House of the Dragon Episode 6 Recap and Reactions
10 min read
Spoilers beneath.
Ten several years have passed due to the fact Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Lord Laenor Velaryon’s “red wedding” and given that Queen Alicent manufactured her initially rebel versus House Targaryen with a symbolic environmentally friendly dress. When we reunite with Home of the Dragon’s primary girls this week, a great deal has changed. They are not only performed by new actresses (Olivia Cooke for Alicent and Emma D’Arcy for Rhaenyra), but also in various sites in their life. They’re both of those moms now every single one is hunting out for her possess blood. They’ve drifted even more aside, with petty energy moves and paranoia over succession wedged deeply in between them. And they’re also much more positive of on their own, primarily Alicent, whom audiences came to know as a meek young girl (performed fantastically by Emily Carey). Now, a ten years later on, she’s more informed of her ability and how to use it: She pushes from her growing old husband King Viserys, she orders servants to go away the space, she techniques, and she is extra concentrated than at any time on putting her son on the iron throne. (Do I smell a hint of Cersei Lannister?) Rhaenyra is a worthy match. She was often headstrong and difficult as a woman, but her childhood petulance has evolved into a experienced confidence—and stubbornness—and her hard exterior has developed even more challenging. She’s almost nothing like her partner Laenor, who is generally found laughing and drinking with his key lover, or yearning for struggle, when he’s not with his wife. With Rhaenyra and Alicent developed up and empowered, and with allies at each of their sides, a new game of thrones is in motion.
But very first, yet another delivery scene. The episode opens on Rhaenyra’s sweaty facial area mid-labor. She’s pushing, if you could not explain to from the midwife’s coaching, her significant grunts, or the squelching noises of an infant rising from her overall body off-monitor. Just after viewing her mother Queen Aemma die brutally for the duration of childbirth in the premiere episode, I viewed this sequence cautiously and on-edge, expecting to be bombarded with yet a different gory visible of a woman enduring violence or a supply absent completely wrong but luckily Rhaenyra’s beginning is a results. And to the court’s delight (apart from for Queen Alicent), it is a boy! Rhaenyra holds her kid proudly in her arms for only a few moments prior to a messenger will come in saying the queen has asked that the little one be brought to her. Rhaenyra appreciates the ridiculous ask for is just Alicent’s attempt at pushing her buttons, but she will not acquiesce quickly. She’ll provide the little one to the queen herself, even even though she should be resting, and even even though her placenta is falling out of her as she struggles to get dressed. She will not give Alicent the fulfillment of observing her weakened.
Laenor (John Macmillan) is no help, fifty percent-jokingly inquiring, “Was it terribly distressing?” as he walks Rhaenyra to Queen Alicent’s area. Remember to, Laenor, not now. Not whilst your wife is keeling in excess of in soreness on a flight of stairs to her previous pal-turned-stepmother’s chambers write-up-labor. Ser Criston coldly greets the few in the doorway before they current the toddler to Queen Alicent, who’s shocked to find Rhaenyra standing. She’s not shocked, having said that, that the youngster bears no resemblance to his father she’s knowledgeable that the child is not Laenor’s and does not wait to let him know. “Sooner or later you are going to get just one that appears like you,” she tells him. Ouch. On the other hand, King Viserys, withering with age, is satisfied to welcome an additional grandchild. When he asks for the baby’s identify, Laenor interjects, “Joffrey!” just before consulting with the child’s mom. When the few exits, Rhaenyra leaves a path of blood behind her.
Joffrey is Rhaenyra’s 3rd baby and son, subsequent Jacaerys (or “Jace”) and Lucerys. To the globe, their father is her partner Laenor Velaryon, but biologically and secretly, it’s Ser Harwin Robust, aka Breakbones, commander of the City View. It is noticeable observing him in a room with the boys they have all inherited Ser Harwin’s dark brown hair in its place of their parents’ silver Targaryen-Velaryon locks, and none of Laenor’s features. Alicent and Viserys’ three children, Aegon, Halaena, and Aemond are all platinum-headed. The distinction in appearances is no make any difference to the young children themselves, who feel to invest a large amount of time collectively as they expand up in the castle. For the duration of dragon education, a few of them staff up to prank Aemond, like his more mature brother Aegon, by offering him a “dragon” of his have: a pig with pretend wings tied on to it. When Alicent finds out about this, she’s rapid to blame the stunt on Rhaenyra’s boys, even while her youngest claims Aegon was included. Her daughter Halaena stays out of the quarrel, actively playing with a enormous centipede and exuding whole Luna Lovegood electrical power.
