That awkward burial and unpleasant wake that made up the opening scene was an uncommon occurrence in Westeros: a social gathering when no one is murdered. Instead, the drama was brought on by the tension inside the family and the heated looks exchanged by former lovers, family members, and acquaintances.
Listed below is a partial list of unaired family laundry:
Rhaenys is enraged with Rhaenyra over the legitimacy of the heir to the throne's children; Rhaenyra is still under the influence of Daemon following their liaison in a Flea Bottom brothel; and Alicent is enraged with Rhaenyra for lying about the relationship in question and the legitimacy of her children. Viserys, played by Paddy Considine in a suitably disheveled manner, watches over this devastation, possibly expecting a dragon will also burn him to a crisp.
Aemond, frustrated by his inability to control a dragon, tames Vhagar by taking him for a nighttime joyride. Laena's daughters confront the young prince because they are naturally unhappy. Lucerys and Jacaerys, the sons of Rhaenyra, participate. Lucerys chops out Aemond's eyes when he labels them bastards. Okay! It inevitably causes a rift among the grownups, with Alicent demanding that Lucerys also have her eye removed.
Laenor, Rhaenyra's husband. With him still living, they cannot get married. Daemon quickly arranges the assassination of his dead wife's brother, so it is no issue. Rhaenys would soon be sobbing over the burned body of her last child. The performers that House of the Dragon wisely chose to hire allow it to breeze over these narratives. Smith balances against D'Arcy's wounded and unyielding Rhaenyra while being smarmy, compassionate, and a touch lost at the same time. It is all the more impressive that their relationship has improved rather than been negatively impacted by the casting change.
