House of the Dragon Episode 8 Recap and Reactions
Spoilers below.
Welcome back again to Residence of Time Jumps the Dragon, in which yet an additional couple of many years have handed involving episodes. That usually means the young people, like Rhaenyra, Alicent, and Daemon’s young children, have once more been recast to depict the passing of time, but it can be complicated with their parents not visually aging at all. That’s except for King Viserys, whose terrible fight with a type of leprosy has lowered him to all but a respiratory corpse. Understanding he’s in his final times, he pleads his extended household to make peace with 1 one more, to have evening meal collectively like civilized, if not loving, kin in its place of enemies who pull knives on 1 an additional. But will it perform? In the vein of a Genuine Housewives reunion, the collecting commences off hopeful but, inevitably, ends in chaos. Especially now that yet another succession struggle has come to the fore.
The episode starts off with Princess Rhaenys receiving information that her spouse, Lord Corlys, has been seriously wounded in battle and his odds for survival are uncertain. It’s been six yrs due to the fact she’s found him, but she have to get ready for the worst circumstance situation. The seat of Driftmark is meant to be handed down to Lord Corlys’ son, Laenor, but given that they believe he is deceased, the up coming in line would be Laenor and Rhaenyra’s second son, Lucerys. (His initial son is presently in line for the Iron Throne.) Corlys’ brother Vaemond Velaryon (Wil Johnson) won’t settle for this. He appreciates that Laenor’s kids aren’t seriously Laenor’s why ought to foreign blood rule around Driftmark? Vaemond proposes that as Corlys’ personal blood, he must be following in line. But what about Rhaenys? She’s been filling in for Lord Corlys as he battles abroad. Could she sit on the Driftwood Throne for fantastic, or will the Queen That Hardly ever Was be handed around again? Which is no subject to Vaemond he’s set on sailing to King’s Landing to make his scenario.
In excess of in Dragonstone, Daemon scales down a cliff into Syrax’s lair to uncover the dragon has laid three eggs. (A lot more dragons!) His daughter Baela, who’s been being with Rhaenys in Driftmark, sends a message warning him that Uncle Vaemond is riding to King’s Landing to talk about “matters of succession, rights, and the sanctity of blood” with the king. He demonstrates the letter to Rhaenyra, who immediately takes offense to nonetheless another problem of her son’s parentage. She and Daemon make your mind up they must go to King’s Landing, much too.
Earlier in this scene, we get a feeling of the Targaryen home in Dragonstone these days: Now-teenage Jacaerys (Harry Collett) is practising High Valyrian with the grand maester. Joffrey, who was born two episodes ago, is now preschool age, or regardless of what the equivalent in Westeros is. Also, Rhaenyra is pregnant all over again. Time is really traveling!
Daemon (Matt Smith), Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), Luke (Elliot Grihault), Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), and Rhaenys (Eve Ideal).
The Targaryens’ setup on Dragonstone is also significantly hotter than their lodging when they arrive in King’s Landing. Rhaenyra can barely acknowledge the Purple Keep’s dark halls, which is partially Otto Hightower’s carrying out. At the Tiny Council meeting, he says he arranged the couple’s residence “as befits their station.” Ouch. Yet another large improve? The Religion of the Seven has taken over the palace, with its symbolic seven-pointed star hovering above and hanging as a pendant on Queen Alicent’s neck. She sits at the head of the council table, acting on behalf of her spouse, the king.
Aspect be aware: If you are asking yourself who the newbies on the Tiny Council are, they are Jasper Wylde, Master of Law Grand Maester Orwyle, who changed the prior Grand Maester Mellos and Tyland Lannister, Master of Ships and twin brother of Jason Lannister.
Rhaenyra and Daemon check out Viserys in his chambers to obtain him deathly unwell and bedridden. He’s shed just about all of his hair, his skin is purple and scabbed, his nails are brown. He can not even understand Rhaenyra, his only youngster, beside him. The princess tearfully usually takes in this tricky picture, and so does Daemon, but he also reminds them why they are there. He informs the king that a petition for the Driftwood Throne will quickly take area and they want him to affirm Lucerys as the rightful heir. Rhaenyra also has a surprise for her father: She and Daemon have experienced two sons, Aegon (a little bit petty to give your baby the very same title as your fremeny’s firstborn, no?) and Viserys. With platinum blonde hair, Aegon III and Viserys II are without doubt Rhaenyra and Daemon’s blood.
