S2 is still well worth watching imo. The finale was definitely a bust, but everything that came before that was still a pretty good watch.

And identity politics have not ruined this show. It's not even a factor. What a weird take.

The last 3 episodes felt like they are trying to make more episodes out of an original shorter story. I haven‘t read the books, but it feels like that.

Which kinda sucked the enthusiasm people had for this show. Season 1 was awesome, even the first few of Season two but they kinda stopped advancing the story at some point, after Rhaenys death.

Sure Season 3 promises the actual „Dance of the Dragons“ but the last part of the season 2 didn‘t have to be such a borefest.

I hate identity politics in a show but a friend wanted me to watch HoD with him just for that episode where the dragons fight (season 2) and despite not knowing much of the context it was hard to see any identity politics in the dialogue itself be it against the male cast or for the female cast.

People tend to not know the concept of Apophenia.