.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8, "The Lord of the Tides."House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8 is full of hidden details, small moments of foreshadowing, and Game of Thrones connections, ranging from dragon eggs to Easter eggs. After previous recastings, House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8 has yet another significant time jump, with the actors playing Alicent Hightower’s children and Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor’s Velaryon’s kids all changing. It’s been at least six years since House of the Dragon season 1, episode 7’s ending and Laenor’s “death,” with things once again drastically altered.
King Viserys somehow clings on to life, with Alicent and Otto Hightower doing most of the ruling. Rhaenyra and Daemon, meanwhile, have already had two children - Aegon and Viserys - with a third on the way. And their kids are much older, if not wiser. All of this results in “The Lord of the Tides” being among the most drama-filled episodes of the show yet. It’s full of tension, of small character moments, and of sequences and events packed with meaning and setup for things to come later in the story, when the Dance of the Dragons properly begins. Here are all the key and hidden details in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8.
Those Dragon Eggs Daemon Has Are Important
Not for the first time in House of the Dragon, Daemon Targaryen is seen in possession of a dragon egg, though this time it’s one he didn’t steal. Daemon mentions getting three eggs from Syrax’s (Rhaenyra’s dragon) latest clutch, which is important for a couple of reasons. It’s unknown exactly how many dragons came from Syrax, but the one definite is Morning, who will be flown by Rhaena Targaryen in House of the Dragon. It’s also an indication of a key battle line in the Dance of the Dragons, which will see Rhaenyra and Daemon’s blacks faction looking to get both more dragons and more dragonriders, so this is an early tease of the war to come.
Jacaerys’ High Valyrian Lesson Is A Major Aegon The Conqueror Moment
Jacaerys Velaryon learns to speak High Valyrian in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8, and it doubles as a history lesson. Among the lines he attempts to deliver are about how Aegon “landed at the Blackwater Rush,” which is a reference to Aegon’s Landing that came on the undefended lands there, beginning his conquest of Westeros. It was also at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush that the conqueror had Aegonfort, his first castle, built (on the land where the Red Keep now sits).
Lord Caswell Is A Key Supporter of Rhaenyra
When Rhaenyra and Daemon arrive in King’s Landing, the only person there to greet them is Lord Caswell, who was previously seen in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 6. That nicely sets up his role in the Dance of the Dragons: Caswell is a Rhaenyra loyalist who, after Viserys’ death, is imprisoned by the greens and ultimately killed rather than swearing allegiance to Aegon.
The Seven Pointed Star In The Red Keep & Alicent’s Necklace Are Deeper Than You Think
The Red Keep has, as Rhaenyra and Daemon note, underwent some redecoration, most notably with the addition of the Seven Pointed Star - this itself echoing a change Joffrey Baratheon would make after becoming King. The Seven Pointed Star is also seen on both necklaces Alicent wears in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8, one large and one small, all of which reflects just how pious and self-righteous she has become. This will also factor into the future and the Dance of the Dragons: in the book, Alicent’s son Aegon is crowned by Septon Eustace (in the absence of the High Septon), with the Faith of the Seven, who have long been supported by House Hightower, behind his claim to the Iron Throne over Rhaenyra’s.
Otto’s Insult To Rhaenyra & Daemon
Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen arrive back in King’s Landing in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8, with a rather muted reception. Shortly after, when informed of their guests’ arrival, Otto states that he hopes they were given a greeting as befits their status, and it’s revealed it went according to his plans. The theme of the episode’s later scenes may have been unity, but even just from this moment it was clear how Otto was looking to insult and undermine his rivals.
