House of the Dragon has proven itself more than capable of filling the void that Game of Thrones left behind. Much of the strengths of the latter can very easily be seen in the former, with House of the Dragon also doing quite a bit to separate itself from its beloved predecessor in exciting ways.

RELATED: House Of The Dragon: Things Fans Need To Know About Aemond Targaryen

It has a wonderful cast (both pre-and post-time skips), better effects than even Game of Thrones, rousing action sequences, and plenty of intricate character drama that fans have loved about the franchise since day one. Here are just some of the best moments from the first season of House of the Dragon.

8 Daemon Vs. Ser Criston Cole

Daemon and Criston Cole Jousting

One of the standout action sequences of the whole season is the jousting match and subsequent fight between Daemon Targaryan and Ser Criston Cole in the season premiere. Not only was the joust itself expertly shot, but the entire sequence has since been lauded for its accuracy (minus Daemon's rather ostentatious set of armor).

The hand-to-hand fight between the two warriors is a sight to behold as well, with both men gaining the upper hand over the other over the course of their bout. The fight ultimately ends with Daemon conceding the victory to Cole in what represents one of his only real defeats of the entire season.

7 A Song of Ice and Fire

House of the Dragon Viserys and Rhaenyra Read the Dagger

With an interesting twist on its source material, House of the Dragon manages to dovetail itself back to its predecessor, Game of Thrones. As a sign of trust in his daughter, King Viserys reveals to Rhaenyra the most closely guarded secret of the Targaryan dynasty; not only of the eventual return of the White Walkers and the Night King but of the Targaryan heir destined to defeat them.

RELATED: A Song Of Ice And Fire Storylines That Deserve Adaptations

Originally, it was never specified in the novels that Aegon The Conqueror had any sort of vision of the return of the White Walkers or of any future heir that would be prophesied to defeat them. This change ties the stakes of the prequel show directly to the conflict in which Jon Snow (also known as Aegon Targaryan) would find himself embroiled centuries later.

6 The Royal Hunt

King Viserys Hunt

The beauty of the royal hunt sequence in episode 3 is that it is a very strong allegory for Viserys' Kingship and the politics that surround it. Viserys has no interest in hunting the elusive White Hart, and yet he only persists with the affair out of expectation. His own heart isn't in it, and even when everything has been taken care of for him by simpering noblemen as he drinks alone in his tent, he still can't properly slay the common Stag provided to him in its place.

All this to say, Viserys merely saunters about his kingly duties despite his strong distaste for them. He is a good man but a weak king, left to the mercy of those that crowd around him. It speaks to the tragedy of Viserys as a character, but it fits with the themes of the show rather brilliantly.

5 Ruin of the Triarchy

House of the Dragon Craghas Drahar

While the war in the Step Stones is never a primary conflict of the show, it does culminate in one of the most exhilarating sequences of the entire season. Daemon had already proven himself a capable warrior, but in charging the whole of the Triarchy army alone (after a clever fake-out surrender) and leading his forces to victory over the Crabfeeder, he cemented himself as a legend.

RELATED: Games Perfect For House Of The Dragon Fans

The entire sequence is filmed rather brilliantly, with Daemon's hacking and slashing of his enemies intercut with the Crabfeeder's perspective as he scans the skies for any sign of Daemon's Dragon, Caraxes, while ordering his forces into battle. Once Caraxes does make his terrifying presence known, however, the fight is all but lost for the Triarchy and its sadistic leader.

4 Rhaenyra Vs. Alicent

House of the Dragon Emma D'Arcy Olivia Cooke Rhaenyra Alicent

Though the two women were once great friends, the politics of the realm would tare them apart as they grew older, leaving them hateful and distrustful of each other. After their sons get into a fight that results in Aemond losing his left eye, Alicent Hightower becomes enraged with the special treatment that Rhaenyra and her (technically illegitimate) children appear to be receiving despite her obvious transgressions.

In her rage, she even goes as far as to attack Rhaenyra with a dagger, though she later realizes that she'd gone too far. It's a powerful scene that, in some sense, affords the audience plenty of opportunity to empathize with either side, though it represents the first salvo in what would become the Dance of Dragons.

3 King Viserys' Entrance

House of the Dragon Episode 8 King Viserys

Possibly the emotional high point of House of the Dragon and arguably one of the strongest sequences in the franchise as a whole is when King Viserys makes his triumphant return to the throne room in Episode 8. At this point in the show, Viserys is a delirious shell of his former self, with what's left of his body painfully wasting away due to his leprosy. Even this, however, cannot stop him from entering the throne room and slowly making his way toward the Iron Throne to defend his daughter Rhaenyra.

RELATED: House Of The Dragon: Emmys The Show Deserves Next Year

The sequence is perfectly shot, perfectly scored, and even concludes with a heartwarming moment between Daemon and Viserys in which the former helps the physically weak king up the steps to take a seat on the throne (which was actually improvised by actor Matt Smith). It is impressive that a simple scene of a beloved character making just the right kind of entrance can carry more weight than any action scene or any shocking death.

2 The Last Supper

Dinner scene HOTD

If there is one thing House of the Dragon is able to accomplish it's making the viewer feel for King Viserys. Part of this Paddy Considine's excellent performance as this broken figure, desperate to try and mend the wounds inflicted upon his family over the years. Nowhere is this more pronounced than during the dinner scene in episode 8. Viserys pleads with his family to cease their needless fighting, if not for the political strength it would provide or because of any kingly decree, but for the fact that Viserys can't bear to watch those he loves tear each other to pieces for nothing.

What's truly heartbreaking about the scene, however, is that for a moment, it seems as though his wishes had been taken to heart. Viserys looks around to find his family laughing and dancing with each other, only for them to resume hostilities as soon as the king is taken away to his chambers due to his declining health.

1 Aemond Vs. Lucerys

Vhagar vs Arrax size difference

The conflict between Aemond Targaryan and Lucerys Velaryon had more or less been building up since the two were children. Each of them feels the other disrespected them and their family for one reason or another. The broader sequence, however, boasts some of the most awe-inspiring imagery in the franchise so far, with the enormity of Vhagar illuminated by the lighting storm raging outside storms end among the episode's highlights.

After a failed negotiation, the two take the skies and antagonize each other, though one important fact neither had considered comes back to bite both boys; dragons obey no one. Just as Viserys had warned many episodes previously, dragons have a mind of their own and are not bound to the whims of their riders. Despite the pleas of restraint from their riders, Vhagar and Arrax begin to attack each other for real, resulting in Vhegar killing both Lucerys and Arrax in one bite. With this mistake, the Dance of Dragons has officially begun, and there is no going back.

MORE: House Of The Dragon: Characters That May Be Introduced In Season 2