Episode One Recap
Spoilers Ahead
It has been three years since the highly controversial finale of the much beloved HBO series, Game of Thrones (GoT), and for many–including myself–its ending is still a sore point. If you haven’t repressed it, you might remember fan favourite, Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) infamous descent into madness, the burning of the Red Keep, and her death at the hands of none other than Jon Snow (Kit Harrington)–her lover and apparent nephew–who was subsequently sent north of the wall to perish. Viewers have always been familiar with GoT creator, George R.R. Martin, and his penchant for killing his darlings (literally), but since the book series had–and still has–yet to be completed, most of the blame fell on the showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
Now with the premiere of House of The Dragon on HBO, many of us must decide if we are willing to endure another eight-season run with the very real possibility of it ending in utter disappointment and a shade of betrayal. Yet, it seems, we are suckers for punishment; the August premiere saw ten million viewers streaming with an average of 29 million views per episode thus far. Compared to Game of Thrones, viewership for the pilot episode saw four times as many people tuning in. You have to wonder whether it is morbid curiosity or renewed hope for GoT fans.
The House of The Dragon, based on Martin’s novel, Fire & Blood, is already proving to have a very different dynamic than its predecessor. Where Game of Thrones focused on the politics and friction between the different houses, House of The Dragon is more concerned with the tension within House Targaryen. An interesting divergence, as it makes me wonder whether we should expect Game of Thornes's staple brutality or if the bonds within a house might preclude that level of treachery. Either way, I am certainly excited about the opportunity to take a closer look at one of the most intriguing (and perhaps incestuous) families of Martin’s world.
“The Heirs of the Dragon” opens 100 years into the Targaryen dynasty’s reign at Harrenhal as King Jaehaerys Targaryen (Michael Carter) names Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), inheritor of the Iron Throne, over Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best)–the eldest descendent. This scene sets the tone for the show and very clearly establishes how the realms view women in power: with disdain, at most.
Fast forward nine years, and we begin 172 years before Daenerys Targaryen is born. Viewers immediately get a look at one of the great dragons of the time and its rider: Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock), the daughter of King Viserys.
Rhaenyra is adamant that she does not want to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Aemma (Sian Brooke), as a child-bearer for the crown. However, it seems the people disregard her as a potential leader, and Viserys, the council, and the kingdom are all pinning their hopes on Aemma’s next child–and the future inheritor of the throne–being male.
This episode also introduces us to Viserys’s brother, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). Daemon flouts the rules, acts of his own volition, and carelessly incites the City Watch to brutally manage criminals, much to the chagrin of the king’s council. The Hand of the King, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), seems to particularly despise Daemon's methods, which only increases Daemon’s desire to spurn him. Daemon is already poised to be a villain of the show, however, his relationship with Rhaenyra exhibits a more tender side of him. Perhaps this means we will see a morally grey character like Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau).
In the midst of a tournament held in honour of the impending birth of Viserys' child and hopeful heir, Viserys is called away to attend to his ailing wife, struggling in labour. It is soon revealed that Viserys must make a choice: his wife’s life or the life of his unborn child and heir–the potential future of the kingdom. Viserys loves his wife, but with repeated stillbirths and no male heir in sight, he struggles with how his dynasty will prevail without a secure line of succession. Once again, we see the male domination that persists in this time and how the fate of women is often subject to the will of men. We see the utter extreme of this as Viserys watches Aemma being cut into to save the child.
In a gut-wrenching scene, the life fades from Aemma while Daemon mercilessly beats down Criston Cole at the tournament duel, exhibiting two different instances of brutality, and yet, the gore of the birthing scene still trumps anything else we see.
As predicted, Aemma succumbs to the circumstances of the birth, but just when we think it could not get more devastating, the camera pans to a smaller wrapped body alongside Aemma’s lifeless one. In the end, Viserys’ decision to let his wife die was in vain. No queen, no heir. Now all that is left to wonder is what the implications of his decision might be. What will happen to the succession with no male heir and no queen to bear a new one?
Almost immediately after the funeral, the council is already fumbling to figure out who will be next in the line for the throne. The obvious heir in terms of succession and tradition is Daemon, yet many of the council hold scruples regarding his reign; concerns that are not unfounded as Daemon’s personality could give way to absolute tyranny, yet the proposition of Rhaenyra being the heir is met with incredulity. This scene gives viewers a slice of Game of Thrones’ politicking, and we see a clash of interests established.
Otto Hightower is also a character to watch, not only for Rhys Ifans’ spectacular portrayal, but also for his scheming as he advises his daughter Alicent (Olivia Cooke) to see to the King’s chambers, with a sinister and frankly disgusting implication that she might offer him comfort. Hightower is an interesting character for the fact that his political savvy and manipulation is reminiscent of Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish (Aidan Gillen), and it seems that his interests are aligned not only with his own but with the kingdom’s future. He’s wise enough to know that Daemon’s reign would see the kingdom in anarchy, but he still seeks to supplant any heir with his own. It remains to be seen if he is entirely self-serving or if he would justify his actions through the interests of the realms, such as a certain eunuch from GoT.
Meanwhile, Daemon continues to be his charming self, toasting the “heir for a day” and provoking his brother's rage. Resentment permeates their interaction as it is evident Viserys has ensured Daemon has always been a safe distance from the Iron throne. Daemon might be irrational and chaotic, but he can see Otto Hightower is out for himself and advises the king to make him his hand, so that he may protect the king from himself. Viserys does not take kindly to this and sends Daemon from his sight, banishing him to Runestone and, to his utter disbelief, depriving him of the right to succeed the throne–which is sure to come back to him later in the season, as what we have seen from Daemon thus far confirms he will not likely be put off of his ambition easily.
This leaves the question: who will be the heir? It is not long before we are satisfied, as finally Viserys officially recognizes his daughter, Rhaenyra, as heir and discloses Aegon’s vision, A Song of Ice and Fire, that portends the fall of Westeros and the world of men.
The episode is concluded on Rhaenyra's coronation as the houses pledge fealty. What that fealty is worth is to be determined, after all, it is quite clear from the beginning that a woman’s reign is not so easily won. Now Rhaenyra is left with the weight of the kingdom’s expectations and the even heavier burden of Aegon’s prophecy.