REVIEW: House of the Dragon S02 EP06 Rhaenyra finally wakes up to life (with help)

The sixth episode of the second season of The House of the Dragon (House of the Dragon), entitled The Commoners, still bears the remains of Battle of Pouso de Gralhas, but it also starts to prepare the audience for the final two episodes. Even though it slowed down the pace of the plot, the development of the characters is crucial to what is to come. 

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

The Commoners

Face the fans of Game of Thrones They are already faced with the nostalgia of following the Lannisters. This time, in the Westerlands, with troops led by Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall) – including lions in cages. He is prepared to take Harrenhal in the name of the Green Council, but makes it clear that he will only continue the journey if Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his dragon Vhagar join his troop. To do this, he sends a raven to King's Landing with his demands, which, of course, were met with disdain. 

The tension between Aemond and the Green Council itself

What was bad got even worse. Now, Aemond (Ewan Michell), who acts as Prince Regent (and intends to take the throne for good), increasingly shows himself to be a tyrannical figure with the aim of making it clear that he has the power. On the one hand, his skill on the battlefield is undeniable, but when it comes to diplomacy, he doesn't need it. It is clear that his objective is to conquer and win the final battle, no matter which direction he needs to take.

So, he makes his first and only decision that the majority of the Small Council will not disagree with: the removal of Alicent (Olivia Cooke), his mother. Besides the patriarchy, sexism and everything else, it's clear that he removes her from the Small Council because he knows she doesn't agree with his decisions and could be dangerous. Going further in the analysis, when trying to fulfill her role as a mother, Alicent manages to detect Aemond's vulnerabilities and this bothers him.

In the midst of all this, there is a mention of the Greyjoys but they have not yet declared support for either team. So Aemond decides that Ser Criston Cole will head to Harrenhal immediately, while the Lannister army heads west. Contrary to the Small Council, the Prince Regent also instructs an alliance with the Triarchy – a pirate alliance between the Free Cities of Lys, Myr and Tyrosh – with the aim of weakening the blockade of Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Serpent. 

How is Aegon II?

Well, at first one of the maesters announced with excitement that Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) was recovering very well – an act that was completely stupid, since it was everything Aemond didn't want to hear and would certainly act to change that. If only the maester had confided this information only to Alicent, the course would have been different.

Of course, after the big news, Aemond pays his brother a visit. Despite recovering well, Aegon is panting and in pain. In a blackmailing tone, Aemond asks how much he remembers of the battle, and, despite being very weakened, in a move of intelligence and plea for survival, Aegon repeats a few times that he doesn't remember anything. 

Valuing for his life, for someone who was recovering very well, he suddenly began to regress, without explanation. Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) now says that he sleeps for nine hours out of every ten and is kept practically drugged by pain-relieving medicine. In yet another gesture of affection, Alicent visits him and says she is sorry for all of this.

The last to visit Aegon II is Lord Larys (Matthew Needham), bringing a monologue about knowing how difficult his life is and that the two have more in common than it seems. All this to tell him that people will feel sorry for him and even underestimate him for his new condition, but that he can use this to his advantage if he decides to stop wallowing in medicine. 

The good mother's arc

Since Alicent discovered that she messed up by thinking that Viserys had whispered Aegon II's name to the throne, she has been on a more reflective, worried and thoughtful journey about everything. And one of the biggest possible side effects was the sudden display of affection to their children. 

She visits Aegon II whenever she can and shows on her face a mixture of guilt and desire to give him all the support she never knew how to give. This extends to Aemond too, when he kicks her out of the Small Council and she tries to talk to him, stroking her face. Already with Helaena, Alicent pays a visit to her room and invites her to go together to the Great Sept and light candles for Aegon and other loved ones. 

Before leaving with Helaena (Phia Saban), she talks to her brother Gwayne and asks about her youngest son, Daeron, who was sent to Vilavelha (from English, Oldtown) at a young age. He replies that the young man is now sixteen years old and is an intelligent, strong and kind person. This makes Alicent question herself. Did he grow up good because he wasn't raised by Alicent or is that something in nature? Remembering that she had her children very young; We are part of the team that believes she did what she could under the conditions she achieved. 

