House of the Dragon (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript

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.

Dohaeras, Syrax!

Umbas.

Rybas!

Welcome back, Princess.
I trust your ride was pleasant.

Try not to look too relieved, ser.

I am relieved.

Every time that golden beast
brings you back unspoiled

it saves my head from a spike.

Syrax is growing quickly.

She'll soon be as large as Caraxes.

That's almost large enough
to saddle two.

I believe I'm quite content
as a spectator, thank you.

Dohaeras.

Naejot!

Rhaenyra.

You know I don't like you
to go flying

while I'm in this condition.

You don't like me to go flying
while you're in any condition.

- Your Grace.
- Good morrow, Alicent.

Did you sleep?

- I slept.
- How long?

I don't need mothering, Rhaenyra.

Well, here you are,
surrounded by attendants

all focused on the babe.

Someone has to attend to you.

You will lie in this bed
soon enough, Rhaenyra.

This discomfort
is how we serve the realm.

I'd rather serve as a knight
and ride to battle and glory.

We have royal wombs, you and I.

The child bed is our battlefield.

We must learn to face it
with a stiff lip.

Now take a bath.

You stink of dragon.

So, I said to him, "Well, I believe

You might be looking up
the wrong end."

My lords.

The growing alliance
among the Free Cities

has taken to styling itself
the Triarchy.

They have massed on Bloodstone

and are presently
ridding the Step stones

of its pirate infestation.

Well, that sounds suspiciously
like good news, Lord Corlys.

A man called Craghas Drahar

Has styled himself the prince-admiral
of this Triarchy.

They call him the Crabfeeder

Due to his inventive methods
of punishing his enemies.

And are we meant to weep
for dead pirates?

- No, Your Grace.
- Rhaenyra, you're late.

The King's cupbearer
must not be late.

- Leaves people wanting for cups.
- I was visiting Mother.

On dragon back?

Hey, Your Grace,
at Prince Daemon's urging

the crown has invested
significant capital

in the re-training and re-equipping
of his City Watch.

I thought you might urge your brother
to fill his seat on the council

and provide an assessment
of his progress

as commander of the Watch.

Do you think Daemon
is distracted by his present tasks?

And that his thoughts
and energies are occupied?

Well, one would hope so,
considering the associated costs.

Then let us all consider your gold
well-invested, Lord Beesbury.

I would urge that you not allow
this Triarchy much latitude

In the Step stones, Your Grace.

If those shipping lanes should fall,
it will beggar our ports.

The crown has heard
your report, Lord Corlys

and takes it under advisement.

Shall we discuss
the Heir's Tournament, Your Grace?

I would be delighted.

Will the maesters' name day
prediction hold, Mellos?

You must understand that these things
are mere estimations, my King

but we have all been
poring over the moon charts

And we feel that our forecast
is as accurate as it can be.

The cost of the tournament
is not negligible.

Perhaps we might delay
until the child is in hand?

Most of the lords and knights

Are certainly on their way to
King's Landing already.

- To turn them back now...
- The tourney will take

the better part of a week.

Before the games are over,
my son will be born

and the whole realm will celebrate.

We have no way of predicting
the sex of the child.

Of course, no maester's capable
of rendering an opinion

free of conditions, are they now?

There's a boy in the Queen's belly.

I know it.

And my heir will soon put all of this

Damnable hand-wringing
to rest himself.

He passed through
the Red Keep's gates at first light.

Does my father know he's here?

- No.
- Good.

Gods be good.

It's all right, ser.

Aye.

I bought you something.

Do you know what it is?

It's Valyrian steel.

Like Dark Sister.

Turn around.

Now

You and I both own a small piece
of our ancestry.

- Did you read it?
- Of course, I read it.

When Princess Nymeria
arrived in Dorne

Who did she take to husband?

A man.

What was his name?

Lord Something.

If you answer with "Lord Something,"
Septa Marlow will be furious.

She's funny when she's furious.

You're always like this
when you're worried.

Like what?

Disagreeable.

You're worried your father
is about to overshadow you

with a son.

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.

You want him to have a son?

I want to fly with you on dragon back

see the great wonders
across the Narrow Sea

And eat only cake.

- I'm being serious.
- I never jest about cake.

You aren't worried about
your position?

I like this position.
It's quite comfortable.

Where are you going?

Home. The hour has grown late.

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.

- What are you doing?
- So you remember.

- If the Septa sees this book then...
- Fuck the Septa.

