In episode five, the realm is shaken by the Battle of Rook’s Rest. The loss of Princess Rhaenys leaves Rhaenyra and Team Black struggling to organize a strong response with Daemon still absent. Meanwhile, Team Green seeks a regent to fulfill the duties of a fatally wounded King Aegon as his constituents suffer the consequences of Prince Aemond’s anger.
The grief is palpable throughout the episdoe as we open with Lordy Corlys Velaryon mourning his wife. Later, he and Baela discuss their loss as he’s angry that his wife was sent to battle. Baela reminded him that the beloved princess was more than his life partner. The Queen That Never Was was a dragon rider and died a warrior’s death. Baela then reveals that Rhaenyra seeks to make him her Hand.
Across the sea in King’s Landing, the Kingsgaurd and Hand Ser Criston Cole celebrate their victory by parading Meleys’ corpse head through the streets. What he perceives as a sign of strength is taken as a dark omen among the commoners. As they question the sanctity of the realm, civil unrest spreads with increasing inflation and depleting resources. Hugh the Blacksmith, his wife, and ill daughter seek to leave King’s Landing for better refuge. But they are met with resistance as the kingsgaurd refuses passage outside the castle.
Behind the pomp and circumstance, King Aegon’s severely burned and broken body is received and the Grand Maester appraises his wounds. The next few hours will determine his fate. Alicent, beside herself, questions Cole on what transpired and how Aemond played a role. Cole avoids answering directly. With Aegon’s precarious condition, a regent king must be selected to reign in his place. Alicent nominates herself being she has the most experience. But she finds herself rebuffed by the council as tradition and sexism elect, Aemond. Demoralized, Alicent sits in silence.
At Dragonstone, Team Black realizes that 80 years of peace has left them unprepared in wartime. Had Rhaenyra been born a boy, she’d have been gifted a sword instead of diplomacy. Somehow, the team decides to use this to their advantage. With Mysaria’s counsel, Rhaenyra utilizes word of mouth and has her lady-in-training, Elinda, seek an old friend. Meanwhile, an impatient Prince Jacearys departs for The Freys as they control passage to the Riverlands. In exchange for this alternate route and their allegiance to his mother, he promises them Harrenhal.
Speaking of, the haunting of Daemon continues. Apparitions of his late wife, and a peculiar scene with his mother, force Daemon to embrace his innermost desires: himself as King with Rhaenyra sharing the title. When the Brackens refuse to bend the knee, Daemon convinces the Blackwoods to use alternative motives. Seeing red, Daemon believes he’s solidified a victory, but the lords of the Riverlands hear of his war crimes and denounce their pledge.
Fearing Daemon’s support waning thin, Rhaenyra sends Ser Alfred to Harrenhal to gauge Daemon’s current state. With the loss of Meleys, Team Black is short on dragon riders. Searching for answers, Rhaenyra and her son think of soliciting dragon seeds – bastard Targaryens – to become potential fighters for their cause.
Following the action-packed ending of episode four, episode five takes a step back without losing its fervor. Some amazing writing and direction centers on the family’s next generation. It’s awesome to see Jace and Baela step into their own. And the fact that women serve as their mentors speaks to the fault in the argument against a queen on the throne. For different reasons, Aemond’s immediate ascension feels like a victory. The young, feeble boy long taunted by his eldest brother and cousins, finally proves himself worthy of the throne. His actions mirror Daemon’s, as they both feel slighted. But will they be able to reconcile the grave cost of their actions?
The standout moment of the episode is the fall of Alicent Hightower. A woman who thought producing and sleeping with the patriarchy granted her immunity from its harsh effects is betrayed by Larys, her lover, and her son. She hits the glass ceiling Rhaenyra is warring to break.
Rating: 9/10