As a granddaughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen, born and raised in the turbulent world of Dragonstone and King’s Landing, I have grown accustomed to the bitter taste of loss and the sweetness of power. The echoes of my ancestors’ fiery reign still resonate through the halls of Driftmark and the walls of Harrenhal.
The feeling generated by episode five’s thrilling ending, when Rhaenyra and Jacaerys realize there isn’t a true dragon scarcity on Dragonstone, remains uncaptured by any term I’m familiar with.
Instead, the Blacks suffer only a shortage of dragonriders, but even that may prove surmountable. A dragon needs to be ridden by a person of dragon blood, but apparently, in a time before the Targaryens went all incest all the time, members of the line occasionally married into various noble houses. This means there are men and women out there in Westeros with dragon blood running through their veins, albeit thinly, hiding in plain sight behind the wrong last names. It’s not a cliffhanger or even a surprise twist — not really. I can only describe the feeling as Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit, shit is about to go down.
In addition, episode five showcases two pivotal moments within an hour’s span. The first instance unveils Mysaria as not only Rhaenyra’s confidential advisor but also her shrewd strategist. The market produce in King’s Landing has spoiled, and despite Ser Criston displaying Meleys’ head throughout the city, the crowd remains unimpressed. Instead of being inspired, they are frightened. This commoner expresses their viewpoint that dragons aren’t deities but merely flesh and blood creatures. The concept of a divine ruler has perished, leaving a void for power to fill. Rhaenyra’s council meetings focus on foot soldiers and dragon numbers, yet she is not a ruling queen; she is an exiled queen incapable of waging war through conventional methods. Mysaria could disseminate propaganda posters or perhaps the Westerosi equivalent among the populace instead. King’s Landing represents the crown jewel of the realm, but maintaining control over it leaves one susceptible to losing it entirely.
In Harrenhal, Daemon hasn’t openly defied Rhaenyra yet but subtly hinted at his disloyalty. His response to the marriage vows has shifted from “I do!” to “Maybe…” and finally “Absolutely not.” Over several episodes, he’s been rallying forces under his own name instead of for Rhaenyra as anticipated. This is a concerning development if Daemon weren’t so inept at raising an army. His delicate hands, which once tamed dragons, are now blistered from chopping wood during the Harrenhal castle renovation. Even Caraxes, his dragon, struggles to achieve results. The Brackens, instead of joining Rhaenyra’s forces as expected, have chosen to perish alongside their enemies, the Blackwoods. Matt Smith skillfully delivers a witty line amidst this chaos, “I didn’t think they would be so eager to die,” Daemon mutters softly, almost amused that there are still people who can take him by surprise in this ancient world.
Sadly, Daemon refrains from setting the Brackens ablaze since deceased men can’t defend themselves. Instead, he grants the Blackwoods permission to carry out acts of sexual violence and kidnapping against the Brackens, not for psychological warfare but as a persuasive tactic. The fact that Daemon considers this an effective military recruitment strategy is among the most alarming things we’ve learned about him, and given that we also now know he has vivid dreams about performing oral sex on his own mother with unclear bloody hands, it’s safe to say Alys Rivers should avoid preparing any food or drink for Daemon. Although Daemon acts as if he and the witchy woman are in the initial stages of an enemies-to-lovers romance, I believe her hatred for Daemon runs deep. It’s hard to imagine anyone feeling differently when they hear the cries of innocent Bracken victims on the wind.
As a seasoned reader of epic fantasies, I must confess that this particular passage from the text left me both intrigued and somewhat perplexed. The author masterfully weaves together elements of suspense, intrigue, and the supernatural, creating a vivid and immersive world.
Despite this, Team Green is far from victorious. The loss of 900 lives in the failed attempt to capture insignificant Rook’s Rest was a heavy price to pay. Meleys’s decapitated head was just one of the grim messages Criston brought back to the Red Keep on a sled. King Aegon II, horribly mutilated from the battle, returned home in a produce crate. I’m unable to describe in detail the grisly treatments the Grand Maester applies to save him, as I mostly kept my eyes closed during the procedure, and even when I looked, I couldn’t recognize which body part I was observing.
Yes, you can cover a drunk and unruly man with Valyrian steel, but this won’t make him resistant to fire. The maesters’ efforts to remove the armor from Aegon’s burnt body produce an unpleasant sound, akin to squishing or squeezing something. Alicent is concerned, rightfully so, as her sons’ burns are being treated with Swiss chard bandages by the most knowledgeable men in Westeros. Even Helaena, who dislikes Aegon, looks troubled by the scene. However, Aemond remains unfazed and takes pride in his creation.
During this time, Aegon considered assuming his brother’s role as prince regent and making decisions regarding the ongoing war. However, Aegon’s inner circle, the small council, debated whether Alicent should preside instead, as she had done for Viserys. Yet, they believed it was inopportune to yield control during wartime to an inexperienced hand. Moreover, Larys bluntly pointed out that relinquishing power to a lady queen like Alicent could weaken their position against the stronger Black faction.
