House of the Dragon Episode 8

Sure, it may have seemed odd when House of the Dragon replaced the roles of the young Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent with older actors, while characters ...

The little shit Prince Aegon turns and whispers to Lady Baela that he would satisfy her should his nephew, Jacaerys, fail in his duties as a husband. He tells Alicent about Aegon the Conqueror's dream and the whole Prince Who Was Promised prophesy, which kind of comes true at the end of Game of Thrones. hey all start having a nice time again, then the King is removed from the room and Aemond instigates another fight. Of course, the main succession problem for the Iron Throne is still in play, but Driftmark is sort of like a mini-game. I wouldn't be surprised if the character hissed a little whenever he spoke an "S," to sound like a snake-human hybrid. Back in the throne room, the King stumbles to the Iron Throne as Daemon helps him up. The princess introduces her father to his two new grandchildren (which she had with her new uncle-husband): another baby Aegon and Viserys Jr. In his absence, Corlys's younger brother, Ser Vaemond, seizes the moment and declares that he should be granted the claim to Driftmark over " [House Strong](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a41278220/house-of-the-dragon-larys-lionel-strong/)'s pups." Meeting with Rhaenyra and Daemon, Queen Alicent explains that she and her father, Otto Hightower, are not ruling the kingdom, but merely "following the King's wisdom." [House of the Dragon](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a40897130/house-of-the-dragon-hbo-release-schedule/) Episode Eight. [King Viserys](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a40999968/will-king-viserys-die-house-of-the-dragon-got-prequel/) is downright skeletal and bedridden when Rhaenyra arrives, resembling the horrifying visage of a vampiric Prince Philip. It's a dreadful declaration for viewers who are still trying to resettle into the Game of Thrones prequel following the [massive cast changes we've seen](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a41387548/house-of-the-dragon-actors-change/) since Episode Six.

Another family reunion makes for a drama-stuffed House Of The Dragon this week, but while there are noises of peace, it begins to feel like both sides ...

These Targaryens have hit their stride.](/articles/house-of-the-dragon-episode-8-review) [Daily Deals: Nintendo Switch OLED On Sale, Discounts on Joy-Con Controllers, and More8h ago - Plus, deals on some of the best Alienware gaming laptops.](/articles/daily-deals-nintendo-switch-oled-on-sale-discounts-on-joy-con-controllers-and-more) [Keanu Reeves' Dream MCU Role is One That Fans Want Him to Play Too1d ago - Johnny Blaze in the MCU? Viserys wanted his family to hug it out, and bemoans their issues: “The crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided. But later that night, as a cloaked figure hurries to Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) to report all these events, a raving Viserys talks to his wife about the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy, and she misunderstands him in a way that may be significant. Martin’s Fire And Blood, where Rhaenyra was reported to have dispatched Daemon to straight-up murder Vaemond and take the tongues of family members who repeated his claim. Alicent’s time is split between caring for him, ruling the kingdom alongside her father and a newfound devotion to the worship of the Seven, whose seven-pointed star now appears all over the palace. Egged on by a whisper from Daemon, Vaemond rashly condemns the three boys as bastards and Rhaenyra as a whore. Rhaenys might be able to help them – though she doesn’t fancy her chances – but still has reason to believe that one or both of them killed her son Laenor, who is presumably still living it up somewhere across the seas. Vaemond pledges to bring his petition to the king and, more to the point, to the realm’s effective rulers, Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and the Hand, Lord Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). Viserys is sinking fast and dependent on milk of the poppy – just call it opium – to control his endless pain. They have no reason to be friendly to Rhaenyra or her sons’ claims as the health of King Viserys (Paddy Considine) fails. Her husband, Corlys (Steven Toussaint), has been away voyaging since the death of his children, and now he’s seriously injured following a pirate attack on his way home. [House Of The Dragon](/tv/game-of-thrones-house-of-the-dragon) Episode 8, which aired on HBO on Oct.

As King Viserys Targaryen's health worsens, the Hightowers rule in King's Landing and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen is forced to defend her children's rights.