Rhaenyra!

Is it healing?

It has grown slightly, Your Grace.

Can you say yet what it is?

We've sent inquiries to the Citadel.

They are searching the texts
for similar cases.

It's a small cut
from sitting the throne.

It's nothing.

The King has been
under heavy stresses

preparing for the birth.

Bad humors of the mind
can adversely affect the body.

Whatever it is,
it needs to be kept quiet.

We should leech it again, maester.

It's a wound that refuses to heal,
Grand Maester.

Might I suggest cauterization?

Cauterization would be a wise
course of treatment, Your Grace.

- It will be painful...
- Fine.

Fine.

You spend more time in that bath
than I do on the throne.

This is the only place
I can find comfort these days.

It's tepid.

It's as warm
as the maesters will allow.

Don't they know dragons prefer heat?

After this miserable pregnancy

I wouldn't be surprised
if I hatched an actual dragon.

And he will be loved and cherished.

Rhaenyra has already declared
that she is to have a sister.

Really?

- She even named her.
- Dare I ask?

Visenya.

She chose a dragon's egg
for the cradle

That she said reminded her of Vhagar.

Gods be good.

This family already has its Visenya.

Has there been any word
from your dear brother?

Not since I named him
Commander of the City Watch.

I'm sure he will reemerge
for the tourney.

He could never
stay away from the lists.

The tourney

to celebrate the firstborn son
that we presently do not have.

You do understand

nothing will cause the babe
to grow a cock

if it does not already possess one?

This child is a boy, Aemma.

I'm certain of it.

I've never been
more certain of anything.

The dream.

It was clearer than a memory.

Our son was born
wearing Aegon's iron crown.

When I heard the sound
of thundering hooves

splintering shields,
and ringing swords

and I placed our son
upon the Iron Throne

as the bells of the Grand Sept tolled
and all the dragons roared as one.

Born wearing a crown?

Gods spare me,
birth is unpleasant enough as it is.

This is the last time, Viserys.

I've lost one babe in the cradle,
had two stillbirths

and two pregnancies
ended well before their term.

That's five in twice as many years.

I know it is my duty
to provide you an heir

and I'm sorry
if I have failed you in that.

I am.

But I've mourned
all the dead children I can.

Commander on the floor!

When I took command of the Watch,
you were stray mongrels

Starving and undisciplined.

Now, you're a pack of hounds.

You're sated and honed for the hunt.

My brother's city
has fallen into squalor.

Crime of every breed
has been allowed to thrive.

No longer.

Beginning tonight

King's Landing will learn
to fear the color gold.

Get up!

Raper!

No! No... no!

Thief!

No!

Murderer!

It was an unprecedented
roundup of criminals of every ilk.

Your brother
made a public show of it

Meting out the summary
judgments himself.

I'm told they needed a two-horse cart

To haul away the resulting
dismemberments when it was done.

Gods be good.

The Prince cannot be allowed to act
with this kind of unchecked impunity.

- Brother.
- Daemon.

Carry on. You were saying
something about my impunity.

You are to explain your doings
with the City Watch.

Your new gold cloaks

made quite the impression
last night, didn't they?

Did they?

The City Watch is not a sword
to be wielded at your whim.

They're an extension of the crown.

The Watch was enforcing
the crown's laws.

Wouldn't you agree, Lord Strong?

My Prince, I don't think...

Making a public spectacle
of wanton brutality

is hardly in line with our laws.

Nobles from every corner of the realm

are right now descending
upon King's Landing

for my brother's tourney.

Do you want them mugged,
raped, murdered?

You mightn't know this unless
you left the safety of the Red Keep

but much of King's Landing
is seen by the smallfolk

As lawless and terrifying.

Our city should be safe
for all its people.

I agree.

I just hope you don't have to maim
half of my city to achieve this.

Time will tell.

We installed Prince Daemon
as commander

To promote law and order.

The criminal element
should fear the City Watch.

Thank you for your support,
Lord Corlys.

If only the Prince would show
the same devotion

to his lady wife as he does
his work, Your Grace.

You've not been seen in the Vale
or at Runestone for quite some time.

I think my bronze bitch
is happier for my absence.

Lady Rhea is your wife.

A good and honorable
lady of the Vale.

In the Vale, men are said
to fuck sheep instead of women.

I can assure you,
the sheep are prettier.

Dear me.

You made a vow before the Seven
to honor your wife in marriage.

