by Chelsea House “Targaryen,” GGR Chief Media Correspondent

*SPOILERS*

No preamble, let’s dive right in to episode 5!

The opening scene of this episode finally introduces us to the constantly alluded to Lady Rhea (Rachel Redford) in her natural habitat of The Vale. She is riding her beautiful white horse on her way to a hunt. She rides off after greeting her cousin, Ser Gerold in search of pheasants. On her way back to the castle she is stopped by a cloaked man whom she recognizes almost immediately as her husband. Daemon stares at her with those eyes – the ones that you’re never sure what’s lurking behind them.

Matt Smith does an amazing job of creating those looks to be ever alluring and yet so very dangerous. He slinks his way slowly, his hand raised, towards her horse. Her horse does not like him at all and jerks back. Lady Rhea eggs Daemon on with slanders of why he’s come back and confirmations for the audience that there is no love lost between the two at all. She mentions him being replaced by a girl and asks if he will kill her or... The look on her face recognizes the confirmation in Daemon’s ever silent figure. She reaches for her bow, Daemon spooks the horse, it falls on her, gets up and leaves her on the ground motionless. Daemon, still silent, goes to walk off. We’re not sure if he was planning on ending her or just trying to put the fear of the gods into her. She yells a final “I knew you couldn’t finish” to him. With a quick change of mind, a rock in his hand, he in fact does.

Viserys and Rhaenyra are headed to High Tide on a ship. The ocean seems tumultuous and its not settling well with our King. Lord Lyonel offers him a handkerchief to wipe the remains of his misery off his face and we certainly don’t miss that he now possesses the Hand’s pin. Rhaenyra stands with Criston Cole and stares blankly at her future approaching in the distance.

The Red Keep looms into view and I’m ever amazed at the camera work with this series. The deep red stone glistens in the rain as Alicent rushes to meet her father under an archway. He is readying his horse to leave. She expresses that she doesn’t want him to, and he basically blames her for it because of her desire to believe Rhaenyra and the King. She blames it on his relentlessness to put Aegon on the throne instead of the Princess. Otto stops and looks at his daughter for a moment, and for the first time you see the political guile leave his face and transform into a fatherly concern. He turns and holds her arms in his hands. He tells her fervently that if Rhaenyra becomes Queen there will be war. The world will not accept her. And to solidify her claim she will go after Alicent and her children. He knows she knows this, Alicent’s tears express she does indeed. He tells her final words of wisdom – either choose her son, Aegon, or choose Rhaenyra. With that he leaves her and Alicent is left one step closer to figuring out what she really wants.

Laenor is practicing swords with Joffrey (Solly McLeod) and it is not missed on the King or Lyonel that Lord Corlys is missing. A rather radiant Lady Laena (Savannah Steyn) comes from the castle to announce that her father is waiting for them in the hall. The look that Viserys gives her is not missed. He is also not interested in making a fuss, so follows the game and enters the castle.

Back at the Red Keep, Alicent begins a conversation unexpectedly with Larys Strong. He compares her to a malveles flower from Braavos that shouldn’t be thriving in a foreign habitat – yet it is doing so well. She is reluctant to speak with him as she is wary of his codes and metaphors. Larys is cunning, however, and mentions she may need allies. When Rhaenyra’s name is mentioned Larys also says coyly that he hopes she’s doing well – he saw the Maester bring her tea the night that Otto was released. Alicent’s face becomes hard. She seems to be putting the puzzle together quite well, although you aren’t quite sure how much she believes yet. It does give her something to chew on as she walks away, though, and Larys knows it. Cunning indeed.

Viserys and crew enter the castle, only he is allowed to enter the great hall. Laena takes Rhaenyra to find breakfast. The castle is stunning. The pictures on the wall, its high ceilings, the tapestries – it’s even more breathtaking than the Red Keep. Viserys enters and Corlys is seated on his throne. He certainly takes his time to stand and finally kneel to the King before Rhaenys comes bounding from the side door to give her cousin a hug. She is delighted until she notices through his glove that he is missing some fingers. A look is shared between the two. Corlys announces to the King that Rhea was killed in hunting accident which was rather odd due to her well renowned riding and hunting skills. Daemon and she had no heirs, and she was in line to inherit the Runestones. “The gods are cruel” Rhaenys says, Viserys takes in everything they’re saying and you can tell he has a good idea of what this accident really was. The way Corlys and Rhaenys lace what they’re saying with intentional wording shows us they do as well. The King pushes past it all to state that he has come to propose a marriage between Rhaenyra and Laenor. Lord Corlys shows he is still highly ambitious by starting an argument of last names that is ended once the King says that the children can have the Velaryon last name until they are crowned – then they must be Targaryens. This seems to appease all parties and Lyonel nods in approval in the background. This scene once again reminds us that the King is more keen than we give credit for, but also has an insane knack for compromise.

