This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season OneHBO's House of the Dragon expanded on the history of Game of Thrones with a significant focus on the dynasty of the Targaryen family. Taking place primarily during the long reign of King Viserys the Peaceful, viewers are treated to the classic political dance that makes up Westerosi culture. While there may not have been as much bloodshed as in the original series, the scenes that did feature brutal fights were poignant and memorable.
Here we are going to look back at the most memorable scenes featured throughout the first season, from epic fights to subtle nods to political warfare, and including the more happy moments that were too few and far between. We'll be ranking these moments based on their impact on the overall show, the character development that stems from the scene, and the moment's ability to emotionally affect the viewer and leave a lasting impression on them.
7 Laenor's Freedom
Prince Laenor Valaryion and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen are forced to marry as part of their respective duties to their families. However, neither of them fully invested in this entanglement's romantic side. This would lead to compromises, as Rhaenyra would learn that Laenor is gay and sees no attraction in his betrothed. Supporting her fiance, Rhaenyra promises him that he can be free to be himself around her, and that she would hold no ill will towards his affairs.
As time went on, Rhaenyra would fall in love with her uncle, Daemon, and seek to marry him, though this would be impossible with Laenor still alive. Seeking a solution that would leave all involved happy, Daemon arranges for it to appear that Laenor's lover had killed him in a jealous rage. With Laenor's family finding a burnt corpse, they would begin mourning their son, only for it to be revealed to the audience that Laenor had shaved his signature hair and escaped King's Landing with his lover so that he may live his life free of political burdens.
6 An Eye for a Dragon
Prince Aemond was envious that most of his family had dragons to call their own. When he saw an opportunity to bond himself to Vhagar, the largest and most fearsome dragon under the Targaryan banner, he took it. Vhagar was initially set to be bonded with Rhaena, the daughter of Vhagar's previous rider. When Aemond is confronted by his nephews and nieces, he is confident and spiteful, which leads to an altercation resulting in Aemond losing one of his eyes.
While the fight would prove to be a precursor to the ever-rising tensions within House Targaryen, the most striking moment would be in the aftermath, when Queen Alicent attempts to take matters into her own hands and take Lucerys' eye in exchange. Princess Rhaenyra would defend her son, leading to a private exchange of words as Alicent would be exposed to the court for her hysterical behavior. Aemond would be the voice of reason, his confidence not shaken by the loss of his eye, as he would tell his mother that he had already made an even exchange. An eye for a dragon.
5 Daemon Vs. Crabfeeder
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Prince Daemon would unite with Corlys Valaryon to wage war with Craghas Drahar, the Crabfeeder, over the Stepstones. Daemon would seek to prove himself as a master of war, though not even his fearsome dragon Caraxes could make much of a difference with the Crabfeeder's strategies.
After receiving a letter stating that his brother intended to send reinforcements, Daemon elected to go for an all-out attack rather than wait for his brother to come to save him. Initially going into the Crabfeeder's camp under the ruse of surrender, Daemon would single-handedly slaughter many of the Crabfeeder's army before Laenor would fly overhead with his dragon, Seasmoke. Daemon would then confront the Crabfeeder off-screen, only to appear with the mutilated corpse of his enemy, having won the war.
4 Alicent's Call to Arms
Queen Alicent's transformation from a timid girl who only does what's asked of her into a powerful woman who is willing to stand up and fight for what she believes is wrought with tragedy and broken relationships. After her father is banished for spreading misinformation about Rhaenyra's status as a virgin, Alicent confronts Rhaenyra, only for Rhaenyra to swear on her mother's grave that she didn't sleep with Daemon.
After Alicent discovers that Rhaenyra lied about remaining a virgin, as she had slept with Ser Criston Cole, her heart begins to harden, and she makes a stance against her former friend. Arriving late for the feast to honor Rhaenyra and Laenor's nuptials, Alicent wore an elegant green dress, a subtle nod to the tensions growing as green is the color her family uses when declaring war.
3 The First Dragon Battle
While there are times when a duel between dragons is teased throughout the first season, the beginning of the eponymous Dance of Dragons is saved for the closing minutes of the season finale. Aemond follows Lucerys as the young prince attempts to leave a failed negotiation with House Baratheon. Claiming he wants to take Lucerys' eye, the audience is treated to terrifying imagery as Lucerys and Arrax are flying through a vicious storm, with the audience seeing the shadows cast by the giant Vhagar, foreshadowing the brutality that is to follow.
While Lucerys tries to escape Aemond by flying Arrax through a narrow cliff edge, both riders would begin to lose control of their dragons. Arrax would ignore Lucerys' commands to flee and return to strike at Vhagar. As Arrax flies above the storm, Lucerys and the audience are treated to a moment's peace before Vhagar rises through the clouds and eats Lucerys whole, as well as swallowing Arrax's body, leaving the dragon's wings to fall to the waves below. Aemond had audibly attempted to regain control of Vhagar, which calls into question just how much of this war is from intention and how much is from terrible mistakes.
2 One Last Happy Dinner
All King Viserys wanted in his time as King was to see his family happy and united. Attempting to stave off a civil war, speaking of a prophecy warning of a threat from the North, Viserys would consistently grow tired of seeing his family crack from the pressure of the throne. As Viserys began succumbing to disease and old age, he would request dinner with his close family.
Here would be the staging ground for the reunion of a broken house, as Rhaenyra and Alicent would begin to rekindle their broken friendship, and Daemon would show that he still cared for his brother despite their multiple arguments. It was genuinely touching to see Viserys look around and see his family smiling and enjoying each other's company instead of constantly being at one another's throats. While this peace wouldn't last long, Viserys had retired before seeing the facade crumble, so the King was honored to have one last happy memory before his passing.
1 Rhaenys, the Dragonrider
Rhaenys Targaryen is the Queen that never was. With many believing she had the rightful claim to the throne, Rhaenyes was passed over for Viserys as it was believed no one would heed the command of a Queen. Rhaenys would bear witness to multiple political plots, including seeing Rhaenyra be named heir just for Viserys to bear a son, leading to Rhaenyra's claim being called into question, similar to Rhaenys' plight.
When the time came for Queen Alicent to declare Aegon the King, she had tried to secure Rhaenys' support and keep her jailed when that failed. Rhaenys had allies, however, and would escape, but not before making a statement of her own. Audiences would finally be treated to Rhaenys riding her dragon, as they would break down the walls and threaten the Hightowers, making their stance on who the rightful heir to the throne, indeed, was apparent.