Rhaenyra The Cruel – The episode begins in the hysterical aftermath of the assassination of Jaehaerys Targaryen. As expected, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) don’t take the news of the assassination well. Aegon II violently lashes out and declares war on the yet unidentified traitors while Alicent grieves for Jaehaerys’ sister. Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) does his best to ease her suffering by assuring those responsible will be brought to justice and some actual good can still come from the act. At a later Council meeting, Aegon is still furious and misdirects his anger towards Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) at one point. As this takes place Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) makes a shocking discovery that he keeps to himself for the time.
Lord Larys ‘The Clubfoot’ Strong (Matthew Needham) soon interrupts the meeting with the news of the guard capturing a former gold cloak trying to flee the realm. Although the discovery only fuels Aegon’s rage, the council manages to rein him in and the discussion becomes a debate about how best to proceed. Otto is all for turning the horrible act into a public spectacle to gain favor against Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy). It takes some convincing but Otto manages. Alicent faces a similar challenge but also prevails when she later approaches Queen Helaena Taragaryen (Phia Saban) about being part of the funeral procession.
At the funeral procession makes its way through the realm, Clubfoot and Aegon question Blood (Sam C. Wilson). It isn’t much of an interrogation because Blood professes everything from Cheese’s (Mark Stobbart) part in the role to Prince Daemon Targaryen’s (Matt Smith) hiring them. Despite this, Aegon does not take it easy on him.
Rhaenyra is just as outraged when she learns of the assassination from Maester Gerardys (Phil Daniels) at a council meeting. There is a brief debate about how to proceed but nothing is formally decided at the time. Although it is clear that Rhaenyra suspects Daemon, she chooses not to address his participation in the event until they are alone later. He doesn’t bother hiding the role he played and is smug about it, which only leads to declaring that she cannot trust him and he is only interested in using who or whatever he can to get revenge. This upsets him and ultimately leads to him storming out of the room.
Shortly after the argument, Rhaenyra orders Lady Baela Targaryen (Shani Smethurst) to take Moondancer, first thing in the morning, and keep a close watch on King’s Landing. She wants to know their next move before they make it. Baela accepts the order but does ask about Daemon. All Rhaenyra tells her is that he must follow his own path. Dameon is later shown in full armor leaving the realm on Craxes. Rhaenyra spends the rest of the evening enjoying time with her children and in deep thought.
Elsewhere, it becomes clear that Criston is struggling with his lapse in Jaehaerys murder. He looks to remedy this by verbally accosting Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor) for his soiled white cloak, pointing out that it is a sign of purity. When Ser Arryk doesn’t offer any resistance and apologizes, Criston pushes him further by accusing him of being a traitor like his brother, Ser Erryk Cargyll (Elliott Tittensor). Although Arryk is a bit more resistant this time, he doesn’t elicit the response Criston wanted. This ultimately leads to Criston ordering him to go to Dragonstone, disguised as his brother, and kill Rhaenyra.
When Prince Jacaerys ‘Jace’ Velaryon finds Baela practicing with her crossbow, they share a brief discussion about Daemon’s abrupt departure and the absence of Prince Lucerys ‘Luke’ Velaryon (Elliot Grihault/Harvey Sadler). At the same time, Aemond discusses his earlier find with Sylvi (Michelle Bonnard) as well as his regret for killing Luke. There is also a very brief scene showing how the blockade is impacting Hugh (Kieran Bew) and his family. Hugh appears strong in his belief that the King will offer aid.
Alyan Of Hull (Abubakar Salim) receives an unexpected invitation to dinner from his brother Addam Of Hull (Clinton Liberty). Alyan soon realizes the invitation is Addam’s disguised attempt to capitalize on the good graces Alyan earned with Lord Corlys ‘The Sea Snake’ Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) when he recovered Luke’s body from the sea. At nearly the same time, Lord Corlys debates Daemon’s potential next move with Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best).
Rhaenyra continues her investigation of Daemon’s part in Jaehaerys death by questioning Mysaria ‘The White Worm’ (Sonoya Mizuno). Mysaria initially denies any involvement but ends up unveiling her role. It takes Rhaenyra a few minutes but she also remembers the role Mysaria originally played in Daemon’s split from King’s Landing in season 1. Despite her initial outrage, it appears that the meeting ends with Rhaenyra admiring or at least respecting Mysaria after learning of how she came to Westeros and worked her way up from nothing. Rhaenyra even later honors Mysaria and Daemon’s deal and lets her leave Dragonstone, free and clear.
Aegon II appears to be on a warpath when a brief scene in King’s Landing shows that he has had all of the local rat catchers hung and strung up in town. Despite one of the men being Cheese, Otto is not happy when he hears of this. Aegon justifies his actions by saying he will no longer sit on his hands Matters aren’t improved when in the heat of the moment, Aegon also reveals Criston’s ruse with Arryk. This ultimately leads to Aegon making Criston his new hand which takes Criston by complete surprise.
Just as Mysaria is being led to a ship, she notices Arryk, posing as Erryk. Although he is in full gear, she suspects that it cannot be Erryk because he was with Rhaenyra when the Queen granted her freedom. Arryk does avoid a call run-in with his twin brother while Elinda Massey (Jordon Stevens) helps Rhaenyra to bed. She mentions a sleep aid which Rhaenyra agrees to. At the same time, Arryk relieves Ser Lorent Marbrand (Max Wrottesley) from his post outside Rhaenyra’s room.
Just as Arryk is about to kill Rhanyra, Erryk intervenes thanks to Mysaria’s warning. A quick battle ensues and although Erryk prevails, he takes his own life. At King’s Landing, Otto discusses his exile and plans to return to Oldtown with Alicent. Instead, Alicent convinces him to visit Highgarden and give her time to speak with Aegon. He agrees.
The episode ends with Alicent and Criston in each other’s arms.
House Of The Dragon Review
What an incredibly boring episode. The only thing I found slightly exciting was Arryk’s ruse, which turned out to be a huge nothing. Not only was this episode boring but it was needlessly long. This can often be a common problem when you have so many main characters and stories; even if they all nearly impact one another. I must say that Aegon’s dismissal of Otto was a bit of a shocker. I was also surprised that Erryk took his own life, but will be interested to see how Mysaria plays this. I’d have to give the episode a 5 out of 10.
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