Rhaenyra and Laenor walk the beach getting to know each other. They strike up a deal. Rhaenyra knows that Laenor prefers “goose” to “duck”, and she also has her own appetites. She suggests that they do their duties to make their families happy, and then pretty much go about their business. Laenor certainly approves.

Rhaenys and Corlys have a conversation where she expresses her concern of sending her son into danger. She’s not worried about his “appetites”, she’s worried about the fact that there will be war when Rhaenyra is crowned. Everyone seems to know this accept Viserys and the Princess. When Corlys lovingly reminds her that she was much better suited for the thrown and he wants to remedy that as best as he can – she explains that she has come to peace with it.

Laenor and Joffrey sit comfortably nestled in the high see grass. Joffrey explains after they kiss that Laenor will need a sworn protector, and that this is a better set up than they could have ever hoped for. Laenor has his lover and Rhaenyra also has her. It’s revealed in this scene that perhaps Joffrey is the more crafty of the two, which will keep Laenor on his toes in the future.

On their way back to the Red Keep, Ser Criston Cole finds Rhaenyra. They have a conversation where he tells her that by sleeping with her, he broke his oath. He wants her to run away with him and leave everything behind. They can get married in the free cities. She doesn’t have to worry about the headache of marrying someone she doesn’t want to. Rhaenyra tells him that she is the crown, or at least will be, and she can’t just put all of that down for carts of oranges. Ouch. He is offended by her wanting him to just be her whore. She says she just wants things to be the way they were. With this he runs off. Whereas I feel he was completely out of his league here by asking her to leave everything to marry him, there’s a true distinction of privilege between the two. He came from nothing, a simple bastard boy, and worked his way to becoming a white cloak. She seduced him and pulled him into bed and possibly ruined his whole career and instead of hearing him out, she simply shrugs it off and even mocks him – gentle as it may have seemed. I have seen those who say Ser Criston is whiney – and I get that to a degree- but Rhaenyra is showing herself more and more callous and careless of those around her as the days go by. Her only punishment was marrying Laenor, which was something she was going to have to do otherwise. The true tragedy is that she seems completely unaware of what she’s doing.

Alicent watches the King collapse from his carriage and decides not to go to him. Instead, she calls for Ser Criston. In her bed chamber, she asks him questions she thinks is about Daemon and Rhaenyra until Ser Criston admits that he slept with Rhaenyra after she instigated. Again, I’m floored when Criston bravely asks Alicent to simply put him to death instead of gelding him. Her face completely falls. She was so desperate to believe her friend and husband. She was so desperate to believe she had allies. This is the moment she realizes she is truly all alone. It’s also evident that she has a more compassionate heart than Rhaenyra, because she simply excuses him to go. Either that, or she’s learning the game and sees use in him being alive.

Viserys and Lyonel are in his chambers. He looks so very frail with a poultice of some sort slathered on his arm. There is a disagreement between the Maester and his pupil about what is more effective in curing the King that is ended by the pupil giving the King something to help him sleep as they leave. Viserys asks Lyonel how the people will remember him as a King. He doesn’t feel like he’s really done much with his reign. Lyonel kindly reminds him peace is worth more than songs sung. The King wishes he’d been tested – he feels he could’ve come out more like Aegon if he had. Lyonel says those who are tested rarely ever wanted it. It’s a gut wrenching scene to see the King alone with Lyonel thinking back on what his life will have meant. He’s not a bad person. Not the best King, but a good person. And that’s what makes these scenes so hard. He’s literally being destroyed from the inside out by this throne he sits on – the throne he never asked for – and yet he is still concerned about his legacy.

Sometime has passed and outside of the castle walls we get our first glimpse of Rhaenys riding her red dragon Meleys with her son Laenor on Seasmoke. They are riding above the many Velaryon ships they have brought to the wedding feasts and celebrations. I can’t help but get super excited each time a new dragon is introduced on the show. It’s also still so stunning to see just how different the world was then verses the world with Drogon and his siblings. To see a mother and her son enjoying the sky on the back of those huge beasts is awesome. It’s also a reminder of the power that House Velaryon really does have. They’ve been kind of in the shadows, and although they have been talked about as being very powerful, this episode is really the first show of it. First through their castle, and now through their fleet and their dragons.

