The opening episode of House of the Dragon introduces the House of Targaryen at the pinnacle of its grandeur. Ten majestic dragons loom beneath their banner, a testament to their unparalleled strength in the year 101AC. King Jaehaerys convenes a grand council, drawing over a thousand lords to the throne room, as fourteen different claims to succession echo through the chambers. Yet, only two names rise to the forefront: Princess Rhaenys and Prince Viserys Targaryen.
After much deliberation, the lords unanimously declare Prince Viserys as the future King. The Iron Throne remains out of reach for a woman... for the time being. Ironically, this council was meant to avert a looming war, yet the Targaryen family itself stands perilously close to declaring one.
Nine years later, King Viserys I reigns supreme. We are 172 years removed from the madness of King Aerys and the birth of Daenerys, whose legendary descent into insanity and bloodthirsty rampage echoes through the annals of history. But for now, those shadows lie distant.
Dragons and Targaryens coexist in harmonious splendor, the city thriving under their joint rule. Princess Rhaenyra steals the spotlight, swooping into view on the back of a dragon and greeting her friend Alicent Hightower with a bright smile. She harbors a yearning to engage in grand battles and lead charges on the battlefield, but her mother quickly tamps down those fiery aspirations. For the moment, Rhaenyra is relegated to the more mundane task of filling goblets for the council.
Amidst the Targaryen arrogance, a brewing storm gathers on the horizon. The alliance of Free Cities, converging at Bloodstone under the banner of the Prince Admiral known colloquially as "Crab Feeder," poses a growing threat. Lord Corlys Velaryon's concerns are met with indifferent shrugs, as the Targaryens remain blissfully unaware of the impending danger.
King Viserys anxiously awaits the arrival of his newborn child, firmly believing that a son is destined to enter the world. Rhaenyra listens attentively, her gaze wandering across the influential men gathered around the table. Later, she ventures to visit Prince Daemon Targaryen, finding him perched on the Iron Throne, a far cry from how it's described in the tales, encircled by countless swords protruding like eerie gravestones. Daemon presents the young princess with a necklace forged from Valyrian steel.
As the commander of the armies, Daemon is quick to whip his Gold Cloaks into a frenzy, vowing to conquer King's Landing and instill fear of the golden hue. His methods are brutal, as he personally executes criminals and carts away their mangled remains.
King Viserys has been under immense stress lately, and it's taken a toll on his health. The Grand Maester examines a ghastly wound on the king's back, concluding that it must be cauterized. Viserys remains steadfast in his belief that he's destined to have a son, regaling his wife with vivid dreams of their child wearing a crown and reigning supreme. After enduring the loss of five babies, the Queen cannot help but remind him that this is their last chance. "I've mourned more dead children than I can count," she says, her voice heavy with foreboding.
News of Daemon's nocturnal bloodletting soon reaches the king's ears. Viserys is furious and confronts Daemon at the council, questioning the heavy-handed use of the Gold Cloaks. Daemon is adamant that he's doing what's necessary to uphold law and order, insisting that fear of the watch is essential. Oddly, Corlys finds himself agreeing with Daemon's rationale, while Otto Hightower remains unconvinced. Viserys issues his verdict, ordering Daemon to utilize the Gold Cloaks but to refrain from exceeding his authority.
At King's Landing, Viserys hosts a grand tournament. The jousting is a breathtaking spectacle, though George R.R. Martin would likely devote several pages to describing the array of banners and the feast that accompanies such an event. The drama intensifies when Daemon arrives on horseback, his presence adding an uneasy undercurrent to the festivities.
Naturally, Daemon emerged victorious, slicing the horse's legs out from beneath it and claiming the duel's triumph. However, his actions were not without ulterior motives, as he sought the favor of Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, whom Daemon had clashed with in the chambers before. The duelling was a gruesome spectacle, blood spilling onto the ground as the Tagaryens watched on with bated breath.
As the queen's labor pains intensified, Viserys was hurriedly pulled away. The Grand Maester's words were stark: even the milk of the poppy would not suffice in this dire situation. Viserys faced an impossible choice: either lose his wife and unborn child or risk her life by cutting her open and attempting to save the child.
Given his desperate desire for an heir, Viserys lied to his wife, whispering that they were saving their child. Holding her hand tightly, he watched helplessly as the surgeons performed their grisly task. This heartbreaking scene was juxtaposed with Daemon's final jousting match, where he momentarily lost focus, his gaze wandering from his Dornish opponent. In the end, he was forced to yield, his concentration broken.
Meanwhile, Viserys stood by, forced to witness the ghastly sight of his wife bleeding out as her babe entered the world. To his relief, it was a boy. But the joy was fleeting, as the fragile life slipped away, leaving Viserys' impossible choice in tatters.
As the royal Targaryens gathered for the funeral, they watched in silence as the bodies were consumed by the flames of a dragon. It was in this somber moment that Otto Hightower raised the issue of succession, declaring that it must be decided swiftly. Daemon, by all rights, should ascend the throne. Yet, the ministers were divided, fearing that his impatience and volatile nature would destabilize the realm.
"And who else could possibly lay claim to the throne?" The court fell into a deathly silence. Princess Rhaenyra's name was whispered, but quickly dismissed. The entire assembly came to an abrupt halt as Viserys stormed off, leaving the decision hanging in the balance.
Yet, Otto was not easily deterred. He sent his daughter, clad in her mother's gown, to "comfort" the King in his chambers. This, of course, was all a ruse to inch closer to Viserys' throne and snatch it for himself. Daemon's antics only made Otto's task easier.
News reached Viserys and Otto that Daemon had been overheard toasting Prince Baelon and the "heir for a day" at a city tavern, speaking ill of his own claim. The King's fury was unleashed, and he summoned Daemon before him, demanding the truth.
Daemon admitted to his words, but retorted that Viserys had turned his back on his own blood. He begged the King to allow him to serve as his Hand. But Viserys was unmoved, banishing Daemon to return to his estranged wife and removing him from the line of succession. Daemon obeyed, but his heart was heavy with resentment.
In Daemon's absence, Viserys turned to Princess Rhaenyra, counseling her on the dragons and their rich history. In his most critical hour, he made a decision: Daemon was not destined to sit on the throne - Rhaenyra was. He proclaimed her as his successor, but not without a warning.
He spoke of Aegon's dream, a prophecy of the end of the world of men. It began with a bleak winter sweeping down from the North. "All of Westeros must stand united against it," he warned her, revealing that this secret had been passed down from Aegon to every subsequent heir. Rhaenyra promised, and thus, the first episode drew to a close with Rhaenyra poised to ascend the throne.
