Welcome back to the blog readers. I am unapologetic in the fact that I love House of the Dragon to absolute death, and I will die on this hill. I was so excited to return back to Westeros to interact with these characters again. Last week's episode was a powerhouse return for the series, and it was a fantastic return to form for the series. This episode had it all: someone getting eaten out, a dog getting kicked, and a baby getting murdered. Well, I'm exaggerating. What we actually got was fantastic scene setting, brilliant performances, and a shocking ending that will leave everyone talking. Would we be getting this same level of quality a week later with the second episode, titled "Rhaenyra the Cruel," written by Sara Hess and directed by Claire Kilner? Stick around to find out.
NOTE: I will be using spoilers for my thoughts, so DO NOT read ahead if you have not seen the episode.
Last week's explosive introduction to the season started us off on a 10, and I did not think we would get any better than that. So I was kind of nervous to see where we would go from there, and I am happy to report that not only did they keep their foot on the gas for this episode, we went from a 10 to about a 12. This episode, in my opinion, is the best acted episode of the series thus far, and is the second best of the series. Everyone gives Emmy-level performances (and a certain person has succeeded at making me hate them) and the climax of the episode is just as thrilling as the rest of the episode.
First, I want to give special credit to the performance of Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II. I expected him to go absolutely ballistic upon learning that his son was murdered, but I did not expect this level of rage and anger. Glynn-Carney had moments of show and moments of tell for me, but I believe it was the perfect balance for his character. When the episode opens on him, he is seen destroying a miniature replica model of King's Landing, which I believe is poetic based on where we will probably end up going in the overall story. And the rage that stays with him throughout the episode permeates into every decision he makes through the episode, and it even ripples through to other characters (something I will talk about later). I hope TVLine gives him performer of the week, because he absolutely deserves it this week for his brutal, honest and passionate performance as Aegon II.
I know I sound like a broken record at this point, but please give Emma D'Arcy a fucking Emmy at this point. Their performance in last week's episode was nothing short of brilliant, and they have shown that they are more than capable of carrying a scene. That fact is only more evident now after Rhaenyra was able to say more than four words in the entire episode. The story of this one is built around her and the false accusations that have been started by the Greens that Rhaenyra ordered the death of the young son of Aegon. Although we know the actual story, she does not, and she accuses Daemon of ordering this heinous crime to occur. He obviously feels hurt by this and leaves to get reinforcements. The scene between the two of them was so bone-chillingly honest and brutal, while at the same time showing that the cracks are starting to form in Team Black, which may help the Greens in the war to come. Give D'Arcy an Emmy already. While you're at it, give one to Matt Smith too.
I did mention where the story has taken us thus far, and I want to go into more elaborate detail about it. By now, we know that Aemond accidentally killed Lucerys, and Rhaenyra ordered the death of Aemond as payback, but the men Daemon hired killed Aegon's young son, leading the Greens to declare that Rhaenyra ordered the death of the young boy (Side note, why would you show the dead kid? Don't you think that's salt in the wound?). I think that this fiasco has said a lot about how people nowadays spin news to push a narrative especially with people on the right side of the aisle. This group of people are notorious in spinning news to push their own agendas and narratives, and it frustrates me knowing what is happening and how much influence these people have. That about sums up my political talk for now. I also think the fact that Rhaenyra does not trust Daemon says a lot about the relationship these two have, and then when she brought in her father not trusting him is what I believe broke the camel's back. Do I think the two will come to an impasse? Maybe, but only time will tell with these two family members-lovers.
There are other story beats that definitely got my attention. The beat last week that Larys telling Aegon that he needs a new Hand to the King is paid off this week in the most disgusting way, but we need to first talk about Criston Cole. Fabien Frankel and the showrunners are really doing a good job of making me hate this piece of trash. First off, he feels guilty for sleeping with Alicent while the king's son is decapitated, so he decides to take it out on a completely innocent Ser Arryk, who he tasks with infiltrating Dragonstone and pretending to be his twin brother to murder Rhaenyra. Then he has the balls to manipulate and threaten the poor guy into compliance like the two-headed snake he is. Then, as a reward for his complete idiocy, he gets made the new Hand of the King when Aegon dismisses Otto Hightower. Why is this absolute tool getting rewarded with riches when he can't even keep his own snake inside of his pants? Then he has the nerve to again seduce Alicent to end the episode. If he is the character IGN said "everyone's going to hate," then the show is doing a damn good job.
Speaking of tools, let's not forget Aemond. I feel like he is being kind of dishonest in this episode as we find out he was not in the castle when the two men being called Blood and Cheese murdered his nephew. Instead, we find he was at a brothel, and he has the nerve to tell a whore that he takes the fact that Daemon wanted him dead as a compliment and declares that Daemon is afraid of him and his sword? Then he says that he regrets the decision to invoke Lucerys' dragon which led to the boy's death? I think he is full of steaming monkey shit and I hope that he gets his one of these days.
Next, I want to talk about Aegon's actions in this episode. I get his reaction to be vengeful and declare war, but in this episode, Otto was surprisingly right. And he was right about everything he said. Aegon was completely brash in his decisions in this episode, and innocent people die because of it. Yeah, he beat the shit out of Blood, but his decision to kill every ratcatcher (including Cheese) was a shocking one. Also I just want to say that I am so fucking happy that that piece of shit was hanged, but I really felt for his dog. But I do have to ask the dog: why are you upset your owner is dead if he clearly does not give a shit about you and is easily able to kick you? I guess only he will know. You leave that good boy alone HBO.
I have been rambling on now, but I want to end this review talking about the climax of this episode, with Ser Arryk's infiltration of Dragonstone and attempted murder of Rhaenyra. I did not expect this to go the way Arryk or Cole thought it would, but I did not expect to see him have to battle his twin brother Ser Erryk in Rhaenyra's bedroom in front of her. The duel was completely bloody and something that could have completely been avoided. Erryk winds up getting the better of Arryk and kills him, only for him to take his own life in front of Rhaenyra (in a move I can only assume is one of guilt for failing her). This was a tragedy all around, and this is the official start of the war in my opinion.
In conclusion, the second episode is a fantastic look at the aftermath of a total tragedy and delivers award-level performances that will strike you to the heart and maybe even the soul. Thank you all for reading, and I will see you for the next post.
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