Cathie If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, you probably have been eagerly waiting for the prequel series House of the Dragon, which tells the story of the Targaryen civil war that happened 200 years before the events of the main show. Based on George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, the series features a stellar cast, stunning visual effects, and a gripping plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In this post, we will recap the 10 most shocking moments of House of the Dragon season 1, which premiered on August 21, 2022. Beware of spoilers ahead!
The Death of King Viserys I Targaryen
The first major twist of the season came in House of the Dragon episode 4, when King Viserys I Targaryen, played by Paddy Considine, died unexpectedly in his sleep. Viserys was a beloved and benevolent ruler who had named his daughter Rhaenyra, played by Emma D’Arcy, as his heir. However, his second wife Alicent, played by Olivia Cooke, had other plans. She secretly crowned her son Aegon, played by Tom Glynn-Carney, as the new king, sparking a succession crisis that would divide the realm. The death of Viserys was a shocking and tragic event that set the stage for the bloody conflict to come.
The Betrayal of Ser Criston Cole
One of the most pivotal characters in the series is Ser Criston Cole, played by Fabien Frankel. He was the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and a close friend of both Rhaenyra and Aegon. He was also in love with Rhaenyra, but she rejected his advances and married her uncle Daemon, played by Matt Smith, instead. Feeling spurned and bitter, Criston switched his allegiance to Aegon and became his Hand of the King. He also led the coup that captured Rhaenyra’s half-brother Aemond, played by Ewan Mitchell, and blinded him by driving a dagger into his eye. Criston’s betrayal was a shocking and ruthless move that showed how far he was willing to go to serve his new king.
The Battle of Rook’s Rest
One of the most epic and spectacular moments of the House of the Dragon season was the battle of Rook’s Rest, which took place in episode 6. Rook’s Rest was a castle loyal to Rhaenyra, but it was besieged by Aegon’s forces. Rhaenyra sent her cousin Rhaenys, played by Eve Best, and her dragon Meleys to break the siege. However, they were ambushed by Aegon and Aemond, who rode their dragons Sunfyre and Vhagar, respectively. A fierce aerial combat ensued, in which Meleys was killed and Rhaenys was thrown off her dragon and burned alive by Sunfyre. Aegon and Aemond also suffered severe injuries, and Sunfyre was crippled. The battle of Rook’s Rest was a brutal and heartbreaking scene that showed the devastating consequences of dragon warfare.
The Sack of King’s Landing
Another major turning point of the season was the sack of King’s Landing, which happened in episode 8. After winning several battles, Rhaenyra and Daemon marched on the capital with their army and their dragons. They faced little resistance, as Aegon and Aemond had fled the city with their dragons. Rhaenyra entered the Red Keep and claimed the Iron Throne, while Daemon burned the ships in the harbor. However, their victory was short-lived, as the people of King’s Landing rose up in revolt against them. The mob stormed the Red Keep and killed many of Rhaenyra’s supporters, including her son Jace, played by Harry Collett. Rhaenyra and Daemon barely escaped with their lives, and fled the city on their dragons. The sack of King’s Landing was a shocking and chaotic scene that showed how the war had turned the people against the Targaryens.
The Death of Queen Alicent Hightower
One of the most satisfying moments of the season was the death of Queen Alicent Hightower, who was the main antagonist of the series. Alicent was the mastermind behind the coup that crowned Aegon as the new king, and she was ruthless and cunning in her schemes. She was also cruel and abusive to her daughter Helaena, played by Phia Saban, who was married to Aegon. In episode 9, Helaena committed suicide by jumping from a tower, after being tormented by the loss of her son Jaehaerys, who was kidnapped and killed by Rhaenyra’s supporters. Alicent was devastated by her daughter’s death, and blamed herself for it. She was then captured by Rhaenyra’s forces, who tortured her and fed her to Rhaenyra’s dragon Syrax. Alicent’s death was a fitting end for her character, who had caused so much pain and suffering to others.
