House Of The Dragon Episode Eight Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs
3. Up - The most unpredictable of dinner parties
Next time, just get a takeaway.
Viserys' request for a supper between the two families is granted, with decidedly mixed results as the meal lurches between the semblance of courtesy and feral hatred with little to no warning. Unbelievably, there are what appear to be some genuinely amicable moments as the families eat and make merry. Alicent and Rhaenyra appear closer than they have done since Criston's revelations; no daggers are involved as they clasp hands this week.
Sadly, this is sharply juxtaposed with the antics of their children. Jace butts heads with the lecherous Aegon as Alicent's repulsive son makes lewd comments towards his betrothed Baela, leading to an tense stand off as Aemond springs to his feet. While Jace decides to take the high road by leading a toast to his uncles, Aemond comes flying out of his seat once again soon after, goaded by the unashamed laughter of Lucerys - the boy who robbed him of his eye.
In a monologue dripping with ominous menace, the Prince delivers a sarcastic toast to his nephews, praising them as "strong" boys in a thinly veiled jibe at their true father before dinner dissolves into the usual inter-family fist fight. Viserys ultimately represents the last shreds of civility between the two families. As soon as he is escorted back to his chambers, the dinner descends into chaos, a status quo that is surely to be replicated on a fearsome new scale now that the King is finally dead.