HBO’s much-anticipated Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, begins with a voiceover explaining that the first century of the Targaryen reign is closing and King Jaehaerys Targaryen’s health is fading. Still, their House maintains complete control of the kingdom thanks to 10 powerful, adult dragons.
His sons have died and Jaehaerys believes the only thing that can tear down House Targaryen is House Targaryen. And so, in the year 101 he calls a great council to Harrenhal to choose an heir.
14 claims have been submitted but only two are considered: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and Prince Viserys Targaryen, the king’s oldest male heir. The lords name Viserys (Paddy Considine) as king, and the woman who deserved it is passed over.
The story picks up during the ninth year of King Viserys I’s reign. It’s also noted this is 172 years before the birth of Mad King Aerys’ daughter, Princess Daenerys.
(This is a recap so there are spoilers ahead! Consider yourself warned.)
A dragon soars, swooping through the clouds and flying over the city. Not a soul looks up; dragons are a common sight during this period. Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) jumps off her dragon, Syrax, and is welcomed by Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish) and Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey). It’s obvious Ser Harrold and Alicent don’t share Rhaenyra’s fondness for dragons as suitable transportation.
(Princess Rhaenyra is King Viserys’ daughter, Alicent Hightower is the Hand of the King’s daughter, and Ser Harrold has served in the Kingsguard for decades.)
Rhaenyra’s mother, Aemma Targaryen (Sian Brooke), is far along in her pregnancy and chides her daughter for being reckless. Aemma’s worried Rhaenyra will get hurt, but Rhaenyra would rather be a knight than a wife and loves the thrill of dragon riding.
“The child bed is our battlefield,” says Aemma. “We must learn to face it with a stiff lip.”
King Viserys’ council meets and Lord Corlys “The Sea Snake” Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) warns that the Free Cities are conspiring and have gathered at Bloodstone. Calling themselves the Triarchy, they’re killing off pirates in the Stepstones. The group is led by Craghas Drahar, nicknamed the Crabfeeder.
Lord Coryls’ report is interrupted by Princess Rhaenyra’s arrival as the king’s cupbearer. The talk turns to Prince Daemon and his continuing absence from the council. Lord Lyman Beesbury (Bill Paterson), Master of Coin, wants him to attend the meetings, but King Viserys points out Daemon’s kept busy as Commander of the City Watch. There’s also talk about the large amount of funds Daemon requests for the Watch.
Sir Otto Hightower, Hand of the King (Rhys Ifans), changes the subject to the Heir’s Tournament. Plans are moving forward and Grand Maester Mellos (David Horovitch) believes his forecast for the date of the heir’s birth Is still accurate. Lord Beesbury points out the tournament’s a costly event and suggests it be delayed until after the child’s actually born. King Viserys doesn’t agree and predicts the child will be born on the last days of the planned week-long tournament.
King Viserys is certain he’ll be blessed with a son this time.
What we’ve learned thus far about King Viserys is that he has a good sense of humor and genuinely loves his wife and daughter. He’s convinced his male heir will sit on the throne when he’s gone.
Rhaenyra meets in private with her uncle, Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), who’s seated on the Iron Throne. He insists it will be his one day and Rhaenyra reminds him he could be killed for treason with such thoughts. He dislikes court and doesn’t regret missing council meetings.
It’s apparent they share a special bond, and Daemon presents her with a necklace made of Valyrian steel. He places it around her neck and says, “Now you and I both own a small piece of ancestry.”
Alicent helps Rhaenyra study history, and Rhaenyra confesses she hopes her father gets what he’s always wanted – a son. All she wants to do is explore and ride dragons. Oh, and eat only cake.
The King has an abscess that’s worrying his attendants, and he blames the wound on the Iron Throne. Grand Maester Mellos suggests it be cauterized and Otto Hightower reminds him it needs to be kept secret.
