Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) smiling as Syrax and another dragon roar behind her in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7The House of the Dragon season 2 finale sparks volatile reactions from viewers. The hit HBO series wrapped up its second season last night with an extended episode, bringing the 8-episode season to an end. With House of the Dragon season 3 confirmed, the stories of Rhaenyra and Aegon’s fight for the throne will continue, but it may be another two yearsbefore that battle continues in earnest.

Now, audiences offer their reaction to the House of the Dragon season 2 finale. Many viewers were left frustrated and disappointed with the end of season 2, feeling like its final moments were inconclusive. More cited the long wait between seasons as a reason for this frustration, noting that it would be two years before the next season of House of the Dragon comes out. Check out some of their reactions below:

@LordSnow went for a humorous approach in their reaction, posting an edited image of Daemon looking upset. In their caption, they wrote “When you realize you have to wait 2 years for the next #HouseOfTheDragon season.”

@ItsTylerCalvert echoed a similar message, posting a destructive Family Guy gif and noting “now we have to wait 2 years for season 3.”

Some viewers were more direct in their anger about the episode, including @catisraving, who wrote in all caps “THERES NO F–KING WAY IT JUST ENDS LIKE THAT YOURE TELLING ME I NEED TO WAIT 2 YEARS BE SO F–KING FOR REAL.”

@UTDCJ_ also felt underwhelmed by the season 2 finale, calling it “a 66 minute trailer for S3.”

@ASOIAFQuotesGOT noted a similar theme, questioning if they just watched “a 70 minute trailer for season 3.”

@AmeriKraut felt a similar sense of incompleteness, saying “surely there is more episode in the back?”

@big_business_ also pointed out the years-long season gap, noting that they had to “wait until 2026 for an all-out war.”

Others were frustrated about specific plot points, such as the fact that Rhaena’s plot line has not been resolved after seeing her search for a dragon all season, as @sayheykay_ noted.

@HOTDNewsHBO added that “we didn’t get any action in the finale.”

Finally, @yoyotrav summarized it well by calling the House of the Dragon season 2 finale “one of the most underwhelming season finales [they’ve] ever watched.”

Why Audiences Are Right About The House Of The Dragon Season 2 Finale

Season 2 Built Up To A War That Never Happened (At Least Not Yet)

Daemon Targaryen cautiously walking up to the weirwood with Alys Rivers behind him in House of the Dragon season 2 finale

There are justifiable reasons as to why the House of the Dragon season 2 finale has been likened to an extended trailer. A dialogue-heavy episode, the finale hinted at a lot of action to come without actually showing it. Daemon’s visions brought him staunchly to Rhaenyra’s side once more, but their meaning was not entirely explained. Most notably, the season 2 ending sees multiple troops marching into battle, but the screen cuts to black before any action takes off.

While there was no way for season 2 to fully resolve the tensions among each faction — nor should it, as there are more seasons in which that should be handled — viewers had the reasonable expectationthat the war the entire season was building towards would begin in the finale. Instead, House of the Dragon season 2 frontloaded its action, delivering most of the thrills in episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold.” While this strategy led to interesting dialogue scenes in the season, the outrage it created among viewers is highly understandable.