In the dramatic season 1 finale of "House of the Dragon," chaos engulfs Dragonstone Castle. The episode, "The Black Queen," starts with Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy), who is expecting a child, comforting her son Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) about his future as the heir to Driftmark. Their moment is disrupted by Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) bearing grim news: King Viserys has died, and Prince Aegon II has seized the throne, leading to Rhaenyra's distress and a premature stillbirth.

Daemon (Matt Smith) responds with cold determination, marshaling forces to claim the throne, partly to avenge what he perceives as his brother's murder.

Despite her grief, Rhaenyra, declared queen by those loyal to her, opts for a peaceful approach to reclaiming her title, even as Daemon seeks the allegiance of dragons for the conflict ahead.

The situation escalates when Otto Hightower offers a peace deal, provoking Daemon's ire, which Rhaenyra tempers. However, Daemon's aggressive stance towards Rhaenyra, pushing for war over peace, underscores the tension. Allies are sought among the great houses, but a confrontation between Lucerys and Prince Aemond leads to Lucerys' tragic death in a dragon clash, shattering any hopes of peace. Rhaenyra, faced with her son's demise, hardens, signaling a bloody quest for vengeance as the narrative sets the stage for a war fueled by deep-seated grievances and power struggles.