The 'House of the Dragon' finale, explained

After ten episodes, several time jumps, and way more dragons than we ever saw on Game of Thrones, Season 1 of House of the Dragon has come to an unforgettable end.

The season finale, "The Black Queen," picks up where the ninth episode, "The Green Council," left off. Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) informs Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) that the Greens have disrespected her claim and usurped the Iron Throne. The rest of the episode sticks with the Black camp, following how they plan to proceed in the face of what will certainly be a war of succession.

Of course, this being Westeros, things don't quite play out how you'd expect, and there are several twists — and one devastating death — ahead. Let's break it down.

What is Rhaenyra's next move?

And so the Dance of Dragons begins. Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

"The Black Queen" puts Rhaenyra through hell. She finds out that her father Viserys is dead and that Alicent (Olivia Cooke) put Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) on the Iron Throne, and then she goes into premature labor. She delivers a stillborn baby and has no time at all to mourn before she is crowned Queen by her supporters in Dragonstone.

In the midst of all this grief, Rhaenyra does her best to hold the realm together, as this is what Aegon the Conqueror's Song of Ice and Fire demands of a Targaryen leader. However, she does move to take stock of her allies. Once Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) recovers from his fever, he declares House Velaryon's support for her. With Corlys at her side, Rhaenyra has the advantage of the biggest fleet in Westeros, one that can cut off shipping lanes to King's Landing. If Rhaenyra could bind Houses Arryn, Tully, Stark, and Baratheon to her side, she would be truly unstoppable. She sends out her sons Jacaerys (Harry Collett) and Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) as messengers to these great lords. Jacaerys will treat with Cregan Stark, while Lucerys will remind Borros Baratheon of the oath his father swore to Rhaenyra years ago.

What does the piece of paper Otto gives Rhaenyra mean?

History repeats itself. Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) arrives on Dragonstone to deliver Rhaenyra terms for her accepting Aegon as king. He is met with a very hostile Daemon (Matt Smith) and Rhaenyra riding Syrax. The whole scene plays out like a mirror version of the Dragonstone standoff from episode 2. Once, Rhaenyra and Daemon were rivals threatening each other with dragons. Now, the two of them join together against Otto.

Just like with the last Dragonstone showdown, this tense encounter doesn't end in bloodshed, and it's all thanks to a message from Alicent. Otto hands Rhaenyra a piece of paper and she recognizes it immediately as a page from a history book that Alicent once quizzed her on, all the way back in episode 1. The fact that Alicent kept it all these years — and that Rhaenyra remembers — definitely speaks to the strength of their bond (as well as, dare I say it, deeper feelings than friendship). Since Rhaenyra and Alicent were on the verge of reconciling in episode 8, it makes sense that Rhaenyra doesn't immediately attack Otto. If there's a chance to mend that friendship and unite the realm, she will most definitely consider it.

Who is that dragon Daemon sings to, and what does that scene mean for Season 2?

A new dragon friend! Credit: Courtesy of HBO

While Rhaenyra exercises restraint after learning of her father's death, Daemon craves decisive action. With his brother dead and his wife's throne usurped, he's clearly on the warpath. He even takes his anger out on Rhaenyra. One of the episode's darker scenes sees him choking her at the mention of the Song of Ice and Fire. To him, this is a reminder of Viserys' own inaction and obsession over dreams. But in his mind, the Targaryens didn't get where they did because of dreams. The source of their power has always been dragons. And Daemon plans to get more of them.

Later in the episode, Daemon journeys under the Dragonmont on Dragonstone, where he encounters a very large dragon and sings to it in High Valyrian. That dragon is Vermithor, and he hasn't had a rider since Jaehaerys, the king before Viserys.

As Daemon points out, there are several riderless dragons roaming Westeros, including Laenor's old dragon Seasmoke. If the Blacks can find dragonriders, they'll get more dragons, and their advantage over the Greens will grow. Vermithor doesn't attack Daemon, so step one in his plan seems to be a success. Season 2 will likely see Daemon seeking out a new crop of dragonriders and teaching them... how to train their dragons.

What happens at Storm's End in the House of the Dragon finale?

The outfit? Impeccable. The kinslaying? Inexcusable. Credit: Gary Moyes/HBO

House of the Dragon Season 1 ends with our first big dragon battle of the series. It's Aemond's (Ewan Mitchell) behemoth Vhagar against Lucerys' small but speedy Arrax. Naturally, Vhagar trounces Arrax and devours Lucerys, but how we get to that point is equally as important as the dragon-chomping itself.

Lucerys does not find a warm welcome at the House Baratheon seat of Storm's End. Aemond has already agreed to marry one of Borros' daughters in exchange for his support, so Borros feels he has nothing to gain by backing Rhaenyra. However, Aemond escalates the situation by demanding that Lucerys remove one of his eyes as retribution for taking out Aemond's eye so long ago. (Aemond reveals he's had a sapphire put into his eye socket, confirming that he is the most dramatic Targaryen to ever live.)

Lucerys obviously refuses, and what follows is a sky fight! Vhagar hunts Arrax through the clouds, and while Aemond appears to just be having some sadistic fun, Vhagar is out for blood. She takes out Arrax and Lucerys in one big bite, leaving Aemond to stare on in horror as he realizes how gravely this will impact the conflict between Rhaenyra and Aegon. I don't know what to tell you, Aemond — when you play with fire, you get burned.

Vhagar's actions remind us of the immortal words of Daenerys Targaryen: "A dragon is not a slave." These are immensely powerful creatures capable of great destruction, and they have minds and desires of their own. Until this point in the show, they haven't fought each other. Now, though, all bets are off. If the Greens' dragons take on the Blacks', all of Westeros will suffer.

And by the end of the episode, it's clear that's where things are headed. In the finale's last moments, Daemon informs Rhaenyra of Lucerys's fate. She stares down the camera, anger and resolve burning in her eyes. It's a tremendous final bit of acting from D'Arcy, and an omen for Season 2: The Black Queen is going to war. Now, the fire and blood will rain down in earnest.

Season 1 of House of the Dragon is now streaming HBO Max.