House of the Dragon Episode 2 Review
by Chelsea House “Targaryen,” GGR Chief Media Correspondent
Episode 1 of the series, although filled with some rough scenes to process, did its job in roping me back into Westeros and all the lore we’ve been so longing to see. So, as promised, I sat in my bed – popcorn in hand – and anxiously pressed play. There’s always this lulling hope with these spin-offs. You don’t want to fall too head over heels because if the first one fell so hard, why would this one be above it? There’s this waiting game to see when it finally disappoints you. It’s yet to be decided if House of the Dragon will follow this sentiment of failure or success, and as with all large fan bases – I'm sure there are camps of both ideas. But – when I heard that familiar cello melody accompanied by the familiar mechanical workings of a map filled with blood – my worries faded with the largest of grins. Episode 2 at its very beginning proudly connects itself to its origins (although, technically, House of the Dragon IS the origins – but you get my meaning.) and trudges into the opening scene.
We’re placed at a beach somewhere with bodies littering the ground, covered in crabs who appear to be eating them. I’m not too proud to admit that I had zero idea that crabs would eat a body like that. I’m also not too proud to admit – I didn’t like watching it. Another council meeting! At this one we learn that these bodies and ships are none other than Lord Corlys’. He is justifiably angry. He names the criminal as Crabfeeder (although I’m pretty sure they talked about him a bit in episode 1 as well), and demands the King do something about it. The King doesn’t want to start a war with the Free Cities ( I.e Braavos, Pentos, Mry, Volantis, etc) He is trying to handle it peacefully. Rhaenyra, who is still filling cups as the new heir (how majestic), brings up that they have dragon riders and Viserys should send them as a show of power. Corlys approves; Viserys and Otto do not. Otto suggests that there is something more “suitable for the princess” to do, so the King puts her in charge of filling the late Ser Ryan’s position in the King’s Guard with Ser Herald’s help.
Rhaenyra stands on a pedestal with Ser Herald as he names knights and their accomplishments. She seems unimpressed. Lord Otto comes in and nudges her to at least thank the men. The Princess gets frustrated and asks if there are any actual seasoned knights – not just poacher killers. Ser Herald announces Ser Criston Cole, who confirms he was in the Stormlands. Against Otto’s advice, Rhaenyra picks him.
It’s been about 6 months since Aemma passed. Being the king, it is Viserys’s duty to remarry and “propagate” the royal line. These particular dialogues frustrate me. Poor Aemma was brutally cut open for the sake of possibly saving a male heir – that was /her/ duty. And here we see King Visery’s duty is to pretty much pass his seed to another woman. I get the royal logistics- that if he had passed there would have been guidelines for Aemma, etc. I also understand that she was going to die one way or the other and it would have been painful and prolonged regardless. It still doesn’t stop it from chaffing.
In this scene the King is showing Alicent Hightower his model built by the Stonemaesters. It is of Old Valyria. With reverence and sadness, he discusses it briefly with her. It was an incredible place filled with much prosperity and wonder. There will never be anything like it again, he says. During the conversation he drops one of the stone dragons and breaks it. He asks Alicent both about whether she talks to his daughter about their conversations and also about Rhaenyra’s emotional state. She replies that it will take time for her to heal – she knows from experience- and he should talk to her. At this point you aren’t sure if she’s already assuming a maternal role for the Princess, the Princess’s best friend, or both. There’s for sure a fine line because after this scene, she meets Rhaenyra in the Sept to pray for their mothers. The Princess expresses her frustration at the King who just sees her as a little girl, and Alicent now encourages her to go to her father.
Back to the King: he meets with Corlys and Rhaenys. They apologize for the heated discussion in the meeting - only for Lord Corlys to then lay it out for Good King Viserys that his kingdom is pretty much going to pot. Nice. Their solution? For the King to marry their daughter Laena. She is of Valeryon blood, from the wealthiest house in the kingdom, etc., etc. The King has taken the advice of Alicent, or Rhaenyra, or both, as they sit and dine with each other. They discuss their grief over Aemma briefly and when the Princess goes to apologize and defend her outburst in the meeting – Viserys shuts her down. The Princess’ face shows she is beginning to feel the complexities and frustrations of her position.
In the next scene, the King’s pinky is being treated with maggots because it is now also rotting.
Can I stop here to say that...if those were real maggots the whole time...like freaking kudos to Paddie for acting skills, because...no.
