House of the Dragon – Smallfolk

By: Kelly Kearney

The latest episode entitled “Smallfolk” picks up where we left off last week, with the three principal factions of the war all vying for power. Daemon is still haunted by his conscience and taking advice from the witch of Harrenhal, while his wife, Queen Rhaenyra, is back at Dragonstone preparing for a dragon-claiming ceremony, determined to protect her throne without relying on him. Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, Aemond is settling into his role as the King Regent, already reorganizing his council and stripping some family members of their power. Everyone is looking at the Riverlands as the key to winning this war, and that puts the new Hand and Sea Snake, Lord Corlys in a vital position for House Black.

A New King (Regent) Takes the Reigns

After the new opening credits, which feature the battle at Rook’s Rest, we catch up with Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall). His army is en route to the Riverlands via the Golden Tooth, a key trade hub between the West and East. Aemond’s (Evan Mitchell) primary objective is to seize Harrenhal, and the Lannister army’s arrival, complete with cages of lions, signals that they’re not here to lose. Jason, however, clearly informs the Red Keep that he will not attack House Strong’s haunted castle until Aemond arrives on Vhagar to protect them from Daemon and his dragon. This act of defiance infuriates the King Regent, who, now attending council meetings with the Blackfyre sword, sees himself as the sole person holding the throne and King’s Landing together. With Aegon incapacitated, Aemond is unwilling to leave the Red Keep undefended for Jason Lannister’s convenience. The immense threat posed by Daemon (Matt Smith) and Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) makes Vhagar’s presence crucial, and Aemond resents Lannister’s attempt to issue orders to the King Regent.

Instead of confronting his uncle and his dragon, Caraxes, at Harrenhal, Aemond turns his focus to negotiating with the Triarchy to end Corlys Velaryon’s (Steve Toussaint) blockade, which is starving the people of King’s Landing and inciting riots. Daemon is well-positioned to take the Riverlands, and Aemond believes forcing his uncle to fight on two fronts will lead to victory. However, the King Regent’s decision to confine them within the city, cutting off access to food and medicine, complicates matters. When Alicent (Olivia Cooke) questions Aemond’s new strategy, he dismisses her, showing disrespect in front of the council. Alicent had hoped to seek assistance from the Greyjoys, but they have yet to respond. She tries to remind Aemond that his father, Viserys (Paddy Considine), distrusted the Triarchy for their unreliability and shifting loyalties, suggesting that a review of the family’s history could offer valuable leadership lessons. Aemond, however, is unmoved and continues with his plans. Even Ser Criston Cole’s (Fabien Frankel) objections fail to sway him. Aemond notes that the Red Kraken, Dalton Greyjoy, is waiting to see whether House Green or House Black prevails before offering assistance—unless Alicent’s hand in marriage is proposed. Alicent is horrified, aware that her strained relationship with her son could force her into a difficult position. Criston Cole’s concern is evident, though it’s unclear whether his apprehension is about Alicent’s potential marriage or his ambitions. Nonetheless, he supports Alicent’s position, drawing the King Regent’s attention. Aemond’s army suffered losses at Rook’s Rest, and until they were replenished, he could not face Daemon at Harrenhal. His plans to force his uncle to fight on two fronts is a go.

Throughout the series, Aemond has demonstrated a lack of family loyalty—setting his brother on fire, killing his cousin, and now, dismissing his mother from her royal duties. Alicent questions whether his decisions stem from childhood traumas and if he is on a revenge tour. Aemond was always bullied and the but of both the Green and Black family’s jokes; her question is valid and her son’s lack of a response is his answer. Aemond’s refusal to reconsider his actions cuts his mother deeply. Despite Alicent’s service to King’s Landing while her husband lay dying, and the broader issue of powerful men’s disrespect toward female leaders, she finds herself marginalized much like the Black Queen.

Out With the New and in With the Old

Later, Aemond betrays Criston Cole by appointing the power-hungry Lord Larys (Matthew Needham) to find his grandfather, Otto (Rhys Ifans), and bring him back to the Keep. This move undermines Larys’s ambitions to become Hand, as evident from his disappointed reaction. With Otto’s return, Aemond must be considering the help Highgarden can offer, it’s just too bad nobody has heard from Otto since he was dismissed from his duties.

