We recall and discuss what we saw in the tenth episode of 'House of the Dragon': Rhaenyra and Daemon's response to Alicent's actions, an unexpected comeback of one of the heroes, and a season finale cut off mid-sentence.
The season of agonizing childbirths is over! No, seriously, did you notice this fetish of the creators? Well, okay, that's not the point now. The Seven Kingdoms are on the brink of war. Alicent has made her move, crowning Aegon. It's Rhaenyra's turn. We analyze the actions of the 'queen' and say goodbye to the debut season of the show 'House of the Dragon'.
Previous recaps:
Warning: spoilers for Episode 10 of 'House of the Dragon' follow
Queen Rhaenyra
The final episode of the first season begins with Rhaenys (Eve Best) bringing news that Viserys is dead and Aegon has been proclaimed king. Rhaenys tells how she managed to escape (on a dragon) and why she didn't burn all the usurpers ('I will not be the one to start a war!'), and also advises Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) to flee Dragonstone, because the 'greens' (the color of House Hightower) will come for her.
No one, of course, is going to flee anywhere, but Rhaenyra and Daemon (Matt Smith) definitely need a plan of action. And while her husband sends ravens to various corners of the Seven Kingdoms requesting support from those he is sure of, Rhaenyra loses another child in agonizing childbirth.
At the baby's funeral, a significant event occurs — one of the white cloaks (the one who previously helped Rhaenys escape the Red Keep) brings Rhaenyra a crown and swears fealty. From now on, Rhaenyra is queen. At least, for part of Westeros.
What About the War?
War is inevitable. This becomes even more obvious when Hand Otto Hightower arrives at Dragonstone with a message. He offers terms of peace: Rhaenyra keeps Dragonstone, which will be inherited by her son Jacaerys, Driftmark will go to Lucerys (upon the Sea Snake's death), and the queen's other children will receive honorable positions at King Aegon's court.
Rhaenyra proves to be the most restrained in this situation and, despite Daemon's desire to behead Otto and the fact that she herself demonstratively tears the Hand's badge off Hightower and calls him a traitor, promises to think over Aegon's proposal.
The queen also shows restraint in not burning Aegon, Alicent, and King's Landing to the ground with dragons (the advantage in their numbers is 14:5 in favor of the Targaryens from Dragonstone). For she remembers the legends that when dragons go to war, everything burns.
It is this restraint that later gives her a sudden advantage — Rhaenys suggests to the Sea Snake, who has unexpectedly recovered, that he support Rhaenyra in the coming war. Because 'only this girl has enough sense to keep the kingdom at peace.'
Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) promises to support Rhaenyra in the coming war and also tells how he managed to conquer the Stepstones. All this means the queen will have full control of the sea and the ability to surround King's Landing. But for complete happiness, she lacks a land army.
Battle of the Dragons
In search of support from other noble houses, Rhaenyra and Daemon decide to send them reminders of oaths previously given (among them Starks, Arryns, Baratheons, etc.). Initially, they want to send ravens, but their children offer to act as envoys and fly to the most important lords on dragons, as this will look more convincing.
After some hesitation, Rhaenyra agrees to this proposal but strongly asks her sons not to succumb to possible provocations and not to engage in confrontations, remaining simply envoys. She does not yet suspect how much she will regret the decision to send the children on this mission...
The very first such meeting goes badly for Lucerys — not only does Borros Baratheon refuse support, but the boy also crosses paths with Aemond Targaryen. He immediately begins to provoke Rhaenyra's son and threatens to take his eye in retaliation for what happened between them many years ago.
Lucerys, mindful of his mother's admonitions, avoids a fight with Aemond, mounts Arrax, and heads back. But the restless Aemond gives chase, wanting to have some fun (his dragon Vhagar is 5 times larger and stronger than his opponent's dragon). However, the blond does not account for the fact that dragons are wild creatures and can behave unpredictably.
When it seems Lucerys has managed to escape the pursuit, his dragon unexpectedly decides to blast fire at Aemond. This proves a fatal mistake. The fair-haired rider cannot control Vhagar, and she literally tears Arrax and his rider apart.
At the close of the episode and the entire season, we see Daemon bringing the sad news to Rhaenyra, and how her expression changes sharply. It seems that mercy and compassion from her are no longer to be expected.
The season of high expectations, prolonged buildup, and a couple of truly standout episodes is over. We must finally admit that this is not 'Game of Thrones', no matter how much journalists, many fans, and even you and I might wish it were, let's be honest.
Such comparisons were impossible to avoid, but credit and praise to the creators of 'House of the Dragon' for managing to maintain a largely similar atmosphere, expand the universe of Westeros on screen, and lay a solid foundation for a new DIFFERENT story.
In this story, there may not have been and may not be plot twists as powerful in their emotional impact, the characters may not become as beloved by millions as Daenerys, Jon Snow, or Tyrion, but this does not negate the overall high quality of the product. And the several outstanding acting performances we were fortunate to see in the first season only underscore this. We await the continuation. Valar morghulis!
Comments
0No comments yet.
Sign in to join the discussion.