And so it begins. We are at war, and it is not glorious.
Just wow! The dragons are simply spectacular.
As three dragons dance in the grey skies over Rook’s Rest – the cinematography, special effects, and acting all superb and painfully believable – I became conscious of my own visceral reactions. My heart beat so strong I actually received a warning from my Fitbit. My hands were sweaty, and that never happens. Then another realisation took hold: is there anyone to root for?
As death descends with pure violence, we begin to wish it could have all been avoided. Game of Thrones was grim (which I loved), but we all held our heroes (flawed as they were) in high esteem. We rejoiced when they exacted revenge or despaired when they faced injustice, no matter the violence. House of the Dragon is more Shakespearean tragedy than hero’s journey, and it provides us with scant satisfaction as a result. Rather, we are imbued with pithy truths about the desolation of war.
What to do? It's natural for us humans to side with one team or the other. For better or worse, we are tribal. Viewers have been picking their sides, the blacks or the greens, since Season 1. For my part, I’ve remained somewhat neutral. Now I know who I back – Rhaenyra, First of Her Name, all the way.
Why? Because of The Song of Ice and Fire.
This item of Westerosi folklore was missing in Game of Thrones (and the books), but appearing from the first episode, it is an integral part of House of the Dragon. It is the very thing that gives the crown legitimacy – though precious few know it. It is why Viserys never changed his mind about naming Rhaenyra heir. He passed the lore on to her. Now she has passed that knowledge on to her own heir, Jacaerys.
Rhaenyra is the legitimate heir, a fact that even Alicent now fully accepts. Alicent is perusing the pages of history in this episode, perhaps in an effort to learn more about this mysterious dream of Aegon the Conqueror – it will be interesting if she does indeed find some corroborating evidence. And Larys is right; she is different. The fight has gone out of her because of her grave error, and the knowledge that she will cause the death of thousands.
Not only is Rhaenyra the legitimate heir, she is also the better choice. Aegon is a spoilt puppet. First to his grandsire, Otto, then to his mother, and now to Criston and, more frighteningly, the cold and calculating Aemond, who has nursed a dragon-sized chip on his shoulder since childhood when Aegon teased him mercilessly. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but Aemond serves it blazingly hot, not hesitating to blast both Rhaenys and his brother with dragonfire.
Rhaenyra doesn’t sulk when faced with criticisms from her own small council, including her son. She stands her ground, “There are those who have mistaken my caution for weakness.” She is older than Aegon. More experienced. And actually learned from her father. She went out of her way to avoid this war, and now is reduced to no other choice. She is the legitimate heir.
The saddest death so far. Rhaenys falls with her beloved and faithful dragon, Meleys.
The outcome, of course, is a tragic one. And now that I am fully aligned with the blacks, the scene in which the wise and dignified Rhaenys falls with her dragon is crushingly sad. If only she had flown home. Rhaenys’s death is a difficult addition to the tally of tragedies already counted, and I’m sure there are more yet to come.
And what of Aegon? We are given a shot of Aemond with his sword in hand as he stands before the dying Sunfire. If we were doubtful before of Aemond’s contempt for his brother-king, we are now certain of it. The Song of Ice and Fire is referenced one last time. It is Rhaenyra who has the knowledge of it, but it is Aegon, and now Aemond, who hold the only remaining physical proof of it (unless Alicent uncovers more) in the catspaw dagger. Will the two – knowledge and artefact – come together? It’s what I’m rooting for.
Other thoughts:
- Best line: From Alys Rivers, “I’m a barn owl, cursed to live in human form.”
- Harrenhal is playing havoc with Daemon, and slowing him down. I do wish he would bring a host to help Rhaenyra’s cause soon. He keeps hallucinating his wives – first the young Rhaenyra, then his dead second wife, Laena. Is it because of his blood that the magic of this castle can influence him, or is it because he sleeps on a bed made from weirwood as told to him by Alys the ‘witch’?
- Rhaenys’s keen observational skills are on display again. She picks Alyn for what he is. The bastard son of her husband. And how will this become relevant to the dance? We will see, I’m sure. Such a shame Rhaenys is no longer.
- Uber creep Larys can wheedle out all Alicent’s secrets just by looking at cups from the maester’s quarters and books laid out. I dread to think what he will inevitably do with his knowledge.
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