Hey everyone, and welcome to my review for House of the Dragon Season one episode 10,
the Black Queen.
So that’s it for season one and they definitely finished on a strong note.
This was another excellent episode with some truly incredible moments.
Although I didn’t love everything, I was thoroughly entertained and satisfied with
this finale, feeling a whirlwind of emotions throughout.
But before getting into the top 5 moments of the night, honorable mentions go to the
many minor house named all episode, like the houses Celtigar, Darklyn, Massey, Bar emmyn
and others.
As well as Rhaenrya doing everything herself for her daughter, with the midwives and silent
sisters simply watching on, the painted table scene, Daemon with the dragon vermithor, which
to me felt like he was training it and getting it use to human contact so it’ll be more
willing to take on a new rider like his daughter.
Then finally I enjoyed watching Jacaerys continue to be a dutiful son and heir trying his best
at everything he does.
Now for the fifth best moment of the night, I went with Corlys waking and having an honest
discussion with Rhaenys.
This was a really great scene between two actors I’ve really enjoyed all season long.
I was surprised to see Rhaenys convince him to join the blacks since she was so apprehensive
all episode.
But I really hope that it means that on some level she believed Rhaenyra when she denied
involvement in Laenor’s death.
But the truth is, they really didn’t have much choice but to back her, as their granddaughters
are now their only family and legacy, and doing anything other than helping the blacks
puts them in mortal danger.
I was also just happy in general to have Corlys back, as he’s one of the characters I want
to know more about.
Moving on to the fourth best moment, I chose Daemon planning for war.
Although I dislike Otto Hightower I respected him for having a plan and preparations ready
for the inevitable.
And basically the same thing happened this episode with Daemon Targaryen.
Despite his many, many flaws, when they heard about Viserys he was ready to go.
I don’t think he had a formal plan ready, but he had all the names and numbers ready
to go for any eventuality.
He immediately saw to the island’s security and started making plans to gather allies.
However similar to what happened with Alicent slowing down the greens, Rhaenyra slowed down
the Blacks, and stopped Daemon from doing what they would end up doing anyway.
On the one hand I guess it was good that Rhaenyra showed restraint since that’s what convinced
Rhaenys, but I was disappointed she had absolutely no plans or preparations for this eventuality.
Seeing her so unsure and even seemingly considering Aegon’s terms of peace in front of her supporters
to me just seemed like a monumental mistake.
However considering everything she went through this episode and the stress she must have
felt, and the toll taken upon her both physically and mentally, her behaviour is certainly understandable.
Daemon also, in spite of being right about many aspects of strategy, went way too far
on a number of occasions, not only physically assaulting her, but also trying to take over
for Rhaenyra and bully her into agreement instead of empowering her with information
and calmly making clear concise arguments for why his plans must be put into place.
For the third best moment of the episode I went with another of these scene that are
so uncomfortable and difficult to sit through, and that’s the birthing scene where Rhaenyra
had a stillborn daughter Visenya.
My god was this horrifying.
At one point I simply had to look away and by the end I had tears in my eyes.
What a terrible thing for Rhaenyra to go through, especially the way it all went down, hearing
the new of her father and the usurper, being so distraught she went into early labor and
then going through the entire process alone.
It’s remarkable how physically resilient and tough she truly is, as this is not the
first time she’s gone through painful hardships.
It was also all so chaotic, with her speaking to her kids while in clear distress and Daemon
planning the war while she’s screaming in agony.
It was awful and yet at the same time amazing and powerful to watch.
For the second best moment of the night, I went with the crowning scene, where the black
supporting cargyll twin arrived with the crown of viserys and pledged himself to Rhaenyra.
I absolutely loved this scene, though if I’m being honest I think the reason it hit me
so hard was because I was devastated from all the Rhaenyra birthing stuff and desperate
for something good to happen.
And so when he arrived and made a big show of supporting her while we looked on with
those cool camera shots, and then daemon placing the crown and kneeling, it was exactly what
I needed.
