It’s been nearly two years since the winds of Westeros blew our way, carrying their whispers of deceit, betrayal and revenge. Thanks to this long gap and the multitude of events that took place in season 1, we all need to jog our memory with a House of the Dragon recap.
On 21 March 2024, HBO released two separate trailers for House of the Dragon season 2 — from the Black and Green teams’ POV. The show’s release date is set to be June 16, picking up from the cliffhanger ending of season 1.
So, here are six important plot points and the best moments from House of the Dragon season 1 that you must remember before watching season 2.
‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 recap: Plot points and best moments
Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s spin-off Fire and Blood, House of the Dragon season 1 is set 200 years before the war of the five kings (covered in the famous Game of Thrones), and 100 years after Aegon’s conquest that united the seven Kingdoms.
The fantasy drama revolves around family dynamics (however incestuous they may be) and the quest for power. At the heart of the spin-off lies Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock/Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent’s friendship that crumbles under monarchial forces. And, when Alicent (Emily Carey/Olivia Cooke) marries Rhaenyra’s father, a chain of events is triggered.
Hence, in this recap of House of the Dragon season 1, we’ll be exploring all the aforementioned themes and more.
‘House Of The Dragon’ Season 3: Everything We Know So Far
10 Highest-Rated IMDb Shows Of All Time: ‘The Last of Us’, ‘Game of Thrones’ And More
Rhaenys vs Viserys
Gender and misogyny are the central themes of House of the Dragon. They play a crucial role in all the significant events that occur throughout the story. For instance, Rhaenys (Eve Best) is denied the throne because she is a woman, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) sacrifices his first wife, Aemma (Siân Brooke), in childbirth for a male heir, and Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne is contested after the birth of Aegon II. But out of all these incidents, Rhaenys being denied the throne serves as the most important plot point.
At the beginning of episode 1, when King Jaehaerys Targaryen’s reign ends, the council picks Viserys, his eldest grandson as his successor as opposed to Rhaenys, the eldest grandchild, who has a superior claim. Once King Viserys loses his wife during childbirth, he goes against the very inheritance principle that crowned him king, by officially naming his daughter Rhaenyra as the new royal heir to avoid the risk of his brother Daemon (Matt Smith) making a play for the throne.
Subsequently, both the Velaryons and Hightowers scramble to compete for Viserys’s favour, trying to convince him to marry a daughter from one of their families: either Rhaenys’s child Laena Velaryon or Otto’s descendant Alicent Hightower. Alongside this, we see Daemon pursue his own path to power, eventually marrying Rhaenyra.
Throughout season 1, we see various conflicts challenging Rhaenyra’s right to the throne. And while Rhaenys, the Queen who never was, has joined the Blacks, it leaves room to wonder if she will turn her back on them, seeking power for herself.
Ser Otto’s web of lies
Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is probably one of the most cunning characters in the drama. He is a master manipulator who sews his nefarious needle through the people around him. He entangles them in his web of lies and pulls their strings at his whims. If it weren’t for him, his daughter Alicent would not have married King Viserys.
He also sets up ‘The Green Council’ that plots to put Aegon II (Tom Glynn Carney) on the throne instead of Rhaenyra, consequently defying King Viserys’ last wish. Ser Otto sinks his claws into the bureaucracy and the administration of the kingdom over six years, and as the King’s health dwindles, he begins to oversee all the royal matters.
Laenor’s death
In episode 7, when the entire family gathers at Driftmark for Lady Laena’s (Nanna Blondell) funeral, Daemon and Rhaenyra reunite, deciding to team up against Alicent. But for them to marry, Rhaenyra’s husband, Laenor (John Macmillian) needs to be out of the picture. As the two plan to make it happen, Ser Qarl (Arty Froushan), Laenor’s lover appears to murder him leaving a charred body for them to find.
