House Of The Dragon Season 2’s Final Shots Explained By Director: “Rhaenyra Is Caught In A Web & Alicent Is Free”
Summary
Actor Phia Saban explains Helaena Targaryen’s visions inHouse of the Dragonseason 2. Queen Helaena Targaryen is the wife (and biological sister) to the ailing King Aegon in the series. In season 2, Helaena has gone through significant trauma, having witnessed the violent murder of her young son in the season premiere. Throughout the season, Helaena goes on to have visions of the future and the health of the realm.
Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Saban explains Helaena’s visions in the final episode. The actor notes that even when she first “read the episode,” she was “so excitedto be involved in that trippy dream sequence.” Breaking down what that scene might mean, she says thatHelaena “feels this kind of clarity” that is atypical for the characterwhen it comes to “historically how she’s felt about her power and everything.” Saban wanted to convey this journey clearly for Helaena, when the character more concretely realizes “there’s a beast somewhere.” Check out the full quote from Saban below:
When I read the episode, I was so excited to be involved in that trippy dream sequence. I was hoping that I was going to arise from a lake of goo or something, or fly. But I was also really happy to stand there and talk. That was really exciting because we did that all in a green screen stage, just me and Matt, so it was really cool. I watched the last episode last night, and it was really cool to see all of that come to life. I was very pleased to be involved in that.
My other thought was if she feels this kind of clarity in that scene that she has with Aemond, and that isn’t historically how she’s felt about her power and everything. I needed to work backwards from there and try and work out what journey she has been on, for that moment to be so clear, when usually she’s a bit more like, ‘Oh, there’s a beast somewhere.’
Why Season 2’s Helaena Reveal Will Be So Important
Prophetic Interpretation Is A Key Theme
While Helaena has been spouting prophecy-like words even before season 2, theHouse of the Dragonseason 2 finaleconfirmed once and for all thatHelaena is a dragon dreamer. InGame of Throneslore, a dragon dreamer is a Targaryen who has prophetic visions for the future, which could act as omens of what is to come. In the finale, Helaena ends up appearing in one of the visions that Daemon has, confirming her ability to access these prophetic visions.
In addition to her interaction with Daemon,Helaena’s visions also allow her to confront Aemond about the truth about his episode 4 battle with Aegon. Helaena realizes that Aemond tried toburn his brother, the king, in a power move. Helaena’s dragon dreamer status does not only allow her visions of the future, but it can allow her to access the truth in situations wherein characters are attempting to hide it. This will equip the queen with more power going intoHouse of the Dragonseason 3.
Having a confirmed dragon dreamer will allowHouse of the Dragonto continue exploring prophecies, a theme that is a common refrain in theGame of Thronesuniverse. The series has already explored this in season 1, with Alicent’s critical misunderstanding of Viserys' last words, thinking that her son Aegon should be king instead of understanding that Viserys was referring to a prophecy with Aegon the Conquerer. Having Helaena as a dragon dreamer can lead to more prophetic statements in misunderstandings in the last two seasons ofHouse of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon
Cast
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.
