Season 1 of House of the Dragon has come to a dramatic and gratifying climax after a protracted fight of succession that included large time leaps, surprising twists, surprise alterations from George R.R. Martin’s source material Fire & Blood, and, of course, dragons, incest, and death. And, like with the previous nine episodes, the Game of Thrones prequel series finale has fans talking, with some turning to social media to express the most outrageous and correct reactions to a final hour filled with even more dragons and deaths.
With so much at risk, especially because everyone was compelled to choose a side, either the Green Council or the Black Council, as the houses fought over who should govern after King Viserys’ (Paddy Considine’s) death, here’s what happened in “The Black Queen.”
After Prince Rhaenys (Eve Best) took to her dragon and disrupted Aegon’s (Tom Glynn-Carney) coronation at the end of episode 9, it was just a matter of time before Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) learned of Queen Alicent’s (Olivia Cooke) decision to defy the long-standing pledge to make Viserys’ daughter queen after his death. And it’s safe to say, she nor her husband Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) were happy with what happened in King’s Landing.
Soon after landing at Dragonstone, Rhaenys informs her that “the Greens are coming for you.”
Rhaenyra had to cope with troubles at home first, with Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) grumbling about being put on the throne in Driftmark over Corlys’ brother Vaemond (Wil Johnson) and Rhaenyra’s pregnancy coming to term sooner than intended.
Rhaenyra delivers her own kid, pulling out the stillborn, in another frightening and gruesome delivery scene for the series. While she is mourning the death of her youngest child, one of the Arryk Cargyll twins enters with her crown and vows his devotion to her in what amounts to an impromptu coronation.
Rhaenyra and her Black Council then convene to examine the likelihood of war and whose relationships survive. This brings up Winterfell and the Starks, as well as Storm’s End and the Baratheons, two families at the heart of Game of Thrones who are likely to stand with them, whereas the Lannisters are supposed to side with Queen Alicent.
While they are plotting, Alicent’s father and the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), comes at Dragonstone with a peace offering from King Aegon Targaryen, primarily requiring Queen Rhaenyra to accept his authority and his reign solely. He also adds that the houses thought to be faithful to Rhaenyra could be in play.
Otto also sends a note from Alicent, indicating that she has never forgotten the two of them.
While Rhaenyra mulls over the terms, she harnesses her own father’s yearning for the sanctity of the realm above all else, much to Daemon’s disgust, who displays his evil character in a fit of rage.
Meanwhile, despite claims that he was injured and died at sea, Corlys (Steve Toussaint) is still alive. This has been a long time coming for Rhaenys, with Best saying that reconciling with him and his survival are the most important things to her.
While everyone waits to see where he’ll lead his armada, Corlys and Rhaenys argue over whose side they’ll take. Despite losing everything to Rhaenyra, House Velaryon and the fleet are eventually pledged to the “Black Queen.” Corlys also discloses that he has complete control over Stepstones and the Narrow Sea, a vital waterway for King’s Landing’s existence.
Before taking action, Jacaerys (Harry Collett) and Lucerys agree to ride dragons to Winterfell, Storm’s End, and Eyrie to gain the loyalty of the Starks, Baratheons, and Arryns.
During Lucerys’ meeting with Borros Baratheon (Roger Evans), it is revealed that Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) has already come with the news that his brother has ascended to the Iron Throne and an offer to combine their family with the Hightowers and Targaryens. The visit, however, ends in disaster as Aemond and Lucerys engage in an aerial fight on dragons, with Vhagar murdering Rhaenyra’s son – and, no doubt, setting the stage for war in season 2.