As the finale of season one of House of the Dragon unfolds, viewers will see just how much Viserys' death impacts the entire realm, most notably his closest relatives as the real 'Dance of Dragons' begins and the entire family begins their famous feud and an end to the calm that Viserys the Peaceful's reign enjoyed. While House of the Dragon has been building up to King Viserys' death for quite a few episodes now, and even though it was expected, Paddy Considine's portrayal of Viserys' demise was completely emotional and harrowing to witness and his death is way more heartbreaking than you may think at first glance.
Decades Of Peace Come To An End
Dubbed after his death as 'Viserys the Peaceful', Viserys managed to keep peace not just within his own family but across the realm. His presence served as protection for all, but when it came down to it, he was ready to protect those who needed it.
Rarely taking part in any conflict, unless you count what was mostly Corlys Velaryon and Daemon Targaryen's war in the Stepstones, Viserys liked to stay out of trouble, but his death brings civil war to the realm as different sides of his family scramble for the throne and the peace of his reign ends.
The Care He Displayed For Those He Held Dear
Although he was a king, Viserys was just like a normal father, brother, and husband in the way he cared about those he held dear. It is evident that his death not only brings an element of chaos when it comes to the succession but that he is mourned by his wife and (some of) his children.
Characters such as Rhaenyra and Alicent are particularly heartbroken, knowing above all Viserys' was a caring man. Even Rhaenyra proclaimed that nobody had stuck by her father like Alicent had, and, despite usually being a character fans love to hate, she took dutiful care of him. Rhaenyra as Viserys' eldest child and heir, will especially feel the pain of losing her father who stuck by her and supported her claim for decades.
Paddy Considine Will No Longer Be In HOTD
Paddy Considine has been playing Viserys for the first eight episodes of House of the Dragon, also featuring as deceased Viserys in episode nine. His portrayal of Viserys has earned him a lot of praise, with even George RR Martin saying he made Viserys a better character than the book version.
Whilst Considine might appear as Viserys in flashbacks, his time as King Viserys has sadly come to an end. Viserys' role in setting the foundations for the 'Dance of Dragons' was crucial to the remainder of the series and Considine's presence within the show will be missed.
Viserys Just Wanted His Family To Love One Another
During his final night, despite his major transformation, Viserys sat for dinner with his family and expressed how he wished for them all to get along as he held them all so dear. We even witness the beginnings of a shaky reconciliation between Alicent and Rhaenyra, which sadly doesn't last past his death. In the same scene, we also see tensions build between Viserys' sons and his grandsons.
That night though, Viserys passed believing that his family were getting along better and loving each other as he had wished, but this cannot be further from the heartbreaking truth as we see in episode nine of the season as Alicent and Otto Hightower hastily install Aegon upon the throne.
Family Distance
Throughout the first season of House of the Dragon, Viserys frequently displayed regrets for ways his familial relationships have gone awry, namely the relationship with his younger brother Daemon.
Viserys spent much of the second half of his life without his loyal, but erratic, brother by his side. Growing up, although very different, the brothers were close, and Daemon was one of Viserys' first supporters for his claim to the Iron Throne. Viserys' death means the brothers do not get to carry on finally healing their relationship, something we saw the beginnings of in episode 8.
The Guilt Of Aemma's Death
There is no denying that Viserys most important relationship was his first wife Aemma Arryn, proclaiming that he would never get over her, even though Alicent Hightower helped him through the worst of his grief. Despite his marriage to Alicent lasting longer than that of his marriage to Aemma, it was more of a political arrangement and the love was very different to that of his first wife.
Viserys endured an incredibly long and painful death, and throughout it, was most likely thinking of the horror his wife Aemma had to endure during childbirth and how he ordered it. He never forgets or gets over Aemma's death and as as episode 8 comes to a close Viserys he whispers "My love" to her as he fades away.
Hightower Influence
Even though Viserys did not pass until the end of episode eight, the Hightowers have been enjoying a steadily growing influence on the realm. With Otto reinstalled as Hand of the King after the fiery demise of Lyonel Strong, and Alicent Hightower as Queen, the Hightowers are now more powerful than House Targaryen.
As Rhaenyra and Daemon come back to King's Landing they are greeted with decorations representing the Faith of the Seven, the seven-pointed star seems to have replaced Targaryen emblems. This is heartbreaking as although Viserys is still alive, the Hightowers are exercising their power as they know he is of incredibly ill health and close to death.
Rhaenyra Is Left Unprotected
There is no denying that Viserys cares for his eldest daughter very much, she is a reminder of her mother and a symbol of better days for him. Their relationship is established as a fairly close one throughout the tenure of the first season.
Viserys uses his last ounce of strength to protect his daughter, in one of the most jaw-dropping scenes in television, we see a previously bedridden Viserys defend his daughter and her children from all the lords that try to ruin her reputation and disinherit her children. With Viserys' death, Rhaenyra and her children are no longer protected, and as we saw in episode nine, are at great risk from threats such as murder as well as disinheritance.
He Was Not Born To Be King
Whilst he was fairly high in the succession, Viserys was the son of King Jaehaerys' second son, Baelon. The Targaryen line had intended to pass through Aemon, Jaehaerys' eldest son and therefore to Princess Rhaenys.
When Aemon died in 92 AC, Baelon, one of the most powerful Targaryen's in history, was named as heir and a Great Council was held in 101 AC that declared the throne would pass through Baelon's line to Viserys. Although he was accepted by the lords, Viserys' passions did not involve ruling. He never got to experience the life of a country lord that Alicent and Rhaenys discuss in episode nine, and a life that, deep down, he would have preferred.
His Last Words Create Civil War
As Alicent Hightower visits Viserys the night he dies, he believes that it is Rhaenyra who has come to visit him and ask him about Aegon I's dream the 'Song of Ice and Fire'. When he tells her that he believes it to be true, Alicent misconstrues his words and believes he is telling her that their son Aegon should be king.
If Viserys had lived another day, or long enough to have another conversation with Alicent, the civil war commonly referred to as the 'Dance of Dragons' would have been avoided, along with the reconciliation between Rhaenyra and Alicent continuing. His death ultimately costs all of his family members to divide in two separate factions, completely against what he wished for on his final night which was for them all to get along as he loved each of them.
Source:gamerant.com