Why were cameos from Game of Thrones needed and other insider information.
Geeta Vasant Patel, director of episodes three and eight of House of the Dragon season two, has given more interview Variety has revealed the most interesting moments of the finale: the conversation between Rhaenyra and Alicent, Damon’s visions, and where poor Otto Hightower is sitting.
Warning: Spoilers ahead
Patel also thought the final episode would feature an epic battle, but she was not disappointed by the episode’s focus on relationships and conversations. Focusing on drama, the director believes, is also important and interesting.
The conversation between Rhaenyra and Alicent is important to the development of the characters. The main purpose of the scene was to show their vulnerability and the internal struggle between what is right and what is necessary. Rhaenyra and Alicent are, as Patel puts it, “like a divorced couple who still love each other.”
Nothing is clear, but it is very interesting. After their conversation, it is not at all clear whether Alicent is telling the truth and whether Rhaenyra believes all of this. This, according to Patel, is where all the charm lies. The characters themselves do not know what conclusions they will come to, so nothing is revealed to the audience either.
The sacrifices we make in the name of duty. These words are considered the main theme of the entire series, and they are especially well reflected in the scene in which Rhaenyra says that she will execute Alicent’s son Aegon, and Alicent agrees.
And here’s another story
Weirwood and spoilers. The visions that Daemon has at the weirwood are very brief summaries of future events (Game of Thrones). However, from Daemon’s perspective, neither Daenerys nor the Three-Eyed Raven matter.
The visions were meant to show Daemon the history of his people and how important it was for Rhaenyra to be the ruler.
Fanservice, but in moderation. The script listed what Damon was supposed to see, but the decision on how exactly to film it was up to Patel. To balance nostalgia, fanservice, and history, the director decided not to show Daenerys’ face or other details.
No water, no blood. There wasn’t enough money for a real aquarium with water, so for the scene with Damon drowning, actor Matt Smith was simply suspended in the air and sprayed with fans, and the water was added later.
The weirwood roots were built by the set designers, and the pulsation and blood were visual effects.
And here’s another story
Same actor, same suit. The same suit was used for the scene with the Night King as during the filming of Game of Thrones. The Night King himself was played by one of the actors who played him in Game of Thrones.
Nobody knows anything. At the end of the episode, we see a dirty Otto Hightower sitting somewhere in a dungeon. Neither the directors nor the actors know where he is sitting and who put him there. Only the scriptwriters, who are in no hurry to tell.
It is safe to assume that the third season of House of the Dragon will premiere either at the very end of 2025 or early 2026. The fourth and final season of the show will be released at the end of 2026 at best.