However later, it is revealed that Laenor faked his death to elope with his lover. Finally, the episode ends with Daemon and Rhaenyra marrying in the old Valyrian Dragonlord tradition, leaving room for speculation if Laenor will ever return, perhaps in season 2.
The last supper
Episode 8 is probably one of the best episodes of season 1. It features many riveting moments including Deamon beheading Vaemond (Wil Johnson) for insulting his wife, Rhaenyra. But there are two moments that stand out the most, calling the audience’s attention to the foundations of the show — family and friendship.
The first is when King Viserys, despite being on his deathbed, stood for the final time to go to the throne room to defend his daughter’s honour as the heir and establish his grandson’s claim to the Driftwood line.
The second is the bittersweet dinner scene where the family appears to reconcile one last time before everything blows to smithereens. The dinner scene is one of the most well-constructed scenes in season 1. With a soft glow of golden light, laughter, music and dance, it brings a brilliant juxtaposition to the otherwise darkness of the show — a much-needed break to reestablish character dynamics.
Luke’s death: ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 ending
In episode 10, after Alicent misinterprets Viserys’ last words, the Greens and the Blacks strive to establish their respective rules. As Rhaenyra is declared queen after Ser Erryk (Elliott Tittensor) brings her King Viserys’ crown, Ser Otto Hightower presents terms for her concession.
Meanwhile, the other houses begin to pick sides while the factions, too, begin recruiting allies. Daemon starts recruiting more dragon riders after waking a sleeping dragon in a cave, while Jace (Harry Collett) and Lucerys, aka Luke (Elliot Grihault), are sent as envoys to Houses Stark, Baratheon and Arryn. And, here is where everything goes wrong.
As Luke arrives at Barron Baratheon’s palace, he finds Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) offering marriage to secure ties with House Baratheon. Knowing Rhaenyra has nothing to offer, Luke begins to leave. But he is confronted by Aemond, who pursues him with his dragon, Vhagar, to scare him. However, both dragons defy their riders, as Arrax burns Vhagar who then devours both Luke and Arrax.
The season ends with Damon bringing the news to Rhaenyra who weeps with anger, vowing revenge.
Honourable mentions: The most shocking moments from season 1
Rhaenyra’s wedding
It is impossible for a wedding to take place in the GoT universe and not end in murder. (Red Wedding, anyone?) In classic Game of Thrones, fashion Rhaenyra’s wedding becomes a murder ground when Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) kills Joeffery (Laenor’s lover) after the latter blackmails him.
The Rogue Prince’s quest for power
Daemon’s character arc revolves around seeking two things — his brother’s approval and power. In his quest for these two things, he commits many shocking acts. He murders his wife, conquers the Stepstones and marries Rhaenyra.
Game Of Thrones Prequel ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight’ Is In The Works At HBO
10 Fantasy Shows Like ‘Shadow And Bone’ To Watch If You’re Missing The Netflix Series
Larys Strong’s arson
In one of the most shocking moments of the show, when Alicent confides in Lord Larys that she wishes her father to be reinstated as the King’s hand, he recruits three criminals who set fire at Harrenhal, killing Lyonel and Harwin.
King Viserys almost marries a 12-year-old
In one of the most uncomfortable moments of the show, a 12-year-old Lady Laena’s parents offer her hand to King Viscerys. When Aemma dies in childbirth, the King needs another wife. Hence, they decide to use their daughter to strengthen their bond with the crown.
Now that we have brought you up to date with this recap of House of the Dragon season 1, dive into the impending war as all the players get ready to play their parts. Check out the trailer below.
(Header and feature image courtesy: IMDb/House of the Dragon)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What happened during the finale of House of the Dragon season 1?
In the finale of House of the Dragon season 1, Prince Lucerys is sent to Barron Baratheon. In an altercation with Aemond and his dragon Vhagar, Luke is killed along with his dragon. Back at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra, after learning of her son’s death, cries revenge, ascending her title of the Black Queen.
