HBO’s House of the Dragon season one episode five featured its own mini version of the Red Wedding. Only one person died so the bloodshed doesn’t compare to Game of Thrones’ season three episode nine, but the fates of everyone in attendance have been forever altered by the events. (Never cross Ser Criston.) Episode five also killed off a character we heard about but never got to know (RIP Lady Rhea Royce) and said goodbye to – at least for now – the ex-Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower.
Most importantly, Queen Alicent has begun rallying those loyal to House Hightower.
Episode five begins with Lady Rhea Royce (Rachel Redford) out hunting deer when her ride is interrupted by the appearance of a cloaked man who turns out to be her husband, Prince Daemon (Matt Smith). She wonders why he’s returned to the Vale and suggests it might be to finally consummate their marriage. Maybe their sheep would be willing since according to Daemon, they are prettier than the Vale’s women.
She taunts him for being tossed aside for his niece. Only after asking if he plans on murdering Rhaenyra does she realize her own life is in danger. As she goes to draw her bow from its pouch, her horse rears up and crushes her. (We don’t see what Daemon does, but he’s obviously responsible.) She’s not dead but she has been paralyzed. Daemon finishes the job with a large rock.
Queen Alicent (Emily Carey) catches her father Ser Otto (Rhys Ifans) before he leaves King’s Landing. He reminds her she’s the one who told Rhaenyra what he said, and Alicent’s certain his informer was wrong. She blames her dad for his unrelenting desire to have Aegon named heir.
Ser Otto is certain King Viserys won’t live to be an old man. He’s also certain there will be war if Rhaenyra is crowned Queen. If she remains the heir, she’ll kill Alicent’s children. Otto warns his daughter that Rhaenyra won’t have a choice but to do so to secure her claim.
“You know it,” growls Ser Otto. “You are no fool and yet you choose not to see it.”
Ser Otto sees only two paths forward: Aegon is named heir or Alicent will need to plead for Rhaenyra’s mercy.
He pulls his sobbing daughter in for a hug before riding off in the pouring rain.
Alicent visits the godswood and has company in Larys Strong (also known as Larys Clubfoot). They discuss flowers and nature, and he suddenly blurts out it’s a dark day for the realm with the departure of Ser Otto. Larys’ father is the new Hand of the King, and Larys offers himself as an ally – should she need one. He hints that Princess Rhaenyra is unwell and reveals a tea was delivered to her by the Grand Maester at the King’s direction the night Ser Otto was dismissed.
Larys is quite the conniving gossip. Alicent realizes her friend lied to her, and her father was unjustly dismissed.
Elsewhere, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) is suffering from seasickness – among other illnesses – as the ocean tosses his ship around. The new Hand of the King Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock), and Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) are handling it well, but Viserys looks close to death.
Viserys is still looking ill as he and Princess Rhaenyra arrive by carriage at Lord Corlys Velaryon’s castle, High Tide. It’s a gloomy day and Lord Corlys has not shown his face to welcome them. Lord Strong takes this as an insult to the King and demands to know why Lord Corlys isn’t there to greet them.
Lady Laena Velaryon (Savannah Steyn) explains her father’s tired from a long journey and is waiting for them in the Hall of the Nine.
Once inside High Tide, Lady Laena takes Princess Rhaenyra to the dining room while King Viserys and Lord Strong meet with Lord Corlys in the Hall of the Nine. Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) is delayed a bit in bending the knee but does as Viserys coughs.
Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) joins them and seems happy to greet her cousin, the King. When she takes his hands, she realizes from his pained grunt and gloved hand that he’s suffering from a disease that’s caused him to lose fingers.
Lord Corlys and Rhaenys inform Viserys that Prince Daemon’s wife died in a hunting accident, even though she had impressive horseback skills. Talk of the lack of heirs prompts Viserys to change the subject. He proposes a marriage between his daughter and their son, suggesting it’s past time for their Houses to be united.
Lord Corlys doesn’t immediately accept and instead needs details clarified. He asks about the succession and King Viserys confirms that Rhaenyra is his heir and she will rule upon his death. Plus, she’ll receive his titles. If Ser Laenor and Rhaenyra marry and have children, their firstborn will inherit the throne.
Corlys asks if their children will be born Velaryons, and Viserys replies, “Surely, Lord Corlys, you are not proposing the Targaryen dynasty end with my daughter simply because she is a woman?”
Viserys coughs and is sweaty when he says the children will take their father’s name, Velaryon, but when their firstborn ascends the throne, they will take the name Targaryen. That will ensure dragons rule for the next 100 years, just as they’ve done the last.
Lord Corlys and Lady Rhaenys agree this is a workable solution.
King Viserys excuses himself, appearing to be on death’s door.
Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor (Theo Nate) go for a stroll on the beach, and she confesses that if she’s forced to marry anyone, she’s glad it’s him. She realizes it’s not what he wants since she’s not to his taste. They use eating goose as a metaphor when discussing what they prefer. (Both Laenor and Rhaenyra prefer men.)