King Viserys visits his beloved wife in her tepid bath, the only place she finds comfort. He’s convinced their baby is a boy, revealing he had a dream of their son being born wearing Aegon’s iron crown. In the dream, he placed their son on the Iron Throne to the accompaniment of bells ringing and dragons roaring.
Aemma confesses she cannot do this again. She’s suffered multiple miscarriages and stillbirths, and this pregnancy has taken its toll on her body more so than any of the others. Aemma apologizes for not providing him an heir but reveals she’s mourned all their dead children and will not go through this again.
Prince Daemon assembles the gold-cloaked members of the City Watch, which, under his command, has gone from a group of disorganized scoundrels to a well-oiled – and ruthless – enforcement machine. King’s Landing has become riddled with thieves and other lawbreakers, and he turns the Watch loose on the city.
“Beginning tonight, King’s Landing will learn to fear the color gold,” declares Daemon.
They take advantage of their commander’s penchant for violence and brutally attack anyone they believe to be a criminal. Hands of thieves are chopped off, rapists lose their penises, and those accused of murder lose their heads – courtesy of Prince Daemon’s sword, Dark Sister. By the time they’re finished, a cart full of body parts is removed from the city.
The following morning Otto Hightower fills King Viserys in on Daemon’s raid. They’re still discussing the raid when they enter the council chambers and find Prince Daemon has, for once, joined them. The tension’s palpable between Otto Hightower and Prince Daemon, and while Otto believes the Watch needs to be more restrained, Daemon suggests they were simply enforcing the Crown’s laws.
Prince Daemon explains the city is currently lawless and terrifying, and King Viserys agrees it needs to be made safe. “I just hope you don’t have to maim half of my city to achieve it,” says Viserys.
Daemon replies, “Time will tell.”
Lord Corlys appears to agree with Prince Daemon, and Otto Hightower – who’s on the losing side of this argument – brings up that Daemon’s been absent too long from the Vale and his wife. Daemon doesn’t love his wife and points out that in the Vale, the sheep are better looking than the women.
(Prince Daemon is married to Lady Rhea Royce, heir to Runestone and the head of House Royce.)
King Viserys attempts to play peacemaker, reminding Otto that Daemon has a history of provoking him for sport. Daemon leaves after a warning about his behavior, and once he’s gone, King Viserys concedes the City Watch might be a good thing.
Prince Daemon demonstrates his lust for sex is as strong as his lust for power and blood by spending time in a brothel. He’s preoccupied and has a difficult time finishing, and his lover Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) soothes him by stroking his vanity.
The day of the Heir’s Tournament arrives and the jousting begins. King Viserys welcomes the massive crowd and announces that his wife has begun her labor.
Rhaenyra and Alicent have front-row seats and cheer as knights are knocked from their horses. They also gossip about who’s having sex with who, but then a mysterious knight catches their attention. His name is Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and he’s of Dornish descent. His skills are impressive, and he manages to unseat better-known knights.
(Ser Criston is the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven.)
A Baratheon knight asks for the favor of The Queen Who Never Was – Lord Corlys’ wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. He receives it but still loses to Ser Criston Cole.
Prince Daemon is next to enter the arena and chooses to compete against the eldest son of Otto Hightower. Hightower gets in the first hit, but Prince Daemon aims for the horse’s legs and unseats him in the second pass.
Prince Daemon rides over to the stands and asks for Lady Alicent’s favor. After glancing at her father, she obliges with a crown of flowers.
King Viserys is summoned to his wife’s side and receives the devastating news the baby is breach. Aemma’s doing her best to deliver the baby and has been given Milk of the Poppy for the pain. She’s barely able to talk between screams, and King Viserys is forced to choose between the life of his wife or his unborn child. King Viserys, still certain his son will be crowned king, chooses the baby.
Aemma’s arms and legs are held and she’s absolutely terrified when she realizes their plan is to cut the child from her womb. She remains conscious as the deep incision is made and her blood soaks the sheets. She passes away without holding the baby who took her life.
