House of the Dragon: Episode 8 ending explained – will the Song of Ice and Fire destroy the Targaryens?

• “House of the Dragon” Episode 8 shows an involuntary family reunion of the Targaryens and Velaryons in King’s Landing.
• Tensions are high. King Viserys, who is wasting away, tries to reunite the houses with a word of power.
• But can there really be peace in the family?

“House of the Dragon” flashes back through the years of the Targaryen dynasty. Some time has passed since Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen’s marriage. In episode 8, Rhaenyra is pregnant again, but she has already given birth to two children with Daemon. The family continues to reside on Dragonstone, having not traveled to King’s Landing after the fateful night on Driftmark.

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The heir to Driftmark

But on Driftmark it starts to seethe. After the Triarchy regained strength, fighting resumed on the Steppingstones, severely injuring Corlys Velaryon. His brother Vaemond Velaryon senses the opportunity and wants to become the official heir of Driftmark. However, as things stand, the true heir would be Lucerys Velaryon, the second son of Laenor Velaryon and Rhaenyra.

But Vaemond, like so many before him, doubts the legitimacy of Rhaenyra’s and Laenor’s children. He also believes that Jacaerys and Lucerys are bastard sons of Rhaenyra and Harwin Kraft. Vaemond tells his sister-in-law, Rhaenys, that he wants to inherit Driftmark because he has true Velaryon blood.

But Rhaenys only replies that her husband always wanted Lucerys to be the heir. Angered, Vaemond departs and announces that he will plead with Queen Alicent. Baela Targaryen, who lives with her grandmother in Driftmark, writes to her father, Daemon, warning him of what her great-uncle is up to.

Family reunion in King’s Landing

Both the Targaryens of Dragonstone and the Velaryons of Driftmark travel to King’s Landing. A lot has changed in the capital of Westeros. King Viserys’ illness has worsened to such an extent that he only survives the days on copious amounts of poppy juice. Rhaenyra and Daemon are visibly upset by the sight of him.

In King’s Landing, the belief in the Seven has also experienced an upswing, Queen Alicent Hightower has become a devout follower and wears a conspicuous chain with the seven-pointed star around her neck. Her greeting to Rhaenyra and Daemon is cool.

Alicent also struggles with her eldest son, Aegon. He is permanently drunk and rapes a servant. His mother has to calm the girl down, pays her hush money and gives her moon tea to drink so that she doesn’t get pregnant. Her son gets to feel her displeasure.

Meanwhile, Rhaenyra meets Rhaenys at the weirwood and tries to convince her to stand up for Lucerys as Driftmark’s heir at the hearing. Rhaenys is not on good terms with Rhaenyra, believing that the Crown Princess had her son Laenor murdered. Rhaenyra even offers that Jacaerys and Lucerys marry the granddaughters of Rhaenys (Daemon’s daughters with Laena Velaryon) to further strengthen the bond between House Targaryen and House Velaryon. Rhaenys doesn’t accept the offer, but doesn’t turn it down either.

Make way for King Viserys!

First seated at the hearing is the Hand of the King, Otto Hohenturm, to represent King Viserys. Vaemond presents his plea. But surprisingly, Viserys drags himself into the throne room and takes over the hearing. He proclaims that only his cousin Rhaenys has a right to speak. Rhaenys states that it was always Corlys’ wish that Lucerys sit on the throne of Driftmark. She also announces the engagement of Rhaenyra’s children and her granddaughters.

Vaemond is furious and dares to call Rhaenyra’s children bastards. Viserys wants to cut out his tongue, but Daemon forestalls him and unceremoniously cuts Vaemond’s head in half. That evening, Viserys holds a family dinner at which he appeals to everyone to pull together and put their enmity behind, for his sake.

In fact, Rhaenyra gives a short speech thanking Alicent for his loyalty and care towards Viserys and apologizing for the past. Alicent accepts the apology and proclaims that Rhaenyra will be an excellent queen. Jacaerys apologizes to his uncles Aegon and Aemond, although Aegon constantly provokes him. Finally, Jacaerys dances with Aegon’s wife and sister Helaena.

Viserys’ condition worsens and he is taken to his room by the guards. After a suckling pig is served and placed in front of Aemond, Lucerys starts laughing, apparently remembering their old prank. That’s enough for Aemond to give a little salutation himself, calling Lucerys and Jacaerys “Power Boys” again. A fight breaks out. However, Alicent tries to smooth things over and doesn’t ask Rhaenyra to leave just yet. But she wants to bring her children to Drachenstein and return on her dragon the next day.

Viserys lies in his bed and fantasizes while Alicent takes care of him. He believes Alicent to be Rhaenyra and tells of the Prince that was promised and other parts of the prophecy. Of course, Alicent doesn’t know them and believes Viserys is talking about Aegon being chosen. She leaves the chambers and Viserys dies alone.

The “Dance of the Dragons” begins

Although Alicent and Rhaenyra have actually reconciled, the conversation between Alicent and Viserys is enough to start a war. Alicent will now think that Viserys has changed his mind and would like Aegon on the throne. Though he always stood behind Rhaenyra and his decision to make her heiress until the end.

On Monday 17th October 2022 you can watch the grand finale of Season 1 of “House of the Dragon” on Sky Atlantic and Wow.