House of the Dragon (2×05) Regent Review

For our review of the last episode of House of the Dragon, click here.

Misogyny took the forefront in this week’s episode of House of the Dragon as the powerful women continue to be pushed to the sidelines but at least one of them is trying to stand up for herself. Women are not these gentle objects that should be protected by powerful men at all costs and should be allowed to find their agency. Granted, the attack on Aegon is going to change some things when it comes to the war moving forward but the time for being reactive instead of proactive seems to be over. While the Team Black side is divided as Rhaenyra and Daemon have some resentment issues to settle, the Team Green side at King’s Landing have seemingly continued to be handling their situation all wrong, including devaluing Alicent to essentially nothing. As the contrast between both sides couldn’t be clearer, something had to give. In terms of the former, the episode proved to be a humbling one for Daemon as he learned where he really stood in his own bid to stick it to Viserys, and also Rhaenyra by association.

First, catching up with the aftermath of the attack on Aegon, the spin job was on as a means to deflect from what actually happened as the head of the slain Melys was paraded through King’s Landing where the people merely dismissed their supposed victory and rather dreaded the inevitable response. Aegon, himself, survived the attack but barely and in no condition to be anything resembling a king for the moment. Alicent’s suggestion to rule in his absence was quickly shot down, with Cole being the final nail in that coffin (as a way to protect her). Instead the small council favored installing Aemond as regent in Aegon’s absence, appearing to play further into his master plan. In continuing to handle the situation incorrectly, the response to the people’s unrest was to close the gates and prevent anyone else from fleeing King’s Landing.

Lacking confidence in Rhaenyra, her council pushed her for a response for Rook’s Rest, to strike while Vhagar is at her weakest. Growing restless as the losses mounted, she wanted to join the fight as a dragonrider but was strongly urged against it. However, Mysaria assured her that there is more than one way to fight a war as she looked to work her magic, starting with sending one of her minions to King’s Landing. Not waiting for Daemon, whose attempts to sure up his army for his claim for the crown in the Riverlands did not quite go smoothly as Harrenhal continued to play with his head, she sent someone from her council to send him a message. Wanting to recruit the lords of the Riverlands to his cause, they all shut him down adamantly, something he will surely not take well. Meanwhile, wrapping up the Rhaenys storyline, Rhaenyra named a still grieving Lord Corlys Velaryon as her hand, a position he was still contemplating.

Feeling useless, Jacaerys did some suring up of his own, unbeknownst to his mother. Thankful for his help but upset about having put himself at risk, ultimately, Rhaenyra was more upset about their situation as a whole and not being allowed to play a larger role in it. In the end, they needed more dragons to join their cause. Housing two more dragons worthy of battle within Dragonstone, she was in need of dragonriders though the solution to that problem laid outside their walls and not within. Any prospective riders just needed some Targaryen blood. Possessing countless records of their lineage, thankfully, there may be a candidate already out there that viewers know of. Several episodes prior, a man named Ulf (Tom Bennett) appeared, claiming to be a bastard son of Prince Baelon the Brave, which would make him a half-brother to Viserys and Daemon. Whether or not that is truly the case remains to be seen, his arrival is certainly not a coincidence. However, because of Aemond’s order, he and his family are trapped in King’s Landing. Maybe the target of Mysaria’s plan, either way, it’s only a matter of time until he joins the fold.

Taking so many hits this season, Rhaenyra and Alicent have kept going in spite of their many hardships and that is a testament to the strength of Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke. They have been the best part of the season thus far and while it may seem unlikely at this point, it’s easy to want both to survive the war to come.

still courtesy of HBO

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.