The season finale of house of the dragon Season 1 delivered on the show’s title more than any other episode in the series, with a dragon-centric hour of drama and intrigue. There was the dragon inventory, the dragon recruitment (per song!) and finally our first dragon vs dragon fight in the Thrones television universe.
And it was just as intense as the prophecies foretold. Would it be a game of Thrones Prequel if nobody died?
[Ed. note: Major spoilers for the House of the Dragon finale]
In The Black Queen, Rhaenyra sends her eldest sons to recruit potential allies in the upcoming Targaryen Civil War. Jacaerys is sent to visit the Arryns and the Starks while Lucerys is sent to Storm’s End to meet with Lord Baratheon. Lucerys, who earlier in the episode expressed concerns to his mother about his future responsibilities as an heir, receives a pep talk from her and a stern reminder not to start problems.
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Photo Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO
Lucerys rides his dragon Arrax to Storm’s End, and as he lands we can see the massive presence of Vhagar, Aemond’s gargantuan dragon, lurking in the background. When Lucerys enters the castle, Aemond is there, grinning, as he has already made a deal with Lord Baratheon – allegiance to Aegon in exchange for Aemond marrying one of Lord Baratheon’s daughters.
A brief conflict erupts. Aemond calls Lucerys “Lord Strong” and tells the young prince to take out his own eye. But Lucerys refuses (of course) and books it, mounting Arrax and trying to fly away in stormy weather. Aemond and Vhagar follow, their presence revealed in a stunning image as Vhagar lurks among the clouds below Arrax like a colossal sea monster ready to crash through the waves.
As Vhagar and Arrax draw closer, the two inexperienced young riders lose control of their respective winged steeds. Against Lucerys’ orders, Arrax spits fire at the much larger Vhagar, little more than angering the giant dragon. And then, in the episode’s climax, Vhagar devours both Arrax and Lucerys in one bite while Aemond helplessly tries to stop his dragon from taking revenge.
Image: HBO
It’s a great moment for the series’ first dragon fight, one that really showcases the danger of using these creatures in war – something Rhaenyra mentioned earlier in the episode out of concern about ruling over a realm of ash if she were the dragons used to reclaim King’s Landing. It’s a moment that closes the arc for Aemond and Lucerys this season. Aemond initially lost his eye after stealing Vhagar many years (and episodes) ago. Now their conflict has become even more representative of the show: though war seemed inevitable with last week’s coup, it has now inevitably escalated thanks to two Targaryens who could not hope to control the beasts they supposedly tamed.
It’s suitably brutal too, with small bits of Arrax falling from the sky as Vhagar tears into the much smaller dragon, coupled with Aemond’s shock at the situation and his inability to control Vhagar. He now has a decision to make when he returns to King’s Landing – will he strut in after knocking out one of his brother’s key rivals for the future of the throne, or will he meekly saunter in and be ashamed of accidentally causing a major escalation in this conflict?
Anyway, it’s a big RIP for Lucerys, the latest victim of house of the dragonbigger conflict. Maybe you’re with your (probable) father now.
