‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 5 Recap: Rhaenyra’s Dreaded Day

King Viserys has dominated the Seven Kingdoms for years, however can not seem to management his daughter. Having bored with her bachelorette antics, Viserys declared in episode 4 that Rhaenyra would marry Ser Laenor Velaryon. The one particular person extra apprehensive in regards to the deal than Rhaenyra is Daemon Targaryen, who let his need to marry his niece recognized.

Simply Targaryen issues. 

Tensions inside Home Targaryen escalated in episode 5, titled We Gentle the Means. Queen Alicent is now coping with the political implications of Rhaenyra scheming to get the queen’s dad Otto Hightower dismissed because the king’s hand and Daemon continues to trigger a ruckus wherever he goes. 

We Gentle the Means takes place shortly after the climax of the earlier episode, which means there isn’t any huge time hole just like the three years that handed between the second and third episodes. That will not be the case subsequent week.

A full recap of Home of the Dragon episode 5 is beneath. Warning: Spoilers forward.

The girl of the vale

We have heard just a few references to Daemon Targaryen’s spouse — Rhea Royce, or “the bronze bitch” as Daemon calls her — however we have by no means really met her. That modifications within the opening scene of Home of the Dragon episode 5.

Woman Royce rides into the vale, solely to seek out her path blocked by a cloaked Daemon. Dude could not have seemed extra murdery if he tried. 

“Husband,” she says, “what brings you to the vale? Have you ever ultimately come to consummate our marriage? The vale sheep may be keen, even when I am not.”

She taunts Daemon about King Viserys selecting a “little woman” over Daemon, and wonders aloud whether or not Daemon will kill his personal niece.

However because the ominously cloaked Daemon advances on her, she realizes he has different plans. Daemon does not wish to kill Rhaenyra, he needs to marry her. To do this, he’ll have to do away with his spouse.

And so he does. Daemon startles Woman Royce’s horse, inflicting her to fall again and injure her arm. He then picks up a close-by rock to complete the act. That is a wrap for Woman Royce.

Farewell to the Hand

After being dismissed as Hand of the King within the ultimate moments of episode 4, Otto Hightower is on the way in which out of King’s Touchdown. He is met on the metropolis gates by his daughter, Queen Alicent. With a backdrop of pouring rain, as with all good farewells, she tells her father she regrets the king’s resolution to expel him.

Otto locations the blame on Alicent herself for convincing King Viserys that the experiences of Daemon’s brothel liaison with Rhaenyra have been to not be trusted. Alicent fires again that Otto is at fault for being so relentless about positioning Aegon, her son and his grandson, as inheritor. 

Otto is not having it. 

“The king will die. It might be months or years, however he’ll not dwell to be an previous man,” he says. “And if Rhaenyra succeeds him, struggle will comply with… the realm is not going to settle for her, and to safe her declare she’ll need to put your kids to the sword. She’ll don’t have any selection.”

“The time is coming, Alicent. Both you put together Aegon to rule otherwise you plead to Rhaenyra and pray for her mercy.” 

Rattling. Some fairly full-on parting phrases there. No stress. 

Targaryen x Velaryon

Daemon is not the one Targaryen with marriage on his thoughts. King Viserys sails along with his court docket, plus Rhaenyra, to Driftmark. He intends to wed Rhaenyra to Laenor Velaryon, the son of Lord Corlys Velaryon.

Lord Corlys and his spouse, Princess Rhaenys, embrace the king and his court docket inside Driftmark fortress’s Nice Corridor. Corlys congratulates Lord Lyonel Robust on his promotion to Hand of the King – you might bear in mind Lord Robust because the Grasp of Legal guidelines who recommended Viserys a few instances in earlier episodes – however sighs in regards to the unlucky circumstances by which all of them meet. Viserys is confused – the circumstances appear completely lucky to him.

“Daemon’s spouse, the Woman Rhea Royce, has handed,” Lord Corlys publicizes. Rhaenys explains that Woman Royce was killed in a “searching mishap,” that her neck and cranium have been crushed after being thrown from her horse.