Alicent provides this make a difference to Viserys, not only complaining about Rhaenyra’s little ones, but also insinuating that they were being born out of wedlock. Viserys will not listen to it, and tells Alicent to hardly ever speak of these allegations once more. The queen vents about her frustrations to Ser Criston Cole. How could Viserys not see what she’s looking at? Why does he have to maintain safeguarding Rhaenyra? Criston lets out a couple of grievances of his individual about the princess, calling her a “spoiled cunt,” which stops Alicent in her tracks. He rapidly apologizes. Evidently he is continue to not around that breakup.
Alicent finds her pubescent eldest son Aegon stark naked, jerking off in his bedroom window to the see of King’s Landing. (Is this your king?) But his mother’s unannounced existence sends him functioning less than the covers. Obviously this younger gentleman is unaware of the problems that lie ahead of him, so Alicent teaches him a couple classes. Very first, he has to stand with his brother instead than mock him. (Even if he thinks he’s “a twat.”) In these moments, he ought to protect his family—like how Alicent has stood with Home Hightower. Aegon could perform with Rhaenyra’s young children now, but when Rhaenyra ascends the throne, the fun will be above for him, Alicent states. And listed here arrives the second lesson: Aegon’s existence, as King Viserys’ 1st born son, problems Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne. He should and will be king, and there are people all through the land that want it so.
In the meantime, Daemon is in Pentos with his expecting wife, Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell), their two daughters, and their dragons. The spouse and children is getting hosted in by Prince Reggio, who’d like for them to extend their stay. He delivers Daemon and his family members a lasting residence in Pentos in exchange for accessibility to their dragons. The Triarchy has regained ability and formed an alliance with Qoren Martell of Dorne, so Pentos will need security from possible sieges. Daemon is intrigued by the supply, but Laena isn’t. She desires to elevate their children in her property, Driftmark, not in this article.
Back at King’s Landing, Ser Criston Cole trains Rhaenyra and Alicent’s boys in beat when Ser Harwin appears to be on. Harwin factors out that Criston is supplying the Targaryen young children particular interest, so Criston, out of spite, lets the boys spar each and every other, eldest son against eldest son. He’s currently being a rough mentor, encouraging Aegon to battle Jacaerys mercilessly. When Jacaerys falls, Harwin berates Criston for teaching the boys cruelty. Criston can take observe of that: Why would the commander of the City Watch treatment so a great deal about the princess’s children’s coaching? “Most adult men would only have that form of devotion towards a cousin, or a brother…or a son,” he says, providing an ice-cold jab. The insult sends Harwin into a rage. He beats Criston till he’s bruised and bloody on the ground, which does absolutely nothing to assist conceal his solution. If anything, Harwin’s violent response only strengthens the rumors and makes him and his relatives susceptible to allegations. Harwin’s father Lyonel scolds him just after the incident, and Rhaenyra overhears the dialogue. When Laenor tells her he needs to battle in the Stepstones, she orders him to stay at dwelling. With rumors about their children’s parentage swirling, he requires to be current to guidance his loved ones.
Laena misses her brother. It is probably been 10 many years since they last noticed every single other. Now, she tends to her very own family members with Daemon, which includes her eight-yr-aged daughter who’s worried that her dragon egg has not hatched however. Even worse, her father is ignoring her also. (Is anyone shocked Daemon is not a terrific guardian?) Laena at the very least delivers her some a lot-needed comfort and ease and tells her to be client.