Rhaenyra offers a solution. They marry and then after they’ve done their duty to the realm, they each “dine” as they see fit.
Ser Laenor smiles.
Back at High Tide, Viserys heads off to rest for a while. Lady Rhaenys suggests to her husband that it was undignified for Viserys to come during such a bad storm to beg for Ser Laenor’s hand. Lord Corlys thinks he might have pushed the King too hard.
Lord Corlys hopes Ser Laenor will be taken with Princess Rhaenyra since she’s grown to be quite a beauty. Lady Rhaenys reminds him he knows full well what his son’s preferences are when it comes to romance. Lord Corlys hopes his son will outgrow it since bedding a woman is the highest pleasure in the world.
Princess Rhaenys believes that since the birth of Prince Aegon, Rhaenyra’s right to rule has been challenged. That means they’re placing their son in danger by allowing him to marry her. (No one understands better than Rhaenys about the rightful heir being passed over because she’s a woman.)
Lord Corlys is certain that since the Velaryons control the navy and half the dragons in existence, no one will challenge Rhaenyra’s right to the throne.
Ser Laenor is comforted by his lover, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth (the Knight of Kisses), who’s pleased to learn Rhaenyra will allow their relationship to continue after Laenor’s married. He pledges to be Laenor’s sworn protector once Laenor is named King Consort.
They kiss and Joffrey confesses this is better than they could have hoped for.
They wonder who Princess Rhaenyra is sleeping with.
Lovers Rhaenyra and Ser Criston are on board the ship, quietly chatting. Criston speaks of their time together over the years, and he wonders if she truly loathes her position and being forced to marry by her father. He knows she didn’t choose Laenor, and she agrees.
Criston has a plan for their future that doesn’t include Rhaenyra on the throne. Before he was part of the Kingsguard, he was a knight of the Stormlands. He’s always wanted to sail away and wants her to come with him, away from all the burdens and rules.
“Let us leave it all behind and see the world together,” says Criston. “We will be nameless and free – free to go where we like, to love as we like.”
She could marry him instead, and it would be a marriage for love – not for the crown.
She doesn’t immediately answer and appears to briefly consider it. She finally says that although she chafes at the duties, she would never choose to flee over her duty. She is the Crown. (He didn’t really believe she’d give up her destiny for him, did he?)
Rhaenyra confesses her marriage doesn’t have to be the end of their relationship. She and Laenor will pursue their own romantic interests even after they’re married.
“You want me to be your whore?” asks Criston, stricken by her response.
Rhaenyra assures Criston she views him as her white knight, and he reminds her of his oath. He’s broken it for her, and he becomes emotional as he tries to get her to understand that oath was the only thing he has to his name, and now it’s soiled.
If they married, he could restore his name. Rhaenyra believes the Iron Throne is larger than anyone.
Ser Criston storms off, unwilling to listen anymore.
King Viserys’ group returns to King’s Landing and he’s out of breath as he exits the carriage. Queen Alicent watches as he faints and the Grand Maester summons leeches.
Ser Criston is summoned by Queen Alicent shortly after their arrival. She apologizes for questioning him on a delicate matter and asks about the night Rhaenyra was out with Daemon. Criston doesn’t confirm what she did with Daemon but confesses he slept with Rhaenyra. She instigated it but he knows that’s not an excuse.
He broke his oath and dishonored himself. However, if she pities him, he would prefer she sentence him to death rather than being gelded.
Queen Alicent turns her back and struggles to control her emotions. She thanks him for his honesty and dismisses him. Criston looks confused since he didn’t receive any punishment and pauses before leaving.
King Viserys is struggling to breathe as Grand Maester Mellos suggests he rest; the leeches are on their way to his bedchamber. Mellos turns down the use of herbal poultices suggested by another maester, believing leechings work best.
Lord Strong’s given a potion by the maester to help Viserys sleep. Viserys asks about the Queen’s whereabouts and Lord Strong says she’s occupied before offering him the potion.
He wonders if he’ll be written about as a good king since he hasn’t done anything truly noteworthy other than keeping the peace. His rule won’t make for a good song to be sung at future feasts. Lord Strong believes he’s done well by King Jaehaerys’ legacy and the realm has remained strong.
Viserys confesses he sometimes wishes he’d been tested to see if he would have emerged a different man. “Tis perhaps best not to know,” he says before drifting off.
Dozens of ships arrive at King’s Landing for the start of the royal wedding celebration. Lord Commander Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish) announces the lords as they arrive, including Lord Jason Lannister who enters with a royal entourage that includes his twin brother. House Hightower’s Lord Hobert (Steffan Rhodri) is next.
The feast is massive, and Lord Jason congratulates King Viserys for the match he’s made for Princess Rhaenyra. Jason compliments the spread and Viserys says he wanted this to be a wedding for the histories since his daughter is the future queen.
Queen Alicent is noticeably absent, and Jason makes a joke about women always running late. Rhaenyra looks ready to stab him.
Ser Gerold Royce, a cousin of Lady Rhea Royce, speaks with the King, and Viserys expresses his sorrow at Rhea’s death. Their chat is interrupted by the arrival of House Velaryon and the future King Consort.
