Let me put it brusquely : A muckle ofTargaryensfeel sorry for themselves in tonight ’s episode ofHouse of the Dragon . But what originate out as a pity political party becomes a thrilling reminder of why the Targaryens are in charge of Westeros , and it ’s not just because of their tartar .
“ Second of His Name ” skips ahead three years into the future , and the future of Westeros has stir greatly : King Viserys ( Paddy Considine ) has finally had a son , at least one who ’s be long enough to see his second birthday . It ’s a clip for solemnisation for everybody but Rhaenyra ( Milly Alcock ) , who has become certain she ’s going to be replaced as successor to the Iron Throne . So are most of the Godhead of the Seven Kingdoms , who are visibly eased they wo n’t be ruled by a — shudder — woman . And Rhaenyra is extremely caustic about it .
Ironically , Viserys ’ happiness at have Aegon , Second of His Name , with Alicent ( Emily Carey ) is limited because of the same issue . In fact , he ’s quite wretched because of all those lords pressure him to publically name his two - year - previous the new heir . He ’s also miserable because Rhaenyra is angered with him for wed her best friend , continually sending potential suitor her way to get married her off , and not speaking up for his girl while he ’s obviously fuck off changeless air pressure to name his son the heir or else . Viserys ’s preferred coping mechanism ? A gross ton of wine-colored , Tyrion Lannister - style .
Image: Gary Moyes/HBO
The one affair he ’s not peculiarly worried about is the war in the Stepstones , which Lord Corlys “ The Sea Snake ” Velaryon ( Steve Toussaint ) and Prince Daemon Targaryen ( Matt Smith ) have been wag for year against the Crabfeeder and his literary pirate — and lose . Every time Daemon come on his flying dragon , they skitter back into their cave , where Draco fervency ca n’t get to them . Since Corlys and Daemon started this warfare without Viserys ’ royal decree , the big businessman is inclined to simply let them lose rather than send military personnel and seem weak by finally acknowledging their mini - uprising .
The matter is , Viserys is a weak king . He drink to avoid make conclusion about his daughter , but with a healthy son , thing have come to a crisis point . It ’s manifest when Viserys takes his royal family and suite to the Kingswood for a hunt celebrating Aegon ’s natal day , and all the Lord who have gathered there start applauding the king and his new boy , whole ignoring Rhaenyra ’s macrocosm . And when it ’s report a rare bloodless hart has been seen in the forest , the man cheer for the sign from the Gods that they privilege little Aegon . It ’s too much for Rhaenyra , who rides out of the summer camp at top fastness . No one really cares that she go away or ends up detain out all nighttime in the woods other than her appointed Kingsguard , Ser Christon Cole ( Fabien Frankel ) , who chase after her .
With Rhaenyra thus semi - safely out of the fashion , the men can decide who she must conjoin . Having been earlier fight off by the princess herself , Jason Lannister ( Jefferson Hall ) approaches the king to ask him to make the match befall . Viserys is already tempestuous ( and quite drunk ) at being forced to face this nettle subject again when Jason makes the fault of saying Rhaenyra will be “ well - compensated for her loss of station ” as Lady of Casterly Rock . Viserys scream that Rhaenyra is still his announced heir as Jason stammer , “ We assumed … ”
Image: Ollie Upton/HBO
Small Council member Lyonel Strong ( Gavin Spokes ) offers another prospect , which an angry Viserys assumes is his Master of Laws ’ Word Harwin . alternatively , Strong paint a picture Laenor Velaryon ( Theo Nate ) , the ( amply - grow , thank the gods ) son of the Sea Snake and the king ’s full cousin , Rhaenys . Just as binding the two Valyrion houses together would have strengthened the pennant and realm back when it was suggestedViserys we d their daughter Laena , a lucifer between Rhaenyra and Laenor would do the same now . Otto Hightower ( Rhys Ifans ) , Hand of the King , offers the earthy prospect potential — for Rhaenyra to we d her half - brother Aegon , Targaryen - expressive style , except several million time worse because the tike — the tot — is two . Viserys , to his credit , looks at Otto like he ’s gone insane .
While the king and lords endeavor to decide her future , another male make it in Rhaenyra ’s camp in an attempt to make the conclusion moot . A elephantine boar runs into her and Criston ’s small-scale summer camp , knocking the knight off his feet and attempting to maul Rhaenyra . It ’s pretty agonising to watch over until Criston manage to slay the brute and it topple off the princess … until it starts to rise again and Rhaenyra land up the job by knife the boar in the head I ’d say , around , 400 million times . She ’s covered in stock .