Next, we head to Dragonstone where we see Corlys Velaryon, now Hand, placing his brooch on his jacket as he prepares for a council meeting. Rhaenyra shares news about potential dragon riders from distant Targaryen bloodlines and proposes Steffon Darklyn (Anthony Flanagan)  as a candidate. Although his Valyrian heritage is diluted, it might be enough to claim a dragon-like Vermithor, Silverwing, or Sea Smoke, who are lying dormant. Despite the risks, Stefan volunteers to attempt the claim, fully aware it may cost him his life.

Over at Harrenhal, Daemon is deep in Weirwood visions, which seem connected to his destiny and his guilt over trying to usurp Rhaenyra. He experiences a vision where Viserys repeats a season one lecture, chastising Daemon for his callousness regarding his wife and their child, Aegon’s deaths. Viserys’s emotional breakdown and relinquishing of his crown unsettles Daemon, who finds himself locked in the Throne Room and screaming to be released. This moment symbolizes Daemon being trapped by his obsession with the crown and his growing disloyalty to Rhaenyra and his brother’s last wishes. Daemon eventually escapes the vision and breaks through the door, only to land in Ser Simon Strong’s (Simon Russell Beale) arms. He accuses House Strong of causing his nightmares, threatening Ser Simon with a dagger to the mouth. Overwhelmed and confused by lack of sleep and the visions blurring his sense of reality, Daemon’s leadership is faltering. He vents his frustrations to Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), who is quickly becoming his most trusted advisor. Although she fails to dissuade him from his anti-Rhaenyra stance, she draws a parallel to Viserys’s reluctance to rule, suggesting that his successor’s similar reluctance justifies her claim to the throne. She also offers a few historical hints as to why Daemon is plagued with these visions, “There are older things in this world than you or I or living memory,” and some of those ancient things are magic from the Weirwood forest–the land on which Harrenhal is built. She goes on to say Daemon is simply a player in this game–meaning not the “Prince who was promised.” At this point, he starts to listen and asks for her help in guiding his next move with the River Lords. She reminds him that house Tully is crucial to winning over the River Lords and the last time he spoke with a Tully–the young Oscar and Grandson to Lord Grover,  he both insulted and threatened him. Daemon is not off to a great start with the Tullys, but rather than iron out those wrinkles with fiery Caraxes breath, she advises he lay low for three days, and “the winds will change” in his favor.

Is Blood Thicker Than Fire?

Returning to Dragonstone, Steffon is preparing to claim Seasmoke, entering the lair with Rhaenyra, Jace (Harry Collett), and a group of dragon keepers—all chanting a High Valyrian song to start the ceremony. When Seasmoke appears, the dragon seems to evaluate Steffon and his bravery and likes what he sees. Seasmoke bends his neck in a cautious gesture of acceptance, and everyone holds their breath as Steffon inches closer. Rhaenyra’s plan seems to be working until Steffon’s ego gets the better of him, and this shift in attitude ignites Seasmoke’s fury. The dragon unleashes a blast of fire, incinerating Steffon and one of the dragon keepers. Everyone else watches in horror as the burning Darklyn Knight’s Guard slits his own throat rather than burn to death. It seems Targaryen blood isn’t the only factor in claiming a dragon, and with Steffon’s failure, Rhaenyra worries that no other Highborn will risk stepping forward.

Meanwhile, on Driftmark, Adaam (Clinton Liberty) and Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) debate whether to reveal their lineage. Alynn has been ordered to join Corlys Velaryon’s fleet as his First Mate, so he is packing up to leave his brother behind. Addam feels like the lesser of the two illegitimate sons until something extraordinary occurs. While foraging for food on the beach, Addam spots Seasmoke flying overhead. The people in the area scatter, but the dragon seems to follow Addam through the sand, into the nearby woods, and eventually up to the cliffs. When Addam and Seasmoke come face to face, there is an instant, organic connection between them—strong and natural. There is no need for ceremonies or High Valyrian songs; their bond is immediate. Seasmoke has claimed Addam of Hull as his rider.

