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Small Council: Debating the latest episode of House of the Dragon, “Regent”

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Small Council: Debating the latest episode of House of the Dragon, "Regent"

As a longtime fan of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, I have grown accustomed to the intricate political maneuverings and power struggles that define Westeros. Yet, in this latest episode of “House of the Dragon,” I was taken aback by the sheer intensity of Alicent Hightower’s plight.

PARAPHRASING: In my opinion, certain parts of “Regent” were effective and engaging for me. The initial sequences stood out the most. I was captivated by Criston Cole’s forceful march through King’s Landing with Meleys’ head, causing a terrified hush among the onlookers. Additionally, the tension built up as soldiers carried Aegon up the Red Keep stairs in a box, and his single line – “Mummy” – was heart-wrenchingly poignant despite his limited screen time.

In simpler terms, I enjoyed how the show portrayed similar power dynamics in the two Small Council meetings, one at Dragonstone and the other in the Red Keep, where men dominated the lone women present. I was impressed by Jace’s bold move to visit the Twins. The heartwarming interaction between Baela and Corlys stood out as Baela’s finest moment yet.

As a devoted gamer and avid reader of “Fire & Blood,” I found myself pondering over certain omissions. In the story, I can’t help but draw comparisons between the book and the show we all know and love. For instance, before he becomes Hand of the Queen, Corlys and Rhaenyra have a passionate dispute following Rhaenys’ demise. Why leave that out? Are you trying to avoid conflict in your television production?

In this episode, the character developments were intriguing, yet I yearned for the plot to progress at a faster pace. The ongoing war creates a sense of sluggishness. I savored the moment when Rhaenyra and Jace conceived the dragonseed idea in a scene, but it felt understated as an ending for a TV episode.

Daemon Targaryen’s time at Harrenhal is an instance I’d point to if asked about parts of the episode that seemed less engaging. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

This episode brought the engaging plot from the previous one to a grinding halt. The progression of the storyline felt jarring and left me feeling let down by the lack of development. The only major advancements were learning that King Aegon is still alive, though barely so, and Aemond taking on the regency role, which is merely an interim position since his brother cannot regain consciousness yet.

In the end, the monotonous sequences featuring Daemon at Harrenhal have led to significant developments. Daemon openly expresses his desire to be addressed as King instead of King Consort, pondering the possibility of seizing control of the Red Keep and ruling independently. Rhaenyra is welcome to join him, I suppose. However, Daemon receives an unpleasant surprise. He is far from being beloved in the countryside and is perceived as a tyrant. Though people might be prepared to battle for his wife, they are not necessarily keen on following him as their leader. These Harrenhal scenes, overall, seem unproductive and a misuse of Matt Smith’s acting skills.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been consistently impressed by Olivia Cooke’s captivating performances in “House of the Dragon.” In this particular episode, her character, Alicent, had a pivotal scene that left me breathless. When Alicent attempted to secure the support of the Small Council to become Regent, I strongly believed she was the right choice for maintaining peace. However, they opted for Aemond due to their war-mongering inclinations.

Small Council: Debating the latest episode of House of the Dragon, "Regent"

In Alexandria’s perspective, the strategically-driven episode felt unexpectedly different from the previous ones filled with action. However, upon rewatching, she grew to appreciate its depth and the layers it added to various character storylines. The episode left her eagerly anticipating future developments.

In this episode, Alicent received a harsh reality check which I found quite engaging. She became aware of the hardships Rhaenyra had faced for years, long before Viserys’ demise. Contrary to popular belief, Alicent never truly held the reins of power; it was always Otto Hightower, and now it’s Aegon and Aemond. With her world falling apart, Alicent is left with limited alternatives. Her composure in the face of the men’s discussions, hiding her feelings of rage, sadness, and fear, was masterfully portrayed by Olivia Cooke.

