- Warning: This post contains spoilers for the "House of the Dragon" season one finale.
- The finale ends with a tragic death in the Targaryen family.
The season one finale of "House of the Dragon" ends with the tragic death of one of the Targaryens.
In the finale, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), her uncle-husband Daemon (Matt Smith), and her relatives plan their response to the Hightowers' betrayal after they took the Iron Throne away from the princess. Towards the end of the episode, Rhaenyra sends out her family to collect her allies across Westeros in case civil war erupts.
Rhaenyra's son Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) travels to Storm's End, where he finds his uncle Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) waiting for him, also delivering a message to the potential ally Lord Borros Baratheon (Roger Evans). Aemond decides to take his opportunity to get revenge for Lucerys stabbing his eye out in episode seven, chasing his younger nephew with his large dragon Vhagar.
However, during the chase, Aemond loses control of his dragon who ultimately kills both Lucerys and his small dragon Arryx. Many of the reactions to the finale are to do with this tragic season with fans mocking Aemond having to explain how he started a civil war.
—Lukas Egner (@akalukas19) October 24, 2022
Numerous fans made fun of Aemond's reaction to accidentally killing his nephew
It was very clear from Aemond's expression that he did not mean to actually kill his nephew in the penultimate scene of the season finale. Fans have come up with their own versions of what the following conversation between Aemond and his mother Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) must have been like after the mistake.
—o (@ateenytinyolive) October 24, 2022
—rosco (@073258952a) October 24, 2022
—yeah, its khali (@chntally) October 24, 2022
—Sophie (@sophaloaf151) October 24, 2022
—Daniel (@DanSoldtheWorld) October 24, 2022
—. (@lastyonko) October 24, 2022
Fans also mocked Aemond's lack of control of his dragon, drawing comparisons to "Game of Thrones" character, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke).
—out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) October 24, 2022
—AARON AGABA M (@ama_4820) October 22, 2022
—Darling (@JustforSmilesss) October 24, 2022
Others imagined what King Viserys' reaction might have been from the afterlife
After several years of peaceful rule, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) died in episode eight. Less than a week after his passing, Westeros is on the verge of a civil war, multiple people have been killed, including his grandson, and his wife and son have stolen the throne from his rightful heir. If he was watching from the afterlife, he would not be too pleased.
—monarch the great (@OneMonarchTwo) October 24, 2022
—Sophie (@sophaloaf151) October 24, 2022
—zanaduxx (@zanaduxx) October 24, 2022
—Javi (@bigmanj6996) October 24, 2022
—N (@Ni4344) October 17, 2022
A vocal contingent of fans said they were prepared to support Rhaenyra next season no matter what she does
Several users joked that they would still stand by Rhaenyra even if she began committing "war crimes."
—Patricia (@Accio_Library) October 24, 2022
—⭐ (@superking1815) October 24, 2022
—Agnetta✨ (@agnettalucia) October 23, 2022
—nic ❤️ (@targaryencunt) October 24, 2022
Fans are upset that the next season is scheduled for two years' time
Since the writers have only begun starting coming up with the plot for season two, it will be a while before fans get to see what happens next. Not everyone is happy about this.
—ale (@AleGarc60774190) October 24, 2022
—Daniel (@DanSoldtheWorld) October 24, 2022
—Parcival (@Parciva14699081) October 24, 2022
Overall, the finale was a tough watch for many "House of the Dragon" fans
Exhausted fans took to Twitter to express their emotional turmoil after this season's final episode.
—Erin Evert (@ErinEvert) October 24, 2022
—lauryn❦ (taylaur) (@scarletwsolo) October 21, 2022