This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon: Season OneHBO has a history of violence with its premiere series. From Game of Thrones to Westworld, audiences know they are in for a treat when HBO decides to let their flagship shows settle scores, whether it be with a brawl or all-out warfare. In House of the Dragon season one, Viserys works hard to maintain peace among his people, and as such, we aren’t treated to sieges of warfare but are instead shown an epic prelude to what would be the Dance of Dragons. Here we will go over the fights that were the most brutal, carried the most significant impact on the story, and left the strongest impression in the minds of viewers.
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5 Ser Criston Cole Vs. Ser Joffrey Lonmouth
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Princess Rhaenyra, amidst rumors that questioned her virginity, was set to wed Ser Laenor Velaryon. While neither party was happy with the idea of an arranged marriage, they had come to an agreement that they would honor the agreement between their families and happily allow each other to continue their affairs uninterrupted — Rhaenyra with her guard, Ser Criston Cole and Laenor with his guard, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Ser Criston Cole was in great anguish, as he had asked Rhaenyra to run away with him so they could be married; but Rhaenyra told him that she had no intention of dishonoring her family. Overcome with regret at having broken his sacred vows, Criston would confess to Alicent what he had done, with Alicent sparing him despite her outrage. After Joffrey made a remark indicating he knew of Criston’s tryst, Criston lashed out in rage, bashing Joffrey’s face in until he was unrecognizable. This moment coming shortly after Alicent’s silent call to arms, would be the opening salvo in the rift between the blacks and the greens of House Targaryen.
4 Daemon Vs. Ser Criston Cole
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Daemon Targaryen had been dominating the competition during the festivities honoring his soon-be-born-nephew, besting knight after knight, and even offering a token of flattery to a young Alicent Hightower, much to her father’s chagrin. Daemon’s path to the prize would reach a roadblock as audiences are introduced to Ser Criston Cole for the first time.
After Ser Criston Cole manages to get the better of the Prince in a joust, Daemon calls for his sword, Dark Sister, and challenges Ser Criston to a duel. The two would clash swords, with many believing that Ser Criston may be meeting a grim demise early into the show’s run. Ser Criston would prove himself as an able warrior, not only holding his own against the commander of the city guard, but by defeating Daemon in one-on-one combat. This would cause him to catch Rhaenyra’s interest, making way for a complicated relationship that affects Rhaenyra’s path to power.
3 Aemond Vs. His Nieces & Nephews
Prince Aemond Targaryen had a contentious relationship with his nieces, nephews, and even his older brother. Being teased for not having a dragon of his own, Aegon decides to bond himself with Vhagar, a mighty dragon whose rider had died by dragonfire, in one of the show’s most emotional scenes.
After claiming Vhagar for himself, Aemond would be confronted by his nieces, claiming he had stolen Vhagar and that the dragon was theirs. When Jacerys & Lucerys involved themselves, a fight broke out as the four teamed up against Aemond, who held his own with his superior size and strength. Lucerys would manage to take out Aemond’s eye during the scuffle, an injury that would lead to an intense meeting between Alicent and Rhaenyra, as well as act as a precursor to another haunting fight.
2 Daemon’s Army Vs. Crabfeeder
As Daemon looks to prove himself by taking on Cragas Drahar, the Crabfeeder, what was thought to be an epic conquest has turned into a long and drawn-out siege. With Crabfeeder proving an effective strategist, Daemon’s tactics of striking from above proved fruitless, even with the help of Corlys Valryon and his family.
Daemon would receive a message stating his brother Viserys intended to send reinforcements. Being faced with potential humiliation, Daemon began an all-out assault under the guise of surrender. After entering Cabfeeder’s camp on foot, Daemon would wave a white flag and briefly surrender Dark Sister to a foot soldier. He would then stab the soldier with a dagger, take back his sword, and slaughter many men unaided. After his army arrived with reinforcements, Daemon would duel Crabfeeder himself before leaving the cavern carrying Cragas’ bisected body.
1 Prince Aemond & Vhagar Vs. Prince Lucerys & Arrax
Lucerys had arrived at Storm’s End with the intention of securing the Baratheons as allies to his mother’s claim for the Iron Throne. In a foreshadowing of the danger that would loom over Lucerys on this visit, he would see Vhagar perched not far from where he and Arrax had landed. After a tense exchange where Aemond attempted to attack Lucerys personally, he was halted by Lord Baratheon, who ordered his men to escort Lucerys back to his dragon.
The true battle would begin as Lucerys left Storm’s End, fleeing into the clouds of a storm, attempting to keep an eye out for danger, unaware that Vhagar had flown above him, as revealed to the audience in one of the most haunting shots from the series. Aemond and Vhagar would bully Lucerys and Arrax, frightening them until they attempted to escape through a narrow rock formation. Lucerys would lose control of Arrax, who would breathe fire onto Vhagar before fleeing above the storm into a peaceful respite. Aemond would lose control of Vhagar, who followed Arrax and swallowed the dragon and rider, only leaving Arrax’s wings behind as evidence of the deed. The impacts of this epic battle have yet to be seen, but with the look on Rhaenyra’s face upon hearing of her son’s death, audiences are eagerly waiting for 2024 to arrive, so we may know the Dance of Dragons.
