House of the Dragon episode 6

Plus, I am happy to report that there are finally many scenes involving dragons!

On HBO's Game of Thrones spin-off, questions around several characters' lineage turn the show into one long episode of medieval Maury.

(This conviction of hers is entirely undercut by the fact that a couple episode back, she overheard Otto trying to convince the king about Rhaenyra and Daemon, and utterly failed to get through to him then.) As the episode progresses, however, and she's continuously set upon by the willful, thoughtless actions of the men around her, we watch her struggling to return to the status she knows she should hold as heir to the Iron Throne. This Alicent is a lot less placid and soft-hearted than the one we met over the first five eps — so much so as to seem an entirely different character. The show didn't do an adequate job of setting up Cole's assault on Joffrey, which is one reason it came of as gratuitous as it did; this episode's treating the whole incident with a shrug only compounds that feeling. We also get a glimpse of Daemon and Laena's relationship, which isn't great — as Daemon has taken to getting drunk and surly and holing himself up in the mansion's library, reading about ancient dragonlords. Alicent, cannily, pleads him with him to come out and say it, but he refuses, so the king insists he stay on. When Cole not-so-subtly hints at Jacye and Luke's true parentage, Harwin proceeds to give Cole a small taste of the face-punchy medicine Cole gave to Ser Joffrey, years before. He fancies himself a man of action, not words, but he's sorely tempted by the prospect of becoming a man of inaction. Vhagar was one of the three dragons that the original Targaryen king Aegon I conquered Westeros with, over 100 years prior to the events on this show. "I have to believe that in the end honor and decency