Lannister's diplomatic mission to Essos is intriguing but misplaced, like a side quest in a video game that distracts from the main storyline. The mud wrestling scene, while entertaining, felt like a bizarre interlude in an otherwise serious narrative.
Back in Westeros, the tension is palpable but never fully realized. Rhaenyra's internal struggle over whether to strike King’s Landing or wait is reminiscent of Daenerys Targaryen's moral quandaries. Yet, instead of decisive action, we get 69 minutes of contemplation and setup. It's like watching a pot that never boils.
The dragon scenes, though visually stunning, are few and far between. Aemond's destruction of Sharp Point happens off-screen, leaving viewers to imagine the carnage rather than witness it. It's a tease, a promise of epic battles to come, but not delivered in this episode.
The lack of a climactic battle or significant character deaths leaves the episode feeling flat. No one dies, nothing epic happens, and the much-anticipated showdown is deferred to a future season. It's like lighting a match and expecting a bonfire, only to watch it fizzle out.
The episode ends with a teaser for Season 3, a move that feels more like a marketing strategy than a narrative choice. It's frustrating, like being shown the dessert menu before you've even finished your main course. The promise of future conflict and drama is tantalizing, but it doesn't satisfy the immediate hunger for resolution.
In summary, Episode 8 of House of the Dragon Season 2 is a slow burn that never quite catches fire. It's filled with potential and promise, but ultimately leaves viewers wanting more. The analogy of a lukewarm appetizer holds true – it whets the appetite but doesn't satisfy the craving for a full, hearty meal. Here's hoping Season 3 delivers the epic conclusion fans have been waiting for.