House of the Dragon has finally returned for a second season on HBO. The prequel series to Game of Thrones centers on a civil war of succession between the Targaryen dynasty known as the "Dance of the Dragons," with factions led by presumed heir to the throne Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon II following the death of their father, Viserys.

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The end of the show's first season depicts the events that ignite the war that will rage on for the rest of the series. Along the way, enemies became friends, and certain friends became enemies. These eight pairs of characters have, throughout House of the Dragon's first season, been the most fascinating to watch on screen together because of their complex character relationships.

8 Alicent And Rhaenyra

Childhood Friends Turned Bitter Enemies

One of the relationships at the heart of House of the Dragon is between Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen. In the early episodes of the show, Alicent and Rhaenyra are childhood friends, and their relationship may even have a few romantic connotations. However, their connection is quickly severed when Alicent is arranged to marry Rhaenyra's father, Viserys, after her mother's death.

Becoming Rhaenyra's step-mother is all it takes for the two to become estranged friends on different paths in life. However, once they become adults, the distance between them gives way to a vicious rivalry as Alicent plots for her own son, Aegon, to succeed the Iron Throne over Rhaenyra, the rightful heir. This eventually launches a brutal war between the family that's more personal than political.

7 Viserys And Daemon

Blood Is Thick Between These Brothers

Game of Thrones features many loving relationships between brothers, from Jaime and Tyrion Lannister to Jon Snow and Robb Stark. However, from the first episode of House of the Dragon, tensions are fraught between King Viserys and his brother Daemon Targaryen. While Viserys is a kind but troubled man, Daemon is callous and dangerous, causing a huge rift between them after Viserys' wife dies.

The two brothers are never exactly on the same side throughout the show's first season. However, one moment in Episode 8 showcases the brotherly love that still remains when Daemon helps a sick and frail Viserys climb the steps to the Iron Throne. It's a surprising moment of compassion from Daemon, though it's a long time coming after years of bad blood between them.

6 Criston And Rhaenyra

A Princess' Love Affair Sparks A Bitter Rivalry

Sparks are flying between Princess Rhaenyra and Criston Cole from the moment he wins her favor in a tournament during the first episode of House of the Dragon. Rhaenyra later hand-picks Criston to be her personal Kingsguard knight, furthering their flirtation and emotional bond. They don't end up partaking in their desires until after Rhaenyra is nearly seduced by her uncle Daemon.

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However, Criston takes their tryst a bit too seriously and is offended when Rhaenyra rejects his offer to run away. Criston nearly takes his own life over this heartbreak until he's stopped by Alicent, who takes up Rhaenyra's former lover as her own by the start of Season Two. It's quite a messy love triangle, though Criston's chemistry with Rhaenyra was the most fun to watch.

5 Aegon And Alicent

A Mother-Son Relationship That's Far From Perfect

Alicent is made a mother very early in her life, and despite her many flaws as a character, she places a lot of value on her sons, particularly the prospective heir to the Iron Throne, Aegon II. However, Aegon is a partier who has a way with women, forcing Alicent to cover up his crimes in an attempt to keep him seeming like an ideal candidate for ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.

Even though Aegon seems opposed to assuming the throne, Alicent is able to manipulate him into claiming his birthright by the end of the first season. For those who know the rest of the history of the Dance of the Dragons, Alicent will remain in a position of power over her son for many episodes to come.

4 Viserys And Rhaenyra

A Father-Daughter Dynamic Filled With Love

While Alicent has trouble wrangling her prospective heir, Viserys spends a lot of time preparing Rhaenyra for the possibility of her ascent. In the first episode, he names her his heir after exiling Daemon, revealing a dream he had that inspired him to unite Westeros. Even after Viserys dies, these are lessons that still hold strong in Rhaenyra's mind.

However, things aren't so simple between the father and daughter after Viserys weds Rhaenyra's best friend, Alicent Hightower. Distance begins to grow between the two, though every interaction they have shows that there's clearly still a lot of love and respect between them. It's only a shame that Viserys' dying words were interpreted by Alicent to be a denouncement of Rhaenyra's claim.

3 Otto And Alicent

A Family That Does A Great Deal For Their House

If Alicent herself is manipulative of others, including her own children, what can be said about her own father, Otto Hightower? Since the very first episode, Otto has been slowly vying for his own lineage to assume the Iron Throne, suggesting that Alicent marries Viserys. After Alicent bears the king several sons, Otto and Alicent conspire to have them take Rhaenyra's place as heirs.

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Particularly when Otto Hightower is made Hand of the King to Viserys (and later Aegon II), it gives Alicent a sense of comfort knowing such a high position of power is filled by someone she trusts implicitly. However, Otto convincing his daughter to wed King Viserys is proof that, despite his words, all he truly cares about is using his daughter for his own personal gain.

2 Aegon And Aemond

Two Brothers With Different Personalities And Goals

Aegon II and Aemond couldn't be much more different as brothers. While Aegon had to be found drunk at a brothel on the morning of his coronation, Aemond foregoes the pleasures of sex and drinking, more driven by power and bloodshed. Simply put, they have much different priorities in life, although the one who partakes in hedonistic pleasures is the one who ends up king.

Surprisingly, Aemond is very supportive of Aegon's rule, and Aegon is in turn supportive of Aemond's kinslaying after mistakenly killing Prince Lucerys on his dragon, Vhagar. These brothers may be far from the best Westeros has to offer, but at the very least, they seem to truly love each other and want each other to succeed.

1 Alicent And Viserys

An Arranged Marriage That Evolved Over Time

As far as arranged marriages go in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, rarely does true love ever prevail. Surprisingly, despite the obvious personal anguish it causes, Alicent's marriage to Viserys is incredibly loving. At least, as loving as it can be between an aging, dying old man and a young woman who desperately wants her sons to inherit the Iron Throne.

However, their relationship has a rocky start, as Alicent's sole purpose is only to produce a male heir for Viserys. It's only when Viserys is dying and Alicent assumes control over his kingly duties that she seems to enjoy being his wife. Still, there are plenty of sweet scenes between them, and Alicent clearly learns a lot from him before he dies.

House of the Dragon

Action

Adventure

Drama

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Creator

Ryan Condal

Story By

George R. R. Martin