The Smallfolk have a voice and aren’t afraid to use it! We have an episode more like Game of Thrones on our hands, ya’ll! This week, Rhaenyra makes some political (and personal) moves, Aemond embraces his power, Daemon tries to run away from the haunted house, and the dragon Seasmoke makes his plan known. Ready to dive in?
First, here’s a quick reminder to catch our show, “Decoding Dragons,” where my co-host Liza Pheonix and I break down all things House of the Dragon (also available on YouTube and podcast format) every week. We dive deep into lore, symbolism, easter eggs, and even more of Westeros and Game of Thrones. If you don’t have 40 minutes to listen or watch, but you do have a few minutes to read, continue forth, my Lords and Ladies. If you don’t want to get burned by spoilers, I suggest watching the sixth episode before Seasmoke changes his mind!
Staying in his villain era
Continuing from last week, Aemond is now in full ‘regency’ mode. After the opening scene showing the Lannisters arriving at The Golden Tooth on their march to Harrenhal, we see Jason Lannister demanding Aemond join them with Vhagar or else no fighting! This sends Aemond reeling during a Small Council Meeting because he is not a dog to be commanded to heel, I tell you! Amongst the somewhat immature outburst of being summoned, we see him regain his composure and get back to Aemonding. It’s a word.
Upon the conclusion of the meeting, Aemond calls for his mother to remain behind. He questions her position on the Small Council and why she is there. And to that, I say thank you but also, be nice, it’s your mom. She responds with emotion and notes her experience, her relation to Aemond himself, and why she needs to be there. Aemond ponders, then says, “The crown is grateful, and your services are no longer needed.” You’re fired, ma’am; it’s time to take up knitting. Cold, but I don’t disagree. Alicent is accustomed to running the Keep, especially when you take into account that she runs the house when a king is laid up in his bed. Parallels.
In true Aemond fashion, he goes to visit King Aegon, who has awoken from his coma. With Blackfyre and the Valyrian Steel dagger on Aemond’s hip in clear view of Aegon’s face, Aemond ensures there is no way Aegon can remember what happened. This way, treason is off the table. Aemond painfully hands him his ‘present and accounted for’ ball for the Small Council to show him who is actually in charge.
If you think about it, Aemond is an observer and learns from his surroundings. He saw his dearest mummy keep his father, King Viserys, in bed for many years. Who’s to say Aemond isn’t going to do the same thing to Aegon? We can’t say canon because they’re already going off-script and moving on.
Woe is Woman
After Alicent gets relieved of her small council duties, she enters the courtyard with a new look. Makeover time! Her hair is braided and up, her dresses have changed, and she looks refreshed but still solemn. She speaks to her brother, Gwayne, who was fighting along Criston Cole at Rook’s Rest, about her son Daeron, who was sent to ward in Oldtown. It is her youngest son with the late King Viserys. When Gwayne lets her know that he is quite the normal kid, she woes in wonder if it’s the Red Keep or her parenting that made her other children nuts. We’ll keep our opinions to ourselves, as does Gwayne, as if you don’t already know what I think.
Rhaenyra is wandering around Dragonstone with multiple consults worrying about not being able to do anything or go anywhere. She’s grounded! Literally and figuratively. She has an excellent moment with one of her Small Council members, Lord Celtigar, where she slaps the shit out of him after he disrespects her and her decisions. Her statement, “I believe it’s my fault you have forgotten to fear me”, is exactly what we need out of Rhaenyra!
Can we have some ‘ore?
Back in King’s Landing, Alicent volunteers Helaena to come with her to the sept to light candles and pray, which turns into a nightmare. Backing up a little, there has been an underlying subtext revolving around the blockade that Corlys Velaryon has put into place to aid Rhaenyra in cutting King’s Landing off from resources. This is beginning to have serious consequences, as food is running out, and they are locked in (remember the last episode; they closed the gates to keep people from running away). In this episode, the smallfolk in King’s Landing are beginning to battle for the last bit of rations anyone can find. Enter Rhaenyra and Mysaria’s plan.