I’m also very much enjoying all the focus on the kingsguard, getting to know many of
them, even if it’s only through brief interactions.
I will say though, I think Daemon dropped the ball a little as he so easily believed
the kingsguard, whereas I think they should have been a bit more suspicious of assassination,
which Daemon talked about earlier saying the greens would launch a stealth attack.
This also would have been a great opportunity for Rhaenys to speak out on his behalf about
being saved from the red keep.
But it all worked out in the end, and to me this scene really did turn out excellent.
Now for the best moment of the episode, I went with the sky battle between Aemond and
Lucerys, officially beginning the Dance of the Dragons civil war.
This was a truly amazing scene, especially that initial shot of Vhagar flying overhead.
I really loved seeing their manoeuvring and yelling commands, as well as the incredible
size difference between the dragons.
Everything about this was awesome, including the confrontation in Storm’s End, with Aemond’s
cool eye reveal and Borros Baratheon being just as unpleasant as I expected.
I will say I was pretty disappointed they cut out the scene where a Baratheon daughter
makes fun of Aemond and goads him into attacking Lucerys.
But I guess it wasn’t necessary especially since they went in a different direction for
Aemond’s motivation, as in the books he was more of psychopath who wanted to kill
Lucerys and was proud of it afterwards.
And while I think I personally would have enjoyed a more psychopathic Aemond, it is
interesting that in the show it happened by accident as both riders lost control of their
dragons.
When this happened, I was reminded of Viserys talking about how their control of dragons
was an illusion, which in that moment definitely seemed to be the case.
So those were my top 5 moments for the finale, and I have to say I don’t really have any
major criticisms, though there were certain choices I don’t fully agree with, like making
Aemond kill Lucerys by accident, and having Rhaenyra so reluctant to accept the inevitable,
but nothing that really soured my enjoyment of this episode, and that last shot of Rhaenyra
feeling all the loss of the last few days in one moment, losing all compassion and becoming
the war machine she was in the books, was really powerful and made me incredibly excited
for season two.
Now for the best kill of the night, I once again go back to the death of Lucerys during
the Battle above Shipbreaker bay.
Not only was this incredibly shocking and gruesome to witness, but everything leading
up to it had my emotions on edge.
I had a deep sense of dread throughout this episode as I had a feeling how it would end,
and when Luke was sent to Storm’s end my stomach was in knots, I was tense and so scared
for the boy.
Then it all went down with a dragon fight he had no chance of winning and was taken
out in one bite.
Absolutely brutal.
As for the best quote of the night, I go back to the crowning scene, when Erryk Cargyl said,
“I swear to ward the queen, with all my strength.
I give my blood for hers.
I shall take no wife.
Hold no lands.
Father no children.
I shall guard her secrets.
Obey her commands.
Ride at her side and defend her name and honor.”
So that’s it for my review of Season 1 episode 10, the Black Queen.
Overall this was a great way to end an amazing season, so I’ll give this episode a 9 out
of 10, which is also the score I will be giving the season as a whole.
Certainly there were many things I could nitpick or wasn’t sold on 100%, but in the end what
I remember most about this season was the acting, writing, set design, costumes, and
direction, as it was all expertly handled, and as a result I can honestly and happily
say House of the Dragon is a worthy successor to game of thrones, and very much worthy of
being associated with GRRM and ASOIAF.
I’m also looking forward to reviewing future seasons of this show and will be working on
a season recap in the next couple weeks, so be on the lookout for that if you’re interested.
But what did you all think of the finale and the season as a whole?
What did yo think of the dragon battle?
And are you excited for next season?
Let me know in the comments and for the last time I’ll remind you to check out my spoiler
free Prelude to the House of the Dragon video the spoiler filled Dance of the Dragons video,
my world of thrones geography video, and a beginners guide to the entire history of ASOIAF
in 20 minutes.
So that’s it for now guys thank you very much for watching and I’ll see you all next season.