All rise and applaud as the Velaryons make their way toward the head table. Rhaenyra leaves her seat and Laenor kisses her hand in front of the attendees to more applause.
Criston looks ready to scream out his secrets as all this is taking place.
Prince Daemon arrives next, and the crowd falls momentarily silent. Whispers are heard as Daemon approaches King Viserys, and Viserys motions for a chair to be added to the head table.
Viserys welcomes everyone to the start of the celebration as House Targaryen honors House Velaryon, their fiercest ally. He stops mid-speech as Queen Alicent enters. She walks the length of the hall, and the attendees belatedly rise. Viserys just stares at the Queen.
It’s an insult for her to enter while he’s delivering his speech. Larys Strong whispers to a friend, asking if he knows what color the beacon on the Hightower glows when Oldtown calls its banners to war. The answer is green.
Queen Alicent is wearing a green gown.
The Queen moves to her place beside King Viserys and congratulates her stepdaughter, without a hint of emotion in her voice. Viserys continues his speech and expresses his hope to herald in a Second Age of Dragons in Westeros. He jokes about this “small affair” and confirms there will be seven days of feasting followed by the royal wedding.
Daemon stares at his niece as applause greets Viserys’ speech.
Laenor and Rhaenyra take to the floor for a dance. Criston meets her eyes without a smile. Alicent is also stone-faced.
Laenor’s lover, Joffrey, notices Criston’s reaction and you can see the wheels turning as he figures out who Rhaenyra’s lover is.
Queen Alicent meets with her uncle Lord Hobert and thanks him for coming. He confirms Oldtown stands with her and is glad to see she’s standing tall, even after her father’s dismissal.
Ser Gerold Royce of Runestone tells Daemon that in the Vale even Targaryens must be made to pay for their crimes. Gerold approaches Daemon, explaining he’s a cousin to Daemon’s late wife. Daemon insincerely says he’s bereft at this tragic accident and Gerold claims her death wasn’t an accident. Daemon wonders if he’s confessing a crime and Gerold assures him he’s making an accusation.
“In King’s Landing men are made to answer for their slanders, even old bronze c*nts like you,” says Daemon. (Bronze refers to the House Royce armor.) He then wishes to speak about his inheritance and believes everything – including Runestone – now belongs to him. He’s going to visit there after the wedding to get what’s his.
Viserys says nothing but overheard the entire conversation.
Daemon and Lady Laena exchange looks, and he follows her onto the dance floor. He asks if anyone’s told her she’s nearly as pretty as her brother.
Ser Joffrey whispers to Laenor that Ser Criston Cole is Rhaenyra’s lover. Joffrey thinks Criston took Rhaenyra’s virginity, and this is a good secret to possess.
Ser Joffrey approaches Criston and notes Rhaenyra and Laenor make a handsome match. Joffrey explains Laenor is quite dear to him…as Rhaenyra is to Criston. They should swear to guard each other’s secrets. Criston doesn’t respond.
The dancing continues and Daemon has maneuvered himself into being Rhaenyra’s partner. She looks upset as he asks if this is what she wants, sure Laenor will bore her senseless. She reminds him of his words, that marriage is just a political arrangement, and he explains his marriage has been “dissolved.”
She taunts him, suggesting he marry her now before she weds Laenor. He should cut his way through the Kingsguard and take her to Dragonstone as his wife. Alicent and Viserys watch this, with Viserys growing increasingly angry.
Daemon clasps Rhaenyra’s face and suddenly there’s a commotion. It’s hard to see what’s happening and Rhaenyra cries out for Laenor. She’s pushed to the ground in the commotion as Ser Criston punches and kicks Laenor’s lover. He also punches Laenor in the face before turning his attention back to Joffrey. Joffrey pulls a knife, but Ser Criston is a much better fighter.
Viserys is worried about his daughter and Lord Strong motions for his son, Ser Harwin (nicknamed “Breakbones,” the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms), to fetch her. The fighting spreads as blood from Viserys’ nose drips to the ground in a steady flow.
Ser Harwin locates Rhaenyra and carries her over his shoulder, away from the melee.
Ser Criston’s like a wild animal beating Joffrey until he’s unrecognizable, caving in his face. (It’s disgusting.)
The fighting stops and Ser Criston rises, leaving the room along with most of the crowd.
Laenor is still on the ground and crawls to his dead lover.
The royal celebration week is over as soon as it began. The wedding ceremony is held with only the immediate families in attendance, with the bloody floor and scattered food as decorations.
Laenor and Rhaenyra exchange vows, reciting, “I’m yours and you’re mine, whatever may come.”
Viserys falls to the ground, his crown tumbling from his head, as the ceremony ends.
Ser Criston drags his cloak on the ground as he enters the godswood. He kneels and places his sword on the ground. Criston takes his knife and is about to plunge it into his stomach when Queen Alicent appears and says his name.
Inside the great hall, a rat laps at the blood on the floor.
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