As the hugely-anticipated spin-off series to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon took the planet by storm by propelling its audience back to the wild planet of Westeros. Filled with fantasy back-stabbing, royal chess moves, and an army of dragons – this show shines with its streamlined narrative concentrate on the complicated Targaryen dynasty. A fractured and dysfunctional household, with two sides fighting for the Iron Throne, season 2 has began off with a bang as we officially start the Dance of the Dragons.

But as we eagerly await its weekly installments, let us not overlook the iconic moments of the previous. From King Viserys’ (Paddy Considine) mighty entrance to the throne space, to Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent’s (Olivia Cooke) confrontation, these events have stayed in the minds of fans because its initial airing. And however, exactly where these scenes are poignant and impactful, this list will track the show’s WTF moments. The crazy moments that took us off guard and possibly produced us wonder what specifically we have been watching. And let’s be sincere, in this planet, there are a lot of moments that qualify.

House of the Dragon

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Creator

Ryan J. Condal, George R.R. Martin

Distributor

HBO

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

4

Expand

10 Faking Laenor’s Death

Season 1, Episode 7

From the extremely starting, it was clear that Rhaenyra and Laenor’s (John MacMillan) union was to be a single of comfort. Politically advantageous for each their homes, the two came to an agreement to do their duty as heirs, while obtaining their personal outlets for happiness. Unfortunately, this under no circumstances completely came to fruition as they under no circumstances conceived their personal biological youngsters. And although cordial and close in their personal platonic methods, the two even struggled to attain correct happiness. At least, till they did not.

Wanting to safe a formidable companion to face the wrath of the Greens, it appeared that Rhaenyra and Daemon orchestrated the murder of Laenor to expedite their marriage. However, all was not as it seemed, as it was rapidly revealed to be a ruse. The correct victim was a poor servant whose physique was produced to resemble Laenor’s, permitting him to make his escape and sail off to freedom with his lover, Ser Qarl (Arty Froushan). A twist in the story that even shocked book-readers.

9 Criston Cole Attacks Joffery

Season 1, Episode 5

Where Rhaenyra and Laenor have been content with their marital arrangement, not all parties have been pleased. Indeed, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) produced it clear that he did not like the believed of becoming the Princess’ “w****,” a hypocritical statement we now know thanks to Season 2. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

In the final episode, just before the show’s 10-year time jump, Cole is left bitter and angry, resenting himself for breaking his Knight’s oath of chastity. And sadly for Joffrey – Laenor’s lover, confronting Cole about his connection with the Princess came at just the incorrect time: on the evening of Rhaenyra and Laenor’s betrothal celebration. Indeed, perceiving it as a threat of blackmail, Cole snaps and beats Joffrey (Solly McLeod) to a pulp, ideal in front of all to see, killing him instantaneously. Talk about a celebration killer. Honestly, what tends to make this even much more crazy is how Cole under no circumstances received any lasting consequences (nor for something else for that matter).

8 Aemond Loses his Eye

Season 1, Episode 7

Where the initially half of the series saw the beginnings of the division amongst the Greens and the Blacks, audiences have been introduced to how it at some point manifested inside the youngsters. Conditioned to be at odds with a single yet another, the tension reached an all-time higher following Laena Velaryon’s (Nanna Blondell) funeral.

Seizing the chance in front of him, Aemond (Leo Ashton) sneaks off to boldly claim the newly-riderless Vhagar as his personal. Though thriving in his efforts, he is rapidly met with adversity as Laena’s daughters, Baela (Shani Smethurst) and Rhaena (Eva Ossei-Gerning), perceive it as dragon theft. A fight ensues amongst Aemond and the girls, with Jacaerys (Leo Hart) and Lucaerys (Harvey Sadler) supplying assistance to their cousins. But issues take a fiercely violent turn as their squabble ends with Aemond’s eye finding sliced out by the hands of young Lucaerys. Yikes.

7 Daemon and Rhaenyra’s Sexual Escapade

Season 1, Episode 4

Incest is not new to the Game of Thrones universe, specifically when it comes to the Targaryens. Indeed, from the extremely initially time we saw Rhaenyra (Millie Alcock) and Daemon (Matt Smith) clap eyes at a single yet another, it was evident that they shared the very same sort of fire. But all this does not negate how crazy it was to witness them break previous the familial barriers and dabble in a much more sexual connection.

Upon his return from the Stepstones, Daemon assists Rhaenyra sneak out of the Red Keep to show her the streets of Kings Landing and the seedy issues they had to offer you. Ending their journey in the confinement of a brothel, the two start to test the boundaries of their connection in just the methods you assume they would. As uncle and niece, this was a bizarre issue to watch, specifically because Rhaenyra was a teenager. But what felt even much more strange was how we – as the audience, have been virtually rooting for them.

6 Laena’s Death

Season 1, Episode 6

Following the 10-year time jump, audiences are introduced to a grown-up Laena, married to Daemon with two youngsters and a single on the way. Incest aside, the two appeared to share a marriage constructed on the foundations of genuine affection. That’s why it was so heartbreaking to see Laena go by means of a challenging birth.