House of the Dragon war explained](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-dance-dragons-war-explained/) [Where was House of the Dragon filmed?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-filming-locations-sets/) [What is Dark Sister in House of the Dragon?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-dark-sister-explained/) [What book is House of the Dragon based on? The King speaks of the Song of Ice and Fire and The Prince That Was Promised and speaks of Aegon - confusing Alicent. - In the book, Viserys' last visit is from Princess Helaena and her children before he goes to bed and dies peacefully in his sleep. A weary Rhaenys notes that she is used to death and continues to watch the process. In the Throne room, Ser Otto sits on the Iron Throne to judge the issue of the succession in Driftmark. Viserys asks his cousin Rhaenys to comment on the matter and what Lord Corlys wants, to which she comments that Lucerys is therefore the chosen heir and reveals the betrothal of Jace and Luke to Baela and Rhaena, respectively. In the morning, Viserys is treated by maesters and he requests to Ser Otto that his whole family dines together that night. Rhaenyra complains that Viserys is being addled by the Milk of the Poppy by the Hightowers’ maesters and Daemon bemoans the removal of Targaryen heraldry in the Red Keep and being replaced by other statues and stars, but Alicent comments that the star is that of the Seven who guide them and remind all of a higher power. Ser Vaemond petitions himself to be the rightful heir to the title of Lord of the Tides. Viserys is then introduced to Rhaenyra and Daemon’s young sons, Prince Aegon Targaryen (the Younger) and Prince Viserys Targaryen. Rhaenyra sees that the Seven-Pointed Star is present in the place now and comments that she does not recognise her old home. Rhaenyra fears that Ser Vaemond’s intentions will question the legitimacy of her children and claim to the Iron Throne, while also learning that Rhaenys is also heading to King’s Landing but Daemon doubts she is backing Ser Vaemond.

King Viserys I makes his final pitch for peace in a surprisingly emotional House of the Dragon.

If House of the Dragon is able to execute the war as well as it has the lead up to it then we’re in for some good, yet dark times indeed. And it’s to Considine and the writers’ credit that [Aegon the Conqueror and whether his Song of Ice and Fire prediction](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-premiere-ending-creators-explain-that-bombshell-change-to-targaryen-lore/) was real. Thankfully House of the Dragon knows exactly what to do with annoying peons: CUT THEIR FUCKING FACES IN HALF. As the [newly-married Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith)](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/are-daemon-and-rhaenyra-house-of-the-dragons-one-true-pairing/) arrive at their father/brother’s bedside to argue their case for Luke Velaryon as The Lord of the Tides, they quickly realize that there is no use of it. Viserys removes his golden Phantom of the Opera half-mask to reveal a haunting void where a face should be and he delivers an urgent message as if it comes from beyond the grave itself: In “The Lord of the Tides,” all of House of the Dragon’s major characters are given a choice. [sickly monarch](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/whats-wrong-with-king-viserys-in-house-of-the-dragon/) through all of House of the Dragon’s run but he is transcendent here. [House of the Dragon](https://www.denofgeek.com/house-of-the-dragon/) to both [Game of Thrones](https://www.denofgeek.com/game-of-thrones/) and [The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power](https://www.denofgeek.com/the-rings-of-power/). They’re all pot-committed and House of the Dragon has at least two more episodes to go and likely a few more seasons after that. In its eighth episode, “The Lord of the Tides,” House of the Dragon stands on its own once again. Without his old colleague Gretchen Schwartz presenting Walt with the opportunity to pay for his cancer treatments and help his family without selling meth, Breaking Bad is merely the story of a man backed into a corner with no other options.

Per George R.R. Martin's prequels, the struggle really kicks off after King Viserys I Targaryen dies and the half-siblings begin fighting for the Iron Throne.

