We recall and discuss what we saw in the fifth episode of the series 'House of the Dragon': a royal wedding, mutual secrets, brutal deaths.
The fifth episode of the show 'House of the Dragon' has become the most important so far in terms of plot advancement, the most emotional and unpredictable. It can easily be called the launching pad for the main events that undoubtedly await us ahead. Additionally, this was the last time we saw Milly Alcock as Rhaenyra and Emily Carey as Alicent on screen. Starting from the next episode, due to a significant time jump, they will be replaced by Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke, respectively.
With trepidation, we move on to analyzing what we saw.
Previous recaps:
Warning: spoilers for Episode 5 of 'House of the Dragon' follow below
Matchmaking 2.0
The moments are still fresh when Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and his wife Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) came to King Viserys (Paddy Considine) with a desire to unite the two Valyrian houses (the mere fact of Corlys and Rhaenys's marriage apparently wasn't enough). But back then, the Lord of the Iron Throne flatly refused to marry their 12-year-old daughter.
Now, Viserys himself, through a storm and despite health problems that will soon bring him to the grave, sailed to the Velaryons with a proposal to give Princess Rhaenyra's hand to their son Laenor (Theo Nate).
Rhaenyra and Laenor spent most of their childhood together, so this union doesn't stress either of them. Moreover, in a private conversation, the princess suggested to her future husband to treat this marriage as politics, and entrust romantic feelings to someone who truly deserves them. As it soon turned out, this referred not only to Ser Criston (Fabien Frankel), for whom the heir to the throne has tender feelings, but also to Laenor's lover (indeed).
After one revealing conversation, an even more emotional and important discussion awaited Rhaenyra — with Criston. On the way back to King's Landing, the knight proposed to his beloved to run away with him and become his lawful wife. The princess, evidently mindful of her duty and the coming Song of Ice and Fire, does not accept the proposal and tells Criston that the throne is more important than her and their love. And this already looked like the beginning of the 'end' for perhaps the most positive character in the series 'House of the Dragon'.
Another Murder by Daemon, New Hand of the King, Court Intrigues
The opening scene of Episode 5 was the meeting of Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) with his lawful wife (yes, he has one of those too). The introduction to the new character (we won't even name them, as it matters little) was brief — the rogue prince stages an accident and sends his wife to the afterlife.
Even then, it becomes clear that this is not a whim, but part of a larger plan. Closer to the end of the episode, we are explained that in this way Daemon becomes the full-fledged lord of yet another set of lands. The prince's power and influence become increasingly evident.
As we remember, another formal, and most likely quite legitimate, contender for the throne will be Viserys's son, Aegon. However, his mother, Alicent Hightower, does not want to participate in all these behind-the-scenes intrigues. It's a shame, as she still considers Rhaenyra her close friend. But the former Hand of the King, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), insists that she choose a side: either by any means necessary to place her son on the Iron Throne, or to hope for the reasonableness of Rhaenyra, who, in his opinion, will first and foremost get rid of a competitor for the throne.
Since Otto was dismissed from the position of Hand for reporting 'slander' against Rhaenyra, the king needed a new confidant. It became Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), whose advice Viserys had already followed before. In this episode, there was an interesting scene involving the king and his new Hand. Paddy Considine's character, suffering from illness, begins to wonder what place he will occupy in history, since he has not participated in any war, has not known the taste of victory. To which Lyonel reasonably notes that Viserys managed to maintain peace in the Seven Kingdoms, and that alone is worth something.
At the same time, Lyonel's offspring Larys (Matthew Needham) enters the game, unambiguously letting Queen Alicent know that her father was not far from the truth, and that Rhaenyra herself had clearly deceived her friend. To see for herself, Alicent invites Ser Criston to her chambers and asks him what really happened on that fateful night when the princess left the castle. Our brave knight does not equivocate and honestly confesses that he dishonored himself (and Rhaenyra, accordingly) and is ready to accept the death penalty. This information radically changes the situation and Alicent's mood, who must now fully engage in the 'game of thrones'.
Bloody Wedding
The culmination of Episode 5 of the show 'House of the Dragon' was the royal wedding, or rather the preparatory feast. All the prominent inhabitants of the Seven Kingdoms came to the celebration: from Lord Jason Lannister, who did not miss the opportunity to make a barbed comment about the Targaryens' choice, to Daemon, whom hardly anyone invited (but when has that ever stopped him?).
Three episodes at this feast were notable. First, the delay and subsequent pompous appearance of Alicent right during Viserys's ceremonial speech. A subtle hint that Alicent has entered the battle for the throne (the green color of her dress, symbolizing war in House Hightower, also speaks to this).
Second, the unexpected dance between Rhaenyra and Daemon. During it, the princess even suggests that her uncle show strength, take her with him to Dragonstone, and make her his wife. But this intriguing dialogue is interrupted by the third important episode — Laenor's lover, Ser Joffrey, suggests to Criston that they keep each other's secrets, as it would be calmer for everyone. The reaction to this proposal was more than unexpected — the previously calm and confident knight seemed to lose his mind and, with his bare hands, right in the middle of the feast, killed Joffrey (such is the fate of those bearing this name — to die a terrible death).
Despite what happened, the wedding ceremony took place, but without a single smile. Gloomy times await all the heroes ahead.
Trailer for Episode 6:
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