A feast is well underway and the King and Rhaenyra sit at the High Table with Lyonel. The Queen is not present, which seems rather uncharacteristic of her. Jason Lannister arrives and greets the King, not missing a chance to belittle Rhaenyra in the meantime. He mentions Alicent’s absence, which seems a good way to remind the King that he is ever being watched. Ser Gerold then approaches. The King and the Princess apologize for their loss of Lady Rhea and are only stopped by the announcement of Corlys, Rhaenys, and Laenor. They all join the high table while Criston stares on.

Daemon, being ever true to his character, slinks in. He is always noticed by everyone, and yet so very disliked. No one really stands or acknowledges him accept through whispers. Viserys and he share a very long look as he approaches the table. You can’t help but notice the prince is wearing almost a goofy grin – he is for sure much lighter than before. A chair is brought for him and he sits. Viserys begins his speech welcoming everyone and a few sentences in is interrupted by the final arrival of his Queen.

Alicent’s demeanor is completely changed. Her back is straight, her head hell high. She finally looks like the Queen as she slowly walks towards the table in her brazen green dress. Green for Hightower. The symbolism does not seem to be missed. As she walks by Harwin and Larys Strong, Harwin states that the King will not be pleased being interrupted with a smirk on his face. Larys then makes a statement that the beacon color for when Oldtown calls to war is green. He is now positive his words hit their mark. She marches to the table and gives Rhaenyra a cold greeting of “stepdaughter” ... Yikes. The princess is obviously unsettled by it.

The King is also a little baffled by it as he stumbles back into his speech. He announces there will be seven days of tournament and feasting to usher in the royal wedding. He also reinforces that Rhaenyra is the future heir and Daemon stares at her longingly. The Princess and her betrothed begin the celebration with a dance. Both Ser Criston and Daemon watch her glide and twirl with her future husband. Joffrey also stares on. The King continues to observe Alicent’s obvious change in demeanor, noticeably unsure of what to do with it. The whole room then joins the dancing.

Alicent greets her Hightower family, her uncle states that they are proud of her and behind her. Both Daemon and The Princess note this through the celebration. Ser Gerold approaches the Prince about the death of his cousin. He says he will not go unpunished. Daemon seems completely unbothered and tells him he will be speaking with him about his inheritance to Runestone. Ser Gerold, shook, turns around and walks off. Viserys and Lyonel both stare at the Prince in disgust and disbelief. Laena gives Daemon a glance and they join each other on the dance floor. He notates that she is almost as beautiful as her brother. How sweet.

Joffrey tells Laenor that he has discovered that Criston is Rhaenyra’s lover. He hasn’t stopped staring at her all night – so I mean... it’s not exactly Where is Waldo difficult. Joffrey approaches the knight and lets him know that secrets should just remain secrets and all will go well.

Daemon moves past Laena after she says she wants to get to know him more and moves towards Rhaenyra. He speaks to her in High Valyrian. He wants her, and badly. He knows this isn’t what she wants. She matches him, as she always does, and tells him to do something about it, then. Cut down the guard and steal her away to Dragonstone. In frustration he grabs her face and pulls it close – so close to a kiss. It’s in this moment where you are beginning to think it’s not all political for him. He seems to be driven crazy at her ability to match him word for word, step for step. It’s cut short, however, by a scream and some chaos.

Ser Criston Cole has attacked Joffrey, Lyonel motions for Harwin to grab the Princess and bring her to safety, the King’s nose begins to bleed. When Criston finishes the deed and Joffrey lies motionless on the ground, the chaos immediately ends and Criston walks off. Laenor crawls over to his lover and screams in agony at seeing his face completely bashed in. I’m pausing here to notate that the cause of this snap could be the pressure applied to everyone by positions, rules, and castes. It definitely has a large part in it. The explanation at the end of the episode stated that it was pressure applied from the parents. I want to look at it from a different light. Those things for sure play a major role in what happened, however, as the King stated before – Rhaenyra has the blood of the dragon, “restless and chaotic”. Even through those layers of pressure, her name cannot be omitted from the blame. I think this scene shows us a picture of what her reign would be. The show is riddled with foreshadowing at every corner. Why would this be excluded?

A shotgun wedding is preformed after the guests have cleared out. The romantic backdrop is cold food and pooled blood on the floor. Laenor is understandably distraught, Rhaenyra’s face is filled with empathy for him – possibly fear for herself? Possibly understanding of her actions? Regardless, the words are said, the deed is done, and they are pronounced man and wife. Criston Cole goes outside to kill himself and is stopped by Alicent. The King collapses, and the episode ends.

This is the last episode we have before all the characters are drastically aged up. The foundation seems to finally have been laid for the story, and I am beyond sure that we are just now at the starting line of what is to come. Until next time!

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