House Of The Dragon Episode Ten Review - 9 Ups & 1 Down
9. Up - Rhaenys' ominous entrance
Preceding Rhaenyra's devastating miscarriage, House of the Dragon's first season finale kicked off with a thrillingly foreboding bang as Rhaenys Targaryen arrives on Dragonstone, fresh off her spectacular escape from King's Landing in the wake of Aegon's coronation. The Queen Who Never Was wastes no time and pulls no punches, informing Rhaenyra and Daemon of the death of her father and the usurpation of the throne by the treacherous Hightowers.
Prior to Rhaenys' thunderous arrival, The Black Queen lulled viewers into a false sense of security with what appeared to be a heartwarming scene between Rhaenyra and her son Lucerys - unless one has read Fire and Blood. If this the case, the foreboding presence of the events that play out in the skies over Storm's End lie heavy over the episode, and the visual of the doomed prince to open proceedings was an ominous foreshadowing of the tragedy to come.
There was little respite even for those blissfully unaware of Lucerys' impending death. No sooner has Rhaenyra lovingly reassured her son of his suitability for his birthright before viewers are hurled back into the usual torrents of fire and blood as Rhaenys delivers her harrowing news which prompts Rhaenyra to miscarry, setting the tone for what was to be arguably the darkest episode of House of the Dragon to date.