House of the Dragon episode 8 photo reveal first look at final time jump – but there’s a huge character missing-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro

An older Aemond now sports an eye-patch after losing his eye in episode 7 (Picture: HBO)

*Warning: Contains spoilers for House of the Dragon.*

House of the Dragon is approaching the final stages of its first season, and new images from episode 8 show that the conflict is only going to get more tense.

Episode 7, Driftmark, saw a young Aemond (Leo Ashton) claim Vhagar as his dragon but lose an eye to Lucerys’ (Harvey Sadler) blade shortly afterwards.

In response, Aemond’s mother Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) demanded a literal ‘eye for an eye’, but King Viserys (Paddy Considine) denied her request.

It represented a point of no return for several characters, especially when Alicent took a swipe at Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) with a Valyrian steel dagger.

And now new photos from episode eight, release date October 9, have teased that another time-jump. It’s the last one of the season.

Let’s take a look at the big talking points that lie ahead…

In the Green corner…

Alicent Hightower doesn’t seem to have taken the Green gown off since she first put it on (Picture: HBO)

Book readers who know about future events to come in House of the Dragon have been eagerly awaiting the moment when the Greens finally announced themselves.

We got a little preview in episode 5 when Alicent wore her green gown at Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Laenor’s (Theo Nate) wedding, and now her family of Hightowers and Targaryens has followed suit.

And now her family has followed suit… (Picture: HBO)

Viewers should brace themselves for a couple of new actors: Ewan Mitchell is stepping in as Aemond (who will soon be affectionately referred to as ‘Aemond One-Eye’), Phia Saban is taking over the role of Helaena, and Tom Glynn-Carney will assume the role of Aegon.

And representing Team Black…

You’ll notice the colour of Rhaenyra, Daemon, and Rhaenys’ garbs (Picture: HBO)

Since the Greens have now properly announced themselves as a family ‘team’, you’d expect Rhaenyra and Daemon (Matt Smith) to give their ‘team’ a nickname as well – after all, they basically declared war before their wedding in episode seven.

Well, don’t worry – we may not have an official team name for them in the show just yet, but their beautiful outfits in episode eight will inspire the name that’s going to be given to them very, very soon: the Blacks.

Say hello to your new, grown-up, Jace – played by Harry Collett (Picture: HBO)

Watch out for more cast changes as Bethany Antonia takes over as Baela, Phoebe Campbell steps in as Rhaena, while Elliot Grihault and Harry Collett assume the roles of Luke and Jace respectively.

Where is King Viserys?

Otto Hightower is standing in for Viserys, but where is the ailing king? (Picture: HBO)

With so many new images from Monday’s upcoming episode, there’s plenty to investigate and get excited about. But, reading between the lines, one crucial character is missing from each of the promo shots: King Viserys.

After cutting his hand on the Iron Throne in the series premiere, Viserys developed an infection that claimed two of his fingers and, eventually, his entire left arm.

In episode seven, it seemed to be the case that he was developing dementia, accidentally referring to Alicent by the name of his long-dead wife: Aemma (Sian Brooke).

And now it appears he’s either going to be completely absent from the next episode, or his condition has worsened so significantly during the latest time-jump that House of the Dragon’s producers are keeping his appearance as a secret. Who knows what ghastly things have happened to him now?

The episode eight trailer revealed that Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) will be ruling the realm for the time being.

Daemon claims a dragon egg

Daemon goes deep into the caves of Dragonstone with a dragon egg in hand (Picture: HBO)

After killing one wife in episode 5, then losing another wife to a ‘dragon rider’s death’ 10 years later in episode 6, Daemon has now taken on a third wife: his niece, Rhaenyra.

This might explain his actions in episode eight: he’s taken a dragon egg into the caves of Dragonstone.

Daemon’s children with Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell) had their chance to claim Vhagar stolen from them when Aemond claimed her for himself while at Driftmark. And his step-children through Rhaenyra, Luke and Jace, are both teased and insulted about their illegitimacy – in the eyes of others, they’re not ‘true Targaryens’.

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Hence why Daemon is seen with a dragon egg in hand in the photos released ahead of Monday night.

Could it be the dragon egg that was being prepared for Joffrey Velaryon in episode six, or is it a new dragon egg that he’s going to give to one of his children?

House of The Dragon is available to stream on NOW.

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