Hey everyone and welcome to my review for HBO’s House of the Dragon Episode 6 – The
Princess and the Queen.
So after ten in world years we’re back and I think this was another very solid episode,
as well as a great introduction to many new characters and actors.
First off, right away I wanna recognize the incredible job done by pretty much all the
new actors, especially the two playing adult Rhaenrya and Alicent.
Both did an amazing job and fit right in with the rest of the cast, especially Olivia Cooke
as Alicent who most stood out to me.
Which is fitting since Emily Carey who played the character first, routinely put on incredible
performances.
This wasn’t my favourite episode of the season, but considering everything they had
to accomplish I was very much satisfied with what we got.
So before getting into my top 5 moments, the first Honorable mention goes to pretty much
every scene with Harwyn Strong, what an absolutely fantastic character, who was so much more
likeable, and, in his own way, honerable then I expected.
Unfortunately we don’t get to know much about him from the books, and while we didn’t
get much in the show either, the bits they threw in during earlier episode coupled with
what we saw in this one, made me love the Strongs even more then I already did.
This made it all the more satisfying when he beat Criston Cole into the gorund.
I also enjoyed watching his discussion with his father, another of my favourite characters.
And while I hate that they both had to die, given the time constraints, I think they did
everything possible to make both very compelling character.
I also really liked the quick moment we had with Alicent’s daughter, Helaena, as at
first I wasn’t paying close attention to what she was saying, though I did catch her
mention one eye, which then made me go back and rewatch the scene, which seems to be hinting
at being a dreamer, which is not mentioned in the books but would be a very cool character
trait for her.
Another honerable mention goes to Daemon and Laena riding their dragons together, the excellent
dinner scene in pentos, where they spoke about Aegon and the war with the triarchy, as well
as young Jace questioning her mother about Harwyn being his real father.
Now moving on to what I felt was the fifth best moment of the episode, I chose the dragonpit
training scene between Jace and vermax.
I loved everything about this, from the badass trainer who speaks Valyrian, to our first
look at Vermax and a glimpse into the relationship between the boys.
I have to say I was surprised and happy to see Aegon getting along with his half brothers,
though it unfortunately came at the expense of young Aemond, whose serious, sullen nature
was in stark contrast to the others.
But I like that they also gave him a scene showing his incredible bravery, especially
concerning dragons, as its a nice preview of things to come.
For the fourth best moment of the night, I choose the small council meeting, where Rhaenyra
finally displayed what I felt was an appropriate level of competence, and seriousness concerning
affairs of the realm.
This was very satisfying to witness, however I still feel it felt far to long for her start
behaving like a reasonably intelligent political figure.
This is the Rhaenyra I expected from the books, competent, bold, filled with potential but
far from perfect.
I also greatly sympathized with the pain she must have felt suggesting Jacaerys marry Helaena.
This was a very practical and reasonable solution which had the added affect of making Alicent
look unreasonable for refusing, even if her reasons are somewhat understandable.
Really enjoyed this scene.
Moving on to the third best moment of the night, I went with good old Lyonel Strong
attempting to resign his position.
As always Lyonel Strong stood out for being a good honorable noble, genuinely trying to
do right by his son and king, seemingly without any ulterior motive beyond being a good man.
Seeing him unable to speak the truth while also trying to make it clear he is compromised
was a great thing to witness.
Lyonel is really starting to remind me of Eddard Stark in a lot of ways, though I think
Lyonel is more flexible and therefore successful in politics, focusing on his personal honor
rather then trying to impose his own standards upon others.
I also really liked seeing Viserys refuse his resignation, and the look of crazed anticipation
from Alicent, like a shark sensing blood in the water.
It was all excellent.
For the number two spot I chose Alicent walking in on Aegon and forcing him to think about
politics and his future as king.
This scene stood out primarily because of the performance by both actors.
Alicent, as I already mention was a stand out, but it was this scene where I really
got to see the Alicent from the books come alive, as she behaved exactly like I might
have expected, with a wild, aggressive hostility, that sways from cunning to foolish at a moments
notice, thoughtlessly bulldozing her way towards civil war, letting her anger and bitterness
potentially bring about one of the worst possible outcomes that could reasonably be expected,
instead of taking the many alternative routes presented to her, or making any attempt to
analyze the situation rationally and understand the horrific, wide-spread and personal consequence
that might arise from the war she seeks.
Aegon also did an excellent job, not only displaying the spoiled, frivolous boy I expected
from the books, but also showing layers to his character, making him more then a one
dimensional villian, while still remaining true to his many unflattering character traits.
