House of the Dragon Season 1 Ep 8 is the eighth instalment of an American fantasy TV drama series based on the Fire and Blood novel written by George RR Martin and is a prequel to the highly successful Game of Thrones TV series. House of the Dragon will focus on the war of succession within House Targaryen, the ruling House of Westeros, almost 200 years before the events depicted in Game of Thrones.
S P O I L E R S
Plot
Entitled “The Lord of the Tides”, House of the Dragon Season 1 Ep 8 brought us another time jump – this time, six years – which rendered the first half of the episode disorienting and painfully hard to follow as we attempt to catch up with the new status quo. The inciting incident basically involved Vaemond Verlaryon petitioning the King to recognise him as the successor to his brother Coryls (the Sea Snake, now presumed dead) over Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys, whom Corlys had recognised as his successor in the wake of Laenor’s supposed death. Whew.
House of the Dragon Season 1 Ep 8 once more highlights the divide within the King’s family between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra, and this petition will allow the Hightowers to challenge the legitimacy of Rahenyra and her children. King Viscerys is virtually a ghost of a man now as his body has been ravaged by disease and he is near death. Rhaenyra attempts to strike a deal with Rhaenys, in exchange for the latter’s support of Lucerys.
READ OUR ANALYSES OF HOUSE OF THE DRAGON.
At the petition itself, Viserys pulls his diseased body back onto the Iron Throne to reiterate his complete support of Rhaenyra as his heir and Lycerys as the new Lord of the Tides, a claim which Rhaenys backs as the intention of Corlys. Vaemond refuses to accept and hurls insults at Rhaenyra and Daemon decapitates him! Later in the evening at the family supper, Alicent and Rhaenyra do their best to kiss and make up for Viserys’ sake although it’s clear that there is no love lost amongst the children. At the very end, Viserys at death’s door, makes a declaration clearly intended for Rhaenyra, which obviously Alicent will misrepresent for her own family’s benefit and set up the Dance of the Dragons!
Characters
House of the Dragon Season 1 Ep 8 gave us the last stand of King Viserys I, as despite his physical challenges, did his best to heal the family divide and make his will loud and clear to everyone. The moment he walks towards the Iron Throne wracked with pain, is a powerful one and demonstrates the strength of character Viserys possessed – he will be missed.
The Final Analysis
House of the Dragon Season 1 Ep 8 was a strong entry in this engaging series. Two more to go and most certainly, civil war is on the horizon.
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… still there’s more …