House of the Dragon | "Smallfolk" | Recap & Review

*SPOILERS AHEAD!

More war strategy, more trading men for protection, more ravens to King's Landing and more of what could be empty promises. By the way, do the Lannisters really need to bring an actual lion? I know it is their symbol but is it really necessary for this war? Anyway, Jason Lannister demands a raven be sent to Aemond requesting "hastly" he provide protection in the sky along with Vhagar- Aemond does not like this, and we start to see more pettiness more than actual progress made towards an actual war either being had- or resolution. Remember too, this is the same Jason Lannister who proposed marriage to a young Rhaenyra back in season one.

During the proceeding small council meeting with team green, just more disrespect are thrown towards Alicent. Especially and most notably from her own son Aemond. Hasn't Aemond been craving and wanting attention and affection from his mother for a season and a half now? Why is he being so cold to her? Could be because he doesn't want to show favoritism while at "work" or maybe he can't be steadfast and stern in these meetings? I guess it can be a culmination of all of this but to actually and basically "fire" her from the council is either going to benefit him as the temporary decision maker [for now] or he's going to be missing out on some real keen advice. It almost seems at this point Alicent is thinking of the conversation she had when Rhaenyra snuck into the capitol and asked if Viserys misspoke on who we named heir- if there was some kind of peace or resolution both sides could come to. Now Alicent is stuck between a rock and a hard place because she was able to have a voice when Viserys was sick, when Aegon was in the room- but no with Aemond, she has no voice.

Now over in team green's council, we first see Corlys accept his new position as hand of the queen. He either knows Rhaenyra needs as much help as she can get with a battle-tested warrior, or he is honoring his late wife, Rhaenys, in helping someone in their family get back to the Iron Throne. While at this council, we get to see the beginning of the [possible] end to Rhaenyra and Jace's "let's find someone in our bloodline to ride a dragon" experiment. They call apon Ser Steffon Darklyn as their candidate to try to become the new rider for Seasmoke. Keep in mind- Seasmoke's original rider, Laenor, is not actually dead. So according to the "lure" of the books, the bond between the dragon and it's rider has not yet been broken. So not only has this experiment been attempted, but now they are trying to force a new bond for the dragon- which is understandable at the same time as Rhaenyra said- he seems lonely and missing a rider. Ser Steffon gets a little bit too big for his britches as he thinks he has claimed the favor of Seasmoke, when instead the dragon wants to part in this and burns Steffon, and a handler, to a gentle crisp. But, props to Rhaenyra and Jace for thinking outside the box, right?

As mentioned in the last post about episode five, are we kind of getting tired of Daemon's visions and dreams? I guess it is an excuse to bring back actors that are no longer in the show like Milly Alcock (young Rhaenyra) and Paddy Considine (King Viserys). This time it's Paddy's turn. All these dreams and visions seem to be showing Daemon all of the mistakes and wrong turns he's made in the past- and like I said, I wouldn't mind these if they were leading somewhere or giving him a clear answer as to what to do next- instead of fleeing the situation which he does seem to be good at. Also, why did it take this long for Daemon to figure out that something is wrong with him? But, as he departs the castle, his dragon Caraxes pops up like a dog and is so happy to see him- cute. But as Daemon is preparing to leave, Alys stops him and talks him into staying a little longer... I admittedly was excited for Daemon to finally leave Harrenhal and stop with his visions but of course the weird owl lady got to him again.

Speaking of weird, mysterious ladies of the seven kingdoms, Mysaria, is becoming another voice for Rhaenyra. She is sending some spies into King's Landing to set some plans into motion- one being that their is no sustainable food at the capitol due to the gullet blockade, her plan is to send gift baskets so to speak thru Blackwater Bay to the shores of King's Landing with the Targaryen symbol letting the people know that Queen Rhaenyra has their back...funny thing is that it is because of Rhaenyra that there is a blockade to begin with and the reason why the smallfolk are not getting their normal pallet of foods. But throw a nice ribeye or prime rib with some lettuce on a boat, people will forget who's king or queen.

Some other footnotes/other "side" things and stories that happened in this episode worth noting is that when Rhaena is walking around the Vail with Joffrey, she notices a huge burnt spot in the field with the bones of sheep- meaning there is a larger dragon that is nearby. Also, when they are back inside, one of the eggs that Rhaenyra sent with Rhaena to the Vail must've hatched because now there is a small dragon walking around the room with them. This is also one of the first times we get to see Alicent have a full conversation with her brother, Gwayne, who has been out waging war with Ser Criston. She also learns that her youngest son, Daeron, is a handsome and kind person- Alicent is pleased to know that but also much to her dismay as she has not been there to raise him- like the two that have been in power.

We also get to see more the Addam and Alyn of Hull's storyline as, if you have figured out by now, they are brothers and are the astranged bastard sons of Corlys. Corlys asks Addam if he will be his first mate on their next voyage, presumably when they storm King's Landing. In the scene with the two brothers, Addam is shaving his head, and if you pay close attention, the hair he is shaving is white- the very popular and unique hair color of

Velaryon and Tagaryen's alike (also much like Hugh Hammer? Hmm). Meanwhile, Alyn has the style of the famous families' hair-line (get it?) but not he color, but says he would be proud to rock it if he could. Things get interesting, though, for Alyn a few scenes later as we once again see Seasmoke, the dragon that burned and killed Ser Steffon and a handler earlier. The beast has made it's way towards Driftmark and is spotted by Alyn, and Seasmoke obviously spots him as well. Alyn makes his way off the beach and into the nearby forest. Seasmoke eventually catches up to him... storyline to be continued.

Alicent and Queen Halaena make their way to the Cept to light some candles for the speedy recovery of King Aegon. When- to the namesake of the episode, the smallfolk learn of there presence and begin bombarding them as they make their way back to the royal caravan. But on their way, they come face-to-face with very mad and very hangry people. One even pelts Alicent in the face with a fish while a multitude of people are shouting "Long live Queen Rhaenyra".

The interesting, surprising and now very much talked about scene happens next as Rhaenyra and Mysaria are discussing the success of their gift basket idea. Mysaria goes on to tell Rhaenyra her life story and Rhaenyra gives her a hug, as the hug ends- they end up in a pretty intense make out session before it is interrupted. A couple things arise from this- 1. Rhaenyra has clearly given up on Daemon, as she even says minutes before that Daemon has already turned against her. 2. How will people look at her if this is brought into the light? People are already not sure about having a woman ruler, much less a woman ruler with a woman partner. The interruption that occurred was by a member of the Queen's Guard, he states that Seasmoke has been spotted...with a new rider... Rhaenyra is fed up with people running her errands as it is so she heads out with Syrax.

Okay so there is a lot going on in this episode, a lot of side stories and small things you probably have to be really looking for and paying attention to. But even with that much going on, I do like all the extra stuff except for one side storyline (for now I hope), and that is of Hugh Hammer and his family. We see him try and take of his wife and sick daughter and run around punching other smallfolk and stealing their lettuce. I hope he ties into one of the main stories quickly. This episode will get a solid B/B+ for me, and the Hugh thing is really the only reason why it's that low. I m interested to see if Rhaenyra and Mysaria's actions will be found out- and what people's reactions will be. I also wonder what kind of errands Aegon will send Larys out on. But definitely the most obvious storyline I'm sure everyone is waiting for, is the one of Alyn and Seasmoke. But if you saw the previews of the next episode, you kind of already know of what is to come.