There’s never a peaceful Targaryen family dinner, is there?? This week on House of The Dragon, we find ourselves (yet again) ten years from where we last saw our cast. The Targaryen and Velaryon children are now young adults, and no better behaved than when we previously saw them. We begin with Rhaenys being notified of her husband Corlys’ injury and probable death. I’m sure this won't be the last we see of him, though. The time jumps unfortunately cause us to miss so much.. last week, I said I was looking forward to seeing the family reaction to the marriage of Rhaenyra and Daemon. Sadly, it’s something we’ll never get the chance to see unless it’s later shown in flashbacks.
Vaemond, brother to Corlys, naturally has his sights set on the Driftmark Throne – which last week, was promised to Jace in the event of Corlys’ death and currently belongs to Rhaenys in Corlys’ absence. I admire Rhaenys for defending Jace’s right to the throne, as the whole kingdom knows Jace is not a Velaryon by blood. Eve Best shines in this role, and I hope she gets much more to do in future episodes.
I feel the time jumps are the one thing that’s letting House of The Dragon down. We’ve flown through approximately three seasons worth of content and storylines in eight episodes like a highlight reel. It hampers the chance for the audience to really get to know and bond with our characters, and I very much hope this is the last time jump we see for the rest of season one. Save them for season breaks.
Upon hearing the news of Vaemond’s challenge, the extended family gathers in King’s Landing to discuss who shall become the new Lord of the Tides. When Rhaenyra and Daemon arrive, it’s very apparent the Hightowers now run the kingdom. Viserys is on his deathbed (I’m shocked he’s still alive), and has given Alicent the power to make the day to day decisions. Rhaenyra introduces him to his newest grandchildren, Aegon III and Viserys II. But he is too unwell to spend much time with them. Rhaenyra is currently pregnant with another child.
While Alicent’s Aegon is still a menace, his brother Aemond has grown up to resemble a young Daemon. Despite the loss of his eye in the previous episode, he shows off his fine swordfighting abilities here, making Jace and Luke feel inferior once again. Tensions are heightened further when Vaemond arrives to claim Driftmark. He has a private conversation with Alicent and Otto, attempting to get them to swing the vote his way as Viserys is too ill to oversee the proceedings.
I loved the scene in the garden between Rhaenyra and Rhaenys. Both women want to keep their families together, but there is clearly still tension between them over Laenor’s (fake) death. Wherever he is, I hope he’s enjoying life far away from all this drama. Rhaenyra makes Rhaenys an offer: Baela can marry Jace and become Queen. Rhaena can marry Luke and rule over Driftmark. Both families are happy. But Rhaenys knows Rhaenyra is desperate to hold on to both thrones, and doesn’t want to be dragged down with her.
One of Viserys’ final acts was showing up for Rhaenyra. It was painful to watch him drag himself to the Iron Throne, but so emotional. Paddy Considine, congrats on a great final episode. One of the common threads through season one has been Viserys and Rhaenyra’s relationship, and this was a beautiful ending for it. Daemon helping Viserys to the throne was another family highlight.
To Rhaenyra’s surprise, Rhaenys steps up and voices her support for Luke. She also agrees to the marriage proposals Rhaenyra put forth earlier, ensuring both houses retain control of the Iron Throne and the Driftmark Throne. The Hightowers are blindsided. Vaemond is furious, and drags Jace and Luke’s parentage through the mud. Daemon swiftly solves the problem, and it’s probably one of my favorite scenes yet. Daemon clearly loves Rhaenyra deeply, and anyone who speaks against her should know better by now.
Of course, family dinner never goes smoothly in Kings Landing. Jace, Luke, Baela and Rhaena seem happy about their arranged marriages. Alicent’s children can’t hold back snide remarks about their relatives. Viserys makes a passionate speech about family, grievances and uniting the family for the sake of the crown and himself. Rhaenyra extends an olive branch to Alicent, which is nice to see – but does she have an ulterior motive?
On his deathbed, Viserys mutters of Aegon, The Song of Ice and Fire, The Prince That Was Promised. Viserys believes Aegon will unite the realm. The only problem here is Alicent and Rhaenyra both have a son named Aegon – and Viserys does not indicate which boy he speaks of, leading Alicent to believe Viserys wants THEIR son Aegon to be King instead of Rhaenyra. In the final second, Viserys takes his last breath alone.
