HBO
House of the Dragon’s eighth episode was perhaps the series’ best episode yet as it not only featured a couple of major deaths but also featured a bevy of emotional moments that have some fans calling for Paddy Considine, who plays King Viserys, to win an Emmy Award.
Editor’s note: this article will contain spoilers for Season 1, Episode 8 of House of the Dragon, “The Lord of the Tides”
During one of the best moments in the series’ (brief) history, a six-feet-from-the-grave King Viserys makes a stunning appearance in the throne room for one final act as king, mustering literally every ounce of strength he has left in his being to walk from one side of the room to the other.
As an emaciated Viserys approaches the steps to the Iron Throne, his crown falls off his withering head, clanking to the floor. And while Viserys is initially adamant that he does not need any help, his mind and heart change quite quickly when he looks up to see that it’s his often adversarial brother Daemon attempting to assist him as he picks up his crown and helps him take those few final steps.
As it turns out, that moment — which many fans have expressed a deep appreciation for in its aftermath — was completely improvised by Daemon Targaryen actor Matt Smith.
“When we were shooting that – I think the rehearsal again, the first day – the crown fell off of Paddy’s head and Matt picked it up and we just kept going. We didn’t stop [filming]. There was a discovery there of this moment,” director Geeta Patel told Entertainment Weekly.
“So then the three of us got together and they were like, ‘We felt this. This felt like the turning point in our relationship.’ It’s just a silent moment. And then we thought to ourselves, ‘We have the dinner coming up where Daemon’s gonna then give a speech. Are we gonna undercut that moment?’”
This speech was filmed, but it didn’t make the final cut. “We decided to shoot it both ways with the crown falling off and with the crown not falling off,” Patel continued.
House of the Dragon fans react to Daemon Targaryen helping his dying brother King Viserys put his crown back on his head
Very in on Daemon now, by the way.
That Throne Room moment (and scene, in general) is not only a #HouseOfTheDragon highpoint but one of the most legitimately emotional moments I can remember watching in the #GameOfThrones universe since it first began over a decade ago. pic.twitter.com/yyrBfuo5ea
— Eric Italiano (@eric_ital) October 10, 2022
when daemon helped viserys to the throne and put his crown on#HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/OuKzRF6EeX
— #BLM yvngxrist ⁷ (@sweetkamii_) October 10, 2022
Viserys calling Rhaenyra his only child.
Viserys realising the Prince that was promised would come from her line.
Viserys finally seeing that Daemon was always on his side.#HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/LNlu2Sw8xK— ᴼⁿ ʷᶦᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰᵒʷ (@_finalgirlx) October 10, 2022
daemon to viserys #HouseOfTheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/HNb0w2p14r
— kdawg (@kennythekopyguy) October 10, 2022
HER DAD LITERALLY DRAGGED HIMSELF TO THAT THRONE TO DEFEND RHAENYRA, DAEMON AND HIS GRANDSONS😭😭😭💔💔THE STUMBLE, DAEMON PICKING HIM UP PUTTING THE CROWN ON HIS HEAD…THE WAY RHAE & VIS a look at each other 😫 THE DOORS SWINGING OPEN, KING VISERYS😭😭😭😭 THE GREENS THOUGHT🤣
— Mj (@ThisGrayArea) October 10, 2022
Okay but I have to say Daemon putting the crown on Viserys' head made me emotional. Beautiful. #HOTD
— Balerion's favorite dragonkeeper (@conquerorscrown) October 10, 2022
Daemon helping Viserys to his throne and crowning him. And this will be their last memory together. I'm so emotional!#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/o94H5wGzQk
— May H (@Mayham_H) October 10, 2022
idk why critics said aemond was the stand-out in episode 8 when it was actually daemon and viserys
— mira (@rhaelina) October 10, 2022
daemon putting the crown on viserys’ head… the same crown he will put on rhaenyra’s head when he crowns her queen #houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/mJuYY4BL9x
— mia (@silvcrwings) October 10, 2022
The ninth episode of House of the Dragon will air on Sunday, October 16, and will be followed by the season one finale on Sunday, October 23. Luckily for fans of the series, season two has already been greenlit (obviously).