Instead of House of the Dragon, Martin and his team should have named the show ‘House of Accidents’. It seems like all major events happen in this series as accidents, including Alicent thinking her husband wants Aegon to be King. Now, we’ve another ‘accident’, the death of Prince Lucerys Velaryon.
After Rhaenyra finds out about her father’s death and the crowning of Aegon II as King in her place, she begins gathering her allies. Among various other houses in the Seven Kingdoms, she also wishes to gain the support of House Baratheon and House Stark. These houses had previously bent their knee to Rhaenyra, Viserys’ chosen heir to the throne.
Although in the beginning Rhaenyra decides to send ravens, Jace and Luke recommend that she sends them on dragonback instead to convey the message quicker and with better effect. But unfortunately, this turns out to be a major curse for the Blacks.
Upon reaching Storm’s End, Luke conveys Rhaenyra’s message to Lord Borros Baratheron, reminding him of the oath that his father took by bending the knee to Rhaenyra. But sadly, Aemond had already done the damage. He had reached Storm’s End and convinced Lord Borros to support Aegon II in exchange for a marriage alliance.
As a result, Lord Borros declines Luke’s offer. He was about to leave, but Aemond instigates him for a fight and asks for an eye. Earlier this season, Luke had accidentally taken one of Aemond’s eyes during a fight when they were children. Aemond had wanted to take revenge on Luke ever since then.
In the climax of the House of the Dragon finale, Aemond chases Lucerys while riding Vhagar, the largest dragon in the world. Lucerys rides Arrax, a baby dragon who’s naturally not even 1/10th the size of our granny Vhagar.
In the chase, Arrax spits fire on Vhagar, which enrages her. After all, children should be cautious enough not to disturb grandmas. Though Aemond tries to control Vhagar, she does not listen and kills Arrax along with Lucerys.
Lucerys’ death is the most significant event in the finale, considering that it sets the stage for the Dance of Dragons. The Targaryen civil war will definitely begin in season 2, and Luke’s death is one of the earliest and most significant deaths during the dance.
In Martin’s novel, Fire and Blood, Aemond intentionally kills Lucerys as he always held a grudge against him. Luke made fun of Aemond as a child as he was unable to claim a dragon for himself. He also blinds him, albeit accidentally, during a fight when they were children. In an earlier episode, Luke continues making fun of Aemond using the pig reference.
However, the series makes it evident that Luke’s death is an accident. Aemond remains shocked after Vhagar kills Luke by disobeying him. It is evident that murdering him was not his intention and he never knew this would happen.
It’s granny Vhagar and her ego being hurt which led her to disobey Aemond, throw a fuss and gobble up Arrax and Luke for dinner. Arrax would never get away after spitting fire on the largest dragon in the world, would he?
Luke’s death officially sets the stage for the bloody Targaryen civil war. But unfortunately, we’ve to wait a couple of years before we get to experience it as we do not yet know when House of the Dragon will return with a second season.
The good news is that season two is definitely happening, so let’s just wait patiently before all the fire hits us once again.
About House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is the prequel series to HBO’s blockbuster Game of Thrones based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
Set three hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will show Westeros under the Targaryen family’s rule before the dragons went extinct. It will follow the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war between siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra, who fought for the throne after the death of their father, Viserys I.
Directed by Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik, the show stars Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Craney as Aegon II Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish.
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