In some ways, season 1 of House of The Dragon has simply felt like a prequel to a prequel. Along the way we’ve grown up with Rhaenyra and Alicent, leading to the main event in their lives: The fight for control of the Iron Throne. The constant time jumps have been somewhat frustrating and made some characters hard to connect with. I hope season 2 will have less of these, or the show will end up only running for 3-4 seasons.
Our finale opens with Young Luke informing his mother that he doesn’t want Driftmark as he doesn’t feel worthy of it. Rhaenyra tells him of a time where she was frightened of her duty, of being Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. It’s a sweet moment between mother and son, before things escalate.
Having escaped Kings Landing, Rhaenys has arrived at Dragonstone to inform Rhaenyra and Daemon of Viserys’ death and Aegon’s rise to power. Rhaenys keeps things short and to the point, dressed in battle armor. The stress of the news forces Rhaenyra into premature labor. Rhaenyra asks if Rhaenys declared for Aegon as Alicent asked her to do, and Rhaenys confirmed she did not. Daemon questions why Rhaenys didn’t burn them for their treason – but Rhaenys is wise. She knows there will be a war fought over this, but it is not her war to begin.
Daemon takes advantage of Rhaenyra’s labor to attempt to plan an attack, but Rhaenys summons Jace and Luke to Rhaenyra’s side. After informing them what has happened in King’s Landing, she sends Jace and Luke to tell Daemon nothing will be done without her permission. Meanwhile, men inform Daemon that Corlys is alive. He ignores Jace’s warning, and sends ravens to the allies of the Targaryens.
While Daemon is ensuring the guards swear fealty to Queen Rhaenyra, Rhaenyra gives struggles through a horrific birth to find her child stillborn. Her maids look on in horror as Rhaenyra cradles the baby, hoping it will cry. But it does not. Elders watch silently as Rhaenyra wraps her baby for its funeral ceremony. It has been a very bleak day at Dragonstone, in some ways mirroring the funeral of Aemma in episode 1.
After the funeral, a guard arrives with a crown. He bends the knee and pleads allegiance to Queen Rhaenyra as the extended Targaryen/Velaryon families watch. Daemon places the crown upon Rhaenyra’s head and kneels before her. The entire crowd kneel… except Rhaenys, who remains standing. It’s clear she does not wish to choose a side as the fight does not concern her – but in a way, she’s already sided with Rhaenyra by warning her of the Hightower’s deception.
Rhaenyra summons Rhaena and Baela to the war table at her side. Daemon stands at the other head of the table, flanked by advisors. He informs Rhaenyra of the state of their army, Dragonstone, and what they need to do to win. They quickly go through houses, deciding who will support them and who will need some convincing. Rhaenyra asks Rhaenys about Corlys, and Rhaenys informs her he is on his way to Dragonstone. I’m pleased Corlys didn’t die off screen, he deserves better than that.
Daemon points out they have more dragons than the Hightowers, which is promising but not a guarantee. In a brave move, Otto Hightower chooses now to arrive at Driftmark to propose terms. Why they didn’t roast him on the spot to send a message, I’m not sure. Rhaenyra chooses to make a dramatic entrance to the proceedings on dragonback. Naturally, Rhaenyra refuses to swear to Aegon so the terms are pointless. Rhaenyra rips the Hand of the King pin from Otto’s chest, labelling him a traitor. Daemon decides talking is pointless and draws his sword, ready to send Otto back to King’s Landing in a coffin – but Rhaenyra says no, and Daemon obeys her.
Daemon and Rhaenyra butt heads over which direction to take, which leads to him grabbing her by the throat. Nobody should be shocked at a man who murdered his first wife is violent, but I still hate to see him hurt the woman he supposedly loves. “Dreams didn’t make us Kings. Dragons did.” Daemon says, as he releases Rhaenyra and leaves the war room.
Meanwhile, Corlys and Rhaenys are reunited. She is rightfully angry with him for abandoning her when she needed him most. She informs him of his brother Vaemond’s death, and Corlys decides they will declare for no one. It is not their fight. Rhaenys reminds him their grandchildren are at risk, but Corlys is still angry with Rhaenyra over Laenor’s (fake) death. The Velaryon family go to the war room to see for themselves what the plan shall be. Rhaenyra reminds Corlys of the oath he swore to her, and surprisingly Corlys tells Rhaenyra she has the full support of his fleet and House Velaryon. A fast change of mindset for a man who was minutes ago determined to not support either side and enjoy his days in peace.
Rhaenyra shares her plan with the war room: She does not want to strike first. Instead, she wishes to visit her assumed allies and get agreements and oaths in place. “I wish to know who my allies are, before I send them to war.” Corlys considers this, then shares his own plan: Blocking and controlling the shipping lanes and the seas. Rhaenys volunteers to patrol the area herself aboard Meleys as she and Rhaenyra share tight smiles.
Jace steps forward and volunteers to take a message to one of their proposed allies instead of simply sending a raven, and Corlys supports his idea. Rhaenyra agrees, and sends Jace north to the Eyrie and Winterfell. Luke is sent south to the Baratheons. “We must remind these Lords of the oaths they swore… and the cost of breaking them,” Rhaenyra says.
Before Jace and Luke set off, Rhaenyra forces the young men to swear they will only go as messengers and will not take part in any fighting on their journey. A decision she may soon come to regret. Rhaenyra informs Luke that Lord Boris is a proud man, who will be honored to host a Prince and his dragon. Which may be true, if Luke had managed to arrive before Aemond.
From the moment Luke arrives, it feels like a trap. His suspicions are confirmed when he is lead into the Baratheon hall and comes face to face with his not-so-favorite cousin. Luke pleads his case to Lord Boris, but it seems he has already made his choice as Aegon offered a marriage pact for Lord Boris’ daughters. With Luke already betrothed, he has nothing to offer. Lord Boris sends Luke home.. but Aemond demands one of Luke’s eyes as payment for the one he lost.
Lord Boris refuses to have bloodshed beneath his roof, so Luke is saved for a moment. A storm rages outside as Luke makes his way to Arrax and launches up into the sky – intending to relay Lord Boris’ message to his mother. But Luke will never make it home, as Aemond’s dragon swiftly crunches him and Arrax into pieces mid-air.
In the final scene, somber music plays as we see Daemon silently inform Rhaenyra of Luke’s death. With the first blow now struck, war will have to begin whether Rhaenyra likes it or not. Season 2 is shaping up to be a fun ride, and I hope we don’t have to wait too long.
