Warning: This House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5 Breakdown Might Contain Major Spoilers!
“Behold the traitor dragon Meleys”
shouts a crier. As a grim spectacle unfolds as the head of Meleys is paraded through the streets, crowd’s murmurs speak of fear and ominous portents rather than victory. Surrounded by the feared people, oppressed, desperate and disappointed by their so called king, the Gold Cloaks demonstrate the head of The Red Queen like an achievement.
Little they know the slow poison of rumors this action has managed to spread among the people.
As Aemond along with his mother observes the city, he seems quite proud of what he had achieved. But more than that victory over Rhaenys, Aemond now had a tighter grasp over the throne. Especially when the council overruled Alicent’s objection and decided Aemond as the temporary ruler.
Is Aemond’s smirk one of triumph or foreboding?
Aemond takes charge, ordering the city gates shut. Alicent, feeling her control slip away, confronts Cole again. “So you just cast me aside?” she demands. “Have I not spared you?” he replies, highlighting the harsh reality of their situation. This scenario raises the question, is Alicent losing the control not only on Aemond, but on her muse Cole as well?
While among the blacks and allies, the mourning of Rhaenys is echoing louder in the silence. Both Dragonstone and Driftmark, even in their agony, are seen to plan their next steps after the loss.
Our journey briefly takes us to Driftmark, where Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, grieves the death of his wife, Rhaenys. His granddaughter, Bella, visits, urging him to accept Rhaenyra’s offer to be her Hand.
“Rhaenys was not only your wife,”
Bella reminds him.
“She was a Targaryen princess, the Queen who never was, and she flew to Rook’s Rest of her own volition.”
New Alliances
While Jace, against his mother’s wish decides to visit The Twins, he negotiates and offers Freys Harrenhal if they agree to bend the knee to the queen. This short conversation, yet fruitful, adds another layer of strength into The Black’s claim to the throne.
But can Jace trust the Freys, or is he walking into a trap? What we know from GOT, Freys are known for their loose loyalty!
What’s up with Daemon?
An interesting development, which was probably foreshadowed, is confirmed now. Daemon has his own plans, not just to raise an army for the queen, but for himself. The logic that Daemon and Ser Alfred shared, “the gentler sex”, referring to Rhaenyra, loudly spoke how tough it is for her to not only win the throne, but to also win the loyalty of her own people. All that, for her gender.
Daemon, while had control over Harrenhal, his pursuit to convince Riverlords to join him by hook or by crook has massively backfired. In the name of Targaryens with Black flags and red dragons, the pillaging of the Riverlands done to make them bend the knee did nothing but sparked a rebellion. Now these Riverlords see The Blacks nothing more than a tyrant that would not think twice before sacrificing kids and women for their cause.
Daemon, not sure how you will fix it, but you have fuc***d up big time bro!
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5 Review
While misogyny, personal agendas, rebellions come as no surprise, the episode felt a little slow to me personally. After the chilling end of the first battle of Dance of the Dragons, I had high hopes for more drama so we could proceed to fiercer battles.
But the politics brewing is probably a transition between two phases of battles that we will have to go through. These transitions are even though strategically placed to give the audience enough time to inhale every fast moving frame, it is also crucial to know stretching the show too long just for the sake it might be a good idea.
Game of Thrones had made the mistake of slow build ups and disappointing conclusions, HOTD has to fill those gaps. Therefore, even though my fate sometimes shakes a little, I have my hopes higher than ever for upcoming wars that are yet to visit our screen.
Can HOTD maintain its momentum, or will it falter like its predecessor? The time will be the bearer of that answer.
New Characters Might Join In the Party
Well, by the end of the episode, Jace and Rhaenrya hinted towards the new dragon riders that might join The Blacks. The ones who were cast aside years ago, and are of mixed bloods. While the episode didn’t yet reveal who these riders could be, I believe the drama ahead is going to be worth the wait!
Overall, this episode packed a punch with its political maneuvering and character development, setting the stage for the battles to come. Will the Blacks and Greens find common ground, or will their conflict only deepen?
Keep Up With Past Episodes
House of the Dragon Season 2 Review
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4
Where can you stream House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5?
Even though HBO Max is not available in most locations outside the USA, there are local legal partners streaming the show.
Well, the episode’s trailer has already made it one of the most talked about new releases. Now that only a few hours left to its broadcast, we are excited too to see how fans and critics’ reviews are going to take it.
What did you think of the episode? Contact Us, and share your thoughts!