She knows Aegon II is ill-equipped for the job, but she thinks Viserys said he’s the Targaryen who will bring salvation to them all. Alicent, meanwhile, has no idea what Viserys is talking about, and interprets his words to mean that Aegon II — their son — must sit on the Iron Throne instead of Rhaenyra. As Viserys loses lucidity, he says he believes Aegon I and that a Targaryen must sit on the Iron Throne. Not only do we have reason to suspect that the Hightowers and Grand Maester Mellos were slowly killing Viserys, but Alicent’s reasoning for securing the Iron Throne for her son will now seem less malicious than her literary counterpart’s because she misinterpreted Aegon I’s prophecy. Viserys accidentally cuts his hand on the Iron Throne, which leads to an infection that Grand Maester Mellos can’t heal. “Aegon foresaw the end of the world of men. Later, Rhaenyra cries and bemoans Viserys’ decision to not replace her with Aegon II as heir, telling Viserys she doesn’t want the Iron Throne. The manner of his death was altered considerably, and the changes may impact the conflict about to unfold. Viserys then stuns the entire Red Keep by not only wobbling to the Iron Throne later that afternoon, but also confirming that Lucerys Velaryon is the rightful successor to Driftmark. Six years have passed between Episode 7 and Episode 8, but we’re still in the prologue of the Dance of the Dragons, the civil war between Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Prince Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney). It’s presumably the painkilling milk of the poppy, but Daemon has a sniff and looks dubious. [Viserys wasn’t long for this world.](https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/house-of-the-dragon-episode-5-ending-explained-king-viserys-dead) Since Episode 2 he’s been suffering from an illness that rots his flesh, and he’s been treated with excessive leeches and lots of mystery teas.

Did the civil war between the Targaryens really start over a misunderstanding? We break down the final scene of House of the Dragon Episode 8.

Martin, we know that Viserys' death is the linchpin moment that brings the kingdom to full-blown war. When he dies in the book, Alicent does not tell the public that he is dead. After a week, his death is finally revealed and Aegon II Targaryen takes the throne. Now, with Viserys' dying words, it seems that we are on a fast track to the civil war between the two halves of the House of the Dragon. He confuses Alicent with his daughter and leaves his wife assuming that he is ordering her to support their son Aegon (Tom Glynne-Carney) as the heir. It seems in these scenes that Rhaenyra doesn't want the burden of being heir but remains heir because of her father's wishes. His face has decayed, his energy has completely drained, and he is addled by milk of the poppy, taken in order to ease his own pain. Although he is tired and exhausted, he seems to hear Rhaenyra's words because he arrives in the throne room the next day and defends Lucerys' claim to the Driftwood seat. He makes reference to Aegon, but Alicent believes that he is talking about their son not their forebearer. The episode ends with Alicent backing away, the camera She says, "You told me it was our duty to hold the realm united against a common foe. The episode manages to nearly end on a high note.

The HBO series continued to surprise fans of George R.R. Martin's "Fire and Blood" book with revelations about King Viserys and a prophecy.

[House of the Dragon](https://affiliate.insider.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D35871X943606%26xs%3D1%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.hbomax.com%252Fseries%252Furn%253Ahbo%253Aseries%253AGYsYeoAxKH8LCwgEAAAOR&amazonTrackingID=null&site=in&vikingID=6343620bdda1a56007022c43&platform=browser&sc=false&disabled=false&sessionID=1665368157458ibabg2bj&xcust=xid%3Afr1665368160562hjd)" air Sundays on HBO at 9 p.m. He plans to appeal to his Grace the King on matters of succession, rights, and the sanctity of blood. Notably, she walked into the room in episode six when Alicent and Larys were talking about Rhaenyra's children being Ser Harwin Strong's bastard sons. In this episode, we see Jacerys being taught by Maester Gerardys, the man serving Rhaenyra at Dragonstone. But up until this episode, the main knights of Viserys' kingsguard that we've seen were Ser Criston Cole and Lord Commander Harrold Westerling. He wishes for the Driftwood Throne to pass to him, that is his by rights and that he is the only unattainted choice."

Those who thought this was going to be Game of Thrones, but just with a new cast of characters have likely been a bit annoyed at how little action takes place.

