This week on House of the Dragon, we see the fickle loyalty of Westerosi nobility on display; we also see the power that comes from mobilizing the common people. In ‘Smallfolk’ our biggest winners in influencers lack social standing and land holdings, but they are starting to grab for power. This trend is most evident in Team Black’s efforts to recruit new dragon riders to the cause. While Ser Steffon Darklyn (Anthony Flanagan) gives it the old college try with riderless dragon Seasmoke, his noble standing isn’t enough to keep him out of the deep fryer. It’s a horrific scene, but it’s hard not to give Seasmoke style points for pretending to yield to his potential rider before……ignition.
Later in the episode, Seasmoke will claim a rider: Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), an illegitimate son of Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) who believes that he and his brother deserve to claim a piece of the pie from their highborn father. This new pairing also leaves us with some theories about a couple of other smallfolk who’ve had a lot of screen time this season: Hugh (Kieren Bew) and Ulf (Tom Bennett) over in King’s Landing.
Speaking of dropping hints, Lady Rhaena Targaryen finds some pretty conspicuous evidence of a wild dragon in the Eyrie. While Rhaena is certainly of noble blood, she has been rejected by the royal dragons and sidelined by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy); perhaps she is destined to claim a less-well-connected dragon.
Only time will tell, but if nothing else, our visit to the Eyrie gave us a chance to hang with those cute lil’ baby dragons.
Unfortunately, even when the smallfolk gain some power, they usually need to operate within the framework built for the highborns, and the framework over in King’s Landing has seen some better days. For all his confidence and sound military strategy, Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) is struggling as regent.
White Team Green is certainly winning the numbers game when it comes to amassing forces, they aren’t exactly arousing the fighting spirit in those pledged armies. Aemond absolutely loses it when the prissy commander of his incoming Lannister forces decides to party it up with his boys at the Golden Tooth until he can get a personalized escort from Aemond and the largest dragon in the land, Vhagar. Meanwhile, the incoming Hightower forces are being dogged by the full fury of House Beesbury (they are still abuzz with rage over their Lord’s murder-by-Small-Council-ball at the hands of Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) back in season one). Most importantly, Team Black’s blockade is absolutely devastating King’s Landing; Aemond is so desperate that he is ready to wheel-and-deal with the pirates of the Triarchy. What could go wrong? In any case, despite Aemond’s blustery insistence that he will fly out, “when the time is ripe,” it’s clear that he doesn’t yet command the respect that he so desperately desires.
Aemond’s only real win in the episode is embarrassing the slimy Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) when he pushes a little too hard for that Hand of the King pin. Aemond sees through the manipulation and Larys has to reconcile with the fact that Aemond isn’t as pliable as his burnt-to-a-crisp brother, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney).
You could argue that Aemond also won another victory in his strained relationship with his mother, Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). He takes great pleasure in fully dismissing her from the Small Council and openly mocks her with the suggestion that she will “be pleased to return to more domestic pursuits.” Of course, in the long run, it seems unlikely that Aemond will benefit from pushing his mother so far away. She is still clever and determined, and she seems to be in search of new paths toward fulfillment. She expresses some regret over her treatment of Aegon, and seems to finally take notice of the prophetic skills of her daughter, Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban).
It’s also looking like Aemond could have a potential problem on his hands with his not quite dead yet brother, Aegon. If you attempt to murder your brother with a dragon and fail to finish the job, there could be a lot of trouble when said brother starts talking. Aemond is well aware of this possibility, and his understated delivery of the words, “what happy news,” in response to his brother’s improving condition bring one of the biggest laughs of the episode. While Aemond is able to quiet the king for now with an implied threat, he should definitely be worried about Aegon’s little pep talk from Larys Strong. Larys confronts Aegon with the reality of his new physical limitations, but also instructs him to take advantage of being underestimated. Watch your back, Aemond.
Over in the Riverlands, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) is still enduring his season-long psychological torture in Harrenhal, seemingly at the hands of the very witchy Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). Fans are treated to the return of the dynamic Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen as Daemon grapples with guilt and regret over his ugly and confrontational relationship with his late brother.
While the visions are nothing new, they do seem to take Daemon in a new direction this week. He is still losing time, freaking out, and pulling knives on innocent lords, but Daemon finally shows some humility. Alys is able to break down his facade of hubris and reduce him to a man willing to ask for help from a humble serving woman. Alys chides Daemon of his self-serving ways and warns him of the dangers of wanting leadership too badly. In return for his newfound humility, it is heavily implied that Alys kills the ailing Grover Tully with her “healing” abilities. This doesn’t change the fact that Daemon has made a political mess of the Riverlands, but thanks to Alys, he does have a functional lord to engage with in negotiations. Perhaps there is still a chance for Daemon to unite these scattered forces and deliver them to Rhaenyra.
Speaking of Rhaenyra, she is finally able to earn a W (and we aren’t just talking about the fact that she slaps the hell out of Lord Bartimos Celtigar). Sure, getting one of her most loyal military leaders melted by dragonfire wasn’t a great start to the episode. Sure, she looks pretty uncomfortable when she finds out that Seasmoke chose a rider without her direct intervention, but her plotting with Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) is already paying dividends. After sowing the seeds of discontent within the people and implying that Team Green is living it up with their endless resources in the castle, Team Black drops a host of small ships packed with fresh produce on the shores of King’s Landing. In short order, we see Smallfolk actively rebelling against the crown and pronouncing Rhaenyra as the true queen. The crowd even comes dangerously close to killing Alicent and Helaena during a full-on riot. It turns out there really is more than one way to fight a war.
So, who won the week? If we are talking about the Dance of Dragons, that honor goes to Team Black. They looked down for the count the last few weeks, but there is finally some hope on the horizon. Rhaenyra is finding her mojo (on every level), Daemon may have found some humility, and the smallfolk are all-in on Team Black. Of course, Team Black can’t get too comfortable. Aemond has ordered the shrewd Otto Hightower back to King’s Landing to serve as Hand of the King, and absent brother Daeron Targaryen has supposedly taken wing with a shiny new dragon.
As for which character won the episode, that honor goes to The White Worm. While the accent that the creators are demanding from the talented Sonoya Mizuno doesn’t always hit (though it has certainly been toned down from season one), Mysaria has quickly become Rhaenyra’s most trusted advisor. This is not only great for Mysaria, who finally gets to do some good for the smallfolk of King’s Landing, but it has also proven empowering for Rhaenyra who is struggling to find advisors who take her seriously. Thanks to Mysaria, Rhaenyra is cutting a striking new figure with a sword in her hands. Of course, it’s also great to see the coolest new power couple in Westeros share a passionate kiss. These two have been used, mistreated, and underestimated time and time again, and this reviewer would love to see them rise up in power together.
Thanks for joining us! We’ll be back next week to cover the penultimate episode of season two!
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6, ‘Smallfolk’ is now streaming on MAX.
