Not going to lie, I feel that is my favourite episode of Home of the Dragon thus far.
Even with that pesky little change on the finish that isn’t ebook canon.
However first, let’s have a look at every thing else that occurs in Episode 8 of HBO’s epic drama sequence.
Straight away, we be taught there’s a six-year time jump, and, for these of you which might be getting sick of those age-ups, it will seemingly be the final time as we’re about to step into the primary storyline right here. Sure, that’s proper, every thing thus far is just about backstory.
Already, because of the preview for Episode 8, viewers have been questioning if this would be the ultimate episode for Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint).
And, truthfully, by the tip of the episode, we nonetheless don’t actually know his destiny.
Corlys is gravely sick, and his brother takes benefit of that
However the episode opens with the information that Corlys has been gravely injured throughout a scuffle on the Stepstones. He’s nonetheless alive, however there are fears he received’t make it, and this provides his brother the very alternative to leap in and be a serious d**ok.
Vaemond Velaryon (Wil Johnson) decides it’s time to actually push the concept Rhaenyra’s (Emma C’Arcy) son, Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), is just not deserving of inheriting Driftmark after Corlys dies.
He has a legitimate motive in the event you actually wish to use the speculation that household is barely household when they’re blood-related.
However, in fact, if Vaemond brings out into the open that Lucerys is just not a real Valeryon, he’s additionally declaring that Rhaenyra’s first-born son, Jacaerys (Harry Collett), is just not respectable both, and that brings the entire line of succession into query but once more.
And Rhaenyra received’t have that.
When she will get wind of his plan to petition his declare to Driftmark in entrance of the king, she and her husband, Daemon (Matt Smith), shortly descend on King’s Touchdown — full with Rhaenyra’s youngsters from her first marriage plus two new sons, Aegon and Viserys, born to Daemon.
Sure, it will get complicated as Viserys (Paddy Considine) is just not solely her dad now however her son as nicely. AND Aegon can be her half-brother, being the firstborn son of Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Viserys.
On prime of that, do I feel Rhaenyra named her son Aegon simply to f**ok with Alicent? Sure, I did.
However, again to Vaemond’s douchery.
The strains are drawn between inexperienced and black
Whereas Alicent already drew a line within the sand by wearing a green dress and, primarily, declaring battle towards Rhaenyra’s declare to the Iron throne again in Episode 5 of House of the Dragon, issues have remained principally underhand since then.
However Episode 8 actually brings every thing to the fore with Vaemond’s declare and Alicent leaping on it. This can be a neat means for her to convey the parentage of Rhaenyra’s three sons into query with out it truly being her.
So, when the small council is discussing whether or not Vaemond is right or not in his declare, Alicent and her father, Otto (Rhys Ifans), are already steering individuals throughout to Group Inexperienced.
That doesn’t cease Rhaenyra from additionally attempting to get individuals on her aspect forward of the official petition listening to.
Is Rhaenys Group Black or Inexperienced?
Rhaenyra instantly approaches Rhaenys (Eva Greatest) to try to gauge her help, which is a daring transfer as viewers shortly be taught that nobody advised Laenor’s (John MacMillan) mother and father that he’s probably not lifeless, simply residing his finest life exterior of Westeros.
Rhaenyra even has a plan: marry her eldest boys, Jacaerys and Lucerys, to Rhaenys’ granddaughters, Baela (Bethany Antonia) and Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell).
This may be an ideal strategy to patch every thing up as a result of certainly one of Rhaenys’ granddaughters would grow to be the queen of Westeros at some point, and the opposite can be married to the Lucerys, making her the official mistress of Driftmark.
However Rhaenys has performed this recreation a very long time, and he or she is just not about to let up her alliances simply but.
Simply whenever you thought Viserys couldn’t get any older…
Each week, there’s commentary on how previous King Viserys appears, and in each new episode, HBO manages to make him look even worse.
Whereas final week he was likened by followers to a white walker, that’s nothing to how he appears this week.
His face is so dangerous that he has to cowl it with a gold masks similar to King Baldwin IV, the leper king, as, beneath, his pores and skin is kind of actually falling away. Plus, he’s doped to the eyeballs with milk of the poppy, and Alicent insists it’s as a result of he wants it and never as a result of she wants him to want it.
Additionally, he’s fairly confused as to who he’s chatting with at instances and doesn’t even acknowledge Rhaenyra when she first arrives.
When Rhaenyra introduces her new sons, he appears to perk up, although.
Rhaenyra additionally pleads with him to defend her when it comes time to talk at courtroom relating to her –and her son’s declare — to the Iron Throne. And truthfully, it seems like she can be giving him an out right here to exchange her along with his son, Aegon.
Vaemond lastly will get his day in courtroom
The time has come for Vaemond to have his day in entrance of the king. Besides Otto is the one standing in for him now, and boy, doesn’t he primp about it?
Vaemond positive does have lots to say on the matter however stops wanting calling Rhaenyra’s sons bastards. Then, when it’s Rhaenyra’s flip to talk, who ought to flip up? Viserys.