There are characters that are going to be worth watching because they're evil and the best thing about the show, and what the series has set up, is that it's not clear who is going to come out on top. [this episode of The House of the Dragon](https://gamerant.com/house-of-the-dragon-episode-6-review/) is one that does things no other episode has done, while doubling down on some of the things that have worked all season. Paddy Considine does a rather incredible job of portraying a man that is quite older than the actor really is in the real world. He also does a phenomenal job of playing someone who knows that his days are growing short and who just wants to take in his family. Right at the top of the list is that Viserys, who at this point in the timeline is both quite old and quite infirmed continues to be an oddity in these stories. That has been one of the most interesting things about this season of House of the Dragon, because the people around him are not particularly good people. To some degree, that means that everything will be settled both in his kingdom and his family. And, as an old man who is coming towards the end, he wants to make sure that everything is settled before he goes. It's also a testament to the writers that while things might be a bit confused at the beginning, there is enough done on screen to mostly fill in the blanks, even if there are a few parts that still leave some questions unanswered. [House of the ](https://gamerant.com/house-of-the-dragon-episode-7-review/) [Dragon](https://gamerant.com/house-of-the-dragon-episode-7-review/) audience had to struggle to keep up with names of various characters and move those characters around on the chess board in their minds. For most of House of the Dragon, it wouldn't be totally unfair of a vast majority of the audience to end just about every episode by screaming "come on, get on with it!" It doesn't seem like it would have been too hard to actually show some of these scenes so that people could know who exactly was where and why.

A lot happened in this episode — including multiple deaths. Let's take a look at the interesting details and moments...

8.The lack of official greeting for Rhaenyra is an insult, deliberately perpetrated by Otto Hightower — we hear Ser Harrold Westerling tell him they were greeted according to his orders. He plans to appeal to his Grace the King on matters of succession, rights, and the sanctity of blood. He wishes for the Driftwood Throne to pass to him, that is his by rights and that he is the only unattainted choice." 13.Luke laughs when the pig is placed in front of Aemond because of the prank the boys played on him when they were younger, giving him a pig instead of a dragon. What was your fave moment of Episode 8 of House of the Dragon? 11.The setup of the family dinner was influenced by depictions of the Last Supper.

From Vaemond (Wil Johnson) being killed by Daemon (Matt Smith) to Viserys (Paddy Considine) finally dying at the end of the episode, the moment where we see ...

Martin, that Mysaria plays a role in the subterfuge between the Blacks and the Greens. In the earlier scene, we see her deliver moon tea to Alicent when she is questioning the serving girl who was sexually assaulted by Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney). When Alicent asks what has happened, she tearfully says, "I was fetching the prince his wine, and I put it on his table, and when I turned... The woman in the hood is Alicent's (Olivia Cooke) servant, Talya (Alexis Raben), who we saw earlier in the episode. She told him then that she had left the life of sex work and is revealed to now trade in secrets instead. We last saw Mysaria in Episode 4, when she found Daemon in one of the brothels sleeping on the ground after he nearly seduced Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock).

Rhaenyra introduces him to her children – one of whom is called Aegon – and asks him about the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy that he told her about all those ...

In a nutshell, it means that the temporary peace between Alicent and Rhaenyra is broken. As the king lay dying, he and his wife were essentially having two different conversations. Clearly, at this point, he thinks he's talking to Rhaenyra again, and even though Alicent doesn't understand his talk of the Song of Ice and Fire, she latches on to the name Aegon when Visersy' murmurs it. The first couple of times we see Viserys in episode 8 he's lying in bed, struggling to tell the difference between his daughter Rhaenyra and his wife Alicent. The king is talking about Aegon the Conqueror, who first dreamed of the prophecy, but Alicent thinks he means their firstborn son. The problem?

The last few scenes of House of Dragons have left many questions behind themselves. For a few scenes, King Viserys's dream of a united family appeared to ...

The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). For a few scenes, King [Viserys](/topic/viserys)'s dream of a united family appeared to come true. Alicent gets interrupted by a knight who informs her of a crying girl in Prince Aegon's room, later finding out that Aegon raped the girl. [House of Dragons](/topic/house-of-dragons)have left many questions behind themselves. You must do this." In the later part of the episode, we also find Rhaenyra and

A new time jump also means new actors: The six Targaryen kids -- Aegon, Aemond, Jacaerys, Lucerys, Baela and Rhaena -- all have new faces in Sunday's episode. A ...

