George R.R. Martin’s Dance of the Dragons has been unfolding in the ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff ‘House of the Dragon’
Credit: Courtesy of HBO
NEED TO KNOW
- George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood was adapted into HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon
- Whether the Blacks or the Greens ultimately won the Dance of the Dragons has been debated among Fire & Blood fans
- The House of the Dragon season 3 finale airs on Aug. 7 on HBO Max
The intense Dance of the Dragons battle will come to a bloody conclusion in House of the Dragon season 3.
Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, fans of the book and Game of Thrones franchise are eager to see how the war between the Blacks and Greens will end on-screen.
The Dance of the Dragons began during season 1 of the HBO Max series, which depicts the Targaryen civil war fought over the Iron Throne nearly 200 years before Daenerys Targaryen’s birth.
After the death of King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) in season 1, a cunning and brutal war begins in the house divided — the Blacks, led by Viserys’ daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), and the Greens, led by Viserys’ second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke).
Here’s what to know about how the Dance of the Dragons ended and which Targaryens survive.
Warning: Fire & Blood and Game of Thrones franchise spoilers ahead!
Why are the Blacks and Greens fighting the Dance of the Dragons?
Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO
Before Viserys’ demise, he had named his eldest child, Rhaenyra, as his successor. But in the aftermath of his death, Alicent, along with her father and Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), and the Greens challenged Rhaenyra’s succession, arguing that Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) was the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
The Greens quickly moved to crown Aegon, while the Blacks rallied behind Rhaenyra, setting the stage for the Dance of the Dragons. Although many of the Greens supported Aegon’s claim because they believed the Iron Throne should pass to a male heir, Alicent’s opposition to Rhaenyra was driven by a more complex mix of personal, familial and political convictions.
Alicent also argued that Rhaenyra’s sons were illegitimate because they were widely believed to have been fathered by Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) rather than her husband, Ser Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate). From Alicent’s perspective, her own children with Viserys were the king’s legitimate heirs and therefore had the stronger claim to the Iron Throne.
Who wins the Dance of the Dragons?
In the end, Aegon outlived Rhaenyra, but Rhaenyra’s son ultimately claimed the Iron Throne. Some fans may argue that the Greens won the Dance because Aegon was the last claimant standing, but the Blacks had the final word when Rhaenyra’s heir became king.
Notably, the Blacks lost a significant amount of family members. Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best), Viserys’ cousin, dies in a dragon battle against Aegon and his brother, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), at Rook’s Rest.
Later, Aemond and his dragon, Vhagar, are killed during a duel with Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) above the Gods Eye. Daemon also dies in the battle.
After fleeing King’s Landing, Rhaenyra and her youngest son, Aegon the Younger, whom she shares with Daemon, are betrayed on Dragonstone and delivered to Aegon. He eventually has Sunfyre burn and devour Rhaenyra while her son witneses the execution.
Aegon then returns to King’s Landing with Aegon the Younger as his hostage. Despite Aegon’s dwindling support and exhausted forces, he refuses to surrender. In the end, he’s poisoned before securing his rule.
With both Rhaenyra and Aegon dead, Aegon the Younger ultimately inherits the Iron Throne.
Which Targaryens survive the conflict?
Credit: Theo Whiteman/HBO
The list of Targaryen losses is long, with a staggering amount of blood spilled in the civil war. In addition to the elimination of much of the Targaryen bloodline, nearly every known dragon is killed throughout the different fights.
Rhaenys’ dragon Meleys is defeated during their duel with Aegon and Aemond; Daemon and Aemond’s dragons Caraxes and Vhagar, respectively, fall during the duel that results in their deaths; and Sunfyre dies from injuries after eating Rhaenyra.
Later, a mob of King’s Landing smallfolk storms the Dragonpit, killing five dragons held inside, including Rhaenyra’s dragon, Syrax.
With numerous dragons, Targaryens, and their heirs dead, the dynasty is left on the brink of collapse. So, which Targaryens are left alive after the war has been waged?
Rhaenyra and Daemon’s son, Aegon the Younger, survives his captivity, and their younger son, Viserys II, lives as well. Additionally, Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) and Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell), Daemon’s daughters with Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell), live.
As for the Greens, Alicent’s entire lineage of children and grandchildren perishes during the Dance of the Dragons. She survives the war but is confined to her chambers for the rest of her life, living out her remaining years consumed by grief.
Who ascends to the throne after the Dance of the Dragons?
Credit: Theo Whiteman/HBO
Ten-year-old Aegon the Younger inherits the throne in the aftermath of his parents’ deaths. A council of advisors rules in his stead until he comes of age.
Traumatized by the war, the near-complete loss of his family and witnessing his mother’s violent end, Aegon becomes known as “Aegon the Unlucky.”
His reign is defined by the difficult task of rebuilding a kingdom devastated by the Dance of the Dragons.
He rules until he dies from consumption at 36, leaving the Targaryen legacy to his three daughters, two sons and brother Viserys II, who ascends to the throne after both Aegon’s sons perish.
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