House of the Dragon: Emma D'Arcy Reacts to Season Finale's Chilling Death

at .

HBO's Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon concluded its first season in chilling fashion Sunday.

House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 10 concluded with Rhaenyra learning that her son and his dragon had been killed while trying to rally supporters at Storm's End.

The visual of Lucerys and Arrax being eaten while flying by Vhagar is something we won't be forgetting any time soon.

Emma D'Arcy on the Finale - House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10

Throughout the season finale, titled "The Black Queen," Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) lost her baby after learning that her father had died and the Hightowers installed Aegon on the throne.

After losing her baby, Rhaenyra wanted to be a merciful Queen, following in her father's footsteps, but that seemed to change the moment she learned that Lucerys had been murdered by her half-brother Aemond.

Rhaeyra Listens - House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10

“Somehow, I think this moves the goal posts of suffering,” D'Arcy explained in HBO Max's Inside the Episode featurette.

“Once you’ve lost both your parents and you’ve lost a lover, you think you know grief," the star shares.

"And I think what’s so awful is that losing Luke tells her she knows nothing about grief, and it changes her outlook on the world going forward.”

Undoubtedly, a huge battle will be ahead, and Rhaenyra losing her son will kickstart that war.

Ready for Battle - House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10

Aemond was shocked that his dragon went into autopilot to kill Lucerys and Arrax, and viewers were probably shocked to hear him saying, "No."

EP and co-showrunner said there was no hope for Rhaenyra's son and his dragon because there was a major size difference between the dragons.

Sapochnik says that we're seeing “the last vestiges of the little boy that’s left in Aemond.”

"Maybe he was trying to scare Luke, but I don’t think ultimately he intended to kill him," he adds.

"But now he’s done it, and he has to decide whether or not he’s going to own it in his travel back to King’s Landing."

Aemond at Storm's End - House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10

"Because obviously, if usurping the throne and their crowning Aegon in the dragon pit wasn’t the start of the war, killing one of the queen’s sons is.”

Thankfully, we'll see how this plays out on House of the Dragon Season 2, but we might be waiting a while for that.

With the CGI and scale of the series, we shouldn't expect it back on the air before 2024.

What are your thoughts on what D'Arcy and Sapochnik had to say about the developments?

Are you ready for Season 2?

Hit the comments below.

Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.

Show Comments
Tags: , ,

House of the Dragon Quotes

As the first century of the Targaryen dynasty came to a close The health of the Old King, Jaehaerys, was failing. In those days, House Targaryen stood at the height of its strength with ten adult dragons under its yoke. No power in the world could stand against it. King Jaehaerys reigned over nearly 60 years of peace and prosperity but tragedy had claimed both his sons Leaving his succession in doubt. So, in the year 101 The Old King called a Great Council to choose an heir. Over a thousand lords made the journey to Harrenhal. Fourteen succession claims were heard But only two were truly considered. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the King's eldest descendant and her younger cousin, Prince Viserys Targaryen The King's eldest male descendant. It is declared by all lords paramount and lords vassal of the Seven Kingdoms That Prince Viserys Targaryen be made Prince of Dragons tone! Rhaenys, a woman, would not inherit the Iron Throne. The lords instead chose Viserys my father. Jaehaerys called the Great Council To prevent a war being fought over his succession. For he knew the cold truth. The only thing that could tear down the House of the Dragon was itself.

Rhaenyra

Alicent: Did you read it?
Rhaenyra: Of course, I read it.
Alicent: When Princess Nymeria arrived in Dorne, who did she take to husband? Rhaenyra: A man.
Alicent: What was his name?
Rhaenyra: Lord Something.
Alicent: If you answer with "Lord Something," Septa Marlow will be furious.
Rhaenyra: She's funny when she's furious.
Alicent: You're always like this when you're worried.
Rhaenyra: Like what?
Alicent: Disagreeable. You're worried your father is about to overshadow you with a son.
Rhaenyra: I only worry for my mother. I hope for my father that he gets a son. As long as I can recall, it's all he's wanted.
Alicent: You want him to have a son?
Rhaenyra: I want to fly with you on dragon back see the great wonders across the Narrow Sea And eat only cake.
Alicent: I'm being serious.
Rhaenyra: I never jest about cake.
Alicent: You aren't worried about your position?
Rhaenyra: I like this position. It's quite comfortable.
[Alicent gets up to leave.]
Rhaenyra: Where are you going?
Alicent: Home. The hour has grown late.
Rhaenyra: Princess Nymeria led her Rhoynar across the Narrow Sea on 10,000 ships to flee their Valyrian pursuers. She took Lord Mors Martell of Dorne to husband and burned her own fleet off Sun spear to show her people that they were finished running.
Alicent: So you remember.
[Rhaenyra rips a page from the book.]
Alicent: If the Septa sees this book then...
Rhaenyra: Fuck the Septa.
Alicent: Rhaenyra!

  • Permalink: Rhaenyra!
  • Added:

House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon Photos

  1. House of the Dragon
  2. House of the Dragon: Emma D'Arcy Reacts to Season Finale's Chilling Death