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#10: Another L for the Dagger
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More than anything, “House of the Dragon” has been drawing especial attention towards the Valyrian steel dagger, which of course plays heavily into the ending of “Game of Thrones.” But its almost-use in this episode has us harkening back to the beginning of the latter show. As fans will remember, it was first seen in the second episode when an assassin tried to take the life of Bran Stark, only to get brutalized by the future Three-Eyed Raven’s direwolf, Summer. Here, it’s again almost used as an instrument of violence, as Alicent attempts to literally take an eye for an eye after Lucerys takes one from Aemond. Thankfully, the dagger again misses its target, but it does draw blood regardless.
#9: Death by Fire, Burial by Water
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One of the most heartbreaking moments in the show so far comes in the previous episode when Laena opts to die a dragonrider’s death rather than suffer the horrors of another botched birthing. It was hard to let her go, especially since it seemed like she was just coming into her own. We’re already too keenly aware dragon fire is the go-to method for Targaryen death rites, so it’s interesting to see the plot thread be immediately picked up with Laena being buried at sea. Obviously, this is tradition for the Velaryons, but the dichotomy does further speak to the rift between House Targaryen and House Velaryon. Could their saga then be dubbed “The Song of Water and Fire?” No? Okay.
#8: Rhaenyra’s Expression
There’s little room for love among the Westerosi royals, as marriages are mainly used as ways to bolster houses. Even though Rhaenyra and Daemon pretty much deserve each other at this point - ew - we get a visual representation that this is still pretty much true for even them. Before the two Targaryens who just lost their baby daddy and momma respectively decide to get hitched, they make good on over a decade of sexual tension by consummating things on the beach. As darkly as the scene is shot, we do get a look at Rhaenyra’s face during, and it seems to be one of duty rather than, y’know, enjoyment. It reminds us a lot of the look Alicent has with Viserys.
#7: Laenor to the Sea
There was a lot of foreshadowing in this episode, some of which already came true. While we’ll get to the more substantial instances soon, this one had a nice bit of symmetry that punctuates some solid character development for Laenor Velaryon. Laenor’s understandably despondent at his sister Laena’s funeral, as he’s had a rough go of things since being betrothed to Rhaenyra. He’s later seen wading in the water at Driftmark before his father Corlys has him brought out. Not for nothing, it’s interesting to note that this is also where he ends the episode, rowing away from his ancestral home with Ser Qarl after faking his own death. One change we’re glad to see, however, is Laenor’s newfound sense of agency.
#6: An Ugly Game
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Everyone loves a good title drop moment, and we’ve gotten plenty with “House of the Dragon.” But Otto Hightower nearly makes sure we get the famous one from the previous show. After Alicent’s regrettable incident, her father Otto comes to comfort her - or should we say “encourage?” At one point, he seems to refer to a certain game throne-seekers tend to play, a “game of thrones,” if you will. He doesn’t say it outright, but we know what he’s getting at. However, we do shudder to think Otto’s being a little näive when he thinks Alicent could win. After all, he does know what the only other alternative to winning is, right?
#5: Did Helaena Predict Rhaenyra & Daemon’s Marriage?
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We mentioned all the foreshadowing in this episode before. And we’ll be returning to the topic again - with Helaena, in fact. But this one still has fans analyzing things. As previously mentioned, the episode ends with Rhaenyra and Uncle Daemon tying the knot Targaryen-style and making sure fans continue to cringe the good cringe. But Helaena’s only lines of dialogue have viewers wondering if she didn’t see this coming. At the wake for Laena, Helaena’s siblings Aegon and Aemond Targaryen watch as she again handles a creepy crawly. However, the things she utters to herself, specifically about “dragons of flesh weaving dragons of thread” could be code for the impending nuptials. In any case, we’ll definitely be more attentive to what Helaena says next.
#4: Improper Funeral Attire
Episode 5 made a big deal out of Alicent wearing Hightower green to the feast celebrating Rhaenyra and Laenor’s union. It further emphasized the schism in House Targaryen inflicted by House Hightower, so we’re keenly on the lookout of the color from now on. At the funeral for Laena, most of the nobility present can be seen wearing the appropriate black. Even Rhaenyra’s red getup is mostly black. But Aegon and Aemond are straight-up wearing green. While we didn’t need any more hints of the friction between the three primary family units, it’s a clever character detail to accentuate the fact that they aren’t as interested in paying their respects.
#3: Otto’s Nails
It only took a few episodes - and about a decade of show time - but Otto Hightower has resumed the position of Hand of the King to Viserys. The show makes sure to draw attention to this early on with a close-up of his pin. But fans have noticed perhaps an even more interesting detail in the very same shot. Namely, his fingernails are looking a little worse for wear - or, at least the one on his thumb. This was a prominent motif very early in the season, particularly in regard to Alicent. Alicent would constantly be seen chewing at her fingernails, likely due to stress caused by Otto pressuring her to woo Viserys. Well, now it seems the elder Hightower is at it.
#2: Laenor’s Emblem
Though the intro “Game of Thrones” will likely remain unparalleled, “House of the Dragon” is still carving out a nice niche for itself, at least visually. Rather than a map of Westeros and beyond, the intro for the prequel series shows a river of blood surrounding the emblems of its featured characters. Fans have noticed that the emblems of characters who are no longer with us have since been overtaken, but this episode contains an interesting breaking of that tradition. Sort of. As mentioned, the episode ends with Laenor and company faking his death, still very much alive. But according to the intro for the episode, he’s “dead” in the eyes of Westeros seeing as his emblem becomes obscured.
#1: Eye Foreshadowing
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Perhaps the most shocking moment this week comes during Aemond’s scuffle with his young nephews and cousins when the young Targaryen loses an eye at the hands of Lucerys. It’s a pivotal moment non-book readers didn’t see coming, but maybe we should have? Back in Episode 6, Aemond was having particular trouble claiming a dragon for his own. His teasing at the hands of the other kids led Alicent to promise him he would fly. However, Helaena’s remark is now eye-opening in retrospect, if you’ll pardon the ironic pun. While Helaena’s words could on the surface be seen as her too doubting Aemond’s dragon-riding abilities, it seems she not only knew he’d fly, but that he’d also lose an eye - if you’ll pardon the rhyme.
