In episode two of HBO’s House of the Dragon, the realm reacts to the tragic news of Prince Jaehaerys’ death. The Blacks caution themselves for immediate retaliation from the Greens as princes’ anger continues to impact the common folk.
Viewers are placed inside the Red Keep moments after the young heir’s remains are found. The Kingsgaurd spring into action, filing help out of their quarters to find the culprit. Aegon’s rage is palpable as he declares war on the orchestrator who murdered his son. Meanwhile Alicent, besides herself for her daughter’s sake, places the blame on her sins; she is the reason Ser Criston Cole was not standing watch at the scene of the crime. We soon hear word from Lord Larys that a suspect has been captured with possession of the child’s head.
As tempers flare and grief takes form, Otto Hightower keeps composure offering a silver lining within the tragedy. To sway the public to their side, he suggests an open funeral processional – akin to Emmett Till – displaying “the sorrow of the crown” and placing blame at Rhaenyra’s feet. While Aegon doesn’t like the plan, Otto ensures it will help their cause as he doesn’t want his great-grandchild’s death to be in vain. Alicent convinces Helaena to join her in the spectacle, which goes as planned. But to whose detriment?
News breaks at Dragonstone and Rhaenrya is shocked that anyone would fathom that she, a mother of a slain child, would order the assassination of another. She instructs defenses to be on guard immediately as she comes to realize her dear brother and betrothed, Daemon, is responsible for the deplorable act. As he struggles to compile a defense, taking no fault for the killers’ error in murdering the wrong prince, Rhaenyra vocalizes what she and her late father both shared about Daemon: he cannot be trusted. At his wit’s end, he boards his dragon as he’s been tasked to wrangle support at Harrenhal. As Daemon leaves, his daughter Baela visits Rhaenyra. She tasks her niece with monitoring King’s Landing but from a safe distance.
Speaking of King’s Landing, we return to the Red Keep where Criston Cole watches the help clean the scene of the crime. Guilt begins to settle beneath his armor. Unable to withstand his stench of failure, Cole projects his insecurity and guilt upon Ser Arryk Cargyll, citing his twin brother’s allegiance to Rhaenyra as his sin. To make amends with his conscience, Cole orders Arryk to murder Rhaenyra disguised as his brother. A suicide mission, Arryk cannot refuse.
After a calming scene between cousins Baela and Jace, two scenes elevate narratives centering on the citizens of King’s Landing. First, in a brothel, we find a naked Aemond with an older, lady friend. It’s revealed she is his alibi for the night of his nephew’s murder. We see her comfort him like a mother would, as he projects a softer demeanor. He expresses remorse for the evening Lucerys died, blaming it on his temper. She reassures him that many are affected by a prince’s anger, especially common folk like herself.
The next scene highlights the blacksmith King Aegon II addressed in episode one, about providing more funds to support their business. He and his wife discuss how Rhaenrya’s blockade affects the prices and quantity of goods. It’s an interesting perspective within the show that has not been highlighted previously. Hopefully, we see more of how the royals’ quarrels affect their constituents.
Along those same lines, we are introduced to Alyn of Hull’s brother, Addam, who is elated to hear about his brother’s visit from Lord Corlys. Addam wishes Alyn to take advantage of the lord’s generosity, but Alyn has no interest in returning to the seas of war anytime soon.
Back on the streets of King’s Landing, the peasants shriek at a grisly scene. King Aegon II ordered the hanging of all the ratcatchers, given the gold cloak could not provide the name of his accomplice in the murder. Otto is enraged, denouncing Aegon as “feckless” and “trifling” to enact such cruel punishment upon innocents. He expresses how this act, without the approval of himself or the council, ruins the good faith they built with the public earlier that day. Aegon will not hear any of Otto’s words, wanting to “spill blood, not ink.” Otto does not mince his words uttering that King Viserys was right about Aegon, projecting doubt about his right to the throne. In response, Aegon removes Otto from his duty as Hand and appoints Criston Cole as his immediate successor. Dismayed, Otto aims to retreat to Oldtown where he has another grandchild he can take mold.
In a rare occurrence, Rhaenyra meets with Daemon’s concubine and prisoner, Mysaria, to learn if she had a hand in the plot to kill her nephew. She comes clean, saying she had no hand in the scheme, and was honest about her work with the Hightowers previously. Mysaria has no ill intent against the princess. Rhaenrya, taking this with a grain of salt, allows Mysaria to leave. As she walks the path to the harbor, Mysaria passes a familiar figure: a man dressed in Erryk Cargyll’s armor.
Arryk reaches Dragonstone just as darkness falls. He silently sidesteps his twin, Erryk, and causally walks to Rhaenyra’s bedroom. After dismissing Ser Lorent from his post, he stands to keep watch. As Rhaeynra’s handmaiden lays her down to retire, Arryk enters the room pulling his blade from its sheath. Suddenly, Erryk – warned by Mysaria’s alarm – enters after him. The two brothers battle each other until one lays dead. Ser Erryk of the Queensguard survives but asks for Rhaenyra’s forgiveness as he succumbs to his blade. Nobody wins when the family feuds.
The episode closes with an anxiety-ridden Alicent attempting to comfort her grieving king but instead finds solace in the forbidden arms of Criston Cole.
Directed by Clare Kilner and written by Sara Hess, “Rhaenyra the Cruel” is a strong piece following the season premiere. As previously stated, Tom Glynn-Carney is becoming this season’s scene stealer, handling Aegon’s tyrant-in-training temper and emo-boy emotions with great dexterity. The scene between him and Rhys Ifan’s Otto was brilliantly written and acted. Also, the inclusion of the commoners’ plotline is a refreshing tool to view the kingdom’s actions from outside the castle walls. Hopefully, this intentionality continues, leading to a great payoff later in the season.
Rating: 8/10