We've made it to the conclusion of House of the Dragon season 2, with the finale introducing us to new locations and new characters while also attempting to tie up storylines for our main players. As with the season as a whole, the pacing in the season 2 finale is questionable as we spend a little bit too much time with the Triarchy while more pressing matters are going on in Dragonstone and King's Landing, further proving this season really suffers from having only eight episodes. What we do get from the Triarchy is fun, though; there's no doubt about that. And they'll be important come season 3.
WARNING: Major spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2 are below.
The season 2 finale actually opens up with the Triarchy, as Tyland Lannister has finally arrived in Essos to try and negotiate with the group. Speaking with their men, Tyland asks them to break the blockade of King's Landing. But for the Triarchy, that blockage doesn't impact them. They explain that they're still able to sell and trade goods despite it. They tell Tyland that they know Aegon needs them more than they need him, so they'll need something in exchange. They ask for the Stepstones.
We've seen the Triarchy in House of the Dragon before
But let's back up a little bit. Who even are these people and why are they important? Here's a refresher. The Triarchy was introduced in the first season of House of the Dragon during the War for the Stepstones. The first season covers a lot of ground, so don't sweat it if you hardly remember. In the first half of the season, Corlys and Daemon team up to take the Stepstones, which turns out to be a years-long war. Finally, as we see in "Second of His Name," Daemon defeats Prince-admiral Craghas "Crabfeeder" Drahar in a thrilling scene, and is crowned the King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea.
When we talk about the Triarchy, we're referring to an alliance made up of the Free Cities of Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh. This alliance was formed in 96 AC after the three groups defeated the city of Volantis in a battle called the Battle of the Borderland.
When the Dance of the Dragons begins, the Velaryon fleet blocks off the Gullet and Blackwater Bay in an effort to shut down trade to King's Landing. This is why the smallfolk of King's Landing have so little food, and why Tyland is sent to try and fix it. But instead of negotiating with Corlys, who has sworn allegiance to Rhaenyra, he goes to the Free Cities to ask for help. Knowing that the Triarchy doesn't like Daemon or Corlys, his task is to persuade them to sail to the blockade to break it, and most likely fight the Velaryon fleet in the process. In Fire & Blood, it's Otto Hightower who negotiates with the Triarchy, but, of course, by this point in the show, he's left King's Landing.
Abigail Thorn portrays Admiral Sharako Lohar
In the season 2 finale, Tyland is introduced to Admiral Sharako Lohar, a character from the book who has been gender-swapped for the show. YouTube star and The Acolyte actress Abigail Thorn portrays Admiral Lohar, a really entertaining addition to the series. Tyland seems to feel very out of place with the Triarchy as he does his best to make a good impression, which he eventually does. Admiral Lohar takes a liking to him and even asks him to impregnate their wives. Lohar agrees to sail with Tyland, and the final minutes of the episode show them out at sea.
Book readers know that this will lead to the Battle of the Gullet, a very important battle in the Dance of the Dragons that ends in the death of a central character. Admiral Lohar is a prominent figure in this battle, as are other characters who I won't mention here to prevent any potential spoilers.
After the Dance of the Dragons, Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh get involved in their own internal war as the Triarchy falls. Given this doesn't have much to do with the Targaryen civil war, I doubt it'll make its way into House of the Dragon.
While the blacks have recruited more dragonriders, the greens are forming alliances with powerful forces. The ending of the season 2 finale feels pretty underwhelming knowing we'll likely have to wait two more years to see the war continue, but I'm crossing my fingers that season 3 will open with a bang.
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