Indeed, House of the Dragon was not afraid to discover the numerous traumas of childbirth, as pretty much each a single ended in tragedy. And Laena’s was no diverse. However, what did set her apart was how her tragic finish at least occurred on her personal terms. Knowing that other males have been going to make choices about her personal physique and potentially reduce her open, Laena crawled her way to Vhagar and opted to die by dragonfire. This was the scene exactly where audiences saw the correct bond amongst a dragon and its rider. It was harrowing and shocking, but effective nonetheless.

5 Larys Strong

Season 1, Episodes 6 and 9.

Apologies, but this man deserves an complete entry of his personal purely for the crazy issues he did in only a brief quantity of time. Indeed, Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) has established himself to be the grimest and creepiest character on the show. Cunning, manipulative, and all-round gross, fans now brace themselves anytime he is observed on-screen.

Making a name for himself as Queen Alicent obsessor Number One, his desperation to prove his loyalty went so far to the point that he arranged a fire to brutally kill his personal father and brother. Cut to a couple of episodes later, we see that Larys remains in Alicent’s inner-circle, but with a price tag. In order to safe his spies’ intel, she have to satisfy his foot fetish. Yes, that is ideal people, we get a scene of a grimy man finding sexually aroused at seeing a woman’s toes. No kink shame as we have been just disgusted at the exploitation.

4 Daemon Beheads Vaemond Velaryon

Season 1, Episode 8

As a single of the most complicated characters of the show, a single can under no circumstances definitely predict the actions and motivations of Daemon Targaryen. Long perceived as the Iron Throne’s heir-presumptive, the man is ambitious, reckless and, much more frequently than not, ruthless. But, in spite of his moral grayness, there is no denying how fiercely protective he is of his household and loved ones albeit, in his personal specific way.

Such traits are clearly evident in the trial of Driftmark’s succession. Upon his determination to contest young Lucerys as the heir, Vaemond Velaryon (Wil Johnson) bursts into a fury, declaring Princess Rhaenyra (D’Arcy) as a you-know-what and her sons as “bastards.” But alas, in correct Daemon style, he rapidly silences the space by slicing Vaemond’s head in half. Honestly, we cannot say we’re that shocked. It is Daemon, just after all. Perhaps it was just the pure shock of the image’s graphic nature. At least it taught everybody not to mess with his wife and little ones.

3 The Killing of Aemma

Season 1, Episode 1

As the episode that began it all, a single can’t ignore how Queen Aemma’s (Sian Brooke) brutal death set the tone of the complete show. From her initially look, fans took comfort in seeing her as a type and doting mother and an ever-supportive wife. Indeed, her connection with Viserys was a single of the uncommon couple of that seemed to be a correct adore match, a single that lacked any sort of dysfunction. Of course, that all changed, extremely rapidly.

Unfortunately for Aemma, she suffered a gruelling labor. Her infant was breech and each of their lives have been at threat. However, driven by his desperation for a son, King Viserys produced the choice to topic his wife to a forceful C-section, proficiently sending her to her death. It’s a horrifying scene, driven by graphic pictures and visceral performances. What’s even worse was how it all came down to nothing at all, because the infant died shortly just after. No fan of the show has ever forgotten this brutality.

2 Aemond vs Lucerys

Season 1, Episode 10

With House of the Dragon beginning with a big death, it appears poetic that it really is initially season ended with yet another, a single that was no significantly less heartbreaking. Indeed, if audiences have been attuned, the death of Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) was heavily foreshadowed. From the tender mother-son chats to an extended goodbye, it was clear that some thing undesirable was looming ahead. But this does not negate how badly numerous of us wished to be incorrect.

Upon his arrival at House Barratheon, Lucerys, and the fans are greeted by the presence of a vengeful Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his massive dragon, Vhagar. Where Lucerys was capable to dodge any initial acts of violence, that all changed when each went on dragon-back. Indeed, Aemond was out for the chase. But clearly, Vhagar was out for a munch. Yes, that is what takes place when you tempt an ancient war dragon with a threat. Perhaps Aemond should’ve believed about that just before accidentally accelerating the flames of an explosive war.

1 Blood and Cheese

Season 2, Episode 1

With season 1 ending as it did, fans of the book jumped with anticipation, figuring out that a single of the most controversial moments of the novel was to quickly be observed on-screen. Where Alicent when named for an eye for an eye, Rhaenyra was now determined to get a son for a son. She wanted Aemond Targaryen. And Daemon was prepared to do what ever it took.

Turning to a rogue Gold-cloak Knight and a seedy rat-catcher, the two – identified collectively as Blood (Sam C. Wilson) and Cheese (Mark Stobbart) – have been sent into the castle to get the head of the Prince. But issues rapidly go awry when they struggle to locate Aemond. Instead, they stumble upon Helaena (Phia Saban) and her two young youngsters. Forced to improvise, they spot Helaena at knife-point and stress her to reveal which youngster is the son, to which she reluctantly agrees. What followed can only be described as horrific. The sounds of Prince Jaehaerys’ decapitation and Helaena’s pure appear of terror will forever be etched into the minds of these who watched. Regardless of what the naysayers could criticize, this sequence did its job. It showcased a single of the most harrowing acts of the show: the vicious murder of an innocent youngster. What a bold way to get started season 2.

Maintain READING: The 10 Biggest Changes Between ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Fire and Blood’