House of the Dragon is an adaptation of the legendary fantasy novelist George R. R. Martin’s classic Fire & Blood, and it is meant to be a throwback to the heyday of HBO’s all-time blockbuster, Game of Thrones, which took place centuries prior to the event in House of the Dragon.
Have those high standards been restored? The Heirs of the Dragon” suggests that the response is probably yes.
What Transpired in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1
In the year 101, the Emperor convened an enormous assembly to select a new successor. Fourteen candidates were considered. However, only two candidates, Rhaenys Velaryon, princess, as well as Viserys Targaryen, prince, were strongly contemplated. Viserys Targaryen was eventually selected as the heir.
According to the book House of the Dragon, King Viserys I Targaryen is now in his ninth year as ruler, which places the year at 172 Bc (before the Mad King’s murder as well as the conception of his child, Daenerys Targaryen). Queen Emma is paid a royal visit by Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen as well as Lady Alicent Hightower.
The following scene in House of the Dragon shows Princess Rhaenyra coming tardily to a conference, during which King Viserys I reveals that he expects his spouse, Queen Emma, to deliver a boy instead of a girl. When his niece, Princess Rhaenyra, cautions that Prince Daemon Targaryen’s actions may be considered treachery, Daemon ignores her. The bell tolls and King Viserys orders his subjects to examine the stubborn wound on his behind.
Prince Daemon later reports to his troops that the town has been destroyed. And he plans to instill that dread of gold in King’s Landing soon. Then they launch a brutal assault on the locals, dismembering and even executing them. After hearing of the assaults, Prince Daemon criticizes Ser Otto Hightower, who was serving as the King’s Hand, intentionally.
Queen Emma Dies While Giving Birth
To kick off the festivities, King Viserys I announces that Queen Emma has given birth. In the course of the competition, Prince Daemon chooses his companion, who appears to be Ser Otto Hightower’s oldest son. Queen Emma is having trouble giving delivery while Lady Alison sends her warmest greetings to Prince Daemon. King Viserys I must decide whether to “leave it with the gods” or to slice open Queen Emma to rescue the baby.
King Viserys I inform his wife and the queen that they are about to deliver the newborn. Queen Emma cries in agony as he clutches her arm. Cutting between scenes in House of the Dragon, viewers see Queen Emma succumbs to her wounds shortly after giving birth to a son, and then we see Criston Cole triumph in the games. However, it is revealed at her burial that her male heir lived for just a short time. Princess Rhaenyra is curious whether her father was happy for the little period he had a male heir.
Hightower visits the king to discuss a serious problem: the absence of a clear successor. They say the country will suffer if Daemon continues to rule without challenge. Many have wondered whether the prince might try to assassinate the King for the succession. Then, they talk about if Rhaenyra holds a claim to the throne, and the latter eavesdrop on their conversation without their knowing it.
House of the Dragon season 1, Episode 1 Ending
However, they aren’t the only ones who think they should rule; it appears as if GOT has begun once again. After that, the King’s hand convinces Lady Alicent, his daughter, to pay a royal visitation to her father in his private quarters. Lady Alicent follows her father’s instructions, even though she has no idea what she should discuss with King Viserys I.
The next day, Hightower reported to King I that he had witnessed Prince Daemon rejoicing in the tragic fatalities. Following King Viserys I’s questioning of Prince Daemon as to whether or not he really stated “heir for the day,” heated exchange of words takes place involving the two siblings.
Viserys explicitly told his brother that he won’t ever succeed on the iron throne, and demanded his leave. When it becomes clear that Prince Daemon must go, King Viserys I injures his arm while sitting on the throne.
King Viserys I reveals his plans for Princess Rhaenyra to succeed him as monarch in the last moments of the pilot chapter of House of the Dragon. However there’s more; he lets her in on a little mystery: the world’s final days will start with a horrible winter, or what some people dub A Song of Ice and Fire. King Viserys I has now confided in Princess Rhaenyra, telling her she must guard a great secret.
