House of the Dragon season 2 ends on a high note; fan-favorite GOT character makes cameo

House of the Dragon season 2 marked its end with episode 8 on August 4, 2024. The episode developed many storylines further and set up the plot for the next season.

One of the storylines involved Daemon Targaryen finding out his fate at Harrenhal. After many disturbing and ghostly visions, Daemon finally visited the castle's Godswood with Alys Rivers. Here, he saw a vision of his fate and that of the kingdom as a whole.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2.

Daemon's vision was about A Song of Ice and Fire. In the series, this is a story passed on by Aegon the Conqueror to his heirs, which reached Rhaenyra through her father, Viserys. In short flashes, the vision contained a nod to a protagonist from Game of Thrones: Daenerys Targaryen.

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What was the Game of Thrones cameo in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale?

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8 contained a cameo featuring Daenerys Targaryen, or rather, her silhouette. Eagle-eyed fans took to social media to dissect the scene and what it meant.

This visual was part of Daemon Targaryen's vision at Harrenhal when Aegon the Conqueror's dream was revealed to him. Daemon saw short snippets of the future, which included many references to Game of Thrones. The White Walkers, dragons being reborn and wars for the Iron Throne were featured. However, a prominent visual of an iconic Daenerys scene got fans excited.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in a still from Game of Thrones (via HBO)

The visual is a callback to the storyline in Game of Thrones, where Daenerys survives a massive fire and protects her dragon eggs. She emerges unscathed with three baby dragons in her arms.

Including a callback to this scene in House of the Dragon is a way of tying Daenerys to the story of her ancestors. It shows that the Targaryen legacy was predetermined, and Daenerys was always meant to be the chosen one in the family.

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What is A Song of Ice and Fire?

A still from Game of Thrones, the sequel story to House of the Dragon (via HBO)

In House of the Dragon season 2, A Song of Ice and Fire is a story that Aegon the Conqueror wanted to pass on to worthy Targaryen heirs when their time came to rule. It was a dream he had about a "prince that was promised." This would be the person to unite the seven kingdoms in the face of imminent danger when winter comes.

Ardent Game of Thrones fans are familiar with the Stark motto "Winter is coming," knowing that it is a signal to warn people about the inevitable rise of the White Walkers. The Walkers were the main threat in the final seasons of the show, and the kingdom had to unite to fight them.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in a still from Game of Thrones (via HBO)

Daenerys Targaryen was one of the main leaders who fought against the Walkers. She used her army and three dragons to amass an army across many cities. Along with Jon Snow (later revealed to be a Targaryen), she played an important part in rising against the apocalyptic situation.

Daemon's vision in House of the Dragon season 2 indicates that it was indeed Daenerys who was the promised heir of the Targaryen dynasty and that the battle with the White Walkers was the ultimate challenge. This gives an added layer of meaning to Aegon the Conqueror's dream.

In real life too, author George R.R. Martin's book is named A Song of Ice and Fire. This is the first novel that the televised Game of Thrones is based on. Martin also wrote Fire and Blood, which has become the source for House of the Dragon itself.

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House of the Dragon season 2 is streaming now on platforms like HBO Max, JioCinema and Sky TV, based on regional availability.