With the conclusion of “House of the Dragon” season 8, King Viserys meets his inevitable end and the start of “The Dance of the Dragons” can be considered official. Throughout most of the first season of House of the Dragon, the frail King Viserys I Targaryen has been close to death and his survival over the past 16 years is truly shocking.
However, episode 8 of House of the Dragon implies that the sick Viserys has been taken by the Stranger and reunited with his first wife, Aemma, after a final gathering of both Targaryen factions for dinner.
Several surprises occur in the final minutes of the eighth episode of House of the Dragon, “The Lord of the Tides” which sets up the beginning of the Targaryen civil war. Over time, two competing Targaryen parties—Greens Alicent’s and Rhaenyra’s Blacks—have emerged and King Viserys’ heirs are expected to grow even more distant from one another in the coming years.
All signs point to King Viserys’s death in the upcoming eighth episode of House of the Dragon, signaling the start of the bloody Dance of the Dragons. The final twist in House of the Dragon came before the King’s tragic end when it was revealed that Viserys’ dying words had unwittingly sown the seeds for the impending act of treason.
Is King Viserys Definitely Dead This Time?
In episode 5 of House of the Dragon, Viserys faked his own death but in episode 8, the King actually dies. All of Viserys’s energy had been spent on his final ascent to the Iron Throne, his family’s final meal together and his declaration to “Rhaenyra” that he accepts Aegon’s prophecy and recognizes that she is the one who must continue to bear the weight of his Song of Ice and Fire dream.
Immediately following Viserys’s final declaration of “my love” after receiving another dose of milk of the poppy, the final scene of season eight of House of the Dragon fades to black, signifying the King’s death.
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What does King Viserys Say Before Dying?
Viserys’ final words in House of the Dragon episode 8 are “my love” The King never stopped loving his first wife after her brutal death in House of the Dragon episode 1, causing Viserys to call Alicent “Aemma.” Viserys’s “my love” means he has died and is reunited with Aemma, no longer suffering from their duties. Alicent believes Viserys’ final words in House of Dragon were different.
Viserys mistakes Alicent for Rhaenyra shortly before dying in House of the Dragon episode 8. Viserys’ daughter asked him the night before if he still believed in Aegon the Conqueror’s dream and if she is the one to bear such a burden.
The King answered her questions the next night to Alicent. Viserys believes Aegon’s dream about the White Walkers and the Prince That Was Promised to unite the realm against the cold and dark. Viserys says Rhaenyra must “do this” and carry Aegon’s prophecy.
Is Alicent Aware Of Aegon’s Prophecy? What Do Viserys’ Words And Her Reaction Mean?
Viserys talks to Rhaenyra about Aegon’s dream which Alicent doesn’t know. Alicent mistakenly believes Viserys is naming Aegon II his heir with his dying words. Alicent hears Viserys say that Aegon must sacrifice himself by taking the Iron Throne.
Alicent interprets Viserys’ words about the “Promised Prince” as meaning their son Aegon was promised the Iron Throne as his birthright and still deserves it. Alicent thinks Viserys’s statement that Aegon will “unite the realm against the cold and dark” means he will unite Westeros against Rhaenyra’s moral “darkness.”
Viserys’ final words to Alicent mistakenly give her permission to usurp the throne. Alicent responds, “I understand, my king,” indicating she will make Aegon king.
Alicent intended to usurp the Iron Throne whether Viserys named Aegon his heir or not but her misunderstanding of his final words gives her further justification. Rhaenyra and Alicent just made up in episode 8’s dinner scene, with Alicent saying Rhaenyra will make a great queen.
Viserys’ speech about “Aegon” convinced Alicent to steal the crown from Rhaenyra. House of the Dragon episode 8 sets up the greens to crown Prince Aegon before Rhaenyra can intervene. Alicent is unaware of Aegon’s Song of Ice and Fire dream due to miscommunication.
What did Viserys’ Death mean For The House Of Dragons?
King Viserys’ death is the start of the race for House of the Dragon’s greens and blacks. King Viserys’ death means the House of the Dragon’s civil war will begin as the greens and blacks can crown Viserys’ successor. If the greens crown Aegon first, they usurp the Iron Throne and declare war on Rhaenyra. If Rhaenyra is crowned first, the greens will declare Aegon king.
Since neither side will back down war is inevitable. Aegon has a head start on his coronation because Alicent and the greens know about the King’s death and have access to the Iron Throne, the Conqueror’s crown, and an anointing septon.
Who Takes The Iron Throne After Viserys?
The Dance of the Dragons will determine whether Queen Rhaenyra or King Aegon II is the rightful ruler of Westeros but one of them was crowned first. George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book reveals that Aegon and Alicent hid Viserys’ death for a week before announcing it.
Aegon had been crowned King of Westeros at this point. Rhaenyra didn’t learn about Viserys’ death until a week later when the public did.
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Rhaenyra’s hasty coronation on Dragonstone followed Aegon’s coronation as Viserys’ successor on the Iron Throne. Rhaenyra’s brother was Viserys’ first replacement after Aegon’s formal ceremony. Rhaenyra will take the Iron Throne from Aegon and rule for six months.
Both heirs sit on the Iron Throne, but Aegon declares Rhaenyra will only be called Princess in historical records, erasing her reign as Queen. Both die before the civil war ends and Rhaenyra’s son Aegon III is crowned King of Westeros.
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