The revolt of the commoners of King's Landing

That seed that was being planted in previous episodes finally turned into a major rebellion among commoners. Even though Ulf (Tom Bennett) and Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) haven't had a clear focus so far (taking into account their relevance in the book), at least they are used as hooks to follow the revolt in a more immersive way. 

For now everything is fine, but, for those who haven't read the books, it's a strange atmosphere to suddenly highlight characters who until then barely appeared or didn't have their stories relatively in-depth. This is a point of attention that extends to many characters introduced in the season. 

Finally, one night, a small fleet of boats very well stocked with meats, cheeses and fresh vegetables arrive on the beaches of King's Landing with the imposing symbol of Rhaenyra. This was excellent timing that Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) picked up on, as she learned from her informants that the city was declining and Aemond was ignoring all these demands from the commoners. 

Peasants run from one side to the other carrying several bags of food. Some scream for Rhaenyra, others wear black and red sashes on their shoulders. The queen's scheme with Mysaria worked. First, spreading whispers about the good life and feasting within the walls of the Red Keep while the commoners starve, and then sending food to all the hungry. 

All this turmoil ends up expanding to the door of the Great Sept, where Alicent and Helaena are lighting their candles. The Royal Guard even tries to escort them back to the carriage, but it is far away and they are surrounded by an angry population. This moment doesn't compare to the walk of shame that Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) had to take, but at least it resulted in a fish thrown in Alicent's face and some injuries until they managed to get to a safe place. Panting, Alicent and Helaena return to the castle amidst the resounding “Long live Queen Rhaenyra!”

Viserys' return is perfect to close the arc of Daemon's hallucinations

A lot of people are hating this part of the story. But, particularly, it's fun to get into Daemon's mind and get at least a glimpse of what goes on in that head and the reasons why he has a layered personality. However, if it extends to the other two last episodes, in fact, it could become more tedious. 

Only this time we had the return of Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen. As the script unfolds, the series suggests that this was Daemon's last hallucination. And we hope that this is the case, as it was excellently prepared and would close this cycle with a flourish. 

There is great regret and constant sadness in Daemon for the way he acted towards Viserys. He never supported his brother or showed assistance and this generated a domino effect that resulted in Viserys' decision not to name him as heir to the throne. At the same time, Rhaenyra became angry and envious at the rise of her niece-wife, after all, in theory she had everything – the appointment to the throne and her father's validation. 

All Daemon wanted was this relationship with his brother. As it is too late, these visions he had of Viserys were very important, to try to redeem himself for the last time, even if it was a hallucination. 

After that, oddly enough, even with all his arrogance, Daemon shows a hint of vulnerability and asks for help from Alys Rivers. She comments that there are things older in this world than her or him and that they were both mere pieces on a board. At that moment, it becomes clear that she is behind these hallucinations.

Still in a moment of therapy, Daemon continues with the speech that Rhaenyra never wanted the crown and that he was worthy of that title. With great patience, Alys responds in a very wise way: “Perhaps those who strive for the crown are the least suited to wear it. Viserys never wanted her, if you remember. It is not a prize to be won, but a burden to be carried.”

She got the words right and Daemon for the first time learned to listen instead of responding to everything. Finally, the sorceress tells him not to do anything for now because the winds will change. And they do change.

The successes and stumbles of the Black Team

Last but not least, there on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) goes against the advice and asks Ser Steffon Darklyn (Anthony Flanagan) to try to dominate the dragon Seasmoke, as her bloodline contains Targaryen DNA. It was a long conversation and all the time Rhaenyra pointed out that if he accepted the mission, it would be at his own risk. 

Overwhelmed by the invitation, Steffon gladly accepts his duty. This scene has a suspenseful atmosphere and is somewhat comical. If the dragon accepted the knight, it could be read as something predictable as the season is close to ending and the story needs positive directions. If something bad happened, it would also be predictable, because even if he had Targaryen blood, not just anyone can achieve this dominance like that. 

Seasmoke briefly hints that he has accepted his new rider, but soon the dragon rises to its feet and creates a flame that comes from the back of its throat. In this game, several dragon handlers and Steffon himself burn to death. It's a strong scene capable of creating empathy for all of them, even though they weren't shown as much during the season.  