“A most stunning finish. Woman Rhea’s talent as a rider and hunter have been well-known,” Corlys says.

Viserys and the brand new Hand of the King change involved glances. The implication is apparent: Foul play is at work.

 And by “foul play” I imply Daemon. And by “at work” I imply “killing his spouse.” 

“Mayhaps we are able to towards happier pursuits,” a clearly irritated Viserys says. He is additionally obtained a conspicuous cough he can not seem to shake. Viserys proposes wedding ceremony the 2 households in blood. Lord Corlys is honored, however needs to understand how the succession will work. 

They haggle after which strike the next cut price: When Rhaenyra and Laenor have kids, they’re going to inherit the paternal household title of Velaryon. However when any of these kids develop into king or queen, they’re going to rule underneath the title of Targaryen.

A deal is a deal

As King Viserys and Lord Corlys have been bartering over marriage preparations, each Rhaenyra and Laenor have been conspicuous by their absence. Within the subsequent scene, we see them sharing a romantic stroll by the seashore – throughout which they comply with faux to like one another in public.

“I do know this union shouldn’t be what you’d select,” Rhaenyra says.

“I maintain nothing in opposition to you, cousin,” Laenor glumly replies – reminding us that, even when Daemon does not get his means, Rhaenyra continues to be marrying inside the household. (Rhaenys, Laenor’s mom, is Viserys’ cousin.)

Rhaenyra clarifies that she is aware of there is a distinction in “style.” Some folks like roast duck, she says, whereas others like goose. Translation: Some males like girls, different males like males.

“I do know that no matter settlement they struck up there is not going to change your urge for food,” Rhaenyra says, “and nor will it change mine.”

Heeding the recommendation Daemon gave her, Rhaenyra suggests they wed, carry out their duties to the Realm, after which “dine as we see match” as soon as that tomfoolery is completed. 

Later, we see Laenor mendacity on a grassy knoll along with his lover. “I’ve all the time feared the day you’d need to marry a lady, and now it comes,” the chap says. They frolic a bit and start to get intimate when the unnamed man notes that Laenor will want a “sworn protector” in King’s Touchdown.

“That is higher than what we might have hoped for,” he says. “She has a paramour of her personal. I ponder who it’s.”

May that paramour be Ser Criston Cole, who Rhaenyra bedded within the final episode? Ser Criston definitely hopes so. On the voyage again to King’s Touchdown, the knight shoots his shot.

“Ser Laenor is an effective and respectable man, however you didn’t select him. He was chosen for you,” he tells her. “If there have been one other path, one which led to freedom, would you tread it?”

He suggests the 2 of them depart King’s Touchdown behind and head to Essos, for her to go away the “burdens and indignities” of royal life. 

“You would marry me. A wedding for love, not for the crown.”

She smiles, however not in a “sure, let’s do it” means, and extra in an “oh, sweetie” means. 

“I am the crown, Ser Criston.”

She admits to chafing at her duties, however says it is her responsibility to marry a nobleman from an incredible home. However, Rhaenyra provides, that does not imply their fling has to finish. “Laenor and I’ve an understanding…”

“You need me to be your whore?” Ser Criston incredulously responds. “I took an oath, as a knight of your Kingsguard, an oath of chastity, I’ve damaged it. I’ve dirty my white cloak, and it is the one factor I’ve to my fucking title. I assumed if we have been married I would be capable of restore it.”

Rhaenyra begins yammering on about royal duties once more, however the fuming Ser Criston storms off earlier than she will end her speech. 

A queen’s Hand

You might recall, all the way in which again in episode 3, being launched to Larys Robust. His father, Lyonel, is now Hand of the King.

In any case, he reappears within the Godswood to consolation a saddened Queen Alicent. Whereas she’s praying to the Godswood Tree, he begins rhapsodizing about flowers — so you understand he is as much as no good.

“The climate has been pretty,” Alicent says, attempting to brush Lord Robust off as she walks away.