Why Alicent's Ser Arryk/Erryk Confusion Matters (& How It Links To GOT)
Alicent speaks to a Knight of the Kingsguard whom she mistakenly calls “Ser Arryk,” before he corrects her that it’s actually “Erryk.” This isn’t just a wrong name, but the introduction to the Cargylls: Arryk and Erryk are identical twins and both members of the Kingsguard. In Fire & Blood, Erryk replaced Harwin Strong as Rhaenyra’s sworn shield, and sides with her faction in the Dance of the Dragons. It’s perhaps a little telling that Alicent was assuming she spoke to Arryk: unlike his brother, he will side with the greens during the Targaryen civil war. There is also Arryk and Erryk confusion to be found in A Song of Ice and Fire, with Lady Olenna Tyrell: her personal guardsmen are called Arryk and Erryk but, as she cannot tell them apart, she simply calls them Left and Right.
Alicent’s “You Are No Son Of Mine” Is A Tywin Lannister Callback
Alicent may think her love for her kids is something she and Rhaenyra have in common, but she (briefly) disowns Aegon after it’s revealed he sexually assaulted Dyana. Alicent tells Aegon “you are no son of mine,” and, while she may have been compared to Cersei Lannister before now, actually echoes another member of the family: Tywin. He spoke those exact words to Tyrion in Game of Thrones season 4, episode 10, right before he died on the privy, so things could’ve gone a lot worse for Alicent at that moment.
Moon Tea & Milk Of The Poppy
Alicent can be seen giving Dyana a drink, which is apparently just to be safe. This is moon tea, essentially Westeros’ equivalent of the morning after pill, which shows just how much she has changed: young Alicent was shocked and appalled to hear Rhaenyra had been given moon tea after her dalliances with Daemon and Ser Criston Cole. Later, Alicent can be seen given Viserys some milk of the poppy - which is made from crushed poppies, and used as a painkiller, though can also render its drinker unconscious, like a Westerosi morphine. It was seen a few times in Game of Thrones, including being given to Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark shortly before their deaths.
Viserys Really Is A Name Fit For A King
When baby Viserys is introduced to his namesake, he says that’s a name fit for a king…and he’s more right than he knows. Although it’s Viserys’ brother, Aegon, who will sit on the Iron Throne first, he too will be crowned after him, becoming King Viserys II. These words also have a similarity to those Rhaegar says in a vision had by Daenerys in A Song of Ice and Fire, talking about his own son, Aegon, and saying: “What better name for a King?”
Rhaenyra & Daemon’s Son Aegon Has His Own Viserys Connection
Aegon, of course, isn’t just a good name for a King, but a multi-layered choice by Rhaenyra and Daemon for their son. It’s an insult to Alicent, who also has a child by that name; and it’s a nod to Aegon the Conqueror. But there’s also another link: Viserys and Daemon had another brother, who died before he was even one-year-old. His name? Aegon, obviously.
Rhaenys At The Heart Tree Continues A HOTD Trend
After arriving in King’s Landing, Rhaenys is found by Rhaenyra at the weirwood tree in the Red Keep’s Godswood. It’s an interesting choice that continues to align House of the Dragon’s Targaryens with the old gods. Though Aegon the Conqueror converted to the Faith of the Seven, largely as a political move, this provides a clearer contrast between the greens and the blacks of the show: as Alicent has become more pious, she’s increasingly divided from the Targaryens who keep returning to the Godswood such as Rhaenyra and Rhaenys.
Viserys’ Mask May Be A Nod To The Real Life Leper King
King Viserys’ mask is a defining detail in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8, and has a link to a real life King…in a way. Viserys’ illness is Leprosy which, as the episode reveals, has disfigured his face and seen him lose an eye. This connects him to King Baldwin IV, who served as King of Jerusalem from 1174-1185. Baldwin had Leprosy from a young age, though didn’t start to show signs until much later in life. Like Viserys, he ruled while having the disease, leading him to become known as the Leper King or just simply The Leper, and was left blind by it. Imagery of Baldwin IV, largely thanks to the movie Kingdom of Heaven (where he was played by Ed Norton) often depicts him wearing a silver mask to cover his face. House of the Dragon may have aimed for a similar effect here, though there is no historical evidence that Baldwin really did wear a mask.
