‘House of the Dragon’ Director Explains Those [SPOILER] Cameos in Season 2 Finale, New Dragons and Rhaenyra and Alicent’s Tense Scene: They’re a ‘Divorced Couple That Still Loves Each Other’

As a seasoned director with years of experience under my belt, I can certainly relate to the challenges faced when bringing a script to life, especially one as rich and complex as House of the Dragon. The visuals were there, but the direction was left to our imagination, much like trying to find a good parking spot in Los Angeles – you know where you want to end up, but getting there is another story!

Warning: The following discussion includes revelations from the final episode of “House of the Dragon” Season 2, entitled “The Queen Who Ever Was,” currently available on Max.

Instead of a destructive fight concluding Season 2, “House of the Dragon” ends with a heated verbal confrontation between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), one that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat just as much as any dragon fight would.

Rather than starting in Westeros, the Season 2 finale commences in Essos, the continent to the east that’s known for its sandy deserts and pirates. Tywin Lannister (Jefferson Hall) is there for talks with the Triarchy, aiming to secure their support for the Greens by offering them control over the Stepstones islands. Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn), victorious in a wrestling match against Tywin in the mud, agrees to lead their naval fleet. They then set sail to lift the siege of King’s Landing.

In the metropolis, Prince Regent Aemond Targaryen, portrayed by Ewan Mitchell, arrives after incinerating an entire settlement with his dragon, Vhagar. His sister Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) and mother Alicent are dismayed by his actions, and their shock deepens when he insists Helaena mount her dragon, Dreamfyre, to support the ongoing war. Determined to protect her child, Alicent speaks out against this demand. However, Helaena reveals she is aware of Aemond’s actions during the Battle of Rook’s Rest, where he gravely injured their brother, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney).

As a seasoned observer of political intrigue and personal struggles in the realm of Westeros, I find myself deeply concerned about the current state of affairs regarding Aegon Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole. Having witnessed the rise and fall of many characters throughout my years, I can’t help but feel a sense of empathy for these two individuals who are struggling to maintain their dignity amidst overwhelming adversity.

In the latest episode this season, Daemon Targaryen (played by Matt Smith), experiences a series of unexpected visions while at Harrenhal. Guided by witch Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), he encounters a weirwood tree where his visions unfold. He glimpses future events from ‘Game of Thrones’, including Brynden Rivers, who later became the Three-Eyed Raven (Max von Sydow’s character), a White Walker, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) with her trio of dragons, himself drowning, Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne, a deceased dragon, and a mass of dead bodies. The vision concludes with Helaena looking back at him, urging him to fulfill his role in the grand Westeros narrative. Meanwhile, Helaena snaps out of her trance upon being disturbed by Aemond, foretelling his demise due to the Gods Eye and predicting Aegon’s return as king.

Daemon is so frightened by the vision that he feels compelled to submit to Rhaenyra, promising his troops and loyalty to the Blacks. Later, in Dragonstone, Alicent visits Rhaenyra privately and pleads for an end to the war. Since being dismissed from the small council, Alicent seems to have had a change of heart, no longer wishing to scheme or plot. She informs Rhaenyra that the Black forces could capture King’s Landing within three days while Aemond is away fighting with Criston. Alicent even suggests that Rhaenyra could seize full power by eliminating Aegon. The meeting between the two is tense and emotional, but it remains uncertain whether Alicent will keep her promise and if Rhaenyra fully trusts her.

In preparation for a climactic battle that’s about to unfold, I find myself aligning with both the Greens and Blacks as tensions escalate. The Lannisters lend their support to the Greens, while the Velaryon fleet stands ready against the Triarchy ships. The Starks are making their way south to join the fray, and it seems that even Larys and Aegon have slipped away from King’s Landing in a wagon. Otto Hightower finds himself imprisoned somewhere within the castle walls.

