‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 5 Recap: It’s Royal Wedding Season

Viserys Targaryen has bored with daughter Rhaenyra’s bachelorette antics, and plans to marry her off her to Ser Laenor Velaryon. That’s unsettling information for Daemon Targaryen, who made his want to marry Rhaenyra clear in episode 4. 

Tensions inside House Targaryen escalated in Sunday’s episode, titled We Light the Way. 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. 

Episode 5, titled “We Light the Way,” takes place shortly after the climax of the earlier episode, that means there is not any massive time hole just like the three years that handed between the second and third episodes. 

A full recap of House of the Dragon episode 5 is beneath. Caution: Spoilers forward.

The woman of the vale

We’ve heard a couple of 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 adjustments within the opening scene of House of the Dragon episode 5.

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

“Husband,” she says, “what brings you to the vale? Have you at last come to consummate our marriage? The vale sheep might be willing, even if I’m not.”

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

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

And so he does. Daemon startles Lady 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’s a wrap for Lady 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 best way out of King’s Landing. He’s 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 choice to expel him.

Otto locations the blame on Alicent herself for convincing King Viserys that the reviews 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 may be months or years, but he’ll not live to be an old man,” he says. “And if Rhaenyra succeeds him, war will follow… the realm will not accept her, and to secure her claim she’ll have to put your children to the sword. She’ll have no choice.”

“The time is coming, Alicent. Either you prepare Aegon to rule or you plead to Rhaenyra and pray for her mercy.” 

Damn. Some fairly full-on parting phrases there. No strain. 

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 citadel’s Great Hall. Corlys congratulates Lord Lyonel Strong on his promotion to Hand of the King – chances are you’ll bear in mind Lord Strong because the Master of Laws who endorsed Viserys a few instances in earlier episodes – however sighs in regards to the unlucky circumstances wherein all of them meet. Viserys is confused – the circumstances appear completely lucky to him.

“Daemon’s wife, the Lady Rhea Royce, has passed,” Lord Corlys declares. Rhaenys explains that Lady Royce was killed in a “hunting mishap,” that her neck and cranium have been crushed after being thrown from her horse.

“A most surprising end. Lady Rhea’s skill as a rider and hunter were well known,” Corlys says.

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

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

“Mayhaps we can toward happier pursuits,” a clearly aggravated Viserys says. He’s additionally acquired a conspicuous cough he can not seem to shake. Viserys proposes wedding ceremony the 2 households in blood. Lord Corlys is honored, however desires to know the way the succession will work. 

They haggle after which strike the next discount: When Rhaenyra and Laenor have kids, they’re going to inherit the paternal household identify of Velaryon. But when any of these kids grow to be king or queen, they’re going to rule beneath the identify 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. In the subsequent scene, we see them sharing a romantic stroll by the seaside – throughout which they comply with fake to like one another in public.

“I know this union is not what you would choose,” Rhaenyra says.

“I hold nothing against you, cousin,” Laenor glumly replies – reminding us that, even when Daemon does not get his means, Rhaenyra remains 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 “taste.” Some folks like roast duck, she says, whereas others like goose. Translation: Some males like girls, different males like males.

“I know that whatever agreement they struck up there will not change your appetite,” 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 fit” as soon as that tomfoolery is finished. 

Later, we see Laenor mendacity on a grassy knoll along with his lover. “I’ve always feared the day you’d have to marry a woman, 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 Landing.

“This is better than what we could have hoped for,” he says. “She has a paramour of her own. I wonder who it is.”

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

“Ser Laenor is a good and decent man, but you did not choose him. He was chosen for you,” he tells her. “If there were another path, one that led to freedom, would you tread it?”

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

“You could marry me. A marriage for love, not for the crown.”

She smiles, however not in a “yes, 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 obligation to marry a nobleman from an excellent home. But, Rhaenyra provides, that does not imply their fling has to finish. “Laenor and I have an understanding…”

“You want 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 broken it. I’ve soiled my white cloak, and it’s the only thing I have to my fucking name. I thought if we were married I might be able to 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 best way again in episode 3, being launched to Larys Strong. His father, Lyonel, is now Hand of the King.