Well, I'd gladly give Lady Rhea
to you, Lord High tower

if you're in want of a woman
to warm your bed.

Your own lady wife passed recently.

Did she not?

Otto.

Perhaps you aren't ready
to move on just yet.

You know how my brother
makes sport of provoking you.

Must you indulge him?

My apologies, Your Grace.

This council has, at great expense

bettered the City Watch
to your exacting standards.

Enforce my laws, but understand

any further performances
like last night's will be answered.

Understood, Your Grace.

King's Landing has been in decline
since my grandmother passed.

In the end

This new City Watch
might be a good thing.

What troubles you, my Prince?

I could bring in another.

Perhaps a maiden.

I have several.

I could even arrange one
with silver hair.

You are Daemon Targaryen.

Rider of Caraxes.
Wielder of Dark Sister.

The King cannot replace you.

Be welcome!

I know many of you
have traveled long leagues

to be at these games

But I promise,
you will not be disappointed.

When I look at the fine knights
in these lists

I see a group without equal
in our histories.

And this great day
has been made more auspicious

By the news that I am happy to share.

Queen Aemma has begun her labors!

May the luck of the Seven
shine upon all combatants!

A mystery knight?

No, a Cole, of the Storm lands.

I've never heard of House Cole.

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen!

I would humbly ask for the favor of
The Queen Who Never Was.

Good fortune to you, cousin.

I would gladly take it
if I thought I needed it.

You could have
Baratheon's tongue for that.

Tongues will not change
the succession.

Let them wag.

Lord Stokeworth's daughter

is promised
to that young Tarly squire.

Lord Massey's son?

They're to be married
as soon as he wins his knighthood.

Best get on with it.

I heard that Lady Elinor

Is hiding a swollen belly
beneath her dress.

What do you know about
this Ser Criston Cole, Ser Harrold?

I'm told Ser Criston is common-born,
son of Lord Dondarrion's steward.

But other than that,
and the fact that he's just unhorsed

both of the Baratheon lads,
I really couldn't say.

Prince Daemon of House Targaryen!

Prince of the City will now choose
his first opponent!

For his first challenge,
Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses

Ser Gwayne High tower of Old town,
eldest son of the Hand of the King.

Five dragons on Daemon.

- Nicely done, Uncle.
- Thank you, Princess.

Now, I'm fairly certain
I can win these games, Lady Alicent.

Having your favor
would all but assure it.

Good luck, my Prince.

What's happening?

The infant is in breech, Your Grace.

All attempts to turn the babe
have failed.

Do something for her!

We've given her as much
milk of the poppy as we can

without risking the child.

Your Queen is a strong woman.

She's fighting with all her might,
but it may not be enough.

No!

Aemma.

Aemma, I'm here.

I'm here.

I'm here. It's all right.

- It's all right.
- I don't wanna do this.

You're going to be all right.

Kill him!

And the day grows ugly.

I wonder if this is
how we should celebrate

The birth of our future king.

With wanton violence.

It's been 70 years
since King Maegor's end.

These knights are as green
as summer grass.

None have known real war.

Their lords sent them
to the tourney field

with fists full of steel
and balls full of seed

and we expect them to act
with honor and grace.

It's a marvel that war
didn't break out at first blood.

Mellos.

Your Grace.

If you would.

During a difficult birth

it sometimes becomes necessary
for the father

To make an impossible choice.

Well, speak it.

To sacrifice one
or to lose them both.

There is a chance
that we can save the child.

A technique is taught at the Citadel

which involves cutting directly
into the womb

to free the infant.

- But the resulting blood loss...
- Seven Hells, Mellos.

You can save the child?

We must either act now
or leave it with the gods.

Ser Criston Cole will now tilt

Against Ser Daemon Targaryen,
Prince of the City!

- Viserys.
- Yes?

They're going to bring
the babe out now.

I love you.

- What is happening?
- No, it's all right.

No, what is happening?

- Viserys, what...
- No, it's all right.

- What are you doing?
- They're going to bring the babe out.

How are they...

- It's all right.
- Viserys, please...

- It's all right.
- No, I'm scared.

- Don't be scared.
- What is happening?

Don't be scared.
They're going to bring the babe out.

- Oh no.
- It's all right.

They're going to bring the babe out.

No... no!

I'm making the first incision.

No... no!

Viserys, no! Please!

- No... no!
- Don't be scared.

Sword!

Prince Daemon Targaryen

wishes to continue
in a contest of arms!

Yield.

Yield.

