“House of the Dragon” S1 Episode 8: Viserys’ Final Dinner Changes Everything

There is really only one story driving ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 8: the succession crisis. While it is true that Lord Corlys was seriously wounded in battle, King Viserys is ill and dies. Before he dies, he hosts a dinner, complete with a beheading. His death takes the top off a massive succession battle that he contributed to.

After hosting an eventful family dinner, King Viserys retreats to his bed (which would essentially become his deathbed), where he summons both Alicent (his wife) and Rhaenyra (his daughter and, up to now, heir), separately. There, Alicent gets the impression he talks about “A Song of Fire and Ice” and the white walkers, and Alicent interprets Viserys’ delirious words as confirmation that he wants their son Aegon to succeed him. He is talking about Aegon the Conqueror’s dream and the Prince That Was Promised, and Alicent misunderstands what he is saying. Oh boy! Did this really just happen?

House of the Dragon Episode 8

This episode takes place 6 years in the future from the last; it begins with chaos as Corlys is injured. Though the succession battle began before, it really got going now. King Viserys, dies, and his death creates a succession nightmare. However, before he dies, he summons all of his strength to host one final dinner. This is important because Viserys has spent most of his reign trying to maintain peace, even as the divisions within his family continue to grow. The dinner is surprising, given the king’s ill health.

King Viserys’ Final Family Dinner Ends in Chaos

The dinner hosted by the King is remarkable in two respects. First, he still has the power and draw to bring together the entire family, while they scheme and fight with each other. Second, the king is clearly so ill that the mere fact he calls together everyone and sits at the head of the table is itself extraordinary. They gather together despite their continual succession plotting.

He begins his big day by showing up to hear the arguments for the succession of Driftmark. His entrance into the throne room is dramatic as he tells the Hand, Otto Hightower, “I will sit the throne today.” He loses his crown on the way up the stairs and presides with a mask of gold covering half his face. This is a great scene in “House of the Dragon.”

Once he is sitting on the throne, he first hears the claim of Vaemond. Before he dies, he hosts one final family dinner, following a dramatic court hearing that ends with a beheading. This seems to be the way of “House of the Dragon.” He calls Rhaenys’ sons “bastards” and her a “whore.”

Then, after some treatment, the king hosts dinner. He toasts his grandsons Jace and Luke and celebrates their upcoming marriages. He then dramatically takes his mask off and says his face is not as pretty as it used to be, if it ever was, and then begs all present to set aside their differences. Those around the table then toast each other, in a lovefest dedicated to King Viserys. A fitting ending for the king in “House of the Dragon.”

There is then dancing and music. King Viserys seems pleased, but is soon overwhelmed by his ill health; the band is forced to leave. Carried off by the Kingsguard. The dinner then quickly evolves into a fistfight, primarily between Jace, Luke, and Aemond. However, the dinner works because it united the family, at least in the eyes of the King.

King Viserys Dies in House of the Dragon, Setting Up a Brutal Succession Crisis

After dinner, the king returns to his bed, which will become his deathbed this evening. He tells Alicent about “A Song of Ice and Fire” and says she must do this. Alicent says she understands (but she really misunderstands what is happening), and probably thinks her sons will succeed him on the throne. King Viserys says “no more” and “My love,” and then he dies. However, not before he creates a further succession crisis.

Rhaenyra and Viserys Face a Succession Crisis

Maybe he caused it. Maybe his conversation with Rhaenyra the night before his dinner made the case. Rhaenyra’s conversation with Viserys the night before dinner also makes the case for why the succession crisis is about to explode. She reminds him of his promise to support her claim and invokes Aegon the Conqueror’s dream. The infighting before and during dinner, touched off by the near-death of Lord Corlys and his succession at Driftmark, shows that. The scheming in “House of the Dragon” makes for great viewing.