The article contains spoilers from House of the Dragon. The article also contains discussions about grieving.one of the best ratings since Game of Thrones, and fans can reflect not just on the series' quality, but on the characters that they have gotten to know so well and have lost so quickly. Despite not spending too much time with every character, season 1 had many important deaths that struck an emotional cord with audiences and other characters alike.
Even some deaths which fans knew were coming were executed in such a way that left audiences heartbroken - a testament to the acting and writing of the show so far. All the while, those blind to the books found themselves shocked and saddened by multiple main character deaths.
Laenor Velaryon
Laenor Velaryon did not actually die in House of the Dragon - a change from the Fire & Blood book - but his death was still important and affected characters who did not know he survived.
Though fans were relieved that Laenor was still alive and got his freedom, it remains a sore subject for his parents, Rhaenys and Corlys, who had only just lost their daughter. Losing both children in a matter of days is heartbreaking, and this stung people's heart to see their despair, especially to see Laenor's supposed charred body.
Lady Rhea Royce
Daemon Targaryen's status as this awful yet fascinating individual was established straight away in House of the Dragon, but perhaps the best showcase of his evil side is when he murders his wife, Lady Rhea Royce.
Fans may not have gotten to know her at all, but she deserved better than the death she got. Had fans spent more time with her, Royce's death may well have been a real tear-jerker rather than just kind of sad.
Lord Beesbury & Lord Caswell
The season's penultimate episode focused entirely on the Greens and Aegon II's ascent to the Iron Throne. This plotting was not met with universal agreement, resulting in the deaths of two people who thought Rhaenyra should have been Queen — Lord Lyman Beesbury and Lord Allun Caswell.
These deaths are not necessarily sad because the two characters emotionally resonated with viewers. Rather, they are sad because they were two men trying to do good and the right thing by the realm and the wishes of King Viserys but were met an ugly, undeserved demise because of that.
Lyonel Strong
Of all his advisors and whispering in his ear, Ser Lyonel Strong had genuine interests of both King Viserys and the realm in mind when he spoke to the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms.
His death was undoubtedly tragic because, unlike most, he was seemingly a good man. There is no denying his fire-related demise at Harrenhal was overshadowed by the other deaths in the episode. Nonetheless, fans were sad to see Strong go, especially ers of Rhaenyra's cause who did not want Otto Hightower back in power.
Laena Velaryon
House Velaryon cannot seem to catch a break in House of the Dragon, such as deaths, wars, and family (illegitimate or not) mocked by the masses. One of the worst things to happen to them is the death of Laena.
The striking image of her crying and pleading to Vhagar to burn and end her misery was heart-wrenching, as she wanted to die as a dragon rider. Not only did it profoundly effect her parents and her children, but her death also impacted the Rogue Prince himself. Fans did not spend a ton of time with Laena, but they appreciated her loving nature, and it is a shame for all that her time on-screen is over.
Aemma & Baelon Targaryen
House of the Dragon's first major death/deaths came in "The Heirs of the Dragon" when Aemma, the wife of King Viserys and Queen, dies giving birth to Baelon Targaryen, who died not days afterwards.
She immediately came off as a kind, sweet, and wise soul who was a great mother and wife to her family. Because of her graceful nature, fans connected with her instantly. Her painful death from the fatal procedure was harrowing, seeing how she pleaded for her life and suffered through it all. Furthermore, her funeral scene with her son on the pyre brought even more tears and heartbreak to not just the characters, but also to the viewers, who knew she did not deserve this.
Ser Harwin Strong
Fans quickly fell in love with Harwin 'Breakbones' Strong, not just for his brooding good looks and impressive strength, but for his character and his adoration of Rhaenyra. Hence, many people were distraught when he died since some believed he deserved more screentime in House of the Dragon.
The fact he desperately and valiantly attempted to rescue his father as Harrenhal burned to the ground around him made his death even more painful to watch. Perhaps the saddest part of it all was he never got to watch his sons grow up, nor protect them and Rhaenyra like he would have done until his last breath.
King Viserys Targaryen
It is a testament to Paddy Considine's wonderful performance — a shoo-in for nominations come award season — that fans knew all season long Viserys would die, yet were still saddened when it finally happened. He tried at every turn to be good and honorable, so he can be ed as someone who continued the legacy of peace and furthered the Targaryen dynasty.
He made mistakes that led to the Dance of the Dragons and died a tragic figure, who simply wanted his family united and the realm at peace. He will be lost to history as someone who was about as good as a King could get morally but be considered an incompetent ruler in House of the Dragon. As the King succumbs to his declining health, the saddest thing about his death is how he lamented and loved Aemma with his last breath, "my love."
Lucerys Velaryon (& Arrax)
Non-book readers were rightfully horrified when Vhagar and Aemond kill little Lucerys Velaryon and his dragon Arrax, the final and arguably the saddest death of the season. The worst part is seeing Rhaenyra's face in the final moments, filled with grief, anguish, and vengefulness from learning about her son's murder.
Luke was a sweet, innocent, and loyal boy who adored his family and wanted to do the best he could for them, even if he felt he was not good enough. To suffer a brutal, unfair fashion hit many fans, especially given how House of the Dragon showed Rhaenyra's affection for her second son. Luke clearly didn't deserve it as he was terrified in his final moment, and it all happened because neither rider could control their dragons in the ensuing fight.
