Which Dragon Was the Second to Die
In the trajectory of Daenerys Targaryen’s three dragons, the second to die was Viserion. This article explains how Viserion died, when it occurred, and the narrative and symbolic consequences. We distinguish show versus book material and rely on aired canonical events from Game of Thrones Season 7. The explanations below build a clear understanding of this pivotal moment, its combat context, and its lasting impact on the series’ power dynamics.
Viserion’s Death in the TV Series
Context Leading to the Battle Beyond the Wall
Viserion’s death occurs during the joint mission beyond the Wall in Game of Thrones Season 7, episode 5, “Eastwatch.” The mission involves Jon Snow, Daenerys, her advisors, and several wights, with the aim of capturing a wight to present to Cersei. Viserion, mounted by Daenerys, plays a critical role in fighting wights and navigating the frozen landscape. The threat escalates when a massive army of the dead, led by the Night King, arrives on ice dragons and skeletal mounts.
In the resulting aerial confrontation, Viserion is targeted by the Night King on his own undead dragon. A crystalline spear, thrown by the Night King, strikes Viserion in the neck. The injury proves instantly fatal; the dragon collapses and falls into the freezing water below. This sequence represents the loss of one of the last living dragons in the show continuity.
Aftermath and Transformation
Viserion’s death has immediate tactical and emotional repercussions for the mission and for Daenerys. Moments later, the Night King uses the fallen dragon to breach the Wall, opening a direct path to Westeros. In a later episode, Viserion is resurrected by the Night King and reanimated as an undead dragon, outfitted with icy blue fire. This transformation amplifies the White Walkers’ threat, culminating in the devastation of King’s Landing in Season 8 with a blue fire breath that leaves the city in ruins.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon | Viserion | Canonical (Season 7, episode 5) |
| Killer | The Night King | Canonical (Season 7, episode 5) |
| Weapon | Crystal spear thrown from an undead dragon | Canonical (Season 7, episode 5) |
| Location of Death | Beyond the Wall, near the frozen lake | Canonical (Season 7, episode 5) |
| Post-death Event | Resurrection as an undead dragon with blue fire | Canonical (Season 7–8) |
| Ultimate Impact | Used to breach the Wall and destroy King’s Landing | Canonical (Season 8) |
Contrast with the Books
In George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, Viserion is still alive at the point where the published books leave off. The novels do not describe his death, nor any direct confrontation with the Night King involving a dragon versus dragon battle. Therefore, the canonical book status is survival at the last confirmed reading. Readers should note that televised plotlines may diverge significantly from the source material before both narratives eventually converge.
Strategic Consequences of Losing the Second Dragon
The death of Viserion shifts the balance of dragon power in several concrete ways. With the loss of a mount and a weapon, Daenerys’s direct aerial options are reduced. The Night King gains a powerful ally and a weapon capable of breaching magical barriers like the Wall. The transformation of Viserion into an undead weapon demonstrates the White Walkers’ capacity to turn a symbolic Targaryen strength into a vulnerability. This moment narrows the margin of error in the war and escalates the stakes for every major engagement that follows.
Comparison of the Three Dragons’ Fates
A concise overview of how each dragon meets its end (show) or is last accounted for (books) helps clarify narrative outcomes.
- Drogon: Last seen alive in Season 8 after Daenerys dies; location ambiguous but alive post-finale in the show.
- Viserion: Killed by the Night King (show), resurrected as an undead weapon, instrumental in breaching the Wall and attacking King’s Landing.
- Rhaegal: Killed by Euron Greyjoy’s scorpion bolt during the finale in King’s Landing (show).
Key Takeaways
- The second dragon to die in the Game of Thrones TV series is Viserion.
- His death occurs beyond the Wall when the Night King throws a crystal spear.
- Viserion is subsequently resurrected and used to destroy the Wall and attack King’s Landing.
- In the books, Viserion remains alive as of the published text; this remains a show-versus-books distinction.
- The loss of Viserion reduces Daenerys’s aerial strength and amplifies the existential threat posed by the Night King.
Why This Distinction Matters
Identifying the second dragon to die and understanding how and why it happens clarifies a turning point in the series’ escalation toward the final season. Viserion’s transition from Targaryen asset to weapon of the dead illustrates a key theme: the enemy repurposing what once protected House Targaryen. Recognizing this shift helps frame later plot developments such as the fall of the Wall and the ultimate confrontation in King’s Landing.
Conclusion
In Game of Thrones, Viserion is the second dragon to die. His death results from a crystalline spear thrown by the Night King during a raid beyond the Wall. Though briefly lost, Viserion returns as an undead dragon whose blue-fire attack becomes central to the Night King’s campaign. For book readers, Viserion remains alive in the published novels, highlighting one of many divergence points between page and screen.