Gods. He's Dornish.

I was hoping to ask
for the Princess's favor.

I wish you luck, Ser Criston.

Princess.

Congratulations, Your Grace.

You have a son.

It's a boy?

A new heir, Your Grace.

Had you and the Queen chosen a name?

Baelon.

They're waiting for you.

Dracarys.

- Where's Rhaenyra?
- Your Grace.

This is the last thing
any of us wish to discuss

At this dark hour,
but I consider the matter urgent.

What matter?

That of your succession.

These recent tragedies

have left you
without an obvious heir.

The King has an heir, my Lord Hand.

Despite how difficult this time is,
Your Grace

I feel it important
the succession be firmly in place

for the stability of the realm.

The succession is already set
by precedent and by law.

Shall we say his name?

Daemon Targaryen.

If Daemon were to remain
the uncontested heir

It could destabilize the realm.

The realm? Or this council?

No one here can know
what Daemon would do were he king

but no one can doubt his ambition.

Look at what he did with
the gold cloaks.

The City Watch
is fiercely loyal to him.

- An army 2,000 strong.
- An army you gave him, Otto.

I named Daemon Master of Laws,
but you said he was a tyrant.

As Master of Coin

You said he was a spendthrift
that would beggar the realm.

Putting Daemon in command
of the City Watch was your solution!

A half-measure, Your Grace.

The truth is, Daemon should be
far away from this court.

Daemon is my brother.

My blood.

And he will have his place
at my court.

Let him keep his place
at court, Your Grace

but if the gods should visit
some further tragedy on you

- Either by design or accident...
- "Design"?

What are you saying?

My brother would murder me,
take my crown?

Are you?

Please.

Daemon has ambition, yes,
but not for the throne.

He lacks the patience for it.

The gods have yet to make a man

who lacks the patience
for absolute power, Your Grace.

Under such circumstances,
it would not be an aberration

for the King to name a successor.

Well, who else would have a claim?

The King's firstborn child.

Rhaenyra? A girl?

No queen has ever
sat the Iron Throne.

That is only by tradition
and precedent, Lord Strong.

If order and stability
so concerns this council

then perhaps we shouldn't
break 100 years of it

by naming a girl heir.

Daemon would be
a second Maegor, or worse.

He is impulsive and violent.

It is the duty of this council

to protect the King
and the realm from him.

I'm sorry, Your Grace,
but that is the truth as I see it

and I know that others here agree.

I will not be made to choose
between my brother and my daughter.

You wouldn't have to, Your Grace.

There are others
who would have a claim.

Such as your wife, Lord Corlys?

- The Queen Who Never Was?
- Rhaenys was the only child

of Jaehaerys' eldest son.

She had a strong claim
at the Great Council

and she already has a male heir.

Just moments ago, you announced
your support for Daemon!

If we cannot agree on an heir,
then how can we expect...

My wife and son are dead!

I will not sit here and suffer crows
that come to feast on their corpses!

Send a raven to Old town.
Straight away.

My Lady.

My darling.

How's Rhaenyra?

She lost her mother.

The Queen was well-loved by all.

I found myself thinking
of your own mother today.

- How is His Grace?
- Very low.

Which is why I sent for you.

I thought you might go to him,
offer him comfort.

In his chambers?

I wouldn't know what to say.

Stop that.

He'll be glad of a visitor.

You might wear
one of your mother's dresses.

The Lady Alicent High tower,
Your Grace.

What is it, Alicent?

I thought I might come
and look in on you, Your Grace.

I brought a book.

That's very kind, thank you.

It's a favorite of mine.

I do know how passionate you are
for the histories.

Yes, I am.

When my mother died

people only ever
spoke to me in riddles.

All I wanted was for someone
to say that they were sorry

for what happened to me.

I'm very sorry, Your Grace.

Thank you.

The King's sole heir once again.

Might we drink to our future?

Quiet!

Your Prince will speak!

Silence!

Before we begin, Your Grace

I have a report
I feel compelled to share.

Last night

Prince Daemon bought out
one of the pleasure houses

on the Street of Silk

to entertain officers
of the City Watch

And other friends of his.

King and Council
have long rued my position

as next in line for the throne.

But dream and pray as they all might,
it seems I'm not so easily replaced.

The gods give
just as the gods take away.

He toasted Prince Baelon.

To the King's son.

Styling him...

the Heir for a Day.

I corroborated this report
with three separate witnesses.

The evening was,
by all accounts, a celebration.

