House of the Dragon‘s first season is certainly making up for the disappointment of Game of Thrones‘ final outing. It’s packed full of interesting characters and intriguing plot lines. And one plot line in particular has left fans scratching their heads. Many are wondering what is wrong with King Viserys in House of the Dragon?
We were first introduced to King Viserys I Targaryen in the first episode. It begins with his accession to the throne before skipping forward nine years into his reign. As the show explains, this is 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.
Viserys is shown as being desperate for a male heir. He already has a daughter, Rhaenyra, but he hopes for a son to succeed him to the Iron Throne.
In the first episode, Viserys I’s wife, Queen Aemma, dies during child birth. Their new son passed shortly after, too. This led to Verserys declaring Rhaenyra as his heir.
The reason for his desperation for an heir is clear. Viserys is a sick man. In episode one, Viserys is shown to have a wound on his back which is being treated by Grand Maester Mellos.
By episode five “We Light the Way”, a number of years have passed and Viserys’ condition has deteriorated significantly.
His sores have gotten worse, he has developed a sickly cough, and some of his fingers have been amputated. An infection even appears to be spreading through one arm and he is suffering from nose bleeds.
At the end of the episode – following the chaos at the grand feast – Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon are wed. Viserys collapses when the ceremony is completed.
This has left many fans wondering what is wrong with King Viserys in House of the Dragon?
What is wrong with King Viserys in House of the Dragon?
While Viserys’ sickness has been featured repeatedly, the exact cause of it hasn’t been explained. However, there have been some hints along the way. Actor Paddy Considine – who portrays Viserys – has also shed light on the King’s condition.
What is wrong with King Viserys in House of the Dragon? Viserys has a form of leprosy according to actor Paddy Considine. The wound on his back shown in episode one was caused by a cut he got from sitting on the Iron Throne.
Paddy Considine appeared on EW’s West of Westeros podcast and explained the King’s condition: “He’s suffering from a form of leprosy. He’s suffering. His body is deteriorating. His bones are deteriorating.“
He continued:
“He’s not actually old. He’s still a young man in there. He’s just, unfortunately, got this thing that’s taken over his body. It becomes a metaphor for being king and the stress and strain that it puts on you, you know? And what it does to you physically. What it does to you mentally.”
Paddy Considine – West of Westeros podcast
Viserys’ collapse at the end of episode five suggests his demise may come sooner than many would’ve expected.
Exactly what will happen when Viserys dies in the series remains to be seen. However, we do know that House of the Dragon is ultimately building to the ‘Dance of Dragons’ – the brutal war of succession for Viserys’ throne which began the downfall of House Targaryen.
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