There’s an interesting piece of Game of Thrones Lore that if the throne is cutting the one sitting on it, then it is literally rejecting that ruler. Hmmm. He asks the Maester and Otto about Alaena. The Grand Maester is all for it and encourages him. Otto, of course, disagrees with his own selfish volition. Grand Maester and Otto share a look and we begin to think that The Hand of the King is not the most favored of individuals. Honestly- get it. Viserys entertains this possible marriage reluctantly as we see him walking the garden with a VERY young Laena. Lord Corlys, Rhaenys, and Rhaenyra are all watching. She asks him some questions about Balerion and Vhagar. Viserys was the last rider of Balerion, the largest dragon in Westeros. Since Balerion passed, Vhagar now holds the title of "largest dragon", and she is living possibly off the coast of the narrow sea (which seems a little irresponsible of the Targaryens). She gives the King some spiel about giving him many children and being a loving and good wife. He asks if that’s what her father wanted her to say, and then asks what her mother said. She replies, “I wouldn’t have to bed you until I was 14”. He is truly unsettled. My God.
Rhaenys begins to either provoke or educate Rhaenyra about the way things are. It’s a scene that reveals both of their cleverness and wit, but essentially boils down to their differences:
Rhaenys is settled in the bitterness that a woman will never rule.
Rhaenyra is settled into the stubborn hope that she one day will.
Back to Alicent and the King. Some things to note in this scene is his obvious demeanor change when Lord Otto walks in, versus his demeanor when he’s just with Alicent. You can tell he is tender towards her. She also had his dragon fixed. Even though there is an agenda being pushed by her father, you can’t help but think she genuinely enjoys her time with King Viserys as well.
Anyways, Otto busts in and calls the King to – you guessed it – a small council. This time a dragon egg has been stolen by none other than Prince Daemon. He even wrote a nice note to explain why: Mysaria is with child, and he plans to wed her as his second wife and place the egg in the babe’s cradle to keep up with Targaryen tradition. As the adults bicker about how to get it back, only Princess Rhaenyra thinks to ask the dragon keeper which egg was stolen. He answers it was Dreamfyre’s, the one meant for Prince Baelon’s cradle. This finally stirs a fire under Viserys and he allows Otto to go and retrieve it. When Otto meets up with Alicent, there’s a notable difference in her attitude towards him. She seems completely annoyed and uncomfortable in his presence. She asks Ser Criston in a rather ingenious way to keep him safe on their trip.
Seeing House of Dragon’s version of Dragonstone is absolutely beautiful. The cinematography is on point in this scene as it emphasizes the place's beauty and the foreboding. Otto and Prince Daemon meet in the middle of a bridge/walkway overlooking the sea. He demands that the egg be given back, to which Daemon says he will use it as is his house tradition. Otto corrects him and reminds him it’s only for the royal family to use on their descendants, not on bastard children. Mysaria gives Daemon a confused look during this conversation. Otto claims that it will start a war if the Prince doesn’t stop his antics to which the Prince seems completely unphased and even hopeful of the outcome. Otto threatens the life of Mysaria and swords are drawn on all sides.
A thump, a shrill and crackling shriek, and the thin and whiplike body of Coraxes appears at the top of the pathway giving a roar to remind Otto and his men of his presence. Prince Daemon looks confidently at Otto and Otto gives an unreadable look. He demands his men sheath their swords and there is silence. Another dragon scream, one not from Coraxes, rolling clouds, and then Syrax bursting forth with Rhaenyra on her back. She circles the party, close to Coraxes, and then lands on the bridge. The breathless Rhaenyra climbs off of her back and walks through the crowd of men, one man her target. Otto orders Ser Criston to take her back to safety (which made me chuckle a bit) and she quips “Take care not to startle Syrax, My Lords. She’s rather protective of me.” With irritation she pushes past the men to her Uncle.
This scene is so important. It’s another layer to the dynamic of dragons and their rider’s bond. It’s a show of what’s to come when dragons keep dragons in check – both metaphorically and literally. It’s a reminder of the lengths that Prince Daemon will go, the lack of sentiment he really seems to have, and the wisdom and cleverness of Princess Rhaenyra. It’s also a reminder that she is not going to forever be pushed around. She knows her mind. Another important piece here is the way that Lord Otto shows himself as almost a completely third entity. He’s showing how much he really is just for himself. I will also state that I absolutely love the differentiation between the whistles, crackles, and tones of the Dragons. They are each so unique.
