In the season finale, fans finally witness the beginning of the infamous Dance of the Dragon, a civil war between the Blacks and the Greens over the Iron Throne after King Viserys died.
- Oct 24, 2022
AceShowbiz - The war is here. "House of the Dragon" concluded its first season as the finale, titled "The Black Queen", aired on Sunday, October 23. In the episode, fans finally witnessed the beginning of the infamous Dance of the Dragon, a civil war between the Blacks (Rhaenyra Targaryen) and the Greens (Alicent Hightower) over the Iron Throne after King Viserys died.
After receiving news of both Viserys' death and the coronation of King Aegon, Rhaenyra realized that she needed to shore up their power as the Greens' attack might come anytime. Daemon Targaryen, meanwhile, accused Alicent of poisoning his brother and was mad at Rhaenys for not burning the Hightowers alive with her dragon Meleys.
Rhaenys argued that she didn't have the authority to start a war. She then warned Rhaenyra that the Greens were coming for her and her children, asking her to leave Dragonstone as soon as she could.
Later, Rhaenyra started having labor pains. She then told her sons, Jacaerys and Lucerys, about the situation. She asked them to check on Daemon as she knew he would start a war against the Greens. While Rhaenyra called for Daemon, he ignored her as he was busy plotting plan to destroy King's Landing. Rhaenyra was heartbroken when she knew that she had given birth to a stillborn baby.
During her daughter's funeral, Ser Arryk then showed up to offer alliance to Rhaenyra. Daemon carefully placed the crown on Rhaenyra's head and everyone kneeled in front of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen.
The Lady of the Seven Kingdoms appeared hesitant to start a war unless she was left with no other option. She was confident that House Arryn and House Baratheon were on her side. She was sure that once the Baratheons swore allegiance to them, then Winterfell would also follow. They were prepared for anything that could happen as they had three adult dragons, Syrax, Caraxes and Meleys, in addition to Vermax, Arrax, Tyraxes and Moondancer. They also had several unclaimed dragons.
Ser Erryk then announced the arrival of an unwanted guest, Otto Hightower. Otto asked her to acknowledge Aegon as the one true King of the Seven Kingdoms. Otto added that Dragonstone would be Rhaenyra's if she did so. He also offered to pardon all the knights and lords who had conspired against the Iron Throne.
Otto went on to mention that House Baratheon, Tully and Stark showed interest in supporting King Aegon II. If that was true, Rhaenyra ran short of allies. Otto also used Rhaenyra's hidden love for childhood friend Alicent to persuade her. When Daemon was about to kill Otto, Rhaenyra stopped him. She then told Otto that she would give him the answer in a day's time.
Rhaenyra wanted to consider Otto's offer because she knew that many people would be burned to death once she unleashed the dragons to war. She wanted to reign while still maintaining peace and unity. Daemon was enraged and when Rhaenyra told him about the Song of Ice and Fire, he held her by her neck.
Elsewhere in the episode, Lord Corlys Velaryon eventually decided to support Rhaenyra alongside his wife Rhaenys. With him joining the Blacks, Narrow Sea was under their control as he had defeated the Triarchy.
Rhaenyra then sent her elder son Jacaerys to The Eyrie, the seat of House Arryn, and then to Winterfell to meet Cragan Stark. Meanwhile, she asked Lucerys to go and meet Borros Baratheon and remind him of his oath. Unbeknownst to her, Otto also asked Aemond Targaryen to visit Storm's End to offer matrimonial alliance to Lord Borros Baratheon. Borros thought that Rhaenyra was trying to threaten him by sending Lucerys, so he refused to support her.
Lucerys and Aemond almost had a fight before Borros stopped them. Scared, Lucerys decided to leave but then Aemond chased him. The two seemingly were not in complete control of their respective dragons as Arrax spitted fire on Vhagar on his own accord, and that angered the latter.
Aemond tried to control Vhagar but it was to no avail as it came and ripped both Lucerys and his dragon apart. The news of Lucerys' death reached Dragonstone and it marked beginning of the Dance of the Dragon.
