Courtesy of HBO
After last week's episode of House of the Dragon, fans didn't know what to expect in this week's episode. Change is coming as Viscerys fired Otto as his Hand of the King. Viscerys has now decided Rhaenyra will marry Laenor Velaryon, the son of Lord Corlys. Daemon was seemingly banished from King's Landing for what him and Rhaenyra did. This episode sees the welcome dinner for Rhaenyra and Laenor's marriage, Alicent potentially going to war against Rhaenyra, and a weak king that refuses to die. Let's break down episode 5.
The episode starts with Daemon's wife Lady Rhea on a horse. She's riding through the country with beautiful scenery. Daemon confronts Lady Rhea. He forces the horse to buck Rhea off and it lands on Rhea. Rhea says Daemon doesn't have the balls to finish the job. The episode doesn't show it but we can all figure out that Daemon did finish the job.
We then see King Viscerys on a boat. He can't handle the travel as he is throwing up like he went on a crazy amusement park ride. Viscerys is riding to House Velaryon to ask Lord Corlys for the marriage of Rhaenyra and Lord Corlys. Viscerys is noticeably weak during this meeting. He is coughing a lot and weak at the knees. Viscerys and Corlys agree on the arrangement of Rhaenyra and Laenor. Viscerys agrees to let their first born child be Rhaenyra's heir to the throne but they will carry the Targaryen name. Corlys agrees to this stipulation.
Rhaenyra and Laenor walk together. They agree that arrangement is only for the realm and that they will be allowed to fool around. We find out Laenor is gay and has a lover named Joffrey. That name gives every Game of Thrones fan PTSD. Of course Rhaenyra has her eyes set on Sir Criston Cole. Criston talks to Rhaenyra on the trip back to King's Landing. He tells her they can run away together. Rhaenyra says they can't because she has a duty to the throne and to the realm. Criston then walks away from her disgusted because he doesn't want to be her side piece.
Otto and Alicent have a meeting. Otto reminds Alicent that Rhaenyra is dangerous. Otto says once Rhaenyra is queen, she will come after Alicent and her kids. You can see the fear in Alicent's eyes as Otto is saying this. The wheels start to turn in Alicent's head that she needs to do something about Rhaenyra and she is not as innocent as she looks.
It is time for the rehearsal dinner for Rhaenyra and Laenor's wedding. The dinner starts with Laenor and Rhaenyra making a grand entrance with their houses. They do a nice choreographed dance that gets the crowd moving. After that King Viscerys starts to give a speech when he is interrupted by Alicent wearing a green dress. This is important because the color green symbolizes a call for war in the Hightower house. Viscerys finishes his speech and everyone hits the dance floor. Joffrey talks to Sir Criston and says it's in his best interest to keep their affairs of their lovers secret. Daemon is talking to Corlys daughter Laena and flirting with her. He moves on to Rhaenyra and says she can be doing better than Laenor. Rhaenyra suggests her and Daemon get married and run away to Dragonstone. This sends Daemon running away. Suddenly there's commotion on the dance floor when Criston attacks Laenor and Joffrey. He beats up Laenor pretty good and kills Joffrey.
The final scene is Criston standing next to the Weirwood Tree with the intention of killing himself when Alicent calls his name. I predict Alicent will use her leverage over Criston to get him to spy on Rhaenyra. Next week's episode will have a 10 year time jump. The actresses for Rhaenyra and Alicent will change. Milly Alcock and Emily Carey did a great job in their roles and will be missed. We will see how Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke will do as Rhaenyra and Alicent. Next week's episode should be exciting with the story that keeps progressing.
What did you think of House of the Dragon episode 5? Leave it in the comments below.
Grade A
Comments