While Aemma’s taking her last breaths, war has broken out on the field. It’s no longer a friendly competition and some knights are gravely injured.
Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys reflect on the state of things, suggesting this bloody tournament might not be the appropriate way to welcome an heir to the world. None of these knights have known real war, and Princess Rhaenys says it’s a marvel that war didn’t break out on the field at first blood.
The tournament resumes and it’s now come down to Prince Daemon and Ser Criston. Prince Daemon gets in the first hit, but ultimately, it’s Ser Criston who unseats the Commander of the Watch. Daemon doesn’t give up and demands his sword, while Criston’s weapon of choice is a mace.
It’s a fierce battle and the upper hand switches multiple times. However, Ser Criston emerges victorious and asks for Princess Rhaenyra’s favor which he receives. (Daemon is not a gracious loser.)
Unfortunately for King Viserys, his son lasts only a matter of minutes before also passing away.
Aemma and her baby, Baelon, are wrapped and placed on a funeral pyre. King Viserys looks beaten as he stands in silence, surrounded by his people.
Prince Daemon whispers to Princess Rhaenyra that the people are waiting for her, and she wonders if her father found happiness in those few minutes his male heir was alive. Daemon reminds her that Viserys needs her now more than ever.
Princess Rhaenyra approaches the pyre, looks at her father who doesn’t meet her eyes, and then says, “Dracarys.” Her dragon, Syrax, responds to the command and lights the pyre on fire.
The council assembles and Otto Hightower believes it’s urgent they name the King’s successor. Others argue the precedent is set and the heir is Prince Daemon. However, both Grand Maester Mellos and Otto think that would be a horrible mistake, given Daemon’s history and personality.
King Viserys reminds Otto it was his suggestion that Daemon be named Commander of the Watch. Otto admits he believes Daemon should be kept far away from the seat of power. King Viserys vehemently disagrees, assuring everyone his brother will have a place at court.
As it’s suggested by Grand Maester Mellos that Daemon could murder the King to take the crown, we’re shown Daemon is hiding nearby, eavesdropping on this entire discussion.
Viserys doesn’t believe Daemon even wants the throne and Daemon smirks. Viserys is wrong.
Otto Hightower believes Princess Rhaenyra could be named heir and that it’s only history, not the law, that says a Queen can’t sit on the Iron Throne. Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), Master of Laws, warns that might throw the kingdom into disarray.
Otto Hightower is certain Daemon would be a second Maegor, and King Viserys needs to protect the realm from him.
“I will not be made to choose between my brother and my daughter!” says King Viserys.
The argument continues and King Viserys has had enough. He storms out of the council meeting without naming an heir.
Otto has a raven sent to Oldtown with a secret message. He then suggests to his daughter, Alicent, that she get close to King Viserys. He wants her to go to the King in his chambers and offer him comfort. Otto goes a step further and suggests she should wear one of her mother’s dresses for the visit.
Alicent does what she’s told and finds King Viserys polishing a ring and working on a large sculpture of Valyria. She brought a book and explains she just wanted to look in on him. Alicent reveals that when her mother died all she wanted was for someone to say they were sorry.
“I’m very sorry, Your Grace,” says Alicent.
Prince Daemon and the men of the Watch have rented out a brothel, and the drinking and whoring momentarily ceases when Daemon’s asked to give a speech.
The following day Otto Hightower reports to the King and the council about the prior evening’s activities. During his speech, Daemon toasted Viserys’ dead son and called him “the heir for a day.” Otto also adds the evening was a celebration, which is an insult to Viserys’ wife and deceased baby.
Prince Daemon is summoned before King Viserys who’s seated on the Iron Throne. Viserys demands to know if Daemon actually said “the heir for a day,” and Daemon says each person mourns in their own way. Viserys is enraged, accusing Daemon of laughing and celebrating with whores rather than being with family and mourning the deaths.
“You chose to celebrate your own rise, laughing with your whores and your lickspittles!” screams King Viserys.