In an interview with EbMaster, director Geeta Vasant Patel (responsible for Episode 3 of this season) discusses various aspects such as crafting Daemon’s scene filled with cameos, filming Rhaenyra and Alicent’s intense conversation, introducing the latest dragons, and many other details.

Fans had anticipated a major battle scene as it’s typically common in a season finale, but instead, this episode focused on deep discussions and strategic alliances changing hands. Can you explain how this episode deviated from your expectations for the climactic finale?

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit, I wasn’t sure what was in store for me. I wasn’t certain whether it would be an all-out fight or something different. To be honest, I had assumed it would be a battle, given my anticipation as a fan. But when I got my hands on the script, I was delightfully surprised and elated! You see, I believe we often overemphasize battles. What truly captivates me about this episode is its focus on relationships – the dialogues, the unexpected twists, and the intricate dynamics between Daemon and Rhaenyra, and Rhaenyra and Alicent. Frankly, I found it absolutely thrilling to explore the dramatic aspects of the storyline. This was a refreshing change, and I couldn’t wait to dive deeper into it. I must admit, there was a sense of apprehension when considering how this would compare to the expected battle scenes. However, having worked on Episode 8 from Season 1, I knew if we could bring the script to life, it would be nothing short of magnificent.

In your own words, here’s how we could rephrase the question:

In Episodes 3 and 8, we carefully crafted the interactions between the characters to feel authentic and progress in a meaningful way, ensuring there was a building tension between them. We repeatedly refined each scene to ensure they were closely connected and impactful.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, let me share my perspective on filming the climactic scene in Episode 8, which was shot towards the end of our production season. Two crucial elements stood out during this process:

After discussing with each other, it appears that Alicent’s honesty in her talk with Rhaenyra may not be completely trusted, or perhaps Rhaenyra isn’t entirely convinced by what she heard. What are your thoughts on this scene and how the situation is left?

The actors maintain their characters’ secrets closely, which adds an authentic touch when they enter the scene. They don’t reveal information that their characters might not yet be aware of themselves. During filming, it was crucial to determine where the shift occurred in the scene, and this happened when Rhaenyra said, “A son for a son.” She says this because earlier she accuses Alicent, saying, “You’ve never sacrificed anything, Alicent. You want all this wealth, but you want your cake and to eat it too.” When I prepared for this scene, I first looked at its bookends, specifically Episode 1. The very first scene written by Ryan Condal was a voiceover about having to make sacrifices for duty. If we consider this series as a film, that theme runs throughout the entire production. This scene needed to emphasize this theme.

In a pivotal scene, Rhaenyra expresses the need for sacrifice, stating, “You’ll have to let go of something dear if you desire it. Your son, in this case.” I believe this moment carries genuine weight. When Alicent responds affirmatively, “Yes, take my son,” she is indeed relinquishing her child. The twist comes later in the montage when Aegon manages to escape, leaving one wondering about the future. Upon discovering that Aegon has fled, will Rhaenyra suspect a premeditated scheme? Will she hold Alicent accountable? What implications might this have for Alicent moving forward?

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: “In this latest episode, we’re introduced to not one, but two fresh dragons – Tessarion, who makes a dramatic entrance over the army, and Rhaena, who confronts Sheepstealer. Each dragon has a unique appearance and personality that sets them apart, leaving us wondering about the creative process behind their introductions.”

When discussing the scene where the dragon appeared over the crowd and dived, I envisioned it as I read the script. It was both terrifying and intriguing. Our exceptional visual effects team is responsible for crafting each dragon’s appearance, sound, and personality, making them almost like actors we collaborate with. I knew that this specific dragon had to captivate Rhaena, giving her a ‘Wow, I’m gazing upon a dragon!’ moment – a significant event since she was the only one without a dragon. This scene was a big deal for her character.