You cut the image
of the conqueror, brother.

Did you say it?

I don't know what you mean.

You will address me as "Your Grace"

or I will have my Kings guard
cut out your tongue.

"The Heir for a Day."
Did you say it?

We must all mourn
in our own way, Your Grace.

My family has just been destroyed.

But instead of being
by my side, or Rhaenyra's

You chose to celebrate your own rise!

Laughing with your whores
and your lickspittles!

You have no allies at court but me!

I have only ever defended you!

Yet everything I've given you,
you've thrown back in my face.

You've only ever
tried to send me away.

To the Vale, to the City Watch,
anywhere but by your side.

Ten years you've been king

And yet not once have you
asked me to be your Hand!

- Why would I do that?
- Because I'm your brother.

And the blood of the dragon
runs thick.

Then why do you cut me so deeply?

I've only ever spoken the truth.
I see Otto High tower for what he is.

- An unwavering and loyal Hand?
- A cunt.

A second son
who stands to inherit nothing

he doesn't seize for himself.

Otto High tower
is a more honorable man

- Than you could ever be.
- He doesn't protect you.

- I would.
- From what?

Yourself.

You're weak, Viserys.

And that council of leeches knows it.

They all prey on you
for their own ends.

I have decided to name a new heir.

- I'm your heir.
- Not anymore.

You are to return to Runestone
and your lady wife at once

And you are to do so without quarrel
by order of your King.

Your Grace.

Father.

Balerion was the last living creature

to have seen Old Valyria
before the Doom.

Its greatness and its flaws.

When you look at the dragons,
what do you see?

What?

You haven't spoken a word to me
since Mother's funeral

and now you send
your Kings guard down...

Answer me.

It's important.

What do you see?

- I suppose I see us.
- Tell me.

Everyone says Targaryens
are closer to gods than to men

but they say that
because of our dragons.

Without them,
we're just like everyone else.

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.

Targaryen must understand this
to be King...

or Queen.

I'm sorry, Rhaenyra.

I have wasted the years
since you were born

wanting for a son.

You are the very best of your mother.

And I believe it, I know she did

That you could be
a great ruling queen.

Daemon is your heir.

Daemon was not made
to wear the crown.

But I believe that you were.

Corlys of House Velaryon

Lord of the Tides
and Master of Driftmark.

I, Corlys Velaryon

Lord of the Tides
and Master of Driftmark

promise to be faithful
to King Viserys

and his named heir,
the Princess Rhaenyra.

I pledge fealty to them

and shall defend them
against all enemies

in good faith and without deceit.

I swear this by the old gods
and the new.

This is no trivial gesture, Rhaenyra.

A dragon's saddle is one thing

but the Iron Throne is the most
dangerous seat in the realm.

I, Lord Hobert High tower

Beacon of the South,
Defender of the Citadel

and Voice of Old town

promise to be faithful
to King Viserys

and his named heir,
the Princess Rhaenyra.

I pledge fealty to them

and shall defend them
against all enemies

In good faith and without deceit.

I swear this by the old gods
and the new.

Give me your hand.

I, Boremund Baratheon

Promise to be faithful
to King Viserys.

There's something else
that I need to tell you.

It might be difficult
for you to understand

but you must hear it.

Our histories

they tell us that Aegon looked across
the Blackwater from Dragons tone

Saw a rich land ripe for the capture.

But ambition alone is not
what drove him to conquest.

It was a dream.

And just as Daenys foresaw
the end of Valyria

Aegon foresaw
the end of the world of men.

'Tis to begin with a terrible winter
gusting out of the distant north.

I, Rick on Stark,
Lord of Winter fell...

Aegon saw absolute darkness
riding on those winds.

And whatever dwells within
will destroy the world of the living.

When this Great Winter comes,
Rhaenyra

all of Westeros
must stand against it.

And if the world of men
is to survive

a Targaryen must be seated
on the Iron Throne.

A king or queen

Strong enough to unite the realm
against the cold and the dark.

Aegon called his dream
"The Song of Ice and Fire."

This secret

it's been passed from king to heir
since Aegon's time.

Now you must promise to carry it

and protect it.

Promise me this, Rhaenyra.

Promise me.

I, Viserys Targaryen,
first of his name

King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar,
and the First Men

Lord of the Seven Kingdoms,
and Protector of the Realm

do hereby name

Rhaenyra Targaryen

Princess of Dragons tone

And heir to the Iron Throne.