Ranking The Best And Worst Relationships In House Of The Dragon Season 1

Listing and exploring the best and worst couples from House of the Dragon season 1.

By Chandraboli Majumdar
January 5,2023
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House of the Dragon season 1 has shown us a number of pairings, both regular and incestuous. However, a few of them have stood out to the audience. They have either been the best relationships that fans have been enjoying and are shipping regularly on Twitter. Or else they are the absolute worst, most toxic relationships in House of the Dragon. Although, every one of these relationships has its ups and downs, highs and lows, we’ll be ranking the 5 best and worst ones.

Best Relationships in House of the Dragon season 1

1. Lord Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen

Corlys and Rhaenys in House of the Dragon
Corlys and Rhaenys in House of the Dragon

This relationship has stood the test of time and remains as sturdy as ever. While they have had their differences, Lord Corlys has unconditionally supported Princess Rhaenys and she’s done the same for him. No matter what hurdles they cross, they always seem to find a way back to each other. Its one of the few relationships built on mutual respect, admiration and love.

2. Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Harwin Strong

Ser Harwin Strong and Princess Rhaenyra after the 10 year time jump
Ser Harwin Strong and Princess Rhaenyra after the 10 year time jump

Daemyra shippers sure wont be too happy to see them up here. But the relationship between Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Harwin Strong was built on respect, love and understanding. Ser Harwin Strong truly cared about Princess Rhaenyra and it showed from the very beginning when he first rescued her from the mob in her wedding. He was there for her unconditionally and understood her responsibilities as Princess and future heir to the Iron Throne.

3. Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon

Daemon Targaryen touches his forhead on Laena Velaryon's belly
Daemon Targaryen touches his forhead on Laena Velaryon’s belly

After Daemon Targaryen’s disastrous first marriage, his second one took the audiences by surprise. He had somehow found comfort, love and happiness with Lady Laena Velaryon even though he always wanted to be with Princess Rhaenyra. Daemon and Laena shared two beautiful daughters and settled down in Pentos.

4. Laenor Velaryon and Ser Qarl Correy 

Laenor Velaryon escapes from Driftmark with Qarl
Laenor Velaryon escapes from Driftmark with Qarl

One of the few couples in House of the Dragon who actually found true happiness and freedom is Laenor Velaryon and Qarl Correy. They escaped the complicated life of the royal blooded and escaped to Essos. Until we know more in season 2, we can assume that they are living happily ever after, free to be who they are and free to love who they choose.

5. King Viserys and Queen Alicent Hightower

Alicent Hightower and King Viserys get married in House of the Dragon
Alicent Hightower and King Viserys get married

This relationship in House of the Dragon might have been a result of reluctant grooming by Ser Otto Hightower. But it cannot be denied that Queen Alicent Hightower was always a dutiful and loving wife to King Viserys. She cared for him at his worst and comforted him. Similarly, King Viserys too deeply cared about her.

5 Worst relationships

1. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole

Ser Criston Cole asks Princess Rhaenyra to elope in House of the Dragon
Ser Criston Cole asks Princess Rhaenyra to elope in House of the Dragon

Definitely one of the most toxic couples in House of the Dragon is Ser Criston Cole and Princess Rhaenyra. Eventually the beloved Criston Cole became nothing more than a scorned lover with a petty grudge.

2. Prince Daemon and Lady Rhea Royce

Prince Daemon Targaryen is about to kill Lady Rhea Royce in House of the Dragon
Prince Daemon Targaryen is about to kill Lady Rhea Royce

A relationship is definitely bad and wrong if one kills the other and that is exactly what happened between these two in House of the Dragon. Daemon never cared for or even loved his first wife Lady Rhea Royce and treated her with contempt and disdain.

3. Princess Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon

Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen weds Laenor Velaryon in House of the Dragon
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen weds Laenor Velaryon

This couple is definitely tamer compared to the others on the list. However, they too had their fair share of problems in House of the Dragon season 1. Laenor Velaryon was absent from Rhaenyra and the kids’ lives and frequently went on adventures with his paramours. He often left Princess Rhaenyra to fend for herself in the Red Keep. And Rhaenyra on the other hand found herself in the arms of Ser Harwin Strong.

4. Prince Aegon II Targaryen and Helaena Targaryen

Why does Alicent want Aegon II Targaryen to marry her daughter Helaena Targaryen?
Why does Alicent want Aegon II Targaryen to marry her daughter Helaena Targaryen?

Aegon and Helaena were married in House of the Dragon on the orders of Queen Alicent Hightower. However, Aegon turned out to be a despicable and lowly man who never cared about Helaena and never even tried to understand her. He often openly disrespected her and left her alone.

5. King Viserys and Queen Aemma

Queen Aemma and Baelon Targaryen's funeral in House of the Dragon
Queen Aemma and Baelon Targaryen’s funeral in House of the Dragon

Although King Viserys claimed to have loved Queen Aemma, he took a severely questionable decision in House of the Dragon when he sacrificed Aemma for his unborn son.