Warning: Contains SPOILERS for both House of the Dragon and Fire & BloodHouse of the Dragon episode 5 shows Viserys I at his worst, leading him to obsess over the legacy his reign as king will leave. Since House of the Dragon episode 1, viewers have witnessed Viserys I health slowly decline, with his illness remaining a mystery. Throughout episode 5, Viserys I's death becomes seemingly imminent as his health deteriorates even further, leading him to question whether he will be ed as a good king.
Viserys I was the fifth Targaryen king to sit on the Iron Throne, although technically he wasn't the rightful heir to it. Following the death of his grandfather, Jaehaerys I, Viserys I ascended to the Iron Throne as his cousin, Rhaenys Targaryen, was deemed unfit to sit on the Iron Throne due to her sex and her son Laenor being of the House Velaryon. Jaehaerys I was the longest reigning Targaryen monarch, sitting on the Iron throne for 55 years; his reign considered to be a prosperous one by most of Westeros. Due to his grandfather's popularity, Viserys I became determined to follow in his footsteps as a peaceful and beloved king. The people of Westeros were optimistic about Viserys I reign, with House Targaryen at its most powerful since the Doom of Valyria.
However, despite Viserys I good-willed nature, he doesn't go on to be ed as a good king by the rest of Westeros. This is due to the fact that during his reign, he wasn't an effective king, partially because he was eager to please people and keep the peace rather than showing any authoritative nature. It is through Viserys I indecisive nature that he ultimately caused the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war. As depicted in House of the Dragon, Viserys I appoints his daughter Rhaenyra as his rightful heir, rather than his brother Daemon or his future son Aegon II. Viserys I decision to make Rhaenyra his heir was met with much controversy since women were not deemed fit to sit on the Iron Throne, and his inability to ensure that there would be peace among the realm and House Targaryen after his reign was completely non-existent. Ultimately, his failure to prove Rhaenyra could rule and his silence on underlying issues resulted in complete devastation.
How Does Viserys Compare To Other Targaryen Kings?
While Viserys I managed to maintain commendable peace throughout his reign, his achievements seem futile compared to other great Targaryen kings. As mentioned previously, his grandfather Jaehaerys I was arguably the greatest ruler to sit on the Iron Throne, with his reign seeing the construction of the Kingsroad and the abolition of the first-night act. Additionally, Viserys I reign looks even more ridiculous in comparison to other kings such as Aegon I the Conqueror, who kicked off the entire dynasty after conquering Westeros and creating the Iron Throne. Furthermore, even Aegon V the Unlikely, described as innocent in nature, puts Viserys I reign to shame due to the numerous rights and reforms he granted to the smallfolk.
Despite many other great Targaryen kings overshadowing Viserys I's right to be ed as a good one, plenty still were far worse. For example, Aerys II the Mad King, father of Daenerys Targaryen, is ed for burning people and royal families alive. Maegor I the Cruel slaughtered religionists, was a cruel husband and almost destroyed everything that his father, Aegon I the Conqueror, had built. Even Viserys I son, Aegon II, was a far worse king for his part in the Dance of the Dragons and for being responsible for bringing about the extinction of all dragons. Therefore, while House of the Dragon shows why Viserys I isn't a good king, it's important to that there were Targaryens far more sadistic and unworthy of the Iron Throne.