Summary
TheHouse of the Dragonseason 2 finale, “The Queen Who Ever Was,” included a glimpse of Daenerys Targaryen, and unfortunately, it just reminded me ofGame of Thronescutting one of her best and most important book scenes: the House of the Undying visions. The scene comes fromA Clash of Kings, the secondbook in George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Fireseries. A version of it did take place inGame of Thronesseason 2’s finale, “Valar Morghulis,” but it was drastically truncated and missed out everything that made the scene special.
In the show, she sees the Red Keep’s throne room in ruins, then passes through the Wall to find Khal Drogo and their son, Rhaego. In the book, there’s a lot more to Daenerys' House of the Undying visions, including Rhaegar Targaryen as well as several scenes of foreshadowing and teases of things to come.Game of Thrones' version couldn’t live up to it, andDaemon Targaryen’s vision of Daenerysjust makes it worse.
House Of The Dragon Season 2 Ending Explained: What Happens Next?
House of the Dragon season 2’s finale brings with it some major reveals and moments, and sets up even bigger things to come in season 3.
What Daenerys' House Of The Undying Visions Include In The Book
There’s So Much To Daenerys' Visions In A Clash Of Kings
On the one hand,Game of Thronescutting Daenerys' book prophecies is somewhat understandable. There’s a lot to the House of the Undying sequence in the book, with well over a dozen different visions or prophecy-type warnings, so it would’ve been difficult to include absolutely everything. Here’s a rundown of what Dany sees:
Why Game Of Thrones Cutting Daenerys' House Of The Undying Visions Was A Mistake
It Could’ve Added A Lot To Her Story, Especially In Season 8
So yeah, clearly, there’s a lot, and some of it would be mystifying to viewers… but then that’s part of the fun.The House of the Undying scenes contain some incredible moments of foreshadowing, some brilliantly vivid, surreal, and haunting imagery, and multiple vague warnings that are designed to obsess over. It’s all dripping with symbolism and layers of meaning, and a brilliant example of how to do that in a way that’s really exciting and still important to the present story and character arc, not just the future.
Given where Game of Thrones' ending takes her, with a descent into becoming the “Mad Queen,” having more of this could have been a way of underpinning those later decisions…
So much of what’s here, from the idea of betrayals to the dragon having three heads and the cloth dragon and more, all serve to drive Daenerys' journey forward. They’re things she herself thinks about. Given whereGame of Thrones' endingtakes her, with a descent into becoming the “Mad Queen,” having more of this could have been a way of underpinning those later decisions with much more setup from an even earlier point. These visions serve to question her destiny and her power, which are vital to her story.
That the show focused so heavily on the Iron Throne in her vision - which did come to pass inGame of Thronesseason 8- is reflective of its narrative and thematic focus more generally.Thronesobsessed over that one seat of power, but ignored so many of the more magical and fantastical elements of this world, including several prophecies that were either cut or only paid lip-service. Including more of Daenerys' visions - and I’m not saying it neededallof them - would’ve helped fix that while giving her overall arc much more heft.
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House Of The Dragon Makes Cutting The House Of The Undying Visions Worse
The Vision Of Daenerys Doesn’t Help Matters At All
Daemon’s visions at Harrenhal inHouse of the Dragonseason 2are closer to the House of the Undying than whatGame of Thronesput on screen. They’re not as good, but it certainly gave them more screen time and there was lots to unpack with regard to what they really mean and what they set up. That itself makes it more frustrating thatThronescouldn’t do it when the scene was actually written perfectly already (whereas Daemon’s were pure invention for the show, and not in Martin’sFire & Blood), but Daenerys appearing takes it further.
It’s bringing together Daenerys, the Prince That Was Promised Prophecy, and Aegon the Conqueror’s a song of ice and fire dream.
My own interpretation of it is that it’s hinting Daenerys is the Prince That Was Promised. There’s the red comet before she appears, the dragon eggs in the fire, and then the baby dragons themselves after Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre, which all fits with the prophecy. Beyond that, it’s very clearly connecting to the White Walkers, and the need for a Targaryen on the Iron Throne to defeat them. It’s bringing together Daenerys, the Prince That Was Promised Prophecy, andAegon the Conqueror’s a song of ice and fire dream.
House Of The Dragon All But Confirms The Prince That Was Promised’s Identity
Game of Thrones didn’t confirm the Prince That Was Promised’s identity, but House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale has some big clues about who it is.
All of that just makes me more frustrated thatGame of Thronescut the vision where Rhaegar directly talks aboutthe Prince That Was Promised’s identityto Daenerys, which could’ve better set up these ideas. He also says"his is the song of ice and fire,“and not only is that important because it’s the title of the book series being used in-universe, but it too now connects to Aegon’s dream.
This could’ve been paying off a much bigger part ofGame of Thrones, and there’d be a much stronger thematic connection between the visions and why we’re seeing Daenerys here. Unfortunately, the show didn’t do that and, 12 years later, I’m still mad. It’s a truly brilliant scene, with some of Martin’s best writing, and deserved much better on-screen.House of the Dragonis an annoying reminder that it could and should have happened, and it would’ve improved two shows now.
Game Of Thrones
Cast
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
