The Fall of Ser Criston Cole
This week’s episode of the HIT HBOMax series, ‘House of the Dragon’ begins with Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) who is still in the midst of fighting alongside his men. Assuming the battle was won, Cole found the remnants of a skirmish. Mistakenly believing the mne are dead, the river men rise to the feet and attack Cole and his men. When the dust has settled, another army marches toward Criston. One of his men asks what do they want. Criston only says a few words: “Our death.” Standing tall, Cole receives his death in a hail of arrows.
I am not surprised with this end for Criston Cole. He really had given up hope on winning as well as himself. Cole has been a problem ever since season one. One thing that I kept in mind is that he said earlier that he will “die with honor.”
Trouble in King’s Landing
After finding herself and Helaena trapped in the walls of the Red Keep, the guards find Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Helaena (Phia Saban). Rhaneyra approaches Alicent about her attempt to flee. Rhaneyra now restricts Alicent and Helaena to the castle. Alicent pleads with Rhaneyra, because she knows that Helaena does not do well with being restricted. At the end of this, Rhaneyra yells at Alicent, “Do not try me.” All of these one-liners are so powerful, throughout the series. All of the one liners are executed so amazing by all of the actors. Rhaneyra again asks Alicent where Aemond is. Initially, Alicent refuses to give up Aemond, but eventually relents, letting Rhaenyra in on Helaena’s secret. Rhaneyra decides to draw Aemond out by sending Alicent to Harenhal.
Rhaneyra (Emma D’arcy), frustrated with the state of the war and state of her reign, starts to question where her army is. Now this is the part that I thought was interesting. Rhaneyra said that Damon can’t go and do what he wants. It seems that this power struggle might be something to note for the next two episodes.
The Witch of Harenhal
Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) remains at Harrenhal with Alys (Gayle Rankin) who continues her attempt to levy her influence over him. This parallels her attempts with Daemon (Matt Smith), who had a rather interesting relationship with Alys. Alys tries to convince Aemond to stay with her at Harenhal. Searching for a way to keep Aemond at Harenhal, Alys reveals her clutch of dragon eggs.
Elsewhere in the Westeros
Meanwhile, Larys (Matthew Neeham) and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) are trying to make decisions about what their next move will be after linking up with Tyland Lannister in Rook’s Rest. Aegon now understanding the gravity of the situation they are in, begins to listen more to Larys. Lannister continues his support of Aegon offering a place at Casterly Rock and sanctuary.
Ulf (Tom Bennett) and Hugh (Kieran Bew) are beginning to question their positions as dragon riders. Pining for the life he once had, Ulf is becoming more and more disillusioned. Ulf leaves King’s Landing, deciding to fly out to meet with Hugh. Sneaking into Tumbleton, Hugh searches for Kat, his wife. After struggling for survival while her husband has been at Dragonstone, Kat is less than pleased with Hugh, refusing to escape with him, questioning who he had become.
Alyn (Abubakar Salim), finding his father’s encampment after a skirmish, speaks with Corlys (Steve Touissant) in an effort to obtain help in King’s Landing on Rhaneyra’s behalf after the continual murder and desertion. Corlys refutes Rhaenyra as a result of her refusal to not legitimize his sons. Alyn reminds Corlys that it took a long time for Corlys to claim his sons. As this episode closes, Corlys and his men are attacked with Corlys’ fate left on a cliffhanger.
Final Thoughts:
This episode was jammed packed with so much going on. I definitely am curious about who took Corlys. As well as how is the conversation with Alicent and Aemond will go, after all that has been going on with them. I really am excited for episode 7, and I hope that the stakes of the House of the Dragon world, becomes even higher. I really enjoyed this episode, and especially all of the politics that are happening simultaneously.