Alicent offers with a “delicate matter” relating to her individual son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney). The servant woman Diana has arrive forward accusing him of sexually assaulting her. Alicent believes her account, even embracing her as she cries. “It was not your fault. I consider you,” the queen states. Nonetheless, she concerns what other people could possibly think if term gets out. She gives Diana dollars for her troubles and tea to induce an abortion then sends her on her way. Up coming, she scolds Aegon for his despicable conduct. Groggy and naked in bed, he brushes off Diana’s statements, but his mother is not fooled. He simply cannot maintain shaming his house, shaming his wife (keep up, he’s married? E-book spoiler: His wife is his sister, Helaena.) like this, she claims. With a swift slap across the deal with, she leans in and tells him, “You are no son of mine,” quoting Tywin Lannister. Aegon begins to break down. He never ever questioned for this life! No matter what he does, his mother and father will hardly ever be satisfied, he claims. Helaena (Phia Saban) interrupts the discussion, seeking for Diana to gown “the little ones.” (Hold out, she has small children now?) Alicent states nothing, but her eager embrace with her daughter speaks volumes.
Alicent provides an awkward welcome to Rhaenyra and Daemon in Viserys’ space but neither silver-haired visitor is happy. She also notices the scar on Rhaenyra’s forearm, left from when she sliced her in a rage with a Valyrian metal blade. Rhaenyra and Daemon are so in sync below, their fed up energy is matched and they see as a result of Alicent’s act. Their alternating responses are in rhythm as they prod the queen about holding electric power and introducing the Religion of the Seven though Viserys is weak in mattress. Alicent is unperturbed. She’ll have her say all through the petition for Lucerys’ inheritance in any case.
As Jace (Jacaerys) and Luke (Lucerys, now performed by Elliot Grihault) wander about the Pink Retain, Luke notices everyone wanting at them. He currently knows why. “No one would concern my being heir to Driftmark if I looked additional like Ser Laenor Velaryon than Ser Harwin Strong,” he says. In the garden, they discover Ser Criston sparring with none other than Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), now sporting Legolas-like hair and an eyepatch more than the eye Luke sliced out yrs back. Aemond’s combating abilities have absolutely improved due to the fact they were being boys in battle classes together. Jace and Luke tremble when they acknowledge him but Aemond has by now noticed them in the group. “Nephews,” he calls out to them. “Have you arrive to teach?”
Ahead of they can organize a rematch, Vaemond Velaryon comes in King’s landing. Through a brief conference, Otto and Alicent Hightower think about his proposition. The queen wants to act in the public’s finest fascination, but the scheming Hand of the King helps make a superior position: War is looming. When it will come, do you definitely want a boy or girl leading the biggest fleet in Westeros?
Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower.
I just can’t feel this occurred, but we get Rhaenyra, Rhaenys, and Rhaena—Daemon and Laena’s youthful daughter—all collectively in the identical scene. (Will a Daemon, Aemond, and Vaemond collab occur next?) Rhaenyra methods Rhaenys at the Weirwood tree, knowing the latter is right here to vouch for herself as the subsequent chief of Driftmark. Rhaenyra would make an offer: If Rhaenys supports Luke as heir of Driftmark, they’ll betrothe Laena’s little ones to Rhaenyra’s. That would make Baela (Bethany Antonia) queen of the seven kingdoms if she marries Jace and Raena (Phoebe Campbell) a upcoming ruler of Driftmark together with Lucerys. The Driftwood Throne would be inherited by her little ones. Rhaenys appears intrigued, calling it “a generous offer…or a determined one particular.” But she chooses to act alone for now.
Rhaenyra visits her father’s bedside on a stormy night time, troubled. “The Music of Ice and Fireplace, do you think it to be real?” she asks him, tears in her eyes. When she was a kid, he instructed her about Aegon the Conqueror’s solution prophecy, and that it was their responsibility to unite the realm from a prevalent foe. But, “by naming me heir, you divided the realm,” she says. “I believed I needed it,” Rhaenyra suggests of the crown. But as the aged adage suggests, significant is the head that wears it. The princess is starting off to crumble under that weight. “If you want me to bear it, then protect me and my children,” she begs to her father. With everybody coming right after her, she requirements him on her facet.
In the Good Hall, Vaemond tends to make his circumstance to inherit the seat of Driftmark even though Otto presides over the gathering. Rhaenyra comes following, but prior to she can speak, King Viserys hobbles into the throne area dressed in his crown, cape, and all the regalia, aided with a cane and a sick golden Phantom of the Opera mask. The group is in shock no just one was expecting him to demonstrate. “I will sit the throne right now,” Viserys insists, even though it’s a pitiful photo as he heaves and struggles up the stairs to the Iron Throne. His crown even falls off—an clear metaphor—but Daemon picks it up, helps his brother up the techniques, and places the crown again on his head. Viserys reiterates that the issue of Driftmark’s successor has previously been settled. Even Rhaenys voices her support for Luke as heir and confirms that Laena’s youngsters will marry Rhaenyra’s. Viserys is delighted.