"A final tribute to the health of my nephews," he says. "The prince to unite the realm against the cold and the dark. "You wanted to know if I believe it to be true," he says. "I will sit the throne today." Set by the queen and the Hand, I'd wager, to proclaim my son illegitimate," Rhaenyra says. Set aside your grievances, if not for the sake of the crown then for the sake of this old man, who loves you all so dearly." "When it does, will you want a child at the command of the greatest fleet in Westeros?" Rhaenyra meets Rhaenys in the Godswood to do some petitioning of her own. Vaemond heads straight to the queen, and gets an audience with both the queen and her father the Hand. Most of his hair is gone, his skin discolored, and a bandage is wrapped around the left side of his head when Rhaenyra and Daemon (who sailed from Dragonstone) go to see him. "Ah, the maesters. A full recap of House of the Dragon episode 8 is below.

Including the miscommunication between Alicent, Viserys, and Rhaeynyra and the prophecy of the Prince that was Promised.

It's an unfortunate miscommunication that followed Rhaenyra and Alicent's brief reconciliation with each other, as well as Alicent's acknowledgement of Rhaenyra's entitlement to the crown. Aegon foresaw the end of the world of men. She asks her father if he believes in the Song of Ice and Fire, a prophecy that originated from a divine dream from Aegon the Conqueror and which Viserys had confided in Rhaenyra in Episode 1. Aegon called his dream the Song of Ice and Fire. The Prince that was Promised." The next day, Alicent and Otto prepare to hear appeals from Rhaenys, Rhaenyra, and Vaemond on who is to become the next Lord of the Tides. Every Targaryen ruler since Aegon has been notified of the prophecy by the previous ruler. Delirious, Viserys mistakes Alicent for Rhaenyra from the previous night, telling her that he does believe in the Prince that was Promised from Aegon's dream. Significantly, the prophecy claims that this prince must descend from the Targaryen line. [House of the Dragon](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a40910816/funniest-twitter-reactions-house-of-the-dragon-game-of-thrones/), which aired last night, has sealed the fate of King Viserys Targaryen and opened hell's floodgates for his surviving family members. After Vaemond, the younger brother of Corlys, bids for himself, Viserys emerges in the hall, taking back his royal duties from Otto and Alicent for the day. Six years after the funeral of Laena Velaryon, the line of succession for Driftmark has been challenged after Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) suffers a potentially fatal injury during a battle in the Stepstones.

Corlys had previously chosen his grandson Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) as heir to the throne, but his brother, Ser Vaemond (Wil Johnson), is galled by his obvious ...

House of the Dragon war explained](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-dance-dragons-war-explained/) [Where was House of the Dragon filmed?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-filming-locations-sets/) [What book is House of the Dragon based on? Fire and Blood book changes](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-fire-blood-book-changes/) [What is Aegon’s Dream and the Prince That Was Promised in House of the Dragon?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-aegon-dream-song-ice-fire-explained/) [What is Old Valyria, the Doom and High Valyrian in House of the Dragon?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/old-valyria-doom-valyrian-house-dragon-explained/) [Game of Thrones books in order](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/game-of-thrones-books-order/) [subscribe now](http://radiotimes.com/magazine-subscription?utm_term=evergreen-article) and get the next 12 issues for only £1. [NOW](https://www.nowtv.com/) – find out more about [how to sign up for Sky TV](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?id=489797&clickref=radiotimes-1719783&awinmid=11005&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Ftv). [RadioTimes.com](https://radiotimes.com/)'s Drama Editor Abby Robinson and writer David Craig discuss these developments and more in the latest episode of Beyond the Dragon; our companion show to the Game of Thrones prequel. Game of Thrones timeline explained](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/game-of-thrones-timeline-house-of-dragon/) [What is the Dance of the Dragons? Check out more of our [Fantasy](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/) coverage or visit our [TV Guide](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/) to see what's on tonight. [How to watch House of the Dragon - where can you stream?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/how-watch-house-dragon-stream/) [Matt Smith says "daunting" Doctor Who prepared him for House of the Dragon](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/matt-smith-doctor-who-prepared-house-dragon-exclusive-newsupdate/) [House of the Dragon planned to last three or four seasons](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-of-the-dragon-three-four-seasons-newsupdate/) [Meet the cast of House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel series](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-of-the-dragon-cast/) [When is House of the Dragon set? [House of the Dragon](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-release-schedule-episodes/) also welcomed some familiar faces to the cast, including [The Last Kingdom](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/seven-kings-must-die-release-date/) stars Ewan Mitchell and Phia Saban as Aemond and Helaena respectively. [learn more](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/commercial-links-on-radiotimes-com/)) [terms and conditions](https://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/) and [privacy policy](https://policies.immediate.co.uk/privacy/). [King Viserys](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/king-viserys-targaryen-who-is-house-of-the-dragon/) (Paddy Considine), which ends with a shocking intervention from Matt Smith's ever-controversial [Prince Daemon](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/prince-daemon-targaryen-house-dragon-explained/).

