Overall, That Kind Of Went Okay: House of the Dragon Episode 5

Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 1 episode 5 “We Light the Way” ahead!

I’ve put off this week’s post a little too long, but holy cow what an episode!

Daemon returns to the Vale to visit his wife Lady Rhea, he kills her with a rock.

Viserys is much more than seasick on the way to visit House Valeryon to propose that Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor.

Otto Hightower departs and warns Alicent that Rhaenyra becoming Queen will lead to war.

Lord Larys, son of Viserys’ new advisor Lionel Strong, gets in Alicent’s ear out in the garden, and tells her about the special tea that was delivered to Rhaenyra.

Viserys and Corlys come to an agreement after Viserys sticks up for the Targaryen name to continue on through Rhaenyra and her heirs. Rhaenyra and Laenor have a nice walk on the beach, and agree that they can marry for their duty, but have an understanding where they can pursue their own interests. We learn that Laenor already has a lover, fellow knight Ser Joffrey Lonmouth!

On the ship headed back home, Criston wants Rhaenyra to run away with him to get married. She says nope! But we can be lovers and it’ll be totally fine. He couldn’t be more offended!

When they arrive home Criston is summoned right away. Alicent wants to ask him what happened the night Rhaenyra snuck out! She’s just vague enough that he thinks she’s talking about him and admits everything! He asks that he not be tortured as punishment but just be put straight to death. She says nope! You can go. What a load of useful information!

Viserys is in worse and worse shape as the episode goes on, the leechings don’t seem to be doing as much as they hope. He asks Lionel if he’ll be remembered as a good king. “Is it not better to live in peace than to have songs sung after you are dead?”

The only appearance of dragons brings us to the beginning of the wedding week celebrations! Guest after guest enter the throne room for the welcome feast, stopping to say hey to the King and make sexist jokes. Ser Gerold, Lady Rhea’s cousin, arrives and it’s confirmed that Lady Rhea is dead.

Ser Laenor arrives and the feast has begun! Which of course means that’s exactly the moment for Daemon to enter. Still without a word he steals the show. King Viserys gives a speech that is interrupted by the entrance of Queen Alicent. She wears a green dress which means war to the Hightowers! “Congratulations stepdaughter.” Ouch! Viserys finishes his speech, “Let’s go dragons!”

During the celebration, everyone is being way too obvious about making eyes at each other, Joffrey figures out that Criston is Rhaenyra’s secret lover and prods him about it. Just before Daemon and Rhaenyra make out on the dance floor, there’s a large commotion! What of the many possible things could have gone wrong?

1. Daemon and Rhaenyra are making out.

2. Ser Gerold attacks Daemon because of what he suspects he did to Lady Rhea, and his claim on Lady Rhea’s inheritance!

3. Somebody dropped the cake!

4. Who knows what kind of crazy thing Alicent has planned for the night?

5. The thing I didn’t see coming at all, Criston attacks Joffrey, eventually killing him! (Maybe Alicent is behind this?)

Laenor is devestated. We can’t wait a whole week, let’s get this wedding done now! As Rhaenyra and Laenor say “I do", Criston prepares to stab himself in the chest, but Alicent stops him! Viserys collapses and a rat laps at the pool of Joffrey’s blood.

The wedding got done and only one or two people died? That kind of went okay!

Next week we switch to the older actors! I’m sad to see Millie Alcock and Emily Carey go, but am excited to see what Emma D’arcy and Olivia Cooke do! It’s also insane how identical Emily and Olivia look! It is also going to be interesting meeting everyone’s kids!