It seems he’ll do something to ensure his daughter’s declare is upheld and the legitimacy of her youngsters is confirmed.
Whereas it takes him the longest time to get to the Iron Throne, when he does, he truly manages to command the room along with his presence. Additionally, he factors out that they’re all right here due to the declare to Driftmark that has been sorted out years in the past.
He then calls on Rhaenys to provide her opinion on who ought to rule, and, colour me stunned, she sides with Rhaenyra and says her husband has at all times wished Lucerys to exchange him, which is the reality, however I wasn’t fairly positive if she would aspect together with her husband or not in regard to his matter.
When Vaemond realizes he’s by no means going to win towards the king, he loses his s**t and really calls Lucerys a bastard and Rhaenyra a w***e.
Viserys instantly requires Vaemond’s tongue however, don’t have any worry, Daemon is right here to lop off Vaemond’s head in protection of his spouse.
If that’s not husband targets in Westeros, I don’t know what’s.
Alicent has raised two rubbish people
Whereas all that is taking place, we get a better have a look at Alicent’s youngsters. And, truthfully, if she thinks any of them are match to rule, she is nuts.
Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) actually couldn’t care about something however bumping uglies and sleeping. And, sure, he’s married to his sister, Helaena (Phia Saban), which I’m positive Alicent had one thing to say about, however you possibly can’t struggle Targaryens with regards to incest.
Additionally, this doesn’t cease Aegon from shagging everybody, together with his youngsters’s nanny.
In the meantime, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) has grown as much as be completely vicious.
Actually, if Alicent actually did suppose her youngsters had a respectable declare to the throne, absolutely she ought to have at the least given them some correct manners? However, no.
And all this involves the fore at a household dinner organized by Viserys.
Most awkward household dinner ever
You recognize these household dinners you by no means wish to attend since you don’t like your cousin, and your uncle is more likely to get drunk and spoil every thing? Properly, that’s no match for a Targaryen dinner.
No person actually desires to be there, however all of them are as a result of Viserys desires it. And, whereas Viserys has made some questionable ruling choices up to now, there isn’t any denying he loves his household and simply desires them to get alongside, so everybody performs the half.
Rhaenyra toasts Alicent, who returns the favor and really appears to imply it at some factors, even stating that Rhaenyra will make a nice queen.
Issues are heated between Rhaenyra and Alicent’s youngsters, although. Aegon is busy hitting on Jacaerys’ newly betrothed, and issues practically come to blows.
Lucerys minds his manners and offers a toast to his uncles and hopes that they’ll all be mates once more.
Oh, how candy. You possibly can inform Aegon and Aemond aren’t on the identical web page, although, with Aegon solely providing up a “To you as nicely” in response to Lucerys’ glowing toast.
As soon as once more, the place are your manners, boys?
Jacaerys additionally received’t have Aegon pimping on his wife-to-be, so he asks Helaena to bounce, which she does, oblivious to the truth that Aegon is p**sed.
In the meantime, Viserys has no concept what’s going on and thinks everyone seems to be getting alongside.
Nevertheless, when the king goes to mattress, Aemond decides it’s time for his speech after Lucerys laughs at a roast pig being positioned in entrance of him. He toasts his nephews, calling them “robust boys,” which is true in that they’re bodily robust, however everyone knows Aemond was referring to the boys’ actual father, Ser Harwin Robust (Ryan Corr).
E-book followers have been ready eight episodes for this speech, and it’s actually value it.
A struggle breaks out correct after that, and when it’s damaged up, Rhaenyra tells Alicent that she’s going to return to King’s Touchdown after seeing her boys residence to Dragonstone. And surprisingly, Alicent appears up for this concept, truly wanting like she misses her childhood good friend.
Viserys has issues to say
Episode 8 of Home of the Dragon concludes with Viserys in mattress and Alicent easing his ache by giving him milk of the poppy.
It’s right here that he begins talking, and issues get just a little muddled.
He’s speaking concerning the Prince who was Promised, however Alicent thinks he’s speaking about her son, Aegon. Then, it seems that he’s saying Alicent is the one to sort things.
Whereas everyone knows that he’s speaking about Rhaenyra on this occasion, as he has typically spoken to her about Aegon’s Dream and the Prince who was Promised, it appears seemingly that Alicent will interpret what he has mentioned to her — and her son’s — acquire.
This can be a change from the ebook canon as to what occurs, however, truthfully, I really like the truth that Alicent will use this towards Rhaenyra for her son’s declare for the Iron Throne, although Viserys has at all times made it abundantly clear that he wished Rhaenyra to comply with him in ruling Westeros.
Viserys is then left alone, and it doesn’t take lengthy for him to cease respiratory. Is he lifeless?
I’m betting on sure, however followers must wait till subsequent week’s episode of Home of the Dragon to seek out out for positive. (Though, if you wish to know for positive, rewatch the episode with the captions on.)
Home of the Dragon airs each Sunday evening at 9/8c on HBO Max.
Extra: House of the Dragon