There's no denying that the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon has been a roller coaster ride, and there are absolutely more jaw-droppers down the line. The latest HBO series takes the audience back to Westeros and witness the fall of the once-great Targaryen dynasty, with King Viserys (Paddy Considine) seated on the Iron Throne, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
King Viserys' reign was extremely eventful since the premiere episode of House of the Dragon. He had to choose between his beloved wife and his unborn heir, only to lose both of them in the end. Following the tragic loss, Viserys named her daughter Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) as the heir to the throne and banished Daemon (Matt Smith), while dealing with the political conflicts inside the realm.
But along with the King's political priorities, he is also suffering from a mysterious disease that's apparently worsening throughout the series.
Speaking with EW for the Game of Thrones podcast West of Westeros, King Viserys actor Paddy Considine sheds some new light on the King's mysterious disease, including the metaphor behind the illness.
"He's actually suffering from a form of leprosy. His body is deteriorating, his bones are deteriorating. He is 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, and what it does to you physically, what it does to you mentally."
Leprosy, also known today as Hansen's disease, is now a curable illness. But for Viserys' case, it remains to be seen whether there is a medication for his condition, especially since the prequel is set in ancient times.
With everything that's going on with Viserys, it's no wonder why all the stresses took a toll on his physical health. The only question is, will he survive?
It's worth noting that House of the Dragon foreshadows Rhaenyra and Alicent as the main players for the Iron Throne, and it looks like the main conflict of the series will start when King Viserys is banished, or dead. Although Viserys is the perfect combination of a shrewd and reasonable King, it seems his fate as the king wouldn't last for very long.
House of the Dragon is available to stream on HBO Max.
Also read: New Report Settles Rivalry Between House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power
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