The brothers argue, each accusing the other of mistreatment and neglect. They share dragon blood but aren’t close, and Viserys has sent Daemon away for the past 10 years – anything to keep him from King’s Landing.
Daemon calls Otto a c*nt while Viserys views him as unwavering and loyal. “He doesn’t protect you – I would,” counters Daemon. When Viserys asks from what, Daemon replies, “Yourself,” and calls his brother weak.
King Viserys announces he’s naming a new heir and banishes Daemon from King’s Landing. He’s ordered to return to his wife in the Vale.
Later, Viserys and Rhaenyra have a private chat in front of the skeleton of the great dragon, Balerion. He asks what she sees when she looks upon a dragon and she answers, “I suppose I see us.”
Rhaenyra thinks without the dragons, Targaryens are just like everyone else. Viserys confesses he believes the Targaryens don’t control the dragons and thinks they are a power that shouldn’t have been trifled with. Any Targaryen king – or queen – must understand this. He apologizes for wasting years wanting a son.
King Viserys believes Rhaenyra could be a great ruler and was made to wear the crown. Viserys also shares a secret long held by their family. Dreams have often guided them and Aegon foresaw that the end of men would begin with a terrible winter out of the North. Whatever dwelled within the winds would destroy the world of the living.
When winter comes, all of Westeros must stand united against it. For that to happen, a Targaryen must be on the Iron Throne. Aegon called his dream The Song of Ice and Fire, and now she must carry this secret and protect it.
While Prince Daemon and Mysaria take to the air on Caraxes, lords of the various Houses, as well as King Viserys’ council, pledge their loyalty to Viserys and his named heir, Princess Rhaenyra.
House of the Dragon Episode 1 Review:
House of the Dragon focuses exclusively on House Targaryen and as we see in episode one, there’s enough backstabbing, jealousy, and even actual love, to warrant following this particular House of fair-haired dragon riders.
Prince Daemon appears to be a slightly more twisted version of Jaime Lannister. And speaking of Jaime, the Targaryens’ history of incest is clearly not just the standard for past generations. Aemma’s multiple failed pregnancies and Daemon’s attraction to his niece hint there’s a disturbing amount of inbreeding still going on. So, yes, there’s that factor to deal with once again.
King Viserys begins episode one as a decent, good-humored ruler with a sincere desire to follow in King Jaehaerys’ footsteps and maintain a peaceful kingdom. He’s even, initially, capable of tolerating his brother, even though his trusted advisors Otto Hightower and Grand Maester Mellos warn him Daemon has his sights set on the Iron Throne.
Although women are considered lesser during this era, Princess Rhaenyra, Princess Rhaenys, and Alicent Hightower are no shrinking violets. Episode one does a decent job of setting them up as potentially powerful players in the quest to rule the kingdom.
The acting is superb; there’s not a single scene in which the ensemble, led by Paddy Considine and Matt Smith, isn’t fully committed to this world and these characters. After Game of Thrones, it was expected the production design, costumes, and effects would be impressive, and the below-the-line team didn’t let GoT fans – or new viewers, for that matter – down.
The world doesn’t seem as expansive as Game of Thrones, but that’s understandable given the limited focus of House of the Dragon. The spinoff manages to capture the GoT vibe without feeling like a knock-off, although it’ll be a challenge for this 10-episode season not to wind up feeling a bit claustrophobic if the action continues to take place solely in King’s Landing.
The premiere accomplished what it needed to, establishing the key players, and dropping hints at what’s to come. Plus, it didn’t hurt that there were plenty of magnificent dragons!
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 “The Rogue Prince” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 3 “Second of His Name” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 4 “King of the Narrow Sea” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 5 “We Light the Way” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 6 “The Princess and the Queen” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 7 “Driftmark” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 8 “The Lord of the Tides” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 9 “The Green Council” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10 “The Black Queen” Finale Recap
- House of the Dragon Earns an Early Season 2 Renewal
