House of the dragon season one done and wiped. HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel was highly anticipated, with around 30 million people watching each episode, making it a hit even though no one really knew what to expect from House of the Dragon. We got some answers earlier in the season when the show was on renewed for a second seasonindicating that it would take more than 10 episodes to cover the Targaryen Civil War.
In Sunday’s finale, we saw a precursor to the famous Dragon Dance. News of King Viserys’ death finally reaches Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen, but the queen is reluctant to go to war for the throne. The prophecy of Aegon the Conqueror echoes in her head as she declares the need to rule a united realm, not smoke and rubble.
However, the final moments of the show test her resolve, so we know that war is assured. Last warning: Heavy House of the Dragon spoilers below.
Luceris, we hardly knew you
The big news from the House of the Dragon finale is the death of Lucerys Targaryen, Rhaenyra’s youngest child by Laenor Velarion/Harwyn Strong. Lucerys, you may recall, was named the heir to the Dragonstone in Episode 8, a decision that a disgruntled Vaemon Velarion died disputing.
During the House of the Dragon finale, Rhaenyra and Daemon decide that they need to enlist the support of Eyre, Winterfell, and the Stormlands if they are to have a credible force to challenge Hightower. Towards the end of the episode, she sends her two oldest children to petition the lords and ladies of these regions. Jakeris will go to Eyre to get Lady Arryn’s powers and then go to Winterfell to talk to Cragin Stark. Lucerys, meanwhile, needs to go to Storm’s End to speak with Barros Baratheon.
However, when he gets there, we see that Aemond Targaryen has surpassed him. This is the same Aegon Targaryen who lost his eye thanks to Lucerisse – the same Aegon Targaryen who dreamed of revenge for years. Lord Baratheon Denies Lucerice : Aemond at least came with a proposal to marry two ladies, while Lucerius only got a reminder from Rhaenyra that House Baratheon had promised her swords to her heir years ago.
Lucerius tries to leave, but Emond prevents the prince from escaping him. He demands that Luceris pluck out his own eye to pay for the debt he incurred when he took Emond’s eye. Lord Baratheon demands that they both tear it apart so that no blood is spilled in his castle.
Lucerius mounts Oryx, his dragon, to fly back to Dragonstone. Unfortunately, a heavy storm has started – after all, this is the end of the storm. Emond and his huge dragon Vegar pursue Luceris. Emond just wants to capture Luceris and gouge out his eye, but his dragon has a mind of its own. After Oryx hits Vegar with dragon fire, the enraged beast bites Oryx. But since Vhegar is so huge, it results in Arryx being cut in half.
Lucerice was gone, as was Oryx. Most importantly, Emond Targaryen looks overwhelmed with regret at seeing his cousin killed. It’s not because of family feelings, but because I know the escalation his death can bring.
HBO
About dragons and people
Dragonfire was a motif throughout the finale, which is to be expected from a show called House of the Dragon. But one recurring argument was the same one Daenerys Targaryen faced on Game of Thrones: Should Rhaenyra try peace, traditional war, or should she just burn King’s Landing with the dragons?
Emond has Vegar, the most powerful dragon of all, it’s true. But the numbers are on Rhaenyra and Daemon’s side – even without Oryx. One brief scene in the episode could prove extremely important: we saw Daemon walking through a pitch-black cave where he found another titanic dragon. He sang a song in Valyrian, apparently succeeding in his attempt to bond with the beast. More dragons mean more trouble for the Seven Kingdoms.
In the final scene of The House of the Dragon, the Daemon informs Rhaenyra of Lucerice’s death. Rhaenyra doesn’t say anything, but her rictus is reminiscent of Daenerys after Missandei’s public execution. “If you want a war,” said the expression on her face, “then you will get a war.”
While we’ve seen Lucerice’s journey end in tragedy, we haven’t seen anything about Jacqueris’ journey north. If I’m betting, I’m putting my money on House of the Dragon Season 2 starting in Winterfell. It will be nice to come back.