But Vaemond is not. Even as the king of the Seven Kingdoms, Viserys is in no put to inform him who can inherit his family’s ancestral throne and property. House Velaryon survived the Doom it simply cannot come to be extinct about this. Wil Johnson presents his all listed here, respiratory fireplace into Vaemond’s impassioned, poignant speech. He’s not basically preventing for legacy like his brother Corlys he’s combating for his family’s survival. Vaemond ends his piece calling Rhaenyra’s sons bastards and the princess a whore. The corridor gasps. Viserys will get up. Daemon slices Vaemond’s encounter cleanse in 50 percent with his sword. It’s a sudden and stunning loss of life, and I’m nearly still left wishing we could’ve viewed more of Vaemond. Immediately after preserving to the track record in past episodes, this was the a single in which he shone the most, but also the place he satisfied his untimely finish. (Alas, the character is also beheaded in George R. R. Martin’s books soon after he tries to assert the Driftwood Throne and thoughts Rhaenyra’s little ones.)
Wil Johnson as Vaemond.
Inspite of the bloodshed, the Targaryen and Hightower family members nevertheless acquire for supper with each other at the king’s behest, and he’s the only one who would seem to be satisfied about it. In this article, Viserys tends to make a determined remaining plea to his loved ones. He removes his mask to expose the relaxation of his facial area, an eyeball lacking and the pores and skin of his cheek practically entirely long gone. He seems skeletal. “I want you to see me as I am. Not just a king but your father, your brother, your spouse, your grandsire, who might not it appears to be wander for a great deal longer between you,” he says. He begs them to make pleasant with each and every other, if not for the realm’s sake, then for his. Rhaenyra is the initial to comply, increasing her glass to Alicent to praise her loyalty and devotion to Viserys. “For that she has my gratitude and my apology,” she says. Moved, Alicent raises her own glass to Rhaenyra and her house. “You will make a good queen,” she adds. Even Otto is astonished.
Meanwhile, the little ones are nonetheless squabbling. Aegon hits on Jace’s fiancée, Baela, to get on his nerves. But Jace usually takes the superior street, raising a toast to Aemond and Aegon in what is beginning to sense like a feelings circle. Helaena toasts Baela and Rhaena for their engagements, adding that owning a spouse is “not so bad—mostly he just ignores you, other than from time to time when he’s drunk.” (Anyone aid this lady!) Jace dances with Helaena whilst the loved ones appears to be on, experiencing laughs at meal. For a instant it appears like every thing is ok in Property Targaryen. Right until Viserys begins emotion a terrible discomfort and is carried out of the dining home.
A roasted pig is placed in front of Aemond for meal, and Luke laughs remembering how they made use of to tease Aemond with his pretty personal “dragon pig.” Aemond loses his persistence. He provides a final toast dedicated to his nephews, calling them handsome, smart, and potent, alluding to their authentic father Harwin Sturdy. When once more, he picks up the parentage challenge they experienced just seemingly laid to rest. The boys are offended and tousle with their uncles at the time yet again till the adults send them all back to their rooms. Rhaenyra wants to get the young children again to Dragonstone. Alicent can take her hand, hoping she’ll occur again before long. The gesture is light and common, nearly reminiscent of their friendship as younger girls.
Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen.
Bear in mind Mysaria? We have absent by means of various episodes and three of Daemon’s wives considering the fact that we last noticed her. But after meal, Talya, a handmaiden to Queen Alicent, satisfies with her in the cloak of evening. The scene finishes there, however. Character development will have to hold out an additional working day!
Viserys writhes in ache in bed although Alicent tends to him. Not in his correct intellect, he issues her for Rhaenyra and answers her question from the other night. He does believe that in the Track of Ice and Hearth, he confirms. He name-drops Aegon, referring to the Conqueror, and suggests what he saw in the North was legitimate. He mentions “The Prince That Was Promised,” referring to the destined hero who will arise from the Targaryen bloodline. But Alicent, who has no awareness of Viserys and Rhaenyra’s magic formula, interprets this in a different way: She believes Viserys is contacting Aegon, their firstborn son, the prince that was promised—as in the rightful heir to the Iron Throne as an alternative of Rhaenyra. “It is you. You are the just one. You should do this,” Viserys whispers in his delirium. Alicent normally takes this as his would like for their son to develop into king. Olivia Cooke is great at conveying Alicent’s shock, aid, acceptance, and even worry as she grapples with the pounds of this concept. You can already notify what chaos will ensue, and what harm she will do, with this information.
“I fully grasp my king,” Alicent tells him as she leaves the place. The digicam pans to that fated Valryian metal dagger as she exits. In the darkness, Viserys would seem to be having his last breaths in mattress. He has no thought he’s just played the worst recreation of phone ever.
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Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she’s listening to Lorde right now.
