Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
King Viserys names Rhaenyra his heir after Queen Aemma and their newborn son die, passing over his brother Daemon. The promise grows harder to keep when he marries Rhaenyra's friend Alicent Hightower and fathers sons. Alicent's father Otto wants Aegon to succeed him, while Rhaenyra expects the lords to honor their oaths. Her broken relationship with Criston Cole also gives Alicent a committed supporter inside the Kingsguard.
Rhaenyra marries Laenor Velaryon, but her sons' resemblance to Harwin Strong invites attacks on their legitimacy. Larys arranges the deaths of Harwin and his father, Lyonel. After Laena Velaryon dies, Aemond claims Vhagar and loses an eye in a fight with the other children. Laenor escapes through a staged death, allowing Rhaenyra and Daemon to marry. The rival branches of the family carry these grievances into Viserys's final years.
Alicent mistakes the dying Viserys's words about Aegon the Conqueror for a wish to replace Rhaenyra with their son. Otto's faction crowns Aegon while Rhaenyra's allies gather at Dragonstone and crown her in turn. Rhaenyra sends her sons to seek support rather than immediately attack. Lucerys reaches Storm's End to find Aemond already bargaining with Borros Baratheon. Their confrontation continues in the sky, where Arrax attacks Vhagar and the larger dragon kills both Luke and his mount despite Aemond's attempt to stop it.