Bloodshed & family drama go hand in hand in this week’s House of the Dragon episode 5 which begins with Daemon (Matt Smith) eliminating Lady Rhea of the Vale, a shocking and abrupt death that left many HOTD fans surprised. But the spotlight of this week’s segment was Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) and Laenor Velaryon’s (Theo Nate) pre-wedding celebration getting messy with King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and Alicent Hightower’s (Emily Carey) dysfunctional dynamic and Ser Criston Cole’s (Fabien Frankel) emotional outburst being the cherry on top. Here’s a recap of the best sequences from the fifth chapter.
It seems royal marriage ceremonies in Westeros are never destined to end on a delightful note and if Game of Thrones’ red wedding wasn’t a good indication then Rhaenyra and Laenor’s pre-wedding celebration was another entertaining yet shocking reminder for viewers of it. Sadly, it ended with the gory death of Laenor ’s lover getting his head smashed in by Ser Criston Cole. But before the chaos imploded, viewers realize the seeds of conflict were unfortunately laid by the innocent Kings guard himself when he accidentally confesses about bedding Rhaenyra to Alicent.
The Queen, feeling betrayed by her friend/princess and learning that the King holds no trust in her judgment was the nail in the coffin for the all too good and innocent Alicent making a statement at the wedding. Could her arrival in the green ceremonial dress indicate the start of the Hightower banner’s pushback, as Larys Strong notices? (Matthew Needham), The truth may not be far from unwinding. But even amid festivities, Daemon is plotting for power and pleasure through Rhaenyra, it’s a surprise that no one noticed the to-betrothed princess almost kissing her uncle. And Daemon tops that by even eying Corlys’ daughter, Laena (Savannah Steyn).
House of the Dragon episode 5 shows Daemon’s plot for Rhaenyra’s hand as well as Corlys’ daughter, Laena
Laenor Velaryon sadly faced the harshest outcome of the wedding out of all royals at Westeros – seeing his lover die and forced to carry on with the ceremony while his blood warmed the floor. It’s hard to see him align with Rhaenyra, especially since her romantic entanglement caused this fiasco.
Among all the drama, Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong’s (Ryan Corr) brief shining moment is one of the highlights of House of the Dragon episode 5. The heir of Harrenhal makes a knight in shining armor-Esque entrance to rescue the princess from getting caught up in the wedding hall brawl (No wonder he gave an ominous odd look with main character vibes in episode 3 when Rhaenyra dragged in a dead boar). House Strong certainly won the most in this episode, with Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) even being promoted to serve as the Hand of the King.
The gripping sequence ends with King Viserys collapsing down at the wedding, which symbolically spotlights the tumbling of the crown. If it wasn’t for episode preview 6 confirming Viserys is alive yet ailing, many would have surely presumed his death. Readers can check out reactions below.
i can't see differences #HOTD #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/aM9LrXGrhF
— Matt (@m_ttt21) September 19, 2022
They couldn't give Laenor another 5 minutes? His lover's prefrontal cortex is still on his shirt and he can barely say his vows. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseOfTheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/2iqHIFYq1c
— Neurokida (@AshleyG84288214) September 19, 2022
Rhea Royce: "I knew you couldn't finish."
Daemon:#HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/Z5aMmjkKSZ— 𝕯𝖆𝖊𝖓𝖊𝖗𝖆 𝕿𝖆𝖗𝖌𝖆𝖗𝖞𝖊𝖓 (@dracarys284) September 19, 2022
Me everytime there’s a wedding in Westeros #hotd pic.twitter.com/Fka64nnS8o
— Stop Inventing F1 (@irenebriony) September 19, 2022
Viserys next week… #HouseOfTheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/YVNztqxsPU
— Reilly (@ReillyMead) September 19, 2022
I will stick by Daemon Targaryen no matter WHAT.
He did not spook that horse and was simply giving Rhea a nice rock to rest her head on.
No smashing was done.#HouseOftheDragon pic.twitter.com/znFNgnQoun— saenerys (@rhaenyrafilm) September 19, 2022
#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD Daemon every damn episode pic.twitter.com/V1DSPit5Hn
— paula didn’t want to be a halfblood 🪱 (@suddenlypaula) September 19, 2022
Viserys said REGARDLESS OF GENDER. That’s my muthafuckin’ king! #hotd #HouseOftheDragon pic.twitter.com/J3NIWeEOib
— Matty (@Juraiacies) September 19, 2022
Criston Cole after Rhaenyra said she wanted him to be her side dick:#HouseOfTheDragonHBO#HouseOfTheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/YwOCHTb5UM
— Rick E Langston (@radvstheworld) September 19, 2022
"Don't even dare to provoke me" Daemon -fuckin- Targaryen#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/I3YRY0L5x2
— 🇫🇷Adella Jaxx Knox🇫🇷💎💐 (@fleurdoyeon) September 19, 2022
Rhaenyra talking to Laenor on that beach #HotD pic.twitter.com/MHha6tDSGz
— Alec (@alec_warden) September 19, 2022
All of us when Ser Criston told Alicent he tapped that. #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/G63CTIOaVH
— Patricia (@Accio_Library) September 19, 2022
Rhea Royce #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/g8PFu6fTQi
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) September 19, 2022
Lyonel Strong signaling his son, Ser Harwin "Breakbones" to intervene and save the princess from the brawl #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HoTD pic.twitter.com/68cySVlWhL
— Mr. Suspicious (@cs_caden) September 19, 2022
the moment rhaenyra knew ser harwin was her baby daddy #HouseOfTheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/aSYv6iYv7G
— jade | hotd spoilers (@dolorousjade) September 19, 2022
Watching Harwin Strong go through that crowd so easily #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/9wxLT5YcA9
— Lorisa 🖤 (@lolosfaves) September 19, 2022
Now we say farewell to Milly Alcock’s Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Milly was living in an attic & was washing dishes for money when she got the casting call. She delivered an unforgettable performance that stole our hearts. We will miss you, our Queen.🥺 #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/6XrItEb5PC
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) September 19, 2022
ser criston once he’s back in kings landing #HOTD #houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/U0MPZIxDoh
— Rachael (@markruffaloTD) September 19, 2022
Real talk though: House Velaryon didn't need food at that feast cause THEY ALREADY ATE with that entrance. 😩#HOTD pic.twitter.com/w45CdNj46I
— thesleepywitch (@thesleepywitch2) September 19, 2022
Viserys be like — You know what, screw the 7-day celebration, I need to marry Laenor to Rhaenyra IMMEDIATELY, she nearly kissed Daemon and ready to elope with him, FCK NO#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/uYPAyKMFrl
— 🐣 (@gonlyb) September 19, 2022
#HouseOfTheDragon #hotd Ser Criston: pick me, choose me, love me Rhaenyra: pic.twitter.com/x2U8d4vV3j
— sarcapsm (@sarcapsm) September 19, 2022
With episode 5’s conclusion, HOTD fans also bid farewell to Milly Alcock and Emily Carey, the actors portraying the younger version of Rhaenyra and Alicent. In House of the Dragon episode 6, stars Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke will take over as the grown-up versions of the characters. It’s bittersweet for some viewers that have grown fond of Alcock and Carey’s performance but on the bright side, the escalating events at Westeros will likely keep audiences hooked. In addition, Daemon seems to have secured his footing as well with the passing of Lady Rhea helping him acquire the keys to Runestone.
Ser Criston Cole’s fate is the only mystery after he rightfully tried to go out seppuku-style but Alicent came to the rescue. Could we see a former friend and lover aligning together for their benefit? It may seem so. All in all, next week’s episode has another time jump that fans will have to brace for.
