Unraveling the mysteries of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 finale

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for the Season 2 finale of HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” titled “The Queen Who Ever Was,” now streaming on Max.

Helaena Targaryen’s cryptic prophecies

Throughout “House of the Dragon,” Helaena Targaryen has been a character shrouded in mystery, often speaking in riddles about the fate of House Targaryen’s two factions, the Greens and the Blacks. However, in the Season 2 finale, she delivers a clear and ominous prophecy to her brother Aemond: “Aegon will be king again.” She also foretells Aemond’s demise, saying, “You were swallowed up in the God’s Eye, and you were never seen again.”

This moment of clarity is a significant departure from her usual cryptic messages. Phia Saban, who portrays Helaena, explains that the trauma her character has endured, including the murder of her son Jaehaerys and the attack on her and her mother Alicent outside the Sept, has led to this newfound lucidity. “The present is a little bit too painful to live in for now, so she’s managed to step more forthrightly into this otherness,” Saban reflects.

Daemon’s vision and Helaena’s role

Helaena’s prophecies are not limited to her interactions with Aemond. She also appears in Daemon’s vision at Harrenhal, induced by the weirwood tree. In this vision, she tells Daemon, “It’s all a story. And you’re but one part in it. You know your part.”

Saban shares her excitement about this sequence, revealing her anticipation for the dream-like quality of the scene. “I had this sort of fantasy that it was going to be really trippy,” she says. This vision marks a pivotal moment for Helaena, as it showcases her stepping into a more defined role within the narrative.

The evolution of Helaena’s visions

Helaena’s visions have evolved from abstract riddles to more direct prophecies. Saban explains that this change is due to Helaena’s increasing disassociation from reality. “She’s living more and more in her own reality,” Saban notes. This detachment has allowed her to gain a clearer perspective, albeit temporarily.

Some viewers speculate that Helaena might secretly support the Blacks, given her interactions with Daemon and Aemond. However, Saban believes that Helaena transcends the factional conflict. “She has a clear view of this end that’s in sight,” Saban explains. Helaena’s prophecies are not about choosing sides but about understanding the inevitable trajectory of events.

Helaena’s confrontation with Aemond

Helaena’s prophecy about Aemond’s death is a moment of defiance. Saban interprets this as Helaena’s refusal to participate in the war, driven by ego and toxicity. “She’s used to doing things for the convenience of her family, but that’s a step too far,” Saban asserts. This confrontation is also a testament to Helaena’s deep understanding of her brother. She knows that to deter Aemond, she must strike at his ego.

The significance of Helaena’s past visions

Helaena’s past visions, such as the one involving crickets in Episode 6, have sparked various fan theories. Some believe the crickets represent unclaimed dragons, while others think they symbolize the Green siblings. Saban, however, views these visions as expressions of Helaena’s overwhelming feelings and discomfort. “It just causes her grief that one of her insects might be unhappy,” she explains.

The future of Helaena and Dreamfyre

In the book “Fire & Blood,” Helaena is known to love flying with her dragon, Dreamfyre. While Helaena is reluctant to ride Dreamfyre into battle, Saban expresses her desire to see this aspect of her character explored. “I would like to fly with Dreamfyre!” she declares. Whether or not this will happen remains to be seen, but Saban is hopeful.

Dragonriding: A new challenge

Saban has yet to experience the rig used for dragonriding scenes, but she has observed her co-stars in action. “I was really jealous,” she admits. Dragonriding is a unique challenge, and Saban is eager to learn from her fellow actors. “Maybe they’ll give me mates’ rates for a class on that,” she jokes.

For more insights and to watch the trailer, visit House of the Dragon.

This article has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.