When I landed this role, it felt like a dream come true – one I had nurtured for eight long years. The moment I got the job, I was swept away by an overpowering sense of fulfillment because I had wanted it so desperately. It wasn’t luck that brought me here; it was determination and hard work. Just like Rhaena, I knew what it felt like to be told I couldn’t have something, yet still reach for it with all my might. The first image that popped into my head when I visualized the scene was a grand, sweeping shot of the dragon and tiny Rhaena – a David and Goliath moment if ever there was one.

As a longtime fan of “Game of Thrones,” I was thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the visual effects team for the show. When it came to designing Daemon’s vision in the series, I drew upon my years of experience working on fantasy films and TV shows to bring the otherworldly quality of this scene to life.

I was thrilled at the opportunity to contribute to the realization of such an event. Upon receiving the script, a series of visual cues were provided, but the manner in which they would coalesce remained undefined. The challenge lay in determining how these elements would seamlessly interweave. For instance, how should Daenerys be depicted? Should we focus on her face or her overall presence? I found the idea of Daenerys’ dragons appearing as shadows intriguing, as it shifted the focus from Daenerys to the historical narrative. We were viewing events from Daemon’s perspective, so this vision needed to convey the history of his people and emphasize Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne. It was tempting to simply showcase Daenerys or zoom in on specific details, but that wasn’t the essence of the scene. In truth, Daemon is unaware of who Daenerys is. Instead, the vision should elicit within Daemon a willingness to pledge allegiance to Rhaenyra.

The cameos are great nostalgia and fan-service, but they also serve a storytelling purpose for Daemon. How did you balance those two things?

In crafting the storyboards for this project, I aimed to ask and answer key questions: “What role does this element play in the narrative? What aspect of the story is it revealing? How much of the story does it need to convey effectively? I deliberately chose not to dwell on its status as a fan favorite.” This approach guided me in creating a focused narrative, resulting in fewer extraneous elements. While more could have been included, my focus was on maintaining a clear and purposeful story rather than turning it into a meaningless montage.

In the series, Daemon appears to foresee himself sinking in a vision, followed by Helaena informing Aemond that he’ll be consumed by the Gods Eye. Book fans are aware of what this ominous moment portends – but let’s discuss the filming of this scene. Could we witness this vision unfold in Season 3?

1. If I speak about what happened, there could be consequences. However, when we filmed that scene, it was truly awe-inspiring. We used a massive set and designed different sections for each part of the vision. For the underwater shot, I had desired a tank, but unfortunately, we couldn’t afford one filled with water. But then, during storyboard discussions, someone suggested replacing the water with dragon’s blood, which they thought was brilliant!

As a long-time fan of Doctor Who, I was absolutely thrilled when I got the opportunity to work on the show as a visual effects artist. One particularly memorable scene that stands out for me is from the episode where Matt Smith plays the Doctor and he appears to be submerged in blood-red water. However, upon closer inspection, it’s revealed that it’s all just an illusion – Matt is actually hanging from a rig with fans blowing on him to create the underwater effect.

Was the Night King’s final scene costume from “Game of Thrones” simply kept in a storage area and used for that particular occasion?

They shared information with me, though I can’t recall it now. Frankly, my memory isn’t the best! I believe there might have been some leftover scenes from “Game of Thrones,” and I’m almost certain about that. It was thrilling to film those as well. The individual who portrayed the Night King – keep in mind he wasn’t the genuine Night King, but rather one of them – was simply outstanding. He seemed to move like them effortlessly. In fact, on the day we filmed it, everyone came down to the set to watch us shoot. Most people working on this show are fans of “Game of Thrones,” so everyone was eagerly waiting to see us perform those takes.

We also see Otto Hightower locked up in a dungeon somewhere. Where is he?

In that scene, I was instructed to take part. Just like everyone else, I’m curious about his whereabouts. Frankly, I have no idea! In our writers’ room discussions, they tend to cover a multitude of topics, but afterwards, they rarely share the details with us. It seems they keep everything secret from all of us. This includes the actors as well. I believe it’s unfair not to share important information.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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2024-08-05 05:18