REVIEW: House of the Dragon S02 EP05 behind the scenes of the war

The fifth episode of the second season of The House of the Dragon (House of the Dragon), entitled The Regent, leaves aside the epic battles between dragons shown last week to focus on the strategic and political movements planned behind the scenes. On the one hand, we follow the repositioning of the black team after the tragic death of Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys, and on the other, the green team having to deal with the serious injuries of Aegon II, the loss of Sunfyre and the choice of a replacement for the throne.

NOTICE: Attention, this text contains SPOILERS of the episode. It is recommended that you watch it before continuing reading.

The Regent

This episode focuses on the consequences of the beginning of the civil war. The physical state that Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) remained in after the betrayal of his own brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), Jacaerys' (Harry Collett) initiative in being useful in the war and helping his mother in all this, the participation greater of Baela (Bethany Antonia) and the diplomacy of Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell). In other words, the new generation is responding to the impasses of the older ones and taking on a war that is not theirs. 

The consequences of the Battle of Pouso de Gralhas

Without hesitation, the Green team's plan (mainly Ser Criston Cole and Aemond) was to open up the Battle of Rooks' Landing in a way that would benefit the kingdom's image among the population of King's Landing. Therefore, as if they were on a parade, Cole displays the head of the late Rhaenys' dragon Meleys, and shouts from the rooftops that this was an achievement of King Aegon II. 

However, this attitude had the opposite effect. Already irritated by the lack of food and distressed by the mass hanging, the population became even more unhappy with the exhibitionism. This is because dragons are the main symbol of the Targaryens and carry great meaning. They are the elements that bring people closer to the gods, they are creatures seen as invincible. This show that Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) provided, as Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) says, can be considered a bad omen in the eyes of the people.

In fact, the scene of the people's demonstration and a small role for a specific family were very good, as it immerses viewers in the story from the perspective of “real” people who are suffering and fighting for their survival while powerful families are organizing dense wars to dispute for the throne – an iron chair, if we think from the most simplistic side. It was great to see the increasingly claustrophobic people on the streets looking for something more while Aemond ordered the gates of King's Landing to be closed.

In the meantime, with the dragon's head serving as a smoke screen, Aegon II was transported in camouflage practically inside a coffin. Once he arrives in his room and is transported to his bed, we can see the damage. Half of his body is burned. The dragon has melted the armor down to the skin and you can see the metal has stuck to it. Furthermore, Aegon II has a broken leg and moves between the conscious and unconscious, managing at most to whisper a “mommy”.

This is an attempt to humanize Aegon II, who was introduced in the first season as a potential tyrant. Now in season two, he's a figure who clearly hasn't earned the respect he expected and gives impulsive orders just because he can. In this fifth episode, the radical change in his position appeals to the empathy of those watching, but all he can get is pity. 

On the other hand, Aemond no longer hides his thirst for power and the throne. It's scary that as soon as he decided to act, everything went according to plan. This just shows the potential he has and that his brother somehow lacked – who ironically attacked him and made him a laughing stock. Unlike Daemon (Matt Smith) in relation to Viserys (Paddy Considine), Aemond proved that he would be capable of killing his own brother for the throne. Alicent and Cole, each in their own way, understand in practice the danger that Aemond represents and that is scary.

With Aegon incapacitated and the patriarchy reigning, even though Alicent tried to assert herself to represent her son during this moment, her wishes were ignored. Without much doubt, the small council elects Aemond to power. This entire scene exudes Alicent's discomfort and agony, both from being disrespected and from the visible fear of what could happen with him in power. Negotiation for peace is no longer an option.

The Ghosts of Daemon Targaryen

We continue to watch Daemon slowly go crazy under the influence of Harrenhal and the witch Aly Rivers (Gayle Rankin) who sneakily infiltrates his dreams through ancient magic. 

No matter how hard he tries, nothing is going as planned. The hallucinations are intensifying, Harrenhal is not as relevant as he thought it was and in the beginning, rather than suffer from fear of Daemon's dragon, the Brackens make it clear that they would rather die than swear loyalty to him. Everything gets worse when they discover that Daemon tried to use the Blackwoods to “persuade” them. They simply plundered the Brackens and installed terror there, putting an end to the Targaryen's plans. Once again, his brutality got in the way instead of solving anything. 

After failing in real life, Daemon daydreams about a beautiful young woman who is clearly a Targaryen. They become sexually involved until he notices that she has blood on her hands. As soon as she says the following phrase “If only you had been born first, my favorite son”, it is understood that she is Alyssa Targaryen, mother of Viserys and Daemon, wife of her brother Baelon, daughter of Jaehaerys I. Yes, Daemon had an incestuous hallucination with his own mother. 

We see Daemon increasingly surrounded by the women in his life through hallucinations. Rhaenyra as a young woman, her late wife Laenar Velaryon and now her own mother, Alyssa Targaryen. There is a message that we have yet to decipher. 

Corlys Velaryon's grief and decision

This is a moment of lament and mourning for Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Serpent, over the death of his wife, Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was. The two formed one of the most honest and loyal couples in the series. Despite Corlys's mistakes, the affection and complicity between the two was visible. 