Then, Daemon and Rhaenyra speak in Valyrian. She questions him about taking her castle as she was named Princess of Dragonstone. She questions him about his wedding and “upcoming” babe. He admits that Mysaria is not pregnant and Mysaria stomps off. She says that she is his only problem and obstacle. To become heir again he would have to kill her. She tells him to go ahead and do it to “be done with all this bother.” He stares intensely at her and then tosses the egg and walks away.
Rhaenyra is the only one that can keep Daemon in check at all.
Her intentional look towards Otto proves she understands this. Daemon finds Mysaria and she reminds him that the world will not be so kind to a common whore if he keeps entangling her in these games he’s playing. She wants liberation, and only that, and he promised it to her. Prince Daemon reminds her she’s protected – but honestly, I wonder how valid that statement is.
Back to the King and his woes of which young girl to marry. He’s with Lord Lyonel and has specifically asked for him because he knows he will tell him the unsolicited truth. He asks about Laena and Ser Lyonel tells him it’s a great match and asks what the problem is. “She’s 12.” The King replies. Lord Lyonel reminds him she won’t be forever. He reminds him it’s a very strong match and that rejecting her will piss Lord Corlys off.
I feel gross talking about such young girls as if they are a wrapped Christmas gift. Their conversation is cut short when it is announced by a guard that the Princess is back from Dragonstone and the King is like, “Wha?” So of course, he goes off to scold her. But it’s a scolding that is laced with the fear of losing all he has left, and she knows it. She explains that she was the only one who could prevent bloodshed and he agrees and admits that she has grown up underneath his nose. He goes further into sharing that he is still grieving her mother deeply and that no one will ever replace her, and he doesn’t want to but asks if Rhaenyra understands his duty as King. She does and is relieved to hear that her father hurts as deeply as she does. I know that the show depicts Viserys as being obsessed with having a male heir, and in that obsession left his daughter feeling inadequate and unimportant to him. It’s scenes like these that are a reminder, however, that there is a deep affection between them and he truly has such a tender heart towards her. He cements this when he also says he does not want to replace her as heir.
Back to yet another council meeting, and I’m beginning to think this is why nothing is really getting done in the Kingdom. Viserys stares out the window, obviously feeling the weight of the words he’s about to speak. He turns to the council once they are all seated. Rhaenyra is there, as well as Alicent. Which seems odd but no one seems to pay attention. He announces that he IS to take a wife. And that lucky gal is none other than Alicent, who appears to be obviously excited and relieved by this, until she sees the incredibly hurt and betrayed look of her best friend Princess Rhaenyra across the table. Lord Corlys IS pissed – and rightfully so because the match makes very little sense. Rhaenyra storms out with Viserys calling after her and we get a multitude of political looks and glances from the council.
It also doesn’t make sense to me because Alicent is assumed to be Rhaenyra’s age: 15. She’s barely older than Laena. So, it just seems like pointless troublemaking.
You cannot tell me that there isn’t some person over the age of 18 that isn’t suitable for the King! I know, I know, it’s the time period and that’s what people did back then, but it’s still just a lot.
Lord Corlys is seen in a chair speaking with someone. He is telling a small backstory of his family, the Valeryons. They are older than Targaryens but didn’t have the power of Dragons on their side. He says that he himself had to claw and work his way to where he is now – which is the wealthiest house in Westeros. For those who are unaware of The Sea Snake, you should check him out. He is a pretty cool character and I hope they expand on a little more. As the camera pans around, we finally see who he is talking to – It's Prince Daemon. He is reminding him that they are very much alike and should ally together. All he’s asking is that Prince Daemon fix the problem in the Stepstones so that his house isn’t decimated by the Crabfeeder’s raiding.
An important takeaway from this scene is that when given the opportunity to allow Lord Corlys to speak about the King in a disrespectful manner, Daemon stops him and reminds him that only he can speak of him that way. Another important takeaway is that Daemon is going to help Corlys. You know that without him even confirming it. A third important takeaway? Viserys is already starting to unravel The House of Dragon by not truly doing his duty: he chose a wife of his own free will. I can feel however I want to feel about it – but politically he made a really poor decision. The results will resound.
House of the Dragon is for sure beginning to ramp up the drama. After two amazing episodes, I will safely say that I'm dedicated to the series and all it has within. Until next time!