“It has, and but it’s a darkish day for the realm. Your father was a great man.”

“As is yours who took his place,” she replies briskly.

“And nonetheless, the way of your father’s departure, it feels one thing of an injustice.” 

This bloke is a schemer. Robust hints that he is seen some foul play behind Hightower’s dismissal, and innocently asks the queen if Rhaenyra is her ally. 

“I did marvel if she might be relied upon, now that she is unwell,” he says. “On the exact same evening your father was dismissed, the grand maester delivered a tea to the princess’ chambers.”

Robust retains rambling sycophantically about being glad that Rhaenyra is nicely sufficient to sail to Driftmark, however the implication of his revelation was clearly grasped by the Queen. She realizes that the King believed Rhaenyra to be responsible of the costs Otto Hightower laid in opposition to her and Daemon, which is why he despatched the Westeros equal of a morning-after capsule to her chambers. But he dismissed Hightower all the identical.

The king is in strife

When King Viserys returns to King’s Touchdown from Driftmark, his first order of enterprise is to… not die. After descending from his horse carriage, he takes just a few steps earlier than collapsing. Queen Alicent is watching the commotion from the balcony of her chambers.

Alicent makes use of this chance to query Ser Criston, who unbeknownst to her is contemporary off being rejected by Rhaenyra. The queen questions him about what he did or didn’t hear and see of Rhaenyra on the evening Daemon returned to King’s Touchdown.

Ser Criston, unaware of the liaison between the Targaryens, admits to the crime he thinks Alicent is accusing him of.

“It occurred, your grace. The sin you allude to. I’ve dedicated it. At her instigation, it’s true, however that’s no excuse. My oath has been damaged, I’ve dishonored myself, I deserve no consideration.”

He asks just one factor of the queen: That, as an alternative of torturing him, he be sentenced to swift demise. 

“Thanks to your honesty,” Queen Alicent says. “You might go.”

A confused and alarmed Ser Criston scurries off. 

In the meantime, the maesters are tending to the unwell king. One suggests an natural treatment, however Arch Maester Mellos reprimands him, saying leeches are the reply. Viserys takes a potion to assist him sleep and, when it is simply him and Hand of the King Lyonel Robust within the room, he will get reflective.

“Will I be remembered as a great king, Lyonel? What is going to they are saying of me when the histories are written? I’ve neither fought nor conquered, nor suffered any nice defeat.”

Robust calls that luck, and says it is extra vital to dwell in peace than it’s to have songs sung about you by distant generations. 

“There is part of me that needs I might have been examined,” Viserys says, as he begins to float to sleep, “I usually assume that within the crucible I could have been solid a unique man.”

Royal wedding ceremony

Life strikes quick in Home of the Dragon. Firstly of the episode, Rhaenyra wasn’t even formally betrothed. Midway via the episode, the welcome celebration for the marriage begins. It is not the marriage, however the feast that kicks off every week of wedding ceremony celebrations. 

The primary lord to be introduced to us is Jason Lannister, grasp of Castlereagh Rock, who Viserys initially tried to set Rhaenyra up with. He greets King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra, who’re sitting at a desk atop a stage overseeing the Nice Corridor.

“Congratulations, your grace, you could have made a tremendous match for the princess,” Lannister says to the king, who’s seated subsequent to Rhaenyra. 

Rhaenyra replies: “Thanks, Lord Jason, I can consider no higher man than Ser Laenor.” 

Owned.

Subsequent as much as congratulate the royals is a lord from Home Royce. Viserys affords condolences for Woman Rhea Royce, and as Rhaenyra is doing the identical, the Velaryon household makes their entrance. 

Subsequent within the room is not the queen, who to the king’s consternation has but to reach, however Daemon Targaryen. The king is clearly discomfited by Daemon’s presence, however affords him a chair on the royal desk.

King Viserys kicks off his speech about uniting the 2 oldest homes within the realm, the Targaryens and the Velaryons, when Queen Alicent lastly makes her entrance. A hush falls over the room as ominous music performs. Alicent, carrying an emerald costume, is radiating dangerous bitch power.