Episode 8 of 'House of the Dragon' sets up a future with much confusion and certain bloodshed after Viserys finally dies.

When Rhaenyra was pleading with her father to restate his support for her and her children, it's clear that Viserys was listening to and wanted to, but was simply unable to do so because of his condition. His obsession with a male heir was evident throughout that first House of the Dragon episode, and even though his wife wouldn't have survived the child birth regardless, it's clear that he holds himself responsible for her demise. And at a dinner in the Red Keep that Viserys—no longer sedating his pain with Milk of the Poppy, which seems to be basically a natural, Westeros version of morphine—called, the Hightower side and the Targaryen side almost seemed to finally make peace. You saw how poor of shape he was in throughout "The Prince of Tides." "I think the last scene of this episode was always a litmus test. But what happened is that Alicent now believes—and you can even understand where she's coming from—that Viserys' dying wish was for Aegon—their Aegon—to be king. Viserys brings the conversation up, and Alicent does her best to understand. In Episode 7, Viserys called Alicent "Aemma," so it's clear that he hasn't been quite aware of who's who for a while. King Viserys I Targaryen, in the late stages of his battle, presumably, with leprosy, made his final stand, settling those disputes and desperately, hopelessly, pleading for his family to make peace ahead of his impending death. After Vaemond Velaryon dared to publicly challenge the legitimacy of Viserys' daughter, Rhaenyra's (Emma D'Arcy) children, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) made him pay, cutting his head clean in half just above the mouth ("He can keep his tongue," Daemon remarked, after the King called for him to be silenced, in that wonderful Matt Smith quippy way). [House of the Dragon](https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a40909082/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-release-schedule/) had a lot of work to do in ["The Lord of the Tides," Season 1 Episode 8](https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a41533380/house-of-the-dragon-recap-episode-8/), as it continues its run toward the first season's finale and an inevitable civil war for the Iron Throne in Westeros. If you picked up on the [Chekov's Gun](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ChekhovsGun) the show put right in front of us in Episode 1 when [King Viserys I Targaryen](https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a41030815/house-of-the-dragon-viserys-grief-guilt-therapist-explains-georgia-dow/) (Paddy Considine) essentially pulled a Monty Python ["It's just a flesh wound,"](https://youtu.be/ZmInkxbvlCs) you've probably been waiting for the realm's kind and naive king to bite it for quite a while.

'Those vipers rule in my father's name'. Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and.

This has cleared the way for lanky, one-eyed younger sibling Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) to emerge as the most promising of the bunch and the most dangerous. That’s not good enough for Vaemond, who vents his righteous rage before the throne only to have his head sliced in half by Daemon in a truly startling moment of throat-grabbing gore. Judging from the decor, it also seems that Alicent has begun leaning on her religion: a politically expedient move, given that acolytes of the Seven Gods tend to be suspicious of the Targaryens and their irreverent, incestuous ways. In his absence, Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and her father, Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) are firmly in charge – and if they can hand control of the Westerosi navy to their ally Vaemond, their cause will be immeasurably strengthened. So it’s off to King’s Landing to put this all before the king – or at least the queen, who of course has her own agenda. If Corlys dies, the Driftwood Throne of High Tide should by rights pass to his legal heir Prince Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) – but the boy isn’t true-born and everyone knows it, especially Corlys’s younger brother Vaemond (Wil Johnson), who longs to claim it for himself.