Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 5 and the book Fire & Blood.Does King Viserys die in Considine has said Viserys' disease is Leprosy; regardless, things aren't looking good for Westeros' ruler.
That's certainly true in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 5, in more ways than one. Viserys' condition continues to worsen, with the King looking increasingly sick and frail. But it's the case politically too: though he is able to marry his daughter, Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) to Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate), their wedding sticks to Game of Thrones traditions, which is to say it goes terribly and there are major twists and deaths.
Does Viserys Die In House Of The Dragon Season 1, Episode 5's Ending?
After Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey)'s shocking arrival in a green dress, and then Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) killing Ser Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod), the marriage of Rhaenyra and Laenor finally goes ahead, but the King collapses at the very end. So, is Viserys dead in House of the Dragon? Although it's not explicitly confirmed either way, it seems unlikely that he has actually died... for now, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it would be a major surprise if Viserys' death wasn't made crystal clear, since he's such an important character; his death will re-shape the story, so can't be left ambiguous. But also, based on Fire & Blood and House of the Dragon's own timeline, it's much too early for Viserys to die.
Why King Viserys Has To Die In House Of The Dragon
Ultimately, King Viserys has to die for House of the Dragon's story to move forward. The Game of Thrones prequel is still in the setup stage, building to the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Given that's fought between two claimants to the Iron Throne - Rhaenyra versus Viserys' oldest living son, Aegon - then Viserys' death has to occur sooner rather than later, assuming the Dance will be in full swing in House of the Dragon season 2 (which it's already been renewed for). So much of the story so far has been about succession and the controversial decision to name Rhaenyra heir, and that only pays off if Viserys eventually dies, so there's no question it will happen, but only a matter of when.
When King Viserys' Death Could Happen In House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon has changed the timeline already, with many events coming later in the show than they did in the books (for example, Viserys and Alicent's marriage is several years after it happened in Fire & Blood's timeline). Nonetheless, it is expected to line up to a degree, with George R.R. Martin saying House of the Dragon season 1 covers 28 years, which would place its ending in 129 AC (since it started at the Great Council of 101), the same year the Dance begins in the books and when Viserys' death takes place.
The show's timeline is roughly around 115 AC as of episode 5, meaning there's still over a decade before Viserys' dies. That itself is somewhat questionable, given just how ill he appears to be (in episode 5 alone he bleeds and collapses), but it makes sense for the broader story that he would live on until Rhaenyra and especially Aegon are older, and the Dance of the Dragons can truly begin. There will be a 10-year time jump in House of the Dragon - presumably with episode 6, and the recasting of Alicent and Rhaenyra (as Olivia Cooke and Emma D'Arcy take on those roles, respectively) - and that should lead neatly into Viserys' death, likely around episode 8 or 9.
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