By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review contains spoilers.
We are back with a brand new episode of House of the Dragon and for the first time we are not seeing the names Milly Alcock or Emily Carey in the opening credits, which is sad, however, there is also a sense of excitement as their names are replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke. So, let’s get ready to head ten years into the future, from last week’s episode, and meet our new Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent!
This opening made me look everywhere but the screen, I’m not going to lie. Childbirth and this sort of thing are not in my comfort zone – however, I think you have to give a lot of credit for how they let the scene breathe and unfold. Talk about an introduction for Emma D’Arcy! We are not hanging about though, as the Queen has summoned Rhaenyra to see the child, so we get our first look at Olivia Cooke early on too! Viserys is really starting to look his age, and the makeup they have used looks really good. We also get to see John Macmillan for the first time as the older Ser Laenor Velaryon. With so many people looking much older, be it via makeup or recasting – it’s funny that the likes of Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Ser Harwin ‘Breakbones’ Strong (Ryan Corr) have just been given slightly longer hair, to suggest the passage of time. This scene really brought the audience up to speed on the fractured relationship between Rhaenyra and Alicent, especially when it comes to the matter of Rhaenyra’s children – all of which have been sired by Ser Harwin.
In the Dragonpit, we are introduced to Rhaenyra’s and Alicent’s children – which includes, the now young adult, Prince Aegon Targaryen (Ty Tennant). Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Leo Hart) is learning to bond with his dragon, Vermax. Unlike their mothers, it is clear the children are not as prickly with each other, at least not yet! Prince Aegon’s desires are not yet aligned with his mother’s, as securing his accession to the Iron Throne seems a lot less enjoyable than partaking in ‘Palm Sunday’ – the second time I have not known where to look this episode! Its clear that Alicent has taken her father’s words to heart and is determined to see Aegon on the throne, even is she has to drag him there!
Over in Essos, Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) and Lady Laena – now played by Nanna Blondell – are partaking in some dragon-flirting as Prince Reggio Haratis (Dean Nolan) watches on. He is clearly impressed, as he offers Daemon a Manse in Pentos, vast acres of land, and the proposal of an annual tribute from his would-be commonfolk. A mighty fine offer indeed! So, what’s the catch? Well, Reggio wants the protection of the dragons in case the triarchy turns its eyes to Pentos. Daemon and Laena hold different views in regard to the offer, with Laena seemingly having a preference to return to Driftmark, while Daemon seeks a life away from the politics across the sea.
Speaking of the politicking of Westeros, the sons of Rhaenyra and Alicent undertake some sword fight training, under the tutelage of Ser Criston. While Viserys believes everyone to be playing happy families, Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) can see otherwise. With Ser Criston eager to train up Aegon and Aemond, he appears less dedicated to Jacaerys and Lucerys. Luckily, their secret father – Ser Harwin – has their backs! Rhaenyra and Alicent, Ser Criston and Ser Harwin… seems that everyone has their allegiances, and Lord Lyonel makes it known to his eldest son to watch his back, as the assault of Ser Criston over his ‘selective’ training methods won’t have gone unnoticed from curious eyes.
This move forces Lord Lyonel to offer up his resignation, but as he is unable to give the reason why – Harwin and Rhaenyra’s relationship – Viserys demands he stay on in the role but allows him to take Harwin back to the ancestral home, away from wagging tongues and, more importantly, Rhaenyra. Obviously, Alicent wanted Lyonel to tell the truth, a truth she already knows but one the king refuses to accept. This was a great opportunity to position Aegon even further toward the throne, but it slipped through her fingers. Time for her ally, Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), to step up to the plate once more! I have to admit, I love Larys as a character. He has that Littlefinger vibe that I loved so much from Game of Thrones. While his screen time has been sparse, he leaves his mark every time he appears. He recruits a band of prisoners, removes their tongues, and sends them to Harrenhal, where they set fire to the keep and cause the death of both his father and brother, Lord Lyonel and Ser Harwin Strong! While acting on the ‘silent command’ of the Queen, Larys has now positioned himself favourably and much higher up among the future ‘Greens’ hierarchy.
Back on Pentos, Lady Laena’s birth has failed, as the child is unable to breach and sets Laena up to die in childbirth – as she wants to die like a true dragonrider, she hurries to Vhagar, and demands that Vhagar take her life. Despite shouting “dracarys” multiple times, Vhagar finally, but reluctantly, accepts and Laena is consumed in the flames. Daemon arrives too late and now must plan for life without Laena. The music in this brief scene really elevated it to another level, and it was definitely an emotional scene despite not having spent too much time with Laena.
With so much exposition to get through, it is no wonder this episode was as long as it was! But I am grateful that it was given the time to lay the foundations for the future narrative direction of the show and its characters. It also allowed the audience to get familiar with all of the recasting that occurred in the episode. I’m a big fan of Olivia Cooke and think she has been great in everything I have seen her in. Emma D’Arcy was also just as impressive, and while this is my first experience of their acting, I have to admit I am very impressed with them. The legacies of Rhaenyra and Alicent, started by Alcock and Carey, are in good hands!
With so much story setup and characters to establish, I think the episode was very well-balanced overall. The pacing, for such a long episode, was really good and you really start to feel that we are building, very nicely, to the ‘Dance of Dragons’ which will be the focal point of the show going forwards.
What did you think of the latest episode of House of the Dragon? Let us know in the comments or find us on social media.
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