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

“The weather has been lovely,” Alicent says, making an attempt to brush Lord Strong off as she walks away.

“It has, and yet it is a dark day for the realm. Your father was a good man.”

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

“And still, the manner of your father’s departure, it feels something of an injustice.” 

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

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

Strong 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 towards her and Daemon, which is why he despatched the Westeros equal of a morning-after tablet to her chambers. Yet he dismissed Hightower all the identical.

The king is in strife

When King Viserys returns to King’s Landing from Driftmark, his first order of enterprise is to… not die. After descending from his horse carriage, he takes a couple of 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 recent off being rejected by Rhaenyra. The queen questions him about what he did or didn’t hear and see of Rhaenyra on the night time Daemon returned to King’s Landing.

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

“It happened, your grace. The sin you allude to. I have committed it. At her instigation, it is true, but that is no excuse. My oath has been broken, I have 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. 

“Thank you for your honesty,” Queen Alicent says. “You may go.”

A confused and alarmed Ser Criston scurries off. 

Meanwhile, 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 Strong within the room, he will get reflective.

“Will I be remembered as a good king, Lyonel? What will they say of me when the histories are written? I have neither fought nor conquered, nor suffered any great defeat.”

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

“There is a part of me that wishes I’d have been tested,” Viserys says, as he begins to float to sleep, “I often think that in the crucible I may have been forged a different man.”

Royal wedding ceremony

Life strikes quick in House of the Dragon. At the start of the episode, Rhaenyra wasn’t even formally betrothed. Halfway by the episode, the welcome celebration for the marriage begins. It’s not the marriage, however the feast that kicks off every week of wedding ceremony celebrations. 

The first 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 Great Hall.

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

Rhaenyra replies: “Thank you, Lord Jason, I can think of no better man than Ser Laenor.” 

Owned.

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

Next 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 vitality.

“The beacon of Hightower, do you know what color it glows when Old Town calls its banners to war?” Lord Strong whispers to a chap subsequent to him. “Green.” 

When the queen congratulates Rhaenyra, her mouth says it is a nice blessing – however her eyes say, “I intend to murder you, post-haste.”

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

Queen Alicent walks off to greet her uncle, who tells her that Old Town stands along with her. She seems to be 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 Lady Royce, who was Gerold’s cousin. Daemon calls it a tragic accident, however Ser Royce accuses Daemon of being the perpetrator.

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

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

A royal brawl

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

He opens with a neg: “Has anyone ever told you you’re nearly as pretty as your brother.”

“You flatter me. I was sorry to hear about your lady wife.”

“Don’t be, I wasn’t.”

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

Bit of a stretch there, since maintaining his eyes on Rhaenyra is actually his job.

“You don’t know me, Ser Criston, but we are both deeply invested in this union,” the person tells Ser Criston. “Ser Laenor is quite dear to me, as I know the princess is to you. We should swear to each other to guard them and their secrets. If those are kept safe, then so will we all.”

Ser Criston seems to be tremendous salty about all of it.

Meanwhile, Daemon takes Rhaenyra apart and asks if she actually desires to get married. “Laenor is a good man and a fine knight. He will bore you senseless,” he counsels. 

“Marriage is only a political arrangement, I hear.”

“Mine was recently dissolved,” he says with fake solemnity.

“So take me then. Has this not been your purpose? I am not yet married, but the hours pass swiftly.”

Cut by the Kingsguard, Rhaenyra dares him, and take her to Dragonstone as his spouse.

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

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

In the top, Cole actually beats the man to demise. It’s tremendous full on.

The malarkey ends the marriage festivities. Instead of the seven days of feasting and jousting Viserys talked about, Grand Maester Mellos weds Rhaenyra and Laenor within the empty Great Hall. 

Instead of a spectacular royal wedding ceremony, the one friends are the dad and mom from both sides, plus Lord Strong. “I am yours, and you are mine,” Laenor says behinds tears as he grieves for his actual lover.

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

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