At a compact council assembly, Rhaenyra and Alicent butt heads although speaking about coverage, but Rhaenyra would like to set an conclude to it. In a shocking transfer, she apologizes for any strife between her and the queen. She even tends to make a generous proposition: Her son Jacaerys need to be betrothed to Alicent’s daughter Helaena, and she’ll even supply Cyrax’s next dragon egg to Aemond. Alicent doesn’t bite. Rather, she points out that Rhaenyra’s breast milk is leaking as a result of her costume. Soon after the assembly, Viserys tells his spouse that he basically likes Rhaenyra’s proposal, but however, she refuses. “You may possibly do as you want, husband, when I am chilly in my grave,” she hisses at him. (Damn!)
Lord Lyonel Powerful strategies the pair with some private information: He wants to resign as Hand of the King as shameful rumors encompass his son Harwin. Even though Harwin has been expelled from the Metropolis Look at, he are not able to provide with integrity, Lyonel suggests. Alicent attempts to pull more details out of him, but he just cannot bear to repeat the gossip aloud. Viserys won’t allow Lord Potent to stage down, but permits him to consider leave to escort Harwin back to Harrenhal.
Alicent satisfies Lord Larys, Lyonel’s young son and Harwin’s brother, for what appears to be like a non-public supper in his place. It looks the two have developed near because they 1st satisfied, and she’s ready to confide in him. She needs an individual in King’s Landing would just take her side. If her father was continue to close to, he would be partial to her. Larys, on the other hand, has a program, which includes hires prisoners for a key mission.
Back in Pentos, Laena is in labor, and it’s torturous. She’s pushing and screaming on her knees, but the little one will not come. (Once more, I brace myself for a different harrowing start.) The health practitioner tells Daemon that they could conduct a c-section, but it is mysterious if the infant will are living and mother will certainly not endure. (Just like Queen Aemma.) Even though Daemon mulls it over—it’s unclear what he ultimately decides—Laena stumbles outside the house to her dragon, Vhagar, begging her to set her out of her misery. “Dracarys!” Laena orders her all over again and yet again, but the dragon won’t obey. In the finish, perhaps at the time she realizes Laena’s pain and desperation, Vhagar burns her alive. Daemon has just stepped outside the house to search for his spouse when he sees her having engulfed in flames. It was mentioned that every single of the births in Residence of the Dragon has a distinctive theme. And if Queen’s Aemma’s was intended to establish that the birthing bed is a woman’s battlefield, then each and every labor equates to a diverse final result of war: loss of life and defeat (Aemma), victory (Rhaenyra), and surrender (Laena).
Back again at King’s Landing, Harwin is indicating his goodbyes to his and Rhaenyra’s youngsters, promising to return. Jacaerys follows him out the doorway, sensing one thing is up. He asks Rhaenyra if Harwin is his father. “Am I a bastard?” Rhaenyra responds, “You are a Targaryen. That is what matters.” Right after every little thing that is transpired, the princess thinks it’s time to get out of King’s Landing and transfer to Dragonstone, away from the insanity. She tells Laenor the approach and suggests he can bring his lover, way too.
As Harwin and Lyonel get there to Harrenhal, the prisoners employed by Larys appear in the distance, ready to commence issues. That evening, they established fire to the castle, killing Harwin and Lyonel. (Yes, Larys arranged to have his brother and father killed, in scenario you have been pondering if he’s a very good male.) Again in the Red Keep, a rat scurries into Viserys’ room to feed on scraps. The king might nevertheless be breathing, but the vermin visible is a distinct image of his decay. His days are numbered.
When Alicent hears of the fire at Harrenhal, she’s shaken. She didn’t want for this, she tells Larys, but he’s currently methods ahead of her. He tells her to produce to her father with the Hand of the King lifeless, Otto could return to court to resume his previous publish, granting Alicent’s want of acquiring him closeby as an ally. Larys is specific the queen will reward him when the time is ideal, which suggests it’s probably he could blackmail her into doing his bidding. We might’ve just achieved Larys an episode ago, but he’s a single to continue to keep an eye on.
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Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she’s listening to Lorde right now.
