House Of The Dragon Episode Eight Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs
1. Up - "He can keep his tongue"
In House of the Dragon's coldest kill scene to date, Vaemond Velaryon's tirade in the throne room cost him his head.
One minor criticism of this scene would be that it appears mildly farcical that a Lord of Vaemond's standing would not realize that roaring allegations of bastardy at the King in relation to his own daughter would cost him his life. While it is possible that Vaemond's outrage legitimately outweighed regard for his own life, it is somewhat unbelievable that someone as fixated on the Driftwood throne as Vaemond would condemn himself to death in such a wasteful manner.
Regardless, it doesn't take away from the entertainment factor of the sequence whatsoever; Vaemond's total - and exceedingly public - meltdown is a treat to watch. Egged on by Daemon's mocking gaze and taunting whispers, Corlys' enraged brother roars that Rhaenyra's children are bastards with as much volume as he can physically muster, his furious tones echoing off the walls of the throne room, which grows more silent with each passing syllable.
The apoplectic King rises from his Throne despite being barely able to stand, informing Vaemond he will lose his tongue for his treasonous words. However, before the audience can blink, Daemon slashes off Vaemond's head with Dark Sister from behind. As the Velaryon's corpse sinks to ground, headless from the tongue up, an unperturbed Daemon looks up and cooly drops House of the Dragon's best one-liner to date.
"He can keep his tongue."
Brutality meets brilliance personified. Take a bow HBO.