“The beacon of Hightower, are you aware what colour it glows when Previous City calls its banners to struggle?” Lord Robust whispers to a chap subsequent to him. “Inexperienced.” 

When the queen congratulates Rhaenyra, her mouth says this can be a nice blessing – however her eyes say, “I intend to homicide you, post-haste.”

King Viserys resumes his speech, the standard stuff about nice homes and the feasts to come back. Princess Rhaenyra and Lord Laenor have their first dance, as Ser Criston appears on sourly. 

Queen Alicent walks off to greet her uncle, who tells her that Previous City stands along with her. She appears with consternation at Rhaenyra, who’s nonetheless grooving with Laenor. There’s hassle a brewin’.

At this level, Ser Gerold Royce accosts Daemon on the royal desk in regards to the demise of Woman Royce, who was Gerold’s cousin. Daemon calls it a tragic accident, however Ser Royce accuses Daemon of being the wrongdoer.

Daemon not solely threatens that “in King’s Touchdown, males are made to reply for his or her slanders,” he provides that he plans to fly to the Vale to gather his inheritance. Since he and Woman Royce had no kids, her inheritance – all of Runestone – now involves him.

The Vale lord, clearly terrified in regards to the implicit menace of dragonfire, retreats. 

A royal brawl

Daemon descends on the dance and makes his transfer on the Woman of Driftmark, Laena Velaryon.

He opens with a neg: “Has anybody ever informed you you are practically as fairly as your brother.”

“You flatter me. I used to be sorry to listen to about your woman spouse.”

“Do not be, I wasn’t.”

As Daemon chats up Laena, who’s very receptive to his overtures, Lord Laenor and his lover (whose title we nonetheless do not know) commiserate. The guy reckons he is aware of who Rhaenyra’s paramour is – Ser Criston Cole. He is figured it out as a result of Ser Criston is unable to take his eyes off her.

Little bit of a stretch there, since retaining his eyes on Rhaenyra is actually his job.

“You do not know me, Ser Criston, however we’re each deeply invested on this union,” the person tells Ser Criston. “Ser Laenor is kind of expensive to me, as I do know the princess is to you. We must always swear to one another to protect them and their secrets and techniques. If these are saved protected, then so will all of us.”

Ser Criston appears tremendous salty about all of it.

In the meantime, Daemon takes Rhaenyra apart and asks if she actually needs to get married. “Laenor is an effective man and a tremendous knight. He’ll bore you mindless,” he counsels. 

“Marriage is barely a political association, I hear.”

“Mine was not too long ago dissolved,” he says with fake solemnity.

“So take me then. Has this not been your function? I’m not but married, however the hours move swiftly.”

Lower via the Kingsguard, Rhaenyra dares him, and take her to Dragonstone as his spouse.

Daemon grabs her behind the pinnacle as if to kiss her, an undignified sight that Viserys catches. Simply as he is about to get infected, a commotion breaks out: Screaming and yelping.

It is Ser Criston Cole and Laenor’s lover. They begin brawling, which begins a wider melee. A distressed King Viserys begins coughing blood. 

In the long run, Cole actually beats the man to demise. It is tremendous full on.

The malarkey ends the marriage festivities. As a substitute of the seven days of feasting and jousting Viserys talked about, Grand Maester Mellos weds Rhaenyra and Laenor within the empty Nice Corridor. 

As a substitute of a spectacular royal wedding ceremony, the one company are the dad and mom from all sides, plus Lord Robust. “I’m yours, and you might be mine,” Laenor says behinds tears as he grieves for his actual lover.

We see Ser Criston Cole kneeling at King’s Touchdown’s Godswood Tree. Having disgraced the princess, he is about to commit suicide by impaling himself along with his dagger. However he is stopped on the final minute by Queen Alicent calling his title — the second time in the identical episode.

Within the ultimate second earlier than the credit play, King Viserys collapses. A tough ending to a tough wedding ceremony.