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House of the Dragon · Season 1 · Episode 10

House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10: The Black Queen

Aired Oct 23, 2022 59 min HBO
In the season finale, a grieving Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together while Daemon prepares for war. In the season finale, a grieving Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together while Daemon prepares for war.
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Episode Recap

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Rhaenyra, learning of her father's death and Aegon's coronation, is devastated but initially seeks a peaceful resolution, mindful of the costs of war. She is crowned queen at Dragonstone, and the Blacks rally their allies, including the Velaryon fleet and several dragon-riders. Tragedy strikes when Lucerys, sent as an envoy to Storm's End, is killed by Aemond and his dragon Vhagar. The murder of an envoy violates the rules of war and transforms the political crisis into a blood feud, making reconciliation impossible.

Quick Answer

House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10, “The Black Queen,” aired 2022-10-23 on HBO (runtime 59 minutes); directed by Greg Yaitanes and written by Ryan J. Condal. The episode follows a grieving Rhaenyra as she tries to hold the realm together, while Daemon prepares for war.

Quick Facts

Episode Information

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Episode
Season 1, Episode 10 of 10
Title
The Black Queen
Air Date
Oct 23, 2022
Runtime
59 min
Director
Greg Yaitanes
Writers
Ryan J. Condal

Overview

Episode Summary

In the season finale, a grieving Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together while Daemon prepares for war.

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Episode Stills

House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10 still

Full Recap

House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10 Recap

Rhaenyra, learning of her father's death and Aegon's coronation, is devastated but initially seeks a peaceful resolution, mindful of the costs of war. She is crowned queen at Dragonstone, and the Blacks rally their allies, including the Velaryon fleet and several dragon-riders.

Tragedy strikes when Lucerys, sent as an envoy to Storm's End, is killed by Aemond and his dragon Vhagar. The murder of an envoy violates the rules of war and transforms the political crisis into a blood feud, making reconciliation impossible.

Rhaenyra, torn between grief and her desire for peace, is pushed toward war by Daemon, who seeks vengeance. The season ends with Rhaenyra's resolve hardening, as the realm stands on the brink of the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

At a Glance

Key Moments

  1. Rhaenyra is crowned queen at Dragonstone
  2. The Blacks rally allies, including the Velaryon fleet
  3. Lucerys is killed by Aemond and Vhagar at Storm's End
  4. The murder of an envoy transforms the crisis into a blood feud
  5. Rhaenyra's resolve hardens as the realm stands on the brink of war

Analysis

Character Development

Rhaenyra is crowned queen at Dragonstone, and her resolve hardens as the realm stands on the brink of war. Her grief and her new crown shape her response to the crisis that follows.

Daemon prepares for war, shifting his focus toward military action as the conflict escalates.

Lucerys is killed by Aemond and Vhagar at Storm's End, an event that transforms the crisis into a blood feud.

Aemond kills Lucerys at Storm's End, a decision that turns the crisis into a blood feud and hardens the path to war.

Cast

Main Cast

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Matt Smith
as Prince Daemon Targaryen
Emma D'Arcy
as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
Olivia Cooke
as Queen Alicent Hightower
James Norton
as Lord Ormund Hightower
Steve Toussaint
as Lord Corlys 'The Sea Snake' Velaryon
Fabien Frankel
as Ser Criston Cole
Matthew Needham
as Lord Larys 'Clubfoot' Strong
Sonoya Mizuno
as Mysaria 'The White Worm'
Tom Glynn-Carney
as King Aegon II Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell
as Prince Aemond Targaryen

Cast

Guest Stars

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Emma D'Arcy
as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell
as Prince Aemond Targaryen
Harry Collett
as Prince Jacaerys 'Jace' Velaryon
Bethany Antonia
as Lady Baela Targaryen
Phil Daniels
as Maester Gerardys
Phoebe Campbell
as Lady Rhaena Targaryen
Elliott Tittensor
as Ser Erryk Cargyll
Luke Tittensor
as Ser Arryk Cargyll
Anthony Flanagan
as Ser Steffon Darklyn
Kurt Egyiawan
as Maester Orwyle

Analysis

House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10 Ending Explained

Spoilers below

This section discusses the ending of "The Black Queen" in detail. Stop here if you haven't watched the episode.

Lucerys's death by Aemond's hand is the spark that ignites the Dance of the Dragons. The killing of an envoy violates all the rules of noble conduct and makes any peaceful resolution impossible. Rhaenyra's transformation from reluctant peacemaker to war leader sets the stage for war.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who kills Lucerys Velaryon?

Aemond Targaryen kills Lucerys Velaryon and his dragon Arrax at Storm's End using the dragon Vhagar, sparking the Targaryen civil war.

Where is Rhaenyra crowned queen?

Rhaenyra is crowned queen at Dragonstone, the ancestral Targaryen seat, as the Blacks rally their allies against the Greens.

Why does Lucerys's death make war inevitable?

Lucerys was sent as an envoy, and his murder by Aemond violates the sacred rules of diplomacy, transforming the political crisis into an unresolvable blood feud.

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