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The following accommodates spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 1, “The Heirs of the Dragon,” which aired Aug. 21, on HBO.
On HBO’s House of the Dragon, essentially the most intriguing facet is the upcoming battle for the Iron Throne. Fans have been obsessive about the succession on Game of Thrones, however this prequel is specializing in the combat years earlier than, when the Targaryens have been in energy. At the middle of the wrestle is none aside from Viserys (Paddy Considine), as he goes about breaking the wheel to have his daughter, Rhaenyra, maintain the seat when he is gone. This is admittedly nostalgic, as a result of not solely would it not have a lady in energy, like Daenerys at all times wished, it’d even have Rhaenyra prepping for the prophesied White Walkers.
And make no mistake, he does initially lower a caring determine, realizing she could also be greatest to supervise Westeros somewhat than his bloodthirsty brother, Daemon. The latter, in fact, has already proven King’s Landing and the royal council that he’d plunge the realm into chaos, so Viserys is coming off fairly astute and proactive, nodding to Ned Stark. However, as the primary episode trudged alongside in dramatic vogue, his disloyalty in his personal House confirms Viserys is kind of the alternative to Ned.
Now, Ned was a paragon of advantage, doing all the things he may to maintain Winterfell, the Starks and the North secure. More so, he was real, advising on battle and killing when needed, and averting it within the title of diplomacy when doable. He was additionally clear and accountable, which is why whether or not he was only a ward, normal or Hand of the King, folks trusted him, it doesn’t matter what — particularly his household.
However, Viserys, as a lot as he tries, is not this type of particular person. Sure, he desires to uphold peace, however he is morally corrupted in doing so. This confirmed when he broke his marriage code, sacrificing his spouse, Aemma, to avoid wasting their unborn son. Granted, each might have died if the breech beginning continued, however the reality he by no means advised her in regards to the C-section and had his folks pin her down and lower her open was fairly monstrous.
He took away her company in a bloody method, evoking shades of the grotesque Red Wedding. In the method, he grew to become an irredeemable despot, with many considering it is darkish karma the boy died with Aemma. It’s why he is ridden with disgrace and guilt, a lot so, Rhaenyra needed to execute the “Dracarys” command to incinerate her deceased mom and brother on the funeral. Ned would by no means have executed this to Catelyn if he had the prospect. He’d have left it as much as the gods and given her each probability at dwelling, praying for her and the child. Or conversed with Catelyn, giving her choices. Even if the boy died, Ned was the sort of honorable man, who’d both strive once more or respect his spouse’s needs — one thing Viserys did not do as he betrayed Aemma, viewing his spouse as breeding inventory.
So as a lot as he’d say he tried to protect life, it is actually him making an attempt to consolidate energy, selecting politics over his spouse and obligation over household. That’s the character of poisonous males in these tales, however Ned stood head and shoulders above them. He’d do the best factor, shoulder the blame and attempt to discover one other solution to carry order — as seen with how he hid Jon Snow, intending to inform him the reality when the time was proper.
In Viserys’ case, although, he checked the improper containers as this hasty king, damaging the idea of household, after which dashing Rhaenyra in as the following in line. And in the end, whereas he did not notice it, he is sparking the catalyst for the brand new battle — which can have some people considering the king’s weak spot and general frailty on the throne might have properly been handed all the way down to the daughter he assumes is accountable to rule.
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on HBO and streams on HBO Max.
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