Mysaria’s statement that “there is more than one way to fight a war” was perfect when thinking about this context. Mysaria is the mistress of Whispers and knows how long to wait before making another move. Rhaenyra and Mysaria came up with the plan to launch a lot of small vessels with the Red Targaryen crest (no green in sight!) containing food to the shores of King’s Landing. We’re talking about spices, peppers, and fresh vegetables and meat. This cements the plan that the blockade is reflecting negatively on Aegon and Aemond because they refuse to do anything about it, yet Rhaenyra still thinks of her people and sends aid when they need it most.
This is happening as Alicent and Helaena are being transported to the Sept. Their journey gets interrupted by a riot, a la Season 2 Episode 6 of Game of Thrones, when Joffrey orders the entire crowd slain but is unsuccessful. After being called the Queen of Fishes and getting walloped in the face with a gooey, old fish, Alicent covers Helaena, and they safely return to their carriage amongst jeers of “Rhaenyra is our one true queen” and “She still remembers us,” “ She still loves us.” But not before some poor chap has their arm looped off after grabbing the Queen in an attempt to beg for more food and help from the royal family. Rioting ensues.
Dragon Rider Auditions
Rhaenyra put her sanity on the line and followed up on a conversation she had with Jace about the potential to have extended (and unwelcome) family be Dragonriders if they shared Targaryen blood. Turns out, the answer is no. She summons Ser Steffon Darklyn, her Lord Commander of the Queen’s Guard, and provides him with a history lesson in his family lineage. There is hope from four generations ago that Targaryen blood runs in his veins, no matter how thinly. She asks for and receives consent for him to try to claim Seasmoke. Seasmoke is/was Laenor Velaryon’s dragon, or Rhaenyra’s husband, or Corlys’s son. He has been seen flying in the spice corridor on Arakis in perceived loneliness and sorrow. He needs a friend! Rhaenyra, Jace, Ser Darklyn, and other dragon tamers take their twigs and summon Seasmoke in the parking garage. At first, we think it works, and Ser Darklyn inches his way towards Seasmoke, who decides today is not the day. He sets the beginner Velaryon-speaking Lord Commander ablaze and peaces out. Is this a failure of Rhaenyra’s plan? Will they try again? Find out next week on Dune: Prophecy. JK, moving on.
Just let him love you, Addam
As Seasmoke dips out of the awkward moment in Dragonstone, he goes back to the spice corridor. However, this time, he knows what he’s going for. Addam and Alyn of Hull have been seen a few times in the last few episodes, and this time, they have discussed their wanting to be more or do more because they are Corlys Velaryon’s bastard sons. We watch Alyn shave his head to remove any shining white hair, whereas Addam need not worry about that as he has regular brown/black hair. As Addam is getting ready for a shift at the shipyards, he sees people running and screaming, and he hears the roar of the sky above. A dragon is coming!
He loses his balance and trips, allowing Seasmoke to catch up to him before sprinting into the woods in the cover of trees. Seasmoke finds a way through the branches and lands.. no… stomps his way to where Addam is ‘hiding.’ He just wants his rider, guys. Can we just love on him, please? Could we see a beginner ride a dragon? Not in this episode, he starts riding apparently.
Unnecessary Interruptions
This brings us to our final point of the episode. While Seasmoke is off deciding who he wants to have as his rider, Rhaenyra solemnly confides in Mysaria her concern about not having enough Dragonriders. Mysaria turns the conversation into her being impregnated by her father at an incredibly young age, which causes Rhaenyra to embrace her. This translates into some tension that transitions into a beautiful moment between two beautiful characters… only to be interrupted by a Queen’s guard. Terrible timing. He storms into the room and makes it known that Seasmoke has been spotted… with a rider. Unsure what this means for her faction, Rhaneyra dives onto Syrax, and away they go to confront this new potential dragon-riding enemy. Shew!
This was an episode, guys. It had the pacing, the writing, the tension, the acting, and the cinematography… this is why we are here, ya’ll. What did you think of this week’s episode? Are we going to see some Dragonseeds mess up on their first dragon ride? Because I sure want to see someone stumble up a wing. Let us know in the comments when you think the next episode will hold and what your favorite part of this episode was! Keep it locked here on Couch Soup for more nerdy content!