I mentioned earlier that I liked seeing Aegon get along with his half brothers, but I also
liked seeing the worry and fear in his eyes while he spoke to his mother, suggesting he
is taking her words to heart.
Now finally, for the best moment of the night, I once again return to the Strong family,
but this time to the traitorous snake that has slithered his way into Alicent’s confidence,
putting him in the perfect position to enter the game of thrones, as a top level player,
seeking either victory or death, with no room in between.
My god was this unexpected.
In the books there’s a suggestion that maybe it was Larys who killed his family, but to
be honest I never really thought that was true, as I always assumed it was Daemon, and
given what they showed us in the wedding banquet, how Larys and his brother seemed to be getting
along perfectly well, I was under the impression they were probably close, and that while Larys
was loyal to the greens, he was working an angle for the sake of his family as well as
himself.
Maybe this was foolish to think, given all the terrible things he does in the books,
but that was genuinely my impression from the little we saw in the show up to this point.
So when Larys gave his creepy little speech explaining what he did, intercut with the
fire at harrenhall and the death of two of my favorite characters, I was devastated,
and furious with this monstrous, psychotic traitor.
But as much as I hate him, these scenes were done so well I can’t wait to see more of
him and learn what fresh horrors he’s committed.
I also really enjoyed the subtle threats he lobbied at Alicent, making it clear he is
not to be messed with, and he will serve her loyaly only so long as she rewards him in
equal measure.
Alicent now has no choice but to accept him as a powerful friend, or turn him into a devastating
enemy.
With this scene Larys elevated his status as a political schemer to stand right alongside
other all time greats like Varys and Littlefinger.
I also loved seeing Alicent’s reaction, and nearly laughed seeing the ridiculous look
of shock on her face, as she was finally confronted with the consequences she can expect going
down the path of war.
This especially stood out because of the conversation she had earlier with Criston, were she’s
arrogantly and naively spoke about being on the side of honor and decency, but by the
end of the episode, reality finally slapped her in the face and it became clear any moral
highground she held disappeared long ago.
As it became clear she was no better then Rhaenrya, just on another team.
So those were my top 5 moments for the night, and as I said this was a solid episode I very
much enjoyed.
If there is one criticism I have, seemingly with every episode, but it really stood out
in this one, it’s that they are moving far faster then I would like.
Just as an example, as much as I enjoyed the Larys Strong reveal, I think it could have
been even better if we had more time with the Strongs, learning more about them and
perhaps some possible cracks in their relationship.
I feel the same way about Rhaenrya’s relationships with both Cole and Harwyn, as they seemed
very rushed.
However, that being said I completely understand why they have to keep things moving.
If you’ve watched my 35 minute Dance of the Dragons video, you’ll know that everything
they’ve covered in the show so far only takes up about the first 5 minuted of that
video.
Meaning there is still a lot of ground to cover and bascially have no choice but to
go at this pace.
It’s unfortunate in my opinion, but given the realities of the shows production, I think
they’re doing the best job possible.
Now, for my favorite kill of the Episode, I went with Laena Velaryon ordering Vhagar
to burn her alive.
Although she didn’t have many scene before this episode, Laena was one of the secondary
characters I most liked and looked forward to learning about, and I think she really
excelled in every scene she had, despite the changing actresses.
In the books Laena died in childbirth, and some stories say she tried to reach Vhagar
to fly one last time, but died before making it.
Ultimately I think they made the right choice giving her a more dramatic ending, and like
they did with Harwyn, I think they did a great job making Laena a likeable, compelling character
despite time limitations.
Moving on to the best line of the night, I went with the exchange between Larys Strong
and Alicent when he says,
“You’ve heard the stories of Harrenhal your grace, its built in hubris by harren
the black as a monument to his own greatness.
Blood mixed in to the mortar.
It is said to be a cursed place.
That it passes judgment on all who pass beneath its gates.”
Alicent then interupts and says, “You.
You passed judgment.”
to which Larys replied, “The queen makes a wish.
What servant of the realm would not strive to fulfill it.”
So that’s my review for the House of the Dragon Episode 5, the Princess and the Queen.
Another great episode from a great show, so overall I’m going to give it an 8 out of
10, and is the mark of a good show, I’m very much looking forward to the next episode.
But what did you guys think of this one?
What do you think of the time jump and all the new actors?
Let me know in the comments below and like always be sure to check out the links to some
of my other recent videos, like the spoiler free Prelude to the House of the Dragon video,
the spoiler filled Dance of the Dragons video, my world of thrones geography video, and a
beginners guide to the entire history of ASOIAF.
So that’s it for now guys thank you very much for watching and I’ll see you in the
next one.