WARNING: This review contains spoilers for Episode 5 of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2.
I disagree with the notion that Episode 5 is the least eventful of the season. While it may seem quieter compared to the intense Battle at Rook’s Rest in the previous episode, the fifth installment still delivers significant moments that are far from mundane.
Episode 5 centers on strategic plotting as both Team Black and Team Green evaluate the impact of the ongoing civil war on their remaining survivors. Each side grapples with the losses they’ve endured and plans their next moves in a high-stakes game of survival.
The episode opens with Corlys and Rhaenyra mourning in isolation upon hearing the news of Rhaenys’ death. In the previous episode, Rhaenys courageously volunteered to defend Lord Staunton’s stronghold at Rook’s Rest in place of Rhaenyra. Despite concerns, neither Corlys nor Rhaenyra intervened, resulting in Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys being defeated by Aemond and Vhagar. Later, Rhaenyra offers Corlys the position of Hand of the Queen through Baela.
Lowborn lives and high-stakes
Episode 5 takes a closer look at the plight of King’s Landing’s smallfolk. Although they were present earlier in the season, this episode brings their suffering into sharper focus. This dire situation escalates when Ser Criston Cole parades Meleys’ head and falsely claims that Aegon has slain the dragon. This false claim shocks the already starving smallfolk, who view it as a bad omen rather than a victory — an unexpected reaction for the Hand of the King. How this will affect Team Green’s grip on their people remains to be seen.
Aegon’s not gone
For now, at least. Aegon has weathered the chaos of the last episode, but his survival is far from triumphant — he is grievously burned and left in a near-unrecognizable state. This crisis compels the Small Council to appoint a regent, as the episode’s title suggests. Alicent expresses her desire for the role, but the council rejects her, choosing Aemond instead, primarily because he is a man and, secondarily, a dragonrider. Fresh into his new role, Aemond wastes no time sealing the city gates and trapping the smallfolk, including Hugh Hammer and his family, who are simply looking for meat, a literal and metaphorical hint at a better life outside the capital. This move, among others, gives us a preview of Aemond’s potential for authoritarianism. It’s not exactly shocking, but it’s still striking to witness how quickly his rule could turn oppressive.
Seeing Green
To be blunt, my interest in Team Black is starting to wane. We’re all still cheering for them, but we’re now at a point where the most compelling drama of the civil war is unfolding within the Red Keep. The real intrigue is shifting behind those walls, and it’s hard not to feel like Team Black is becoming a bit of an afterthought.
But there are still crucial moments that reveal the Black faction’s fight to stay relevant amid the cataclysm. Rhaenyra and her allies are still navigating a landscape where their survival hinges on shrewd moves and strategic alliances. For example, Jace’s successful deal with the Freys for Harrenhal is a savvy play that highlights their ongoing effort to keep their future secure, even when the broader drama unfolds elsewhere.
Speaking of Harrenhal, Daemon continues his reign there with a bit of flair. When Ser Simon Strong addressed him as “Your Grace,” Daemon insisted on being called “My King” instead. Strong argued that Daemon is technically a prince but conceded the title of “King Consort.” Daemon quipped, “That last bit seems unnecessary, doesn’t it?” This remark takes on added significance when Daemon’s ultimate plan is revealed: when the opportunity to seize King’s Landing arises, he intends to claim it himself, expecting Rhaenyra to stand by him as his chosen partner in power.
Daemon orders the Blackwoods to commit brutal war crimes against the Brackens, including targeting women and children, to coerce them into submission and secure their allegiance. Things get eerie when Daemon dreams disturbing images of his mother. Simon Strong then wakes him up to face furious Riverlords, who inform him that the Blackwoods’ assault has spiraled out of control.
The ongoing civil war hinges on dragon strength, but those dragons need skilled riders to be truly effective. Rhaenyra recognizes this and regrets the shortage of riders for their unclaimed dragons that are capable of challenging Vhagar. Her son Jace, who proves himself particularly resourceful in this episode, proposes expanding their search beyond the immediate family. He suggests looking to other houses for Dragonseeds — bastards of Valyrian descent — who could serve as new riders.
Episode 5 is a richly packed setup that rewards patient fans who savor a subtler approach to storytelling. It teases thrilling possibilities that might warm our hearts, even as we steel ourselves for the inevitable heartbreak that this brutal world is so adept at delivering.