All the deleted scenes from House of the Dragon season 1

Daemon’s final toast to Viserys

One of the most powerful scenes of House of the Dragon season 1 is without a doubt the one where King Viserys I Targaryen struggles onto the Iron Throne to support his daughter Rhaenyra during “The Lord of the Tides.” This scene grew as it was being shot. That part where the crown falls off Viserys’ head and then Daemon picks it up and puts it on his head? That came out of an improvised moment between Matt Smith and Paddy Considine…and it ended up changing a later scene.

During the family dinner that takes place afterward, various members of House Targaryen stand up and give toasts to one another. That includes a toast where Daemon offers some heartfelt words for his brother, but it was cut.

Director Geeta Patel revealed that it was decided that Daemon’s speech undercut the power of the Daemon-Viserys moment in the Iron Throne room, which said everything about their relationship that needed to be said. As such, Daemon’s toast was cut and the dinner scene focused on other characters.

Of everything cut from the show, this makes the most sense. Episode 8 is pretty much perfect as it is.

Ser Harrold Westerling acts on our behalf, insults Criston Cole

Episode 9, “The Green Council,” is all about the fallout from the death of King Viserys I Targaryen. Some of the king’s less scrupulous councilors recommend installing his son Aegon on the Iron Throne, even though Viserys was always clear that he wanted Rhaenyra to succeed him. Master of Coin Lyman Beesbury is the only person who raises any serious objection to this plan. For that, he is killed by Criston Cole, who by this point in the story hates Rhaenyra and does not want to see her become queen.

Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Harrold Westerling is present for this act. Disgusted with the whole affair, he storms out of the room. And that’s the last we see of him. However, there’s a deleted scene later where he runs into Criston Cole in the hallway. “The rats in Red Keep have more honor than you,” he tells him.

You tell that turd knight. – Dan Selcke