Viserys ’ hunt for the white hart , however , does not fare nearly so well . Not that the king does any actual hunt , of track . The huntsmen — who could only capture a big grey-headed Alces alces — have to attach it up for him and then head on the deer ’s trunk where the killing shock should land . Viserys still postulate two stabs to bring it down , because House of the Dragon does not do subtle . casing in point : When Rhaenyra returns to camp , covered in profligate , Criston dragging a massive idle boar behind him , it ’s inconceivable not to compare and contrast the two “ hunt ” and see who looks like the stronger loss leader .
Image: Ollie Upton/HBO
Meanwhile , it ’s a unlike madam who descend not just to the king ’s deliverance , but the kingdom ’s as well . As Viserys dither about what to do about Rhaenyra and whether to send troops to help his buddy and the Sea Snake , Alicent arrives to guide him . Ignoring her father ’s desire for her to tell the king to name Aegon his successor , Alicent tell Viserys the only way to get Rhaenyra marry is to allow her make the match . As for the war with the Crabfeeder , she essentially asks , regardless of his feelings , Daemon ’s feelings , and even the people ’s feelings , what decision would be good for Westeros ?
The conversation essentially place some Valyrian steel back in Viserys ’ pricker . He sends a courier to enjoin Daemon that flock are on the elbow room , because he know his chum would rather die than ask for assistance . The king also summons Rhaenyra , and finally confirm she ’s still his intended successor and will not be replaced . He also tells her she can hook up with whoever she want but she would be wise to cull someone who can ply an alliance and shore up her succession . It ’s a conversation that could have ( and arguably should have ) appeared much earlier in the sequence alternatively of focusing so intently on Rhaenyra sulking and Viserys drinking , but it ’s ok .
But the slow burn of the king and princess ’ reconciliation in “ 2nd of His Name ” has the benefit of make the episode ’s last act even more awing , and it ’s very awful indeed . As Corlys , his buddy Vaemond , and his son Laenor indicate about their losing state of war with the plagiarizer , Daemon arrives on his Draco , and he looks approximative . But his frustration with the Crabfeeder does n’t stop him from attempt to furiously beat Viserys ’ messenger to end once he ’s delivered the news that help is on the fashion .
Image: Ollie Upton/HBO
Cut to : Daemon , row a humble boat to the island where the pirates are holed up . He wave a ashen flag , kneel , and offer up her sword to his enemy , bespeak his surrender . When the Crabfeeder drop dead his cave , all he does is watch the skies for Daemon ’s dragon , who is nowhere in sight . Some pirates take to the ledge and calculate their arrows at the prince , suspecting a deception ; others carefully come near Daemon … and then he starts killing them all .
I did n’t know how much I need to see Matt Smith kick unhallowed ass , but it was apparently quite a keen deal . Daemon murders his agency towards the Crabfeeder , until two pointer force him to take protection . Then what seems like the entire pirate army egress from the caves to take out the Targaryen , which is what the Velaryon forces have been waiting for . A full - blown struggle on the shore breaks out while a dragon scorches the pirates — but this one is Seasmoke , ridden by Laenor . ( Remember , Laenor ’s mother is Rhaenys , intend he has Targaryen blood and is thus entitled to a dragon . )
In the chaos , the Crabfeeder retreats into his cave , but this clock time he ’s followed by Daemon . And when Daemon reemerges , he ’s dredge the severed trunk of his opposition , the Crabfeeder ’s exposed intestines trailing behind it .
Image: Gary Moyes/HBO
Does this scene make sense ? Not especially , and I could n’t deal less . It ’s extremely rad , giving the visceral rush of Game of Thrones episodes like “ Hardhome ” and “ Battle of the Bastards . ” While the political relation of House of the Dragon have been captivating , it ’s amazing to cognize the show has the baron to deliver the visceral military action that made Game of Thrones so thrilling .
It ’s a outstanding end to an installment that otherwise spend a trivial too much time twiddle its proverbial thumbs , but it even out out in the terminal . I also screw how House of the Dragon is playing the long game by continually jumping forward — and we have n’t even seen the adult actors playing Rhaenyra and Alicent yet . netherworld , the Targaryen civil war has n’t even started yet — and a new competitor to the throne has only just arrived . These first three sequence have basically been a prologue to the real fib to come , and they ’ve been remarkably sound . When the unexampled fighting for the Iron Throne in the end begins , we could be in for something special indeed .
Assorted Musings:
As rad as Matt Smith is in the net fit , his scene at the beginning of the episode is highly weird . Daemon is on his flying lizard , at the Crabfeeder ’s beach , enjoin him to “ issue forth out ” and asking , “ Where are you ? ” but Smith ’s delivery of the lines was remarkably emotionless . It was very off - putting , peculiarly since the talks already sounded like it was from a humanity playing fell - and - try with a bambino .
Cancel Otto Hightower .
Goodbye , Crabfeeder . Your head was too uncanny and gross for this world .
Image: Ollie Upton/HBO
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Image: Ollie Upton/HBO