As Addam soars on Seasmoke’s back, Mysaria’s (Sonoya Mizuno) schemes in King’s Landing may have captured more than just wavering loyalties to House Green. Slyvi (Michelle Bonnard)—Aemond’s favorite at the brothel—shows up in a Fleabottom tavern, complaining about the meager rations while some of her colleagues enjoy feasts and parties at the castle. It seems Sylvi and Aemond have had a falling out since Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carey) interrupted them before the battle at Rook’s Rest. She’s not singing his praises and instead whispers her desire for a female ruler of Westeros. Her words stir the patrons, who are hungry and looking for someone to blame. Slyvi concludes her rant by reminiscing about how full their bellies were under House Black’s rule. Across the room, another potential dragon rider, Ulf (Tom Bennett) listens intently—the supposed bastard son of Viserys, who agrees with Sylvii that Rhaenyra is the rightful heir to the throne.

Back at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra snaps when she is approached by a councilman with an “I told you so” about the failed Darklyn dragon claim. The councilman makes the mistake of blaming her for Rhaenyra’s death, and she responds by smacking him for forgetting who he’s addressing. Her council continues to undermine her, leading her to consider using a sword. She knows that these men respect warriors over peacemakers, and her lack of battle experience is weakening her authority. Mysaria enters just as Rhaenyra is handling the steel blade and the two discuss the situation in Flea Bottom. The seeds of anger against House Green are growing, with whispers of riots filling the streets. Mysaria suggests sending a gift from House Black to the hungry populace. Whether her suggestions stem from genuine loyalty or personal gain, much like Larys Strong with House Green, remains unclear. However, her ideas have so far only strengthened Rhaenyra’s position. If Mysaria’s motives are questionable, Rhaenyra—who has always been portrayed with a touch of bisexual subtext—engaged in a passionate “thank you” kiss with her. Their intensity is only interrupted by the news that Seasmoke has a rider. Rather than meet with her council, Rhaenyra hops on her dragon to find out who is playing amateur pilot.

Eat the Rich!

After a brief exchange between Aegon and Aemond, we learn that the King remembers everything from Rook’s Rest but is too terrified of his brother to speak about it. The scene shifts to the beaches of King’s Landing, where Rhaenyra’s gift washes ashore. Food can be just as powerful as an army at your gates, and word spreads quickly about the boats laden with supplies bearing House Black’s flag. As Mysaria predicted, riots began to flood the streets. We even see Hugh (Kieran Bew), another potential Lowborn dragon rider, looting food carts returning from the beach. Rhaenyra’s generosity stands in stark contrast to Aemond’s poverty and imprisonment, prompting the people to confront Alicent and Helaena (Phia Saban) as they exit the church. The women are forced to flee through the streets as the hungry mob unleashes its anger upon them. Cornered with nowhere to escape, Alicent shields her daughter, bracing for the worst until her guards clear a path for the royals to escape. Mother and daughter emerge mostly unscathed but deeply shaken by the harrowing experience. This event is sure to galvanize an alliance against the King Regent, a sentiment that has been brewing since his childhood.

Returning to the dragon riders, we find Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) at The Veil, disappointed in her exile for protection, feeling overlooked compared to her sister and Prince Jace. Her bitterness fades when she discovers evidence of a dragon living on the island. Queen Arryn (Sian Brooke) informs her of a wild, untamed dragon that preys on the local sheep, and her agenda seems pretty clear; she isn’t trying to appeal to Rhaena’s bloodline as a potential dragon rider. Later, we see Rhaena holding a dragon toy, hinting at a connection between her story and the elusive sheep-stealing beast.

Just like the dragons, who were once Lowborn Targaryens, Rhaena, Hugh, and many others will soon realize that Highborn blood isn’t a requirement for claiming a dragon. This revelation opens the ancestral records to a plethora of bloodlines linked to the Targaryens. With more dragons and civil unrest brewing in King’s Landing, Rhaenyra doesn’t need a sword to prevail; she can seize Vhagar and rally the angry populace against the Greens.