Regarding Aemond, he now holds what he desired. The common folk’s uneasy gazes toward Meleys’ head spoke volumes. They, along with Criston Cole and others, understood the injustice. Alicent acknowledged it as well, yet her thoughts were preoccupied by her ailing son and another she could barely bring herself to look at, yet still cherished. I’m eager to witness how Aemond will rule, given that Aegon is gravely ill.

The scene where Baela challenged Corlys stood out to me as my preferred moment in the episode. She highlighted that Rhaenyra hadn’t sent Rhaenys to her death; it was Rhaenys who made the choice, and she died according to her own desires. Baela felt this way, and Corlys showed immense respect for her during their conversation about his request for her to become his heir. It’s evident that Corlys values Baela’s strength and intelligence, disregarding her gender. This moment left me eager to witness Corlys serving as the Hand of the Queen. While I hope we still get to see the exchange between Corlys and Rhaenyra, I am content with missing it due to this powerful scene.

At Harenhal, things move too slowly for my taste. I’m yearning to see more of Daemon. I’m not discounting the value of the visions; they certainly add depth and allow for the expression of deep-rooted thoughts. However, like others have pointed out, Matt Smith’s acting skills are being underutilized in this role.

As a gamer observing the storyline, I appreciate how Jace carefully considers his next moves despite being raised as a peacemaker. His attentiveness to history and strategy sets him apart from others, like Aegon who disregards learning. It’s fascinating to see Jace’s contrasting approach, making him an intriguing character. I’m thrilled that the show is giving more depth to the children’s roles this season, and Jace and Baela’s dynamic is a promising one. In another life, they could make an excellent ruling duo. Rhaenyra’s acknowledgment of her son’s insights and involving him in decision-making shows leadership at its best. Two minds with good ideas can collaborate and create effective plans. Rhaenyra and Jace’s partnership now has a solid foundation.

AS A FAN OF HOUSE OF THE DRAGON: I wasn’t taken aback by the slow-paced nature of this episode like some viewers seem to be. Given that Rook’s Rest was the biggest battle we’ve seen in the series so far, with significant losses on both sides, it made perfect sense to me for an episode to focus on the aftermath and resetting the playing field. After enduring the hasty plot development of Game of Thrones season 8, I wholeheartedly welcome House of the Dragon’s deliberate approach.

As a longtime fan of this show, I can’t help but feel a pang of apprehension as I watch the trailer for next week’s episode. With the Sowing of the Seeds seemingly delayed until at least episode 207, the tension in the air is palpable. I’ve grown accustomed to the epic clashes and thrilling twists that this series has become known for, and with only three episodes left in the season, I’m worried about how they’ll manage to wrap things up on a high note.

As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series and the hit HBO show “Game of Thrones,” I’ve been eagerly anticipating the latest season with bated breath. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed!

I’ve been a strong supporter of Daemon’s dreamtime tale at Harrenhal up until this point in the series. However, this episode left me questioning my allegiance. While it’s true that the show is effectively demonstrating Daemon’s inability to rule independently, as foreshadowed by King Viserys in season 1, I feel that the show is overdoing it. In the books, Daemon is portrayed as the most formidable military commander among the Targaryens, and his opponents were right to be wary of him leading an army. The show, however, has taken a drastically different approach by making Daemon appear significantly less competent than he should be.

Living with Daemon’s incompetence was already a challenge, but adding the bizarre element of him having a dream where he slept with his mother was just too much for me. If the show had hinted at Daemon having mommy issues earlier, it wouldn’t have been as uncomfortable. However, since there were no prior indications of this, it felt like “House of the Dragon” was trying to add shocking sex scenes haphazardly and contrived ways to incorporate them. (No innuendo intended.)

In summary, I enjoyed this episode of “House of the Dragon” season 2 just like I have enjoyed every other episode. However, I believe it was the least impressive of the ones we’ve had so far. Let’s cross our fingers and hope that next week brings more excitement with Rhaenyra on her dragon hunt!

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2024-07-17 17:42

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