But the series doesn't give much space to explore Corlys' suffering. Soon his granddaughter Baela appears at Rhaenyra's request to invite him to be Hand of the King (Queen, in this case). The two engage in a reflective dialogue and, as much as he is tempted to abandon everything after losing the love of his life, Baela makes him rethink some things. 

Jacaerys decides to act 

Revolted by his mother's restrictions, Jacaerys is determined to act at any cost, even though Rhaenyra's concern is justified, as the trauma of Lucerys' death still hangs in the air. 

Jace manages to do very well in negotiating with the Freys and this is the first time that the audience can see a highlight in the character and the potential for development over the next three episodes. He promises something that he doesn't even know if he will be able to fulfill, but in return he gets the promise of support he needed and a little more. 

His meeting with Rhaenyra brings some hope. She finally sees him with some appreciation and, although upset, shows pride in her son for all the successful movement. This moment shows a small relief in the midst of so much violence that we witnessed in the last episode and will continue to witness. Together, they think of alternatives to continue this fight. Perhaps the solution lies in the other Targaryen children, those who were born into other families but still carry their blood.

Who is Lady Jeyne Arryn, Maiden of the Vale?

In this fifth episode of the second season, we meet Jeyne Arryn (Amanda Collin), who declares her support for Rhaenyra by sheltering Rhaena and Rhaenyra's three youngest children, which makes her a valuable ally, as she holds power in the Vale.

Before she is even introduced, it is said that Jace negotiated with her to have her support in the war. Jeyne offered knights in exchange for a dragon to protect her castle. Now, in the second season, to fulfill the agreement, Rhaenyra sends Joffrey (Oscar Eskinazi) and his dragon Tyraxes. However, Jeyne understands that the agreement was not fulfilled. This is because Tyraxes is still a young dragon, a factor that makes the protection too weak for the Valley's needs. She gets into a fight with Rhaena, but doesn't send her away. We're still going to see a lot of history unfold here. 

The series has not yet provided much information about her, but the character has considerable importance in the story. Furthermore, a curiosity is that in the book Fire & Blood the rumor that Jeyne preferred women to men is mentioned. Still, Jessamyn Redfort was mentioned as a dear companion – but it's easy to read between the lines of their relationship. To reinforce the theory, Jeyne never had a husband and passed her throne to a distant cousin. This is a part of the story that would be interesting to see on screen in an adapted and clearer way. 

Characters and performances

Let's agree that the cast of The Dragon House it's gigantic, so, naturally, there's no way one episode can just focus on everyone at the same time, so it's expected that each one, at least the main ones, will be able to stand out throughout the season.

This time, Jacaerys achieves greater prominence by imposing herself and showing her value to her mother – who, in turn, is more subdued by now. Daemon is also conquering his space with the bizarre visions he has been having around Harrenhal with the women in his life. In fact, it is clear that Matt Smith is having fun playing such an arrogant and, at the same time, vulnerable character. 

Another character that deserves attention is Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), as his scene with his granddaughter Baela (Bethany Antonia) was built on a painful and necessary dialogue after the death of Rhaenys (Eve Best). 

Still in this core, it was great to see more of Baela and Rhaena and how they are acting in different ways in the middle of the war. While Baela is living with her family, has her dragon and a good dynamic with Jace, Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) was sent to the Vale as Rhaenyra's representative, but still tries to impose herself in the middle of it and show that she also has her own wishes and desires. ambitions.

Everyone served a good dose of drama, especially Ewan Mitchell and Olivia Cooke in the dynamics between Alicent and Aemond. These are works that support scenes that could be very drawn out or monotonous if there weren't so much emotional tension.

Technical aspects

Many layers involving the series’ photography are worth highlighting. From the Greens parade with Meleys' head to the framing of Jace's visit to the Freys, it's all very beautiful to watch.

But the highlight is the work of the episode's director, Clare Kilner, in the scene in which the Small Council enters into a clash with Alicent in favor of Aemond's election to the throne. The camera work focusing on Olivia Cooke, the actress who plays Alicent, awakens a variety of feelings. Discomfort, anguish, anger, tension, frustration. In her and in the spectators. Ramin Djawadi's sinister soundtrack adds the finishing touch. Very good.

Conclusion

This was an episode that took a step back from battles on the field to be able to work heavily on its characters in an intriguing way. Two dragons have already been lost, now it is understood that it is necessary to act more prudently. 

Focusing on the politics of both parties, The Regent it was a dense episode, full of characters with several parallel stories going on – and who, somehow, manage to connect in the end. So yes, it's a lot of information to absorb, but at the same time it's not that difficult to follow. The narrative unfolds in a cadence that connects all the points – or at least almost all of them. For those who expected an increase in action scenes, this is a frustrating chapter. But overall, it proved to be essential for the next steps to come. 

Furthermore, Daemon Targaryen's hauntings have not yet lost their charm, on the contrary, they become increasingly bizarre in a strange atmosphere. This plot manages to develop well when approached, even more so now that Daemon is revealing his true selfish intentions and his disinterest in kneeling to Rhaenyra. Your madness combined with your impulsiveness can cause great damage.

Where to watch

The first five episodes of the second season of The Dragon House are available at Max. There will be eight episodes in total, each released every Sunday at 22pm.

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