House of the Dragon Episode 8 Review – Succession Draws Blood?

As everyone was starting to get over the atrocious Game of Thrones finale, HBO wasn’t done giving us adaptations of George R.R. Martin’s works. There came the idea of a prequel, a prequel that would tell the story of the infamous house that ruled over the Seven Kingdoms before Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark’s rebellion. The house whose people are closer to gods than men. The house that tamed the greatest power the world has seen- dragons. The house our Mother of Dragons – Daenerys Stormborn belonged to: House Targaryen or rather House of the Dragon. The show’s events are set 172 years before Daenerys Targaryen. The prequel focuses on King Viserys I’s rule. The rule that was going to give us the Dance of the Dragons. However, the show isn’t there yet.

The show is based on another book of George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood. The pilot of the prequel became HBO’s biggest debut and has since continued its glorious run with each episodes seeing a rise in viewership numbers. The latest report suggests that the show has an average audience of 29 Million per episode, making it the biggest hit after Game of Thrones. Episode 6 & 7 were both shocking as well as screenwriting genius. We got a lot of deaths, plotting, treachery, violence, politics… basically we got Game of Thrones. So I was curious to see what do they do with the next one. The promo of episode 8 was extremely intriguing as I saw Otto on the Iron Throne. Episode 8 was supposed to have the last big time jump in the show. The quality of the show is at its peak right now.

Since only 3 episodes of the first season are left I was looking forward to these remaining episodes as it is always these final episodes which are explosive and an insight at the happenings of next season. So, without any further ado, let’s continue the Dragon Saga. Review Marathon – Episode 1 / Episode 2 / Episode 3 / Episode 4 / Episode 5 / Episode 6 / Episode 7.

Episode – The Lord of the Tides (SPOILERS AHEAD)

Rating – ★★★★

House of the Dragon Episode 8 Review: The New Lord of the Tides!

House of the Dragon Episode 8 opens exactly where the last episode ended. Place wise, time wise the show has taken its last big time leap of 10 years. Aegon, Aemond, Joffrey, Jacaerys and Lucerys, all have grown up. Aegon II and Haleana are married. Rhaenyra and Daemon are happily married and living in Dragonstone. They have two children Aegon III and Viserys II. Rhaenyra is pregnant with the third child. Viserys doesn’t sit the throne anymore. Otto sits his stead. Rhaenys sits on Driftmark’s seat in Corlys’ stead.

Corlys is back fighting the Triarchy in the Stepstones for 6 years, where he has faced a great wound that threatens his life. As he might die, his succession is in question. His brother Vaemond wishes to inherit Driftmark while Rhaenys wishes to honor her husband’s wish of letting Lucerys inherit the Iron Throne. They’ve taken this matter to the crown and the Hand and Queen will decide the inheritance. Rhaenyra and Daemon return to King’s Landing for the hearing on Driftmark’s succession. No one receives them upon arrival.

Rhaenyra and Daemon meet Viserys. He is in absolute condition, an alive human being can be. Daemon tries to explain Viserys what Otto and Alicent will do as they want to form an alliance with Vaemond to illegitimatize Rhaenyra’s children. Viserys fails to understand, Rhaenyra introduces him to her children. Rhaenyra and Daemon confront Alicent about Viserys’ constant intake of milk of the poppy and her father ruling in his stead. Alicent denies all the allegations. Daemon mentions how dragon symbols have been replaced by Stars.

Aemond has grown to be quite warrior while Aegon is still jerk who rapes women even after his marriage and Alicent has to take of it. The Velaryons enter King’s Landing where we see that Vaemond and Hightowers are in alliance. Rhaenyra asks Rhaenys to support Lucerys’ claim and she offers her to marry Baela and Rhaena to Jacaerys and Lucerys. Rhaenys addresses that whatever Rhaenyra does, it won’t matter as the Hightowers have already made their decision. Rhaenyra out of desperation visits Viserys and asks her to support her again.