The Death of Prince Daemon Targaryen
One of the most tragic and heroic moments of the season was the death of Prince Daemon Targaryen, who was one of the most popular and charismatic characters of the series. Daemon was Rhaenyra’s uncle and husband, and he was a skilled warrior and dragonrider. He was also loyal and devoted to Rhaenyra, and supported her claim to the throne. In episode 10, Daemon faced his nephew Aemond in a final showdown over the God’s Eye, a large lake in the Riverlands. Daemon rode his dragon Caraxes, while Aemond rode his dragon Vhagar. The two dragons clashed in the air, and both fell into the lake. Daemon managed to survive the fall, and climbed onto Vhagar’s back. He then stabbed Aemond in the eye with his sword Dark Sister, killing him and avenging his son Jace. However, Daemon was then dragged underwater by Vhagar, and drowned. Daemon’s death was a heroic and noble sacrifice, and a sad loss for Rhaenyra and the viewers.
The Death of King Aegon II Targaryen
One of the most unexpected and shocking moments of the season was the death of King Aegon II Targaryen, who was the main rival of Rhaenyra for the throne. Aegon was a weak and cruel king, who was manipulated by his mother Alicent and his Hand Criston. He was also hated by the people, who blamed him for the war and the destruction of the realm. In episode 10, Aegon returned to King’s Landing with his dragon Sunfyre, who had recovered from his injuries. He found the city in ruins, and the Red Keep occupied by his half-sister Rhaenyra, who had reclaimed the throne. Aegon challenged Rhaenyra to a trial by combat, and the two faced each other on their dragons. Sunfyre killed Syrax, and Aegon ordered his men to capture Rhaenyra. However, before he could kill her, he was stabbed in the back by his own brother Aegon the Younger, played by Matthew Needham, who had switched sides and joined Rhaenyra. Aegon’s death was a shocking and ironic twist, and a fitting end for his character, who had betrayed his own family and caused so much bloodshed.
The Death of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
One of the most heartbreaking and horrifying moments of the season was the death of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, who was the main protagonist of the series. Rhaenyra was a strong and ambitious queen, who had fought hard to claim her rightful throne. She was also a loving and protective mother, who had suffered the loss of four of her children. In episode 10, Rhaenyra was captured by Aegon’s forces, after her dragon Syrax was killed by Sunfyre. She was brought to the Dragonpit, where Aegon’s dragon Balerion was kept. Aegon’s son Aegon the Younger, who had killed his father, offered Rhaenyra mercy and asked her to abdicate. Rhaenyra refused, and said that she would rather die than give up her crown. Aegon the Younger then ordered Balerion to burn Rhaenyra alive, while her youngest son Aegon the Younger watched in horror. Rhaenyra’s death was a heartbreaking and horrifying scene, and a tragic end for her character, who had fought so hard for her dream.
The Rise of King Aegon III Targaryen
One of the most hopeful and promising moments of the House of the Dragon season was the rise of King Aegon III Targaryen, who was the son of Rhaenyra and Daemon, and the grandson of Viserys. Aegon was a young and innocent boy, who had witnessed the horrors of the war and the deaths of his parents. He was also the last surviving dragonrider, as he had inherited his mother’s dragon Syrax. In episode 10, Aegon was crowned as the new king, after his brother Aegon the Younger abdicated in his favor. Aegon the Younger, who had killed both his father and his mother, felt guilty and unworthy of the throne.
He also wanted to end the war and restore peace to the realm. He asked his brother Aegon to forgive him, and to rule wisely and justly. Aegon agreed, and hugged his brother. He then addressed the people of King’s Landing, and announced that he would be a king for all, and that he would heal the wounds of the war. He also declared that he would honor his mother’s memory, and that he would rebuild the city and the realm. The people cheered for their new king, and hoped for a better future. Aegon then flew away on Syrax, to find his father’s body and give him a proper burial. The House of the Dragon season ended with a shot of Aegon flying over the God’s Eye, where a dragon’s roar was heard in the distance.
