Dragon House hit the ground running. game of thrones captivated fans with its blistering pace and heavy themes. Dragon House had a similar effect, though it placed more emphasis on its political intrigue in the build-up to the civil war of Dance of the Dragons.
Dragon House is an adaptation of George RR Martin Fire & Blood but was driven by its outstanding performances and compelling characters. These characters produced memorable lines and quotes throughout the first season. They summed up specific moments perfectly, whether it was an opinion, a fact, or a statement of the utmost importance to the story.
Spoilers ahead for Dragon Housethe first season.
10/10 “The only thing that could tear down the dragon house was itself”
Rhaenyra Targaryen, Episode 1
Emma D’Arcy hasn’t officially joined the cast of Dragon House until after the time jump, but they provided the voiceover to kick off the show. As King Jaehaerys was shown announcing Viserys as his successor instead of Rhaenys, Rhaenyra’s words presented an ominous foreshadowing.
The Dance of the Dragons is a Targaryen civil war that Dragon House eventually heads towards. Jaehaerys’ words, spoken by Rhaenyra, started the show with the implication of a family ready to implode at any moment.
9/10 “Tongues will not change the succession, let them stir”
King Viserys Targaryen, Episode 1
When Rhaenys Targaryen Was Scorned In The Very First Episode Of Dragon House, Otto Hightower suggested to King Viserys that he might have Baratheon’s tongue for calling his cousin “The Queen Who Never Was”. Viserys’ dismissive response seemed to be fleeting and unimportant, but would resurface in a later episode.
After several time jumps, a frail and sickly Viserys would seek the tongues of anyone who questioned the legitimacy of the children of Rhaenyra. This then bled into the subject of who Driftmark’s rightful heir was, coming full circle to tie the tongues again without changing the succession. However, this time Viserys took the concept seriously.
8/10 “You may know what is the right thing to do, but love is still the hand. Love is a downfall. Best to make your way through life without a hitch”
Larys Strong, Episode 6
When he didn’t have much to contribute before Dragon House, Larys established himself as an irredeemable character in “The Princess and the Queen” when he showed his dangerous loyalty to Alicent Hightower. Larys even killed his own father and brother when Alicent simply stated that she wanted her father reinstated as Hand of the King.
Along with the shock of Larys’ despicable actions, those words symbolized the collapse of House Targaryen’s love, which ultimately sparked the Dance of the Dragons. By killing his own family members, Larys showed his loyalty to Alicent, even though his true intentions were kept close to the chest.
7/10 “History does not remember blood, it remembers names”
Corlys Velaryon, Episode 7
Corlys Velaryon hasn’t been shy about showing her ambition throughout Dragon Housethe first season. He made several plays for power, most being rebuffed by Otto Hightower and Viserys Targaryen.
In Episode 7, “Driftmark”, Corlys discussed the future of House Velaryon with his wife Rhaenys, showing his determination to remain loyal to his grandchildren, despite their illegitimacy. Corlys had previously made a deal for the children of Rhaenyra and Laenor to bear the name Velaryon, which he considered to be more important than their true blood status.
6/10 “Do you know what color it shines when Oldtown calls its banners to war?”
Larys Strong, Episode 5
“We Light the Way” wasn’t just the last episode of Dragon House before the major time jump, but it also saw many of the first big steps towards the impending Dance of the Dragons. Alicent felt betrayed and alone, after being lied to by Rhaenyra, and she sought to make a statement. Alicent announced herself to Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding by arriving late wearing a green dress.
This green robe was symbolic of House Hightower, with Larys and Harwin Strong immediately noticing it as a call to arms for those loyal to him. This is where war began to seem inevitable, as the simmering internal conflicts reached a boiling point.
5/10 “There is no power except what people allow you to take”
Mysaria, episode 9
“The Green Council” was an intense episode for everyone still at King’s Landing. Viserys’ death and Alicent’s interpretation of his last words sent the Small Council into a frenzy as they planned to place Aegon as their next ruler, instead of Rhaenyra.
Mysaria, once an ally of Daemon, returned in “The Green Council”, showcasing her established power and influence. She held the cards as the only one who knew Aegon’s whereabouts and made an ambitious plea for Otto to put an end to the child-fighting rings in the city. Mysaria’s words were stern as she warned Otto that ordinary people mattered more than he knew.
4/10 “To escape a storm, you can either navigate it or go around it. But you should never wait for it to come”
Corlys Velaryon, Episode 2
With House Velaryon commanding the seas, it’s no surprise that much of their wisdom is rooted in their maritime knowledge. In Episode 2, Corlys warned the Little Council that action needed to be taken against the Triarchy and their uprisings in the Stepstones.
Corlys was largely ignored but reaffirmed the need for her request, implying that the situation should not be allowed to escalate further. Laenor Velaryon later made another similar reference to the storm, stating “the wise sailor flees the storm as it gathers.” It was a fascinating follow-up quote to support his father while staying true to the nautical theme his family was famous for.
3/10 “You do not wish to be free, but to make a window in the wall of your prison”
Rhaenys Targaryen, Episode 9
“The Green Council” provided many intense moments after the death of Viserys Targaryen. However, the episode’s MVP was the late king’s cousin, Rhaenys Targaryen. Rhaenys was held prisoner at King’s Landing while arrangements were made to make Aegon the new king.
Alicent tried to rock Rhaenys to her side, but Rhaenys came back with cold beards, as she always did. Rhaenys was never shy about saying how it is, that’s what she did in this scene. She called Alicent for being trapped in a predicament she had created herself.
2/10 “We’re playing a lousy game. And now, for the first time, I see you have the determination to win it”
Otto Hightower, Episode 7
“Driftmark” continued the escalation of the family feuds in Dragon House with the aftermath of Aemond Targaryen claiming the mighty dragon Vhagar. Aemond was then confronted by the children of Daemon and Rhaenyra. Lucerys Velaryon even cut and gouged out one of Aemond’s eyes.
Chaos ensued when the families learned what had happened. Alicent demanded that Lucerys also lose an eye and tried to take it herself. While Alicent regretted her aggressive behavior, Otto liked her. Otto often tried to use his daughter as a chess piece to pursue his own ambitions, but it showed him fire and valor.
1/10 “The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion. They are a mighty man they should never have toyed with”
King Viserys, Episode 1
Dragon House gave fans more insight into the coexistence of man and dragon than they saw in game of thrones. There were several dragons left in the dragon dance, but the illusion that they were controlled by their dragon riders was completely removed in episode 10.
Aemond Targaryen pursued Lucerys Velaryon on dragonback with the childish intention of scaring him away, but Vhagar and Arrax acted alone. Luke’s inexperienced young dragon urged the gigantic Vhagar to retaliate, which she duly did. Aemond accidentally started the Dance of the Dragons reaffirming what his late father had said at the start of Dragon House.
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