Second Sons Are Very Important in HOTD & GOT
Viserys may dismiss Vaemond Velaryon as a second son of the House Velaryon family, but it’s those sons who define so much of House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, often because of their different responsibilities to firstborn sons (or due to stepping up after they die). Daemon and Aemond are two key examples of second sons driving House of the Dragon’s story, but it goes further in Game of Thrones: from Ned Stark to Stannis Baratheon, Tyrion Lannister to Jon Snow and Sandor Clegane, second sons shape the story massively.
The Maesters & House Hightower’s History
When it’s revealed the Maesters have been helping with Viserys’ disease on the orders of Alicent, Rhaenyra and Daemon scoff that of course the Maesters have been helping them. Although in general Maesters are supposed to be loyal to whomever they serve, House Hightower has a long history with them. One of the titles that comes with being Lord of Hightower is Defender or Protector of the Citadel, with the house long established as a patron of the order of Maesters. The Hightowers even helped found the Citadel, and it’s funded by Oldtown taxes which, yes, run through the Hightowers as well.
Gold Dragons On Viserys’ Costume Is A Hint Of Things To Come
Viserys’ costume in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8 is adorned with several pieces of jewelry, including a couple of gold dragons. Though perhaps just a symbol of finery right now, that will be important later. When Aegon makes his own claim for the Iron Throne, he will create a new Targaryen sigil: instead of a red dragon, it will be a gold one (inspired by his dragon, Sunfyre). Viserys clearly prefers Rhaenyra, but he unwittingly lends a degree of support to Aegon here.
Helaena Targaryen Has Another Prophecy
Helaena Targaryen’s prophecies are becoming a staple of House of the Dragon episodes. Having previously foreshadowed Aemond losing an eye and much of the Dance of the Dragons itself (with her “spool of green, spool of black” line in episode 7), she makes another strange warning during episode 8’s dinner scene, saying: “Beware the beast beneath the boards.” The most immediate reading of this is that it refers to something involving a dragon, which would be the most obvious “beast” in this story, with it bursting through the floorboards in some way, though there’s no immediately obvious answer to what exactly it could be.
Another possibility is that it refers to Mysaria, who is known as the White Worm and so fits the idea of being beneath the boards, operating underground. Though not exactly a beast, episode 8 does show the White Worm is a creature that the greens should beware. Finally, it could be a hint towards Blood and Cheese, a horrific moment wherein Helaena will lose one of her kids: Blood is a butcher and Cheese is a ratcatcher, who sneak up through the Red Keep, which could be where “beneath the boards” comes in; they are humans, but their actions - forcing Helaena to choose which of her kids will be killed - are certainly those of beasts.
Lucerys’ Laughing At Aemond Is A Pink Dread Callback
A key turning point in the tensions at the feast comes when a pig is placed down in front of Aemond, prompting Lucerys to laugh. Whether Lucerys was trying to be insulting or not, the pig is a brutal reminder of their joke at Aemond's expense from House of the Dragon season 1, episode 6, during which Aemond was presented his dragon, aka “the pink dread,” so it’s no surprise it prompts his “Strong boys” reaction.
Viserys' Final Words Are "My Love"
Viserys dies in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8's ending, but not before departing with some significant final words. What comes first is Viserys talking to Alicent about Aegon's dream and The Prince That Was Promised, resulting in a misunderstanding from which Alicent believes their son, Aegon, should be on the Iron Throne, and ultimately to the Dance of the Dragons. After that, the episode closes out with a final shot of Viserys before fading to black. As he touches the ring that once belonged to his first wife, Aemma, Viserys' last words are "my love." It's a touching moment, and a sign that he had now found peace and been reunited with his true love.
House of the Dragon releases new episodes Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO.
Want more House of the Dragon articles? Check out our essential content below...
- Complete House Of The Dragon Guide: All Your Questions Answered
- Where Was House Of The Dragon Filmed? All Real Life Westeros Locations
- House Of The Dragon Timeline Confirmed & Explained
- House Of The Dragon: Every Major Family Missing From Game Of Thrones