After this show, the dragon flies freely until it locates Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), Alyn's younger brother and also Corlys' bastard son. We follow a fun chase and deep down we understand why Seasmoke rejected the previous knight. We'll get confirmation in the next episode, but it's clear that the dragon chose Addam as his new human.

Meanwhile, Rhaenyra is tired of not taking action and begins to feel restless. Of course, the plan with Mysaria to send the food to King's Landing was a huge success and can be considered an advance, but his council doubts its potential, Jace, his own son, also brings a more conservative speech, suggesting Daemon as a solution and He still has a guilty conscience for having “sacrificed” one of his knights. 

After so many events, the series gives us a moment to calm down. In a scene full of chemistry, Mysaria consoles Rhaenyra and feels comfortable telling her story too. It all comes back to the momentum of a heated, long hug that turns into a passionate kiss. It shouldn't surprise us, since the season has been working on this relationship of complicity since it began.

Rhaenyra and Mysaria's cinematic kiss is interrupted by news that leaves everyone with a big question mark in their heads: Seasmoke, or Fumaresia, in Portuguese, was seen flying around with someone on her back. The first guess is someone from the Green Council. But Rhaenyra is tired of creating theories, so she mounts Syrax and goes looking for answers herself. 

We don't know if it was the kiss, the impatience with so many men doubting her or both options, but finally Rhaenyra is acting and that's all we need for the last two episodes.

Characters and performances

This week's episode worked a lot on interpersonal dynamics amid variations of several characters within the same nucleus. The takes of Alicent with each son and her brother, Aemond with indiscreet threats to the weakened Aegon II and even Daemon with Alys are great highlights.

This is because each conversation, even if brief, contributes directly or indirectly to the dramatic web of intrigue and can be crucial for decision-making. Even more so when it comes to Alicent, who no longer has such a favorable history of communication and understanding.

Another highlight that is impossible to leave out is the chemistry of Emma D'Arcy and Sonoya Mizuno. The kiss, despite being unexpected, was a very wise move to seal what was already happening. Analyzing not only from the perspective of attraction, but also by the speed with which Rhaenyra and Mysaria developed closeness and trust despite the entire context in which they are inserted, the displays of affection symbolize the finding of something that has long been lost. 

Addam's arc goes from zero to one hundred very quickly. We finally got to see more of the character without him being tied to his brother. Until then, the scenes involving both were separate conversations about work with very little screen time, a very tiring, boring and repetitive factor.

The chase sequence provided by the lawless dragon Seasmoke to Addam was excellent. The character, who previously regretted always being left aside, now changes his life completely by mastering the dragon. That's what we want to see!

Finally, everything is a bit monotonous in the Valley. That core is erased, even though Phoebe Campbell does everything in her power. In the end, all that happens there are Rhaena's walks with Rhaenyra's children and brief discussions with Jeyne Arryn.

Technical aspects

Directed by Andrij Parekh (Succession), the tone of the sixth episode of this second season of The Dragon House it couldn't be any different. We can see a good job in the CGI of the dragons, which are appearing more and more, and even in the precision of the makeup – taking as an example the deep wounds of Aegon II that cause at least distress.

But the house's specialty is unquestionably character development. Parekh focuses both on the main characters, but also gives scope to the minor ones and makes them the star of the moment. In this episode, the population finally understands that they have a voice and the scenes generated from this are excellent. 

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Therefore, The Commoners has a well-written script that focuses on the development of several characters using interpersonal dramas as the main tool. The story works well, the cast works together, we have a good focus on the inhabitants of King's Landing and it was great to see Paddy Considine once again as Viserys. It was a good episode, but not great. 

Furthermore, we have two important points that emphasize a pro and a con. The pro is linked to the fact that we get to know some important characters in more depth that until now have been left aside, as in the case of Mysaria. The kiss with Rhaenyra, although unexpected, but very accurate, brings more layers that could be interesting. 

The downside is precisely the fact that the series does not give due attention or presentation to characters who will be crucial in the war to come. People who read Fire & Blood They may be wondering why they left Ulf, Hugh and some others in the background, as people who are coming into contact with the story for the first time may be confused by the sudden relevance that these figures are likely to take on in the near future.

Anyway, there are only two episodes left before the season is finished. The big question is whether the series will be able to deliver everything to end satisfactorily in such a short time.

Where to watch

The first six 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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Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim