After ten episodes, a number of time jumps, and far more dragons than we have ever seen game of thronesSeason 1 of Dragon House got here to an unforgettable finish.
The season finale, “The Black Queen,” picks up the place the ninth episode, “The Green Council”, depart behind. Princess Rhaenys (Eve Finest) informs Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) that the Greens have disrespected her and usurped the Iron Throne. The remainder of the episode stays true to the darkish camp, following how they plan to proceed within the face of what’s certain to be a conflict of succession.
In fact, being Westeros, issues do not fairly go as deliberate, and there are a number of twists – and a devastating demise – to come back. Let’s break it down.
What’s Rhaenyra’s subsequent transfer?
Thus begins the Dance of the Dragons.
Credit score: Ollie Upton/HBO
“The Black Queen” places Rhaenyra by way of hell. She discovers that her father Viserys is lifeless and that Alicent (Olivia Cooke) has put Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) on the Iron Throne, and then she goes into untimely labor. She provides start to a stillborn child and has no time to grieve earlier than being topped queen by her followers in Dragonstone.
Within the midst of all this heartache, Rhaenyra does her finest to carry the dominion collectively, as a result of that is what Aegon the Conqueror’s Song of Ice and Fire calls for of a Targaryen chief. Nevertheless, she strikes to take inventory of her allies. As soon as Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) recovers from his fever, he declares the help of Home Velaryon to her. With Corlys at her aspect, Rhaenyra has the benefit of the most important fleet in Westeros, one that may lower off the transport lanes to King’s Touchdown. If Rhaenyra might bind Homes Arryn, Tully, Stark, and Baratheon to her aspect, she can be actually unstoppable. She sends her sons Jacaerys (Harry Collett) and Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) as messengers to those nice lords. Jacaerys will cope with Cregan Stark, whereas Lucerys will remind Borros Baratheon of the oath his father swore to Rhaenyra years in the past.
What does the piece of paper Otto provides Rhaenyra imply?
The story repeats itself.
Credit score: Ollie Upton/HBO
Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) arrives at Dragonstone to ship Rhaenyra’s phrases for her to just accept Aegon as king. He encounters a really hostile demon (Matt Smith) and Rhaenyra using Syrax. The entire scene unfolds like a mirror model of the Episode 2 Dragonstone Showdown. As soon as upon a time, Rhaenyra and Daemon have been rivals who threatened one another with dragons. Now the 2 unite towards Otto.
Very like the final showdown at Dragonstone, this tense encounter does not finish in bloodshed, and it is all because of a message from Alicent. Otto palms Rhaenyra a chunk of paper and he or she instantly acknowledges it as a web page from a historical past e-book that Alicent as soon as requested her about, all through Episode 1. stored all these years – and that Rhaenyra keep in mind — positively speaks to the power of their bond (in addition to, dare I say, emotions deeper than friendship). Since Rhaenyra and Alicent have been near reconciling in Episode 8, it is sensible that Rhaenyra would not instantly assault Otto. If there’s a likelihood to fix this friendship and unite the dominion, she’s going to most positively contemplate it.
Alice’s green dress in ‘House of the Dragon’ is a major power move. Here’s why it’s so important.
Who sings Daemon, dragon, and what does this scene imply for season 2?
A brand new dragon pal!
Credit score: Courtesy of HBO
As Rhaenyra exhibits restraint after studying of her father’s demise, Daemon craves decisive motion. Along with his brother lifeless and his spouse’s throne usurped, he’s clearly on the warpath. He even unloads his anger on Rhaenyra. One of many episode’s darkest scenes sees him suffocating on the point out of the Tune of Ice and Fireplace. For him, it is a reminder of Viserys’ inaction and obsession with goals. However in his thoughts, the Targaryens did not get the place they have been due to the goals. The supply of their energy has at all times been dragons. And Daemon plans to get extra.
Later within the episode, Daemon travels underneath the Dragonmont on Dragonstone, the place he encounters a really massive dragon and sings to it in High Valyrian. This dragon is Vermithor, and he has had no rider since Jaehaerys, the king earlier than Viserys.
As Daemon factors out, a number of riderless dragons roam Westeros, together with the previous dragon Seasmoke of Laenor. If black can discover dragon riders, they’ll get extra dragons and their benefit over inexperienced will improve. Vermithor does not assault Daemon, so step one of his plan seems to achieve success. Season 2 will doubtless see Daemon search out a brand new technology of dragon riders and train them… how you can practice their dragons.
What is going on on at Storm’s Finish within the Dragon Home closing?
The dress? Flawless. The slaughter ? Inexcusable.
Credit score: Gary Moyes/HBO
Dragon Home Season 1 ends with our first main dragon battle within the sequence. It is the large Vhagar of Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) towards the small however quick Arrax of Lucerys. Naturally, Vhagar crushes Arrax and devours Lucerys, however how we get so far is simply as essential because the dragon itself.
Lucerys doesn’t discover a heat welcome on the headquarters of Home Baratheon in Storm’s Finish. Aemond has already agreed to marry one in every of Borros’ daughters in return for his help, so Borros feels he has nothing to realize by supporting Rhaenyra. Nevertheless, Aemond makes the scenario worse by demanding that Lucerys take away one in every of his eyes in retaliation for eradicating Aemond’s eye so way back. (Aemond reveals that he had a sapphire positioned in his eye socket, confirming that he’s the Most Dramatic Targaryen to Ever Live.)
Lucerys clearly refuses, and what follows is a dogfight! Vhagar chases Arrax by way of the clouds, and whereas Aemond simply appears to be having fun with himself sadistically, Vhagar is out for blood. She eliminates Arrax and Lucerys in a single chew, leaving Aemond to observe in horror as he realizes how badly this can have an effect on the battle between Rhaenyra and Aegon. I do not know what to let you know, Aemond — once you play with hearth, you get burned.
Vhagar’s actions remind us of the immortal phrases of Daenerys Targaryen: “A dragon isn’t a slave.” They’re extraordinarily highly effective creatures able to nice destruction, and so they have their very own minds and needs. Up so far within the sequence, they haven’t fought. Now, nevertheless, all bets are off. If the dragons of the Greens assault the Blacks, all of Westeros will endure.
And by the tip of the episode, it is clear that is the place issues are headed. Within the closing moments of the finale, Daemon informs Rhaenyra of Lucerys’ destiny. She stares on the digital camera, anger and resolve burning in her eyes. It is a terrific closing performing transfer from D’Arcy and a harbinger for Season 2: The Darkish Queen Goes to Battle. Now hearth and blood will rain down in earnest.
Season 1 of Dragon House now streaming HBO Max.(opens in a new tab)