Instead of the Grand Maester, there is a consensus among most that Aemond, the formidable dragonrider and rightful heir, should ascend to the throne. This includes Alicent’s boyfriend, though it remains uncertain whether Criston supports him out of loyalty or in spite of his past with Aemond, who almost killed his brother. The scene unfolds seamlessly. Aemond nonchalantly drops a small marble into his brother’s device, as if taking up his duties as king. The dialogue is muffled, like listening underwater or through Alicent’s shocked ears. The situation seems dire, with Rhaenyra’s retaliation imminent. Aemond’s initial act as king will be to secure King’s Landing by closing its gates, a decision that may bolster morale amidst the chaos.
During the small council gathering at Dragonstone, Ser Alfred, with a defiant tone, discusses the state of the Blacks’ affairs – fallen castles, deceased dragons, and estranged husbands – leaving those present in no doubt of the dire situation. He insists that his criticism isn’t due to Rhaenyra’s intelligence or wavering loyalty but rather a matter of tradition! He suggests focusing on reproduction instead of conflict.
Rhaenyra starts to question her abilities as others do, feeling insecure due to her unconventional upbringing as a geographer instead of a soldier. Despite believing that the conflict won’t be decided by swordplay, her sense of powerlessness leaves her irritable. In the absence of Rhaenys, she turns to Mysaria for counsel and Baela for comfort. This week, Bethany Antonia, who portrays Baela, receives more scenes that bring her character out from the background. Bold and self-assured like her grandmother, Baela Targaryen makes an impact, recounting to Rhaenyra the tale of how Rhaenys secretly took Meleys, her dragon, from her father as a girl. This is their only chance to pay tribute to the Queen Who Never Was – a fierce and unconventional woman born before her time who sadly died too young.
At Rhaenyra’s plea, Baela visits Corlys on Driftmark, where he mourns deeply for his late wife. Rhaenyra asks him to become her right-hand man, but Corlys wonders if she hasn’t already taken enough from him. Anger tinges his sorrow as he contemplates the loss of his wife and possibly his children. Rhaenyra didn’t cause their deaths, but their demise enabled her to live the life she has now. With Rhaenys and Laena gone, Rhaenyra is the only mother Baela has left. Boldly, Baela urges Corlys to accept the position, which he might do for the sake of his granddaughters’ protection. However, when Corlys expresses a desire for Baela to inherit Driftmark, her denial is certain. She prefers the sea and dragonfire over the salt shores and a quiet life.
As a seasoned reader of epic fantasies, I can’t help but appreciate the rich intrigue and complex characters that unfold in this passage. It’s fascinating to observe Corlys, a seemingly loyal ally to Rhaenyra, yet one who recoils at the title “Hand of the Queen.” This hesitance adds an air of mystery to his character, leaving us wondering what motivates him.
The Freys are a new addition to the conflict and Jaecerys encounters them at the Trident’s bend, which is midway between the Twins. Despite their Liege Lord Grover Tully not having declared for either side yet, the Freys decide to align with Jaecerys (Aegon/Aemond) for a wine encounter. In the future, they anticipate being granted Harrenhal as compensation. The Tullys can’t afford to remain neutral for long after Daemon’s unsuccessful courtship efforts. Ultimately, everyone must make their choice between the contending sides.
Rhaenyra generally holds back from reprimanding Jace for dealing with the Freys without her approval. She is aware of the monotonous existence of being confined in the castle while others risk their lives to secure an inheritance. The daily routine of interacting with the same old men and their repetitive conversations around a burning hearth takes a toll. Meanwhile, Baela gets to fly on dragons, scanning for approaching battles. From such a small vantage point at Blackwater Bay, the only viable option left is to take to dragonback.
As I watched the latest installment of this epic saga unfold on the screen, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Rhaenyra. With Meleys deceased and her ground forces growing disloyal under Daemon’s influence, it seemed like an uphill battle for our protagonist. That is, until Jace reminded her of an intriguing possibility – the untamed dragons roaming Dragonstone, waiting for riders. But there were strangers in the land, their hearts pounding with the ancient blood of Valyria. Rhaenyra pondered if the dragon lineage of these distant relatives would still hold enough power this deep into the family tree.
As a movie critic, I’ve been reflecting on this season of “Game of Thrones” and how it has reminded us several times that there are hidden heirs in King’s Landing and Driftmark with questionable lineages. These individuals, who bear the wrong last names, may not be directly tied to any father at all. It seems daring to make a dragonlord out of someone with no noble heritage, but is it really more “mad” than having a Mallister ride Vermithor? I mean, dragons aren’t divine beings, and their riders are not gods, as the charred corpse of King Aegon tragically demonstrates.
It’s all just meat.
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2024-07-22 18:03