In the explosive finale of House Of The Dragon, the audience got to see the aftermath of King Viserys' death and how the Blacks will prepare for war against the Greens. In "The Black Queen," Rhaenyra has to grapple with her many losses and what they mean to her realm.
The characters throughout the series prove to be intelligent, conniving, and determined. Many of these characters are from prominent houses that are playing a dangerous and intricate game of thrones. The writing was consistently a high point for the show and resulted in plenty of memorable quotes that are sure to linger in fans' minds.
"Only Thing That Could Tear Down...The Dragon Was Itself."
Older Rhaenyra In The Introductory Scene of HoTD
In the opening scene of House of the Dragon, in which King Jaehaerys' Great Council decides who will succeed him, Rhaenyra's voice points out that he knew "the only thing that could tear down the house of the dragon was itself." This quote was not only foreboding but also foreshadowed the war to come.
While Jaehaerys let his council make this hard decision because he had no living children, Viserys made his decision to name Rhaenyra his heir in the final scene of the first episode because she was his only heir at that time. This quote set the series up for an impending war that would divide the Targaryen house.
"Aegon Called His Dream 'The Song Of Ice And Fire'."
Viserys Talking About Prophecy In "The Heirs Of The Dragon"
Despite his faults, King Viserys has some great quotes throughout the first season. This quote is one of the most significant callbacks to the Game of Thrones' plot about the Long Night and the Prince That Was Promised.
When Viserys reveals to Rhaenyra the secret Aegon The Conquerer passed down throughout their Targaryen line, this quote brings even more meaning to the importance of their royal house and amplifies the devastation that ensues when the Targaryens go to war against one another. Had their house still been in power when the Long Night came, the realm could have been better prepared for the fight.
"Men Would Sooner Put The Realm To The Torch..."
Rhaenys Warns Rhaenyra In "The Rogue Prince"
This is one of the most notable quotes from Princess Rhaenys Velaryon and one of the most popular quotes from the first season of this epic series. When Rhaenyra is still very young and defiant, Rhaenys takes the opportunity to warn the princess of the war to come.
Rhaenys tells Rhaenyra, "Men would sooner put the realm to the torch than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne." While this can be perceived as bitter because she was denied the throne for being a woman, she is also the one person that is honest enough to tell the princess her succession will not go unchallenged.
"This Is A Tragic World."
Daemon Advises Rhaenyra In "King Of The Narrow Sea"
Throughout this first season, the audience watched Daemon and Rhaenyra's relationship evolve. While they're now married with children of their own, at the beginning of the series, the two appeared to mainly be close relatives with a unique connection.
These two characters felt free to communicate openly with each other. When Rhaenyra talks about being fearful of marriage because of how her mother died, Daemon says, "This is a tragic world. You cannot live your life in fear, or you will forsake the best parts of it." Though this quote has nothing to do with war or ruling, it highlights the loving and complicated relationships that are also at play.
"The Wise Sailor Flees The Storm As It Gathers."
Laenor Pleads With Rhaenyra In "The Princess And The Queen"
Despite his quick departure, Rhaenyra's first husband was a fan-favorite character, which is highlighted in many memes dedicated to Laenor's character. Their relationship and their sons' controversial parentage is a major point of conflict in this first season.
When things become more complicated between Rhaenyra and Alicent's rivalry, Laenor pleads with Rhaenyra to leave the Red Keep, saying this. This may appear as cowardice, but Laenor was intelligent enough to realize their family was in danger surrounded by the Greens. This quote also foreshadows Laenor's decision to accept the plan to fake his death and flee, knowing that's what was best for his family.
"What Is This ... Mortal Life, If Not The Pursuit Of Legacy."
Corlys Preaches To Rhaenys In "Driftmark"
Lord Corlys Velaryon is one of the most ambitious characters in the series, made clear by quotes such as this one. Throughout the season, he is focused on bettering his house and putting them in a position that ties them to the royal line.
This quote highlights one of the important themes in House of the Dragon; legacy, and the importance of names, is a key theme within the culture of the Seven Kingdoms. Though Corlys says this to contradict Rhaenys plea that he name one of Laena's children heir to the Driftmark throne, he is making a point that the legacy of these powerful houses is important after they are gone.
"Now They See You As You Are."
Rhaenyra Calls Out Alicent In "Driftmark"
While Alicent has some great allies going into the war, the upcoming conflict will assuredly be long and bloody with the powerful people and dragons on both sides. The reasons for the war are a complex mix of grudges, misunderstanding, jealousy, and manipulation, and the conflict between Alicent and Rhaenyra is first made clear and public in the aftermath of their children's fight in "Driftmark."
When Alicent goes after Rhaenyra with a knife, the scene is the pinnacle of the conflict between these two women. Though the war politically will be between Rhaenyra and her brother Aegon, the audience knows this war was started over the rivalry between Alicent and Rhaenyra (and, of course, her father Otto). This quote is chilling and leaves an impression because Rhaenyra is making a point that Alicent's actions make it clear she had a vendetta and isn't as morally incorruptible as she may outwardly seem.
"By Naming Me Heir, You Divided The Realm."
Rhaenyra To A Dying Viserys In "The Lord Of The Tides"
After Rhaenyra is named heir, she goes through a lot of hardship to try to convince her father and those around them that she is fit for the role. However, this responsibility also comes with a lot of hardship, forcing her to make decisions and act in a way that suits the realm more than her own needs and desires.
As an adult and a mother, Rhaenyra confesses on her father's deathbed that she is struggling with his decision to name her heir. This quote proves that, despite Rhaenyra being proud and prepared to be queen, she understands the danger and divide it has caused in the very realm she seeks to protect.
"There Is No Power But What The People Allow..."
Mysaria To Otto In "The Green Council"
Mysaria, also known now as the White Worm, has gradually become a more prominent character. Though the ninth episode features her house burning in King's Landing, the audience is largely unconvinced she's dead, and many believe she'll likely play an important role in the upcoming war.
Though Otto Hightower is the Hand of the King and a powerful political figure, Mysaria is unwavering in his presence and uses his audience to push her political views on him, as demonstrated in this quote. The house of the dragon may have power because of their dragons, but common people like her know that the masses of people are the true power of the realm.
"When Dragons Flew To War, Everything Burned."
Rhaenyra At Her Council Meeting In "The Black Queen"
The final episode of this season featured a distraught Rhaenyra as she struggles to cope with the loss of her father, the usurpation of her throne, an impending war, an angry and violent husband, and inevitably, the loss of her unborn child and her son Lucerys.
Despite her hardships, this quote demonstrates that Rhaenyra is still thoughtful when it comes to planning for a war against the Greens. Audiences of this prequel remember well what destruction a single dragon caused at the end of Game of Thrones, making this line even more impactful. However, the angry and determined look on Rhaenyra's face at the conclusion of the finale could likely mean the dragons will breathe fire in this upcoming war.