It seems like Viserys doesn’t understand. Viserys asks Otto to arrange for a supper at night and refuses to drink to milk of the poppy. The hearing starts and Vaemond makes his argument clear that he is true Velaryon blood and hence he must ascend Driftmark. Rhaenyra calls the proceedings a farce but before she says anything else, someone enters. Tis’ Viserys. He has come through for Rhaenyra once again. While climbing the throne he is weak and his crown falls, Daemon picks it up and helps him to the throne.

House of the Drago Episode 8 continues as Viserys clears everything and simply asks Rhaenys Corlys’ wish. Rhaenys supports Rhaenyra and tells Lucerys should inherit Driftmark. This settles things but Vaemond loses his mind and challenges the decision. He calls Lucerys, Jacaerys and Joffrey bastards and calls Rhaenyra a whore. Before Viserys could ask his King’s guard to take action, Daemon chops his head as smoothly as a watermelon. Rhaenys faces the death of another member of her family. Everyone has gathered for supper.

Viserys asks everyone to let their differences and finally be together. Rhaenyra proposes a toast to Alicent where she appreciates her. So does Alicent. Aegon II passes vile comments to Jace. Jace proposes toast to his uncles while Halaena proposes to Baela and Rhaena where she taunts Aegon II. Jace and Haleana dance. Everyone shares heartwarming moments with each other. Viserys’ health worsens he leaves. The stewards bring in a pig and Jace and Luke laugh at Aemond.

Aemond gets angry and he proposes a toast to his nephews where he taunts their parentage. The children start fighting. Rhaenyra and Alicent stop the fighting. Rhaenyra decides to depart back to Dragonstone but Alicent asks her to wait. Talya, Alicent’s servant meets with Mysaria, the prostitute Daemon used to sleep with. I don’t know what that scene means. The episode ends with Viserys struggling in his bed, Alicent comforting him and he mistaking her for Rhaenyra and telling her about the Song of Ice and Fire.

Alicent mistakes his words as his last wish. She thinks Aegon II should be King as per Viserys’ last wish. She leaves understanding what Viserys wants. As she leaves Viserys stares into oblivion where he sees I’m guessing Aemma and his soul leaves his body. The episode ends with his death. His last words being, “My love.”

Verdict

House of the Dragon episode 8 was worthy follow-up to episode 7 but it was not as good as the previous two episodes. The writing of this episode was good but not as good as episode 7. This episode’s writing was simply an extension and continuation of the story. However, this was the only episodes in the entire GOT universe which had so many heartwarming moments. There were three stand-out moments in the episode. First when we think Rhaenyra will lose this battle with the Greens. Just then Viserys comes through for her one last time.

Despite his poor health and the fact that he hasn’t sat the throne in the last 10 years, he doesn’t miss this day. The love he has for his daughter doesn’t let him rest. The second moment was when Daemon sliced Vaemond’s face in half. Seriously the Dark Sister is the smoothest sword in the entire GOT universe. It cuts like butter. The last moment was at the dinner table when we finally see a glimpse of warmth between Rhaenyra and Alicent. Reminding us of what their relationship was.

The episode ended on a great note because now the real games will begin. I like how they killed Visersys. He finally saw his family together and happy for one last time. The happiness and warmth was simply the silence before the storm, as soon they’ll be thirsty for each other’s blood. The episode was good and gets a rating of drum roll please……. 4 out of 5 stars. The betrayals and shocks have officially kicked in. I’m sure there’s more to come in the next two episodes. If you haven’t watched it already, check out House of the Dragon on HBO Max or Disney+ Hotstar.

House of the Dragon has an incredible ensemble cast that includes Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Along with the main cast, the supporting cast of the show includes- Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn, and more.

House of the Dragon’s first eight episodes are currently streaming on HBO Max or Disney+. New episodes will debut on every Sunday or Monday on HBO and HBO Max or Disney+ Hotstar depending on the region you live in, at 9 pm or 6.30 am.

If you have any questions regarding House of the Dragon, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!