Before you go any further, just be warned that there are major spoilers ahead for "House Of The Dragon" Episode 10 (aka the finale).
The first thing you need to ask someone when talking about House Of The Dragon is if they're okay because Episode 10, aka the season finale, dropped a bombshell of emotions on fans — and personally, I'm still processing.
From Rhaenyra's miscarriage and coronation on Dragonstone (her strength is truly unparalleled) to Lord Corlys making his return, and Daemon gathering the dragons, this episode was filled with one intense scene after the other.
But, by far, the most talked about point of the episode has to be the showdown between Lucerys Velaryon (nicknamed Luke) and Aemond Targaryen, as well as their dragons — Arrax and Vhagar. The end result? A death that will have major repercussions in the future.
You see, Luke was attempting to return to Dragonstone with Arrax after a failed meeting at Storm's End to gain Borros Baratheon's support. Aemond, who had already gained House Baratheon's favour, saw a chance to take revenge — and boy, did he take it.
Aemond mounted Vhagar and gave chase to Luke and Arrax, demanding a debt be paid — an eye for an eye.
While Luke and Aemond both attempted to control their dragons, in the heat of battle a scared Arrax breathes fire towards Vhagar, resulting in the much bigger dragon retaliating in a brutal manner.
Aemond, judging by the expression on his face, didn't actually mean for Lucerys or Arrax to be killed. But his actions in this episode will no doubt change the course of House Of The Dragon, most likely spurring Rhaenyra into a declaration of war against Team Green.
Luke's death is no doubt tragic, but interestingly, if we look back at earlier episodes, Viserys — in a way — foreshadowed his grandson's passing.
Going back to "The Heirs Of The Dragon" (Episode 1), there's a scene between Viserys and Rhaenyra, where he councils her on the dragons, their history and Aegon's prophecy.
It's here that Rhaenyra comments on the vulnerability of House Targaryen, in spite of them possessing several dragons.
In response to this, Viserys passes on a warning — one that wasn't heeded by Luke and Aemond, who are inexperienced dragon riders.
"The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion. They're a power man should never have trifled with. One that brought Valyria its doom. If we don't mind our own histories, it will do the same to us."
Whether or not this was an intentional detail by the House Of The Dragon writers, the reminder about Viserys' words and the ferocity of dragons by fans on Twitter sent a chill down my spine.
