The third season of HBOMax’s stunning series, ‘House of the Dragon,’ has exceeded expectations at every level. The storytelling, action, and filmwork has been otherworldly this season. While the show continues to meet viewer expectations in most areas, this week it struggled more than it has in previous episodes. Some of the storylines continue to work exceptionally well, while others haven’t truly figured out what they want to be or where they’re headed just yet. There’s still time, fortunately, to figure out those odds and ends with three episodes remaining. However, this episode felt more like a slow burn than fuel on a fire that is only going to get hotter.
Growing Pains
As the crown continues to gain weight, Rhaenyra continues to crumble under it. The strong Queen that audiences have come to know throughout the series is beginning to show cracks. She is convinced that there is plot against her, which in actuality there truly is. It’s how Rhaenyra is responding to these plotters that is of the most concern. Daemon calls her on it, all while dealing with the recent gruesome murders of the Gold Cloaks, leading to friction that permeates throughout the episode. Their bond is taking strain as Rhaenyra continues to struggle with her grief and her responsibility. The Queen repudiates Daemon’s insolence in the Septum, calling him out for his failure to find Vhagar and the murderers of his men. Vhagar is at the root of her struggles, as she continues to hold a loose grasp on the crown.
Rhaenyra’s desire to find Vhagar has Baela and Addam on a perpetual search for the massive and destructive dragon. Their proximity has created what feels like an interest that goes beyond that of uncle and niece, which would be on par with 95% of the relationships in the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe. Addam shows a tenderness to Baela that she seems to lack for herself as she still deals with her part in Jace’s death at the Battle of the Gullet.
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Emma D’Arcy has been magnificent throughtout this season. They are truly embodying the grief that is crushing Rhaenyra. Yes, the crown and it’s responsibilites are a factor in her mental state, but it’s the sidelined grief that is taking the most toll. Matt Smith met them shot for shot with Rhaenyra and Daemon being pit against one another throughout the episode. Smith and D’Arcy portray a married couple remarkably well. From the smirks to the jabs, it stings, but it’s from a place of comfort, love and respect.
The “Great” Escape Plan
Alicent is deadset on getting her and Helaena out of King’s Landing now that she has become aware of the child that Helaena bears. That, of course, is the right course of action as they are now in even more danger than they were before especially if she gives birth to a boy. Alicent attempts to provide Helaena with medicine to take care of the pregnancy using a concotion that was brought by Grand Maester Orwyle, who has shown an allegiance to the Hightowers. Unfortunately, Alicent and Helaena are continually stopped by Mysaria, who has caught onto Orwyle as well as Alicent. Finding what they think is a way out hidden in the walls, Helaena and Alicent find themselves trapped and in the dark as the episode drew to a close.
While this storyline seems to be spiraling a bit, it has also provided some of Phia Saban’s best work as Helaena. She was a marvel in her fierceness as she pushed back against Alicent’s attempt to get her to end her pregnancy. Helaena was even more fierce in her determination to not leave Jahaera. It feels like Saban’s talents quite often end up on the cutting room floor due to the weak nature of the Helaena character. This week we learned how untrue that sentiment is.
Burning Bridges
Ser Criston Cole has a Stark and a Tully problem. What he thought he had under control was turned around on him and he’s found himself the leader of an army that finds itself more and more at odds with his decisions. Gwayne Hightower takes his leave of Cole after realizing that Cole had no desire to return to King’s Landing alive. It was his aim to die all along.
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Cole’s storyline continues to be a major drag on an overall engaging show. There seems to be no real direction. As the arc’s need for a resolution grows closer, the showrunners just seem to be throwing whatever they can at the wall. The writing is lost and so is Cole. Audiences are finding themselves waiting for Cole to get the classic ‘Game of Thrones’ treatment. I know I am.
An Unexpected Guest
The Adventures of Larys and Aegon continues to be one of the most prevalent and engaging storylines unfolding in ‘House of the Dragon’ to date. The honest way in which Larys is loses his patience with Aegon as his incessant whining continues to become more and more narcissistic provides proof that Aegon is no longer king. The pair continues to struggle in Rook’s Rest, falling out at times only to come back together out of their own necessity. Finally coming to terms with his station, Aegon relents and decides that it’s time to take a ship to Pentos. Tyland Lannister, very much alive after the Battle of the Gullet, ponders: “what ship?”
Throwing Tyland Lannister into the Aegon/Larys mix is one of my favorite writing decisions that this show has made. Of the various storylines that are unfolding, this one continues to be one of the most consequential as the show progresses and the fate of Westeros becomes more and more cloudy. Tom Glynn Carney continues to show his acting chops, continually finding a measure of humanity in what most consider a monster. Genuinely, I would watch a one hour season long series with just Larys and Aegon.
The Halls of Harenhal
With Rhaenyra’s new bounty taking effect, Harenhal has seen a number of brigands coming to claim the head of Aemond and thus, the bounty. Alys Rivers, of course, makes this no easy task. Helping Aemond heal, she is playing similar mind games with him that she did with Daemon, however, with a slightly more Oedipal outcome. Aemond seems to be regaining his strength and Alys seems to have a new Targaryen to control.
This particular story arc has needed a bit of meat on the bone and this weak audiences received it with the return of Aemond Targaryen. The end game has yet to be seen, but there is a definite plan afoot with Alys as the puppet master.
Boy Meets World
The seasons pervailing villain seemed at first the most unlikely. Ormund Hightower has bunkered his army in and is dead set on making Daeron king, making every attempt to pour all of his shortcomings into an incredibly bright young person. Of Viserys’ children, Daeron seems to be the only one with the right temprament to lead, which also means he’s the least likely to do so. He outwits Ormund at a game, as Ormund struts his bravado, retelling the story of Dorne’s defiance of Aegon the Conqueror. Ormund has also been paying for the murder of the the Gold Cloaks, having them struck down in the streets, throats cut and bellies slashed. Hightower paying his assassin’s in his newly minted King Daeron coins.
It is a rarity in history that the RIGHT person end up on the thrown. Daeron, from what has been shown of him, seems wise, presenting as if he doesn’t actually want to be king for the right reasons, all reasons that would make him a good king. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth portrays Daeron with a clever timidness, afraid to anger Ormund, but bold in his convictions. The tragedy of Daeron now, eventually, becoming another victim of lesser men’s poor decisions will be one of those jarring moments audiences all remember from this saga.
Final Thoughts:
‘House of Dragon’ from week to week has been an absolute specatacle. It’s been engaging TV that has audiences hooked. While this week’s episode came a bit a short in some aspects, it still found a way to propel the story forward in a compelling enough way that has audiences, me included, locked in and ready to see what comes next.
