HBO
House of the Dragon, who are the two contenders for the succession to the Iron Throne?
The Dance of Dragons is coming up in the new HBO series set in the world of Game of Thrones. Family tensions for the Iron Throne are rising.
If there is tension at the Christmas dinner table in some families, one has to wonder what the Targaryens would do if they sat together at the same table. Poison here, knife here, whatever it takes to secure the Iron Throne. The House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, depicts that situation in an even more hostile environment: politics and the battlefield. Who are the two main contenders for the reign of the Seven Kingdoms?
Viserys I Targaryen is still the monarch in Westeros, but the rule is on the verge of cracking. All it takes is for the ruler to die for the kingdoms to be turned upside down and on the warpath. The king's brother, Daemon Targaryen, was a pretender in the past, but his strategy changes as the years go by.
Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys' Chosen One
Not that he did not try: Viserys spent half his life looking for a male heir, but he did not come and ended up naming his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen princess of Dragonstone. In other words: the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, especially when the lords swore allegiance to her. But woe betide honor and loyalty! Some change their banners more than their breeches (in the fin-de-siecle world of the noble aristocracy). Today they swear and perjure, that they support her to death, and then they do the opposite. In this, Ser Criston Cole has a lot to say.
Rhaenyra falls victim to the closed-mindedness of a society that does not contemplate a woman ruling as queen. Therefore, when the political maneuver of the King's Hand succeeds (he marries his daughter Alicent Hightower to King Viserys), the future of the princess as the heir begins to be endangered.
Aegon Targaryen, the boy who can reign
A baby is born in the court and.... Surprise! It's a boy! Viserys has finally achieved what he always longed for, a male descendant. However, the king does not intend to change his previous decision and keeps Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne. As long as he lives, everyone's wills are appeased enough not to contradict the king's orders. However, upon his death... the scenario changes completely.
Aegon Targaryen, now a teenager, is a cruel boy who at first has little interest in the throne. However, his mother Alicent opens his eyes and makes him see that his mere existence is a constant threat to Rhaenyra's position, so it would be in his best interest to fight for the crown. Needless to say, the conflict erupts and the Seven Kingdoms are divided into two camps: the supporters of each of the aspirants. The Dance of the Dragons arrives, with the pieces already unfolding on the ground.
We will not tell the outcome of this story because House of the Dragon will do so in future episodes. On Sunday, October 2, episode 7 will be released.