Warning: This article contains spoilers about Ep 5 of House of the Dragon.
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House of the Dragon’s fifth episode, We Light the WayThe episode titled “The Last Episode” was the best so far in the series. It was a masterful episode in terms of plot development and character development. It reminded me of the Game of Thrones too. But, there were also moments where one compared the book. Fire and BloodThis series is based on the book. One quickly realizes that the show often overexplains rather than allowing for interpretations. Episode five, however, is a delight.
Daemon wants Rhaenyra to be his wife. The scandalous union is being questioned by his ex-partner. It would be best to leave Rhaenyra and to eliminate the source of his holy matrimony. Guess which one he would choose. Yup, the latter.
It is hard to imagine why the Prince does not feel affection when Lady Rhea, played by Rachel Redford, sees her in The Vale. While she is comely, it seems his lack of attraction is because she is not, well, his “blood.” Even in the previous episodes, we have heard that she is not the perfect companion; we still don’t exactly know the ‘why’. The previous episode could have provided a glimpse of their equations.
A royal wedding
New episodes air Sundays at 9pm ET @HBOMax. pic.twitter.com/dtbchmlDXT
— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) September 15, 2022
While it’s a straightforward scene, one can’t help but wonder about the lack dialogue between them. Daemon broods and kills her with the rock. He doesn’t choose the best weapon for someone he has repeatedly said he hates.
Rhaenyra is on his way to meet the Velaryons, while Viserys is at the other end. Here Lord Corlys also believes his son will “change” once he has experienced the “bedding of a woman”. It shows how parents deal with the many issues that arise when their child is identified as queer. He wants his son to be happy and he hopes Velaryon continues to be the name he chose. The two of them reach a new deal. The child will, regardless of gender, carry the family name. After that, they will be called Targaryen. As a bonus, the marriage will unite two houses from Old Valyria, ushering in a new Age of Dragons—at least, according to King Viserys.
Laenor, Rhaenyra, and even Laenor have finally reached a deal on the beach. This is where character development shines. Both realize they have a duty and are prepared to sacrifice a little to help their cause. Rhaenyra’s personality changes—from a helpless child to a young woman who knows what power can do for her—giving her the happiness she craves for.
Laenor and Sheenor both understand that they have very diverse palettes. This refers to their life choices. While she likes a duck (perhaps a reference to Daemon or Cristen Cole), Laenor’s appetite is different, referring to his affection for Joffrey (Solly McLeod). They were well aware of the possibility that their arrangements might interfere with their personal lives.
#WeLightTheWay pic.twitter.com/PJcTeXDvcV
— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) September 19, 2022
A deeply troubled Ser Cole proposes Rhaenyra marriage while he is returning from his trip. His guilt for breaking the sacred oath was evidently killing him. This is his only hope to restore his honor. However, Rhaenyrs speaks of her arrangements with Laenor, which only infuriates Cole because he feels he is a “whore.”
He continues his angst when he finds Alicent, who feels similarly betrayed by Rhaenyra. She finds out that a special tea’ was sent to her by the maester, and the promise she made to Alicent was to deceive her. She is furious at Rhaenyra’s loss and Viserys, as well as Otto Hightower’s job loss, and confronts Ser Cole. The latter, already fighting his inner turmoil, admits that he has ‘soiled’ the Princess at her instigation. He asks Queen Alicent for mercy as he announces his death sentence.
Chaos ensues on the day Laenor and his families arrive to announce their wedding. It will be announced after a week’s festivities and tournaments. Alice is wearing a green dress which signifies that she is declaring war on Laenor and his family, as the colour represents her home. As he suspects Rhae of doing the evil deed, an angry cousin confronts Alice. The Prince isn’t bothered by this and wants to inherit the Runestone, as they don’t have any heirs.
Two great houses come together.
Sunday @HBOMax. #HOTD pic.twitter.com/RMVNXaq0Ff
— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) September 16, 2022
In the midst of this, Joffrey learns of Ser Cole’s affections for the Princess and decides to speak to the King’s guard since they now come to an understanding. Cole, perhaps the most moral character (as yet) in the show, was little known to Joffrey. Their conversation is like adding fuel on the fire.
Rhaenyra and Laenor are dancing on the dancefloor, but Daemon joins the people. He meets Laena, whose beauty and flirtatiousness caught his eye. While their brief interactions may not have any significance now, they could be a catalyst for something in the future. He then speaks to Rhaenyra, who insists he can take her as his wife since Rhae’s death. Viserys watches them as they discuss and is suspicious. As Daemon grabs Rhaenyra’s face in his hand, a fight breaks out between them. Viserys, who is undergoing another attack, tells Lord Lyonel Strength, the new hand, to find Princess In a sea people. One of his men grabs Rhaenyra and takes her out.
This stupid bitch only fucked rhaenyra once, and she thought he had done so much that she would give away her crown.#houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/iXDwBzNIPO
— eleanor, daemon’s niece (@stormdnerys) September 19, 2022
Laena approaches us and we see the fight between Ser Cole & Joffery. Laenor runs to Joffery’s aid, but Ser Cole also punches him. The latter even breaks Joffery’s arm when he tries to use a dagger against Ser Cole. Although we don’t know the exact cause of the fight, it appears that the small conversation between the two could have been the catalyst.
Cole walks off as if nothing ever happened. He is not stopped by anyone. Laenor weeps over the loss of his partner. That’s when both families decide that the two must get married instantly, as delay could lead to more rumours and gossip. In front of their parents, a bleeding Laenor is tied to a shaking Rhaenyra. Viserys collapses as soon as the rituals have been completed. We don’t know if he is still alive or if he is seriously ill. However, the circumstances in which he was found indicate that it is most likely the former.
Ser Criston, who is unable to keep his mouth closed, deserves this award #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/2rM77F5Anf
— 🤘🏾sierra🤘🏾 (@sierra_1596) September 19, 2022
Ser Cole on the other side finds himself close to the Weirwood tree where he places his white cloak and prepares for suicide. He not only broke the oath, but also beaten an innocent to death. Alicent may not be sending him to his demise, but the guilt over what he did weighs him down. Alicent suddenly appears as he’s about to cut his own throat with a knife. It’s clear that from hereon, the two are a pack. Alicent is Ser Cole’s greatest debt, and he will be his protector in the years ahead.
The episode ends with a rat drinking Joffer’s blood before the screen fades to black. According to the books rats represent the ratcatcher Cheese, while blood represents the butcher Blood. Both of these characters are hired later by Daemon Targaryen, Mysaria, and Mysaria assassins.
Milly Alcock, we are so grateful for all you did for us. We love you so much.#HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/ji5gYbBfP5
— saenerys (@rhaenyrafilm) September 19, 2022
The show leaves many questions unanswered. Daemon will be taking Rhaenyra’s place as a wife. What will happen with Ser Cole and Alicent Otto may be able to return, even though the King may not live. It could mean Rhaenyra can finally take the throne. You can only find out by watching the next episode.
