House of the Dragon’s big episode 10 death signals the show’s future

Finale of season House of the Dragon season 1 delivered on the title of the show more than any other episodes in the show’s run, with a dragon-centric hour of drama and intrigue. Dragon recruitment was possible via song, and dragon inventory!), and finally, our first dragon-vs.-dragon battle in the Thrones television universe.

The intensity was almost as strong as those prophecies predicted. What would it look like? Game of Thrones prequel if no one died?

[Ed. note: Major spoilers for the House of the Dragon finale]

In “The Black Queen,” Rhaenyra sends her oldest sons out to recruit potential allies in the upcoming Targaryen Civil War. Jacaerys is sent to visit the Arryns and the Starks, while Lucerys is sent to Storm’s End to meet with Lord Baratheon. Lucerys gets a peptalk from his mom after expressing concerns about his future heir responsibilities.

Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

Lucerys rides his dragon Arrax over to Storm’s End, and as he lands, we can see the hulking presence of Vhagar, Aemond’s gigantic dragon, lurking in the background. When Lucerys enters the castle, Aemond is there, smirking, having already made a deal with Lord Baratheon — allegiance to Aegon in exchange for Aemond marrying one of Lord Baratheon’s daughters.

A brief conflict breaks out. Aemond calls Lucerys “Lord Strong” and demands the young prince take out his own eye. Lucerys, naturally refusing to do so, books the ticket and gets on Arrax before trying to flee in severe weather. Vhagar, Aemond, and Vhagar are next, as if by magic, Vhagar is seen lurking below Arrax looking like an enormous sea monster waiting to burrow through the waters.

Vhagar’s and Arrax’s approach, both inexperienced riders loose control of their winged horses. Against Lucerys’ commands, Arrax breathes fire on the much larger Vhagar, which does little more than annoy the gigantic dragon. And then, in the episode’s most climactic moment, Vhagar devours both Arrax and Lucerys in one bite, as Aemond helplessly attempts to stop his dragon from retaliating.

It’s a great moment for the show’s first dragon battle, really laying out the danger of using these creatures in war — something mentioned by Rhaenyra earlier in the episode, out of concern for ruling over an empire of ash if she uses the dragons to take back King’s Landing. It’s a full circle moment for Aemond and Lucerys’ arc this season, Aemond initially lost his eye after stealing Vhagar many years (and episodes) ago. Now their conflict has become even more representative of the show: Though war seemed inevitable with last week’s coup, it’s now been inescapably escalated thanks to two Targaryens who couldn’t hope to control the beasts they’ve ostensibly tamed.

It’s also appropriately brutal, with little bits of Arrax falling out of the sky as Vhagar tears into the much smaller dragon, coupled with Aemond’s shock at the situation and his inability to control Vhagar. He now has a decision to make when he gets back to King’s Landing — does he strut in proudly, having taken out one of his brother’s key rivals for the future of the throne, or will he walk in meekly, ashamed for accidentally causing a major escalation in this conflict?

Either way, it’s a big RIP to Lucerys, the latest casualty of House of the Dragon’s larger conflict. Maybe you’re with your (probable) dad now.