The latest episode of House of the Dragon, called "Smallfolk," takes us through the various consequences of people’s actions that have now come home to roost. It is my favourite episode of Season 2 so far. Read on to learn why!
Alicent has been sacked from the small council.
Let’s begin with Alicent. Last episode she failed in her bid to avoid handing power to Aemond by making him Regent. Her sudden loss of power was as bitter a pill for her to swallow as the moon tea, but she managed to get through that moment in the small council with quick, panicky breaths. Now she's been further disempowered. Aemond fired his own mother. Her protests for “temperance” fall on deaf ears. Has Alicent done anything right? Her brother, Gwayne, gives some solace: Daeron, who has been warded at House Hightower in Old Town, is “kind.” Alicent is much relieved to hear this of her youngest son, for kindness is “lacking” in Daeron’s brothers. Is this a result of Aegon and Aemond being raised at King’s Landing, or is it due to Alicent’s parenting style?
The peasants are revolting – Alicent and Helaena make a lucky escape.
Aemond is beginning to face his own consequences after cutting the smallfolk off from food by sealing the city last episode. Rhaenyra’s Mistress of Whisperers, Mysaria, has outwitted her Green’s counterpart, Larys, nicely and used the hungry situation in King’s Landing to win support for Rhaenyra from the peasants, gifting them with much-needed supplies, clearly labeled with Rhaenyra’s banner. “She thinks of us even now!” one of them cries of Rhaenyra’s gifts. Will a full-scale peasants’ revolt against the greens ensue? And what will Aemond do about it now that Cole and a large chunk of his army have left to meet Jason Lannister and march to Harrenhal to deal with Daemon? Peasants may not seem dangerous, but as history has proved, they have one thing in their favour – sheer numbers. A point driven home when Alicent and Helaena only just escape a gruesome end after visiting the Sept. At least one of their guards, probably more, fall victim to the revolting peasants.
Aegon, of course, has now fully realised the severity of his own consequences. All those years harassing his younger brother have resulted in a situation most dire. Larys, effectively labeled a lickspittle by Aemond, visits Aegon after losing his bid for Hand and defaulting to the next-best approach: whispering in the ear of the man who is still king. Larys verbalises Aegon’s new fears for him. “Your brother rules in your place now, which means your life is in danger, but I think you know that.” This is the hand Larys is left to play. Perhaps it will benefit Aegon too. “They will underestimate you,” Larys tells Aegon. “This will be your advantage.” A worthy lesson.
Does Daemon have an ally in Alys Rivers?
Daemon, still battling with his Hamlet-like psyche at Harrenhal, continues to suffer nightmares and visions. Through them, the root cause of his quest for the throne is revealed – the deep hurt from his dead brother’s rejection of him. This is what drives Daemon to want the throne. Because Viserys simply didn’t give it to him, and it hurts. He seeks succour from Alys Rivers, but she speaks her blunt truth, and tells him, “perhaps those who strive for [the crown] are the least suited to wear it.” And “It is not a prize to be won, but a burden to wear.” Yet, Alys must see something worthy in Daemon, for when he asks for her help she gives it, a few days later, in the form of Lord Grover Tully’s death. Now that Oscar Tully is the Lord Paramount, Daemon will amass an army, finally.
Will Daemon use that army for Rhaenyra? Or will he take the throne for himself? Rhaenyra is doubting her uncle-husband more with every passing day, and her growing insecurities cause her to lash out and make desperate decisions – slapping her small council into submission is not going to be a sustainable strategy, neither will falling into the arms of Mysaria, methinks. Yet, Rhaenyra knows dragons are the lock and riders the keys to this puzzle. Ser Steffon Darklyn’s drop of Targaryen blood was a long shot, and a fatal one – a harsh consequence indeed, and one that demonstrates just how risky taming a dragon is.
The best part – Addam and Seasmoke.
If only Rhaenyra knew of all the bastard dragonseeds running about. If the dragonseeds won’t go to the dragon, it seems, the dragons will come to them. And this is what makes this the best episode yet! Seasmoke, perhaps a bit ruffled that mere humans dare push an unsuitable rider on him, flies off in a fury and takes it upon himself to find his human who is, of course, one of the dragonseeds we have already met, and one of the more likeable ones. Addam and his brother, Alyn, are the bastard sons of Corlys Velaryon. Seasmoke’s hunt of Addam is a spectacular and terrorizing scene. I jumped off my seat when Addam, believing he is safe, takes a breath before Seasmoke thunders down right in front of him. Seasmoke and Addam lock eyes. And that’s when it happens. In a perfect piece of acting, Addam’s face says it all – sheer terror morphs into recognition. There is something in Targaryen blood that enables the bond between dragon and Targaryen, but it is eye contact that ignites it. In this brilliant interaction between Seasmoke and Addam, we witness it take place, naturally. Will a similar event occur all the way in the Vale where Rhaena has come across evidence that a large wild dragon exists there? I hope so.
Other thoughts:
- We glimpse the other dragonseeds this episode. Alyn is shaving his head. He is determined to maintain the pretence of anonymity, particularly from his father it seems, so the silver regrowth must go. Ulf is eating a watery stew in the pub. He has previously declared his allegiance for Rhaenyra, and I suspect he will take on a leadership role to turn more smallfolk toward the rightful queen – will that be bloodless? Hugh has shown his true colors: yes, he would rugby-tackle a smaller man to take the shirt off his back, or a sack of vegetables, if it meant feeding his family. What if he had a weapon (or dragon) to wield?
- Otto – so they are looking for Otto Hightower. Aemond has quite sensibly called his grandsire back to be Hand of the Regent. But like a Westerosi ‘where’s Wally’, Otto can’t be found. Has he gone somewhere to lick his wounds? In a previous review I speculated that perhaps Otto would switch sides. But he hasn’t turned up on Dragonstone either.
- Daeron’s name has been mentioned in passing nearly every episode. I do hope we get to see him, and his dragon Tessarion, before this season’s end.
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