Close Menu
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Warframe

    Biggest ‘Warframe’ Announcements From PAX East 2025

    05/13/2025
    The First Descendant Season 3: Breakthrough keyart

    ‘The First Descendant’ Season 3 Looks Like A Gamechanger

    05/11/2025
    Mafia: The Old Country promotional still

    Everything We Know About ‘Mafia: The Old Country’

    05/08/2025
    Sunderfolk Phone Players

    10 ‘Sunderfolk’ Tips To Help You And Your Party Thrive

    05/02/2025
    Bob in Thunderbolts But Why Tho

    ‘Thunderbolts*’ Visualizes Depression As Only A Superhero Movie Can

    05/02/2025
  • Star Wars
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Blood of Zeus
  • PAX East
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 8 — “The Lords of the Tides”

REVIEW: ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 8 — “The Lords of the Tides”

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez10/09/20224 Mins Read
House of the Dragon Episode 8 - But Why Tho (1)
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

House of the Dragon Episode 8 - But Why Tho (1)

It’s a new episode for House of the Dragon and well, we’ve got another time jump. The last episode, the Targaryen families were all present in Driftmark to mourn the death of Laena () and it ended with another death, this time of Rhaenyra’s husband Leanor, at least they believe it did. With Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) now wed to her uncle Daemon (Matt Smith) and House Velaryon left with no male heirs, there is turmoil in Westeros that is only getting deeper as Alicent is once again put in place behind Rhaenyra. Now in House of the Dragon Episode 8, we’re six years in the future and the political intrigue thickens and the families come together.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

In House of the Dragon Episode 8, “The Lords of the Tides,” Vaemond Velaryon is petitioning to become the heir of Driftmark when Corlys is seriously injured in the Stepstones. Hoping to take advantage of a seriously ill King Viserys (Paddy Considine), he appeals to the Hightowers, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Otto (Rhys Ifans), who are in control while King Viserys as a puppet who lies dying in his bed. To meet the contest to her sons’ legitimacy, Rhaenyra who is pregnant again, and her family including Daemon leave Dragonstone to ensure the decision is made in their favor.

You have to feel for Vaemond, he’s fighting for himself and his house with a truth that everyone knows. Wil Johnson‘s performance as Vaemond is powerful and truthful. Sure, his head leaves his body but like the other Velaryons, he leaves with his honor. It’s hard to root for Rhaenyra’s kids at this moment because we know they are bringing an end to the actual Velaryon line, which is only enhanced when you take into account the racial dynamics of it all. Which is a clear intent from the showrunners in the casting of the house and ultimately makes the talk of Driftmark carry more weight.

Beyond this though, Alicent also showcases what she will do for her sons. While she isn’t the same evil that Cersei was, instead, she’s more insidious. Her hands won’t be bloodied, but she will protect her own by quietly sacrificing the women her son harms in order to preserve order and her power. While we see a small conflict in how Cooke delivered the performance, her choice, despite knowing the morality of it all is still what it is. She doesn’t believe what she is doing is right, but she chooses to do it.

This episode has a lot going on, but surprisingly, it also shows care between family and at moments doesn’t showcase the powerplay running beneath it. Despite the distance created by Daemon, as his ailing brother struggles, he helps him and places the crown on his head. There is love there, and care that extends between the two brothers. Beyond that, House of the Dragon Episode 8 is also dedicated to showcasing a desperate plea from Viserys to be seen behind his crown. He has always wanted his family together and that’s the loneliness of a series in the Game of Thrones world. Family is only as strong as it can be if it stands up against ambition.

That said, the back half of the episode despite the care it shows between family, also shows the rage boiling beneath the surface by the next generation. The scares are still on display and succession is still a reality. That can’t be hidden, especially as Aemond carries a steep resentment towards his nephew that took his eye. Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) has emerged in this episode as a spitting image of his uncle Daemond, in the worst ways. As some wounds heal in House of the Dragon Episode 8, others fester, setting us on a course for the end of the season. This is necessary given how little has actually happened despite the massive number of years we have covered in the series’ short run this far.

When it comes down to it, House of the Dragon Episode 8 brings peace but it also sets up great conflict in its last moments. While Episode 7 was a low mark for the series, House of the Dragon Episode 8 is a powder keg being filled delicately. With stunning performances, the only thing that continues to hold this story back is the constant changing of actors. But with only two episodes left, each word that has been spoken, each deed, and each scheme is about to come to fruition.

House of the Dragon Episode 8 is streaming now exclusively on HBO Max, with new episodes airing every Sunday at 8 pm CT on HBO and HBO Max.

House of the Dragon Episode 8 — "The Lord of the Tides"
  • 8.5/10
    Rating - 8.5/10
8.5/10

TL;DR

When it comes down to it, House of the Dragon Episode 8 brings peace but it also sets up great conflict in its last moments. While Episode 7 was a low mark for the series, House of the Dragon Episode 8 is a powder keg being filled delicately. With stunning performances, the only thing that continues to hold this story back is the constant changing of actors. But with only two episodes left, each word that has been spoken, each deed, and each scheme is about to come to fruition.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury,’ Episode 2 – “Cursed Mobile Suit”
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War,’ Episode 1 – “The Blood Warfare”
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

Snakes and Ladders (2025) promotional image from Netflix
2.0

REVIEW: ‘Snakes and Ladders’ Is An Unpleasant Experience

05/18/2025
Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6’ — “The Interstellar Song Contest”

05/17/2025
Aisha Hinds in 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 18
5.5

RECAP: ‘9-1-1’ Season 8 Episode 18 — “Seismic Shifts”

05/17/2025
Cho Bo-ah and Lee Jae-wook in Dear Hongrang
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Dear Hongrang’ Weaves A Tangled Web

05/16/2025
Love Death and Robots Volume 4
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Love, Death, + Robots’ Volume 4 Shows The Power Of Versatile Storytelling

05/15/2025
Marie Bach Hansen in Secrets We Keep
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Secrets We Keep’ Will Give You Whiplash

05/15/2025
TRENDING POSTS
Cho Bo-ah and Lee Jae-wook in Dear Hongrang
8.0
TV

REVIEW: ‘Dear Hongrang’ Weaves A Tangled Web

By Sarah Musnicky05/16/2025Updated:05/16/2025

With its foundation set in mystery and intrigue, it’s no surprise that Dear Hongrang (Tangeum) is a complicated viewing experience.

Star Wars Series Ranked But Why Tho BWT Recommends

Ranking Every Star Wars Series On Disney+

By Adrian Ruiz05/17/2025Updated:05/17/2025

Ranking the Star Wars series on Disney+ that prove the galaxy was never just about the Skywalkers and hasn’t been for a long time.

Snakes and Ladders (2025) promotional image from Netflix
2.0
TV

REVIEW: ‘Snakes and Ladders’ Is An Unpleasant Experience

By Charles Hartford05/18/2025

Snakes and Ladders follows Dora López as she does whatever it takes to become the Headmistress of the private academy she works at.

Bet (2025)
6.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘Bet’ Is a Bold and Risky Live-Action Adaption

By LaNeysha Campbell05/15/2025Updated:05/17/2025

‘Bet’ (2025) brings the high-stakes world of ‘Kakegurui’ to life (again), an American live-action adaptation of Homura Kawamoto’s manga series.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here