We recall and discuss what we saw in the sixth episode of 'House of the Dragon': a new generation of Targaryens, the confrontation between the princess and the queen, more victims of the shadowy struggle for the throne.
The tension between the main characters intensifies. King Viserys's time is inexorably drawing to a close (though to be honest, it seemed he would last much less), which means the division of the Iron Throne will soon begin. What is surprising is that the creators still lack the boldness and unexpected decisions of their predecessors from 'Game of Thrones.' We can't escape these comparisons, because otherwise 'House of the Dragon' is quite in line with the cult series. We'll elaborate on this thought in the next recap.
Previous recaps:
Warning: spoilers for Episode 6 of 'House of the Dragon' follow
The Princess-Mother and the New Generation of Targaryens
We jump forward 10 years in the timeline. Princess Rhaenyra (now played by Emma D'Arcy) is giving birth to yet another (!) child. Her husband is still Laenor Velaryon (now John Macmillan), but their children are suspiciously unlike him. Everyone notices this except the princess's loving father Viserys (Paddy Considine). The new offspring of the Targaryen-Velaryon union is named Joffrey (it will be interesting to see what brutal death this character meets).
At the same time, we see the grown children of Alicent—Aegon (Ty Tennant, yes, David's son) and Aemond (Leo Ashton)—along with Rhaenyra's sons Jacaerys and Lucerys (try to remember all the names) not only frolicking in the yard but also learning the basics of martial arts and even interacting with dragons.
The latter fate befalls Aemond, who does not yet have his own dragon, causing the other boys to openly troll him. For instance, under the pretext of a found fire-breathing creature, they give him a pig with attached wings. Childhood cruelty knows no bounds. It's clear that this episode will stick with the boy, and he may even get revenge for it in the future.
Another Wife for Daemon. Another Death
Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) is also not idle. We learn that his new wife is Laena Velaryon (the same girl who was once meant to marry Viserys). They make a beautiful union—they fly on dragons, are expecting a third child, and generally seem happy (as much as possible in Westeros).
However, yet another (!) childbirth goes wrong. Daemon, like his brother Viserys once was, is offered to perform a surgery to try to save the child, but without the possibility of saving Laena's life. While he hesitates (perhaps for the first time we see Smith's character in doubt), the girl herself escapes from the castle. She goes to her dragon and utters the iconic command 'Dracarys.'
A beautiful death, no doubt. But this raises the thought that the creators of 'House of the Dragon' are only killing off insignificant characters, those who evoke no emotional response from us. Yes, we saw Laena a few times at different stages of her life, and the new actress seems like a living Disney princess, but we don't know who this person is, what she aspired to, and so on. So her death makes us just shrug. A similar thought occurs at the end of the sixth episode.
Who is the Strongest
While one of the most interesting characters in the show—Otto Hightower—has been taken offstage, the Strong family gets its moment of glory. First, at the very beginning of the episode, we learn that Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) is the real father of all Rhaenyra's children. Second, during the training of the new generation of Targaryens, he loses his temper and beats Ser Criston (still Fabien Frankel), casting a shadow on his own reputation.
Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), due to this incident and the rumors spreading through King's Landing about his son Harwin's relationship with Rhaenyra, comes to King Viserys and asks to resign as Hand. However, Viserys, mindful of all the wise advice and the absence of any hint of betrayal from his close associate, refuses. But he allows him to go to Harrenhal with Harwin. Something like a vacation. And as we find out a little later, a permanent vacation.
After Harwin leaves the capital, Rhaenyra realizes she needs to act to protect herself and her family. At the small council, she asks for the floor and first apologizes to Alicent for past events, including the pig incident. Then the princess proposes to give Aemond Targaryen a dragon egg as soon as one becomes available.
Additionally, Rhaenyra proposes to betroth her son Jacaerys to Alicent and Viserys's daughter Helaena, to the king's great joy. The queen is not too impressed with this proposal and essentially urges Rhaenyra to go to Dragonstone with her family. The princess agrees to 'run from the storm in advance, like an experienced sailor,' as her husband advised.
Then Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) steps onto the stage. The sudden 'friend' and ally of Alicent complains to the queen about his father's cowardice, and then unambiguously hints that he is behind the horrific deaths of Harwin and Lyonel in the fire at Harrenhal. He presents it as fulfilling Alicent's wish, though she naturally never asked for anything of the sort. Unexpectedly, a truly 'Game of Thrones'-style character has appeared in the series.
Again, shocking deaths in form, but we didn't have time to get attached to Harwin, who essentially became another piece of cannon fodder. Boring, folks. Where is the boldness? Where are the unexpected twists that made us drop our jaws while watching 'Game of Thrones'? And why has Daemon Targaryen become so inert? For now, too many questions without answers. We hope the following episodes will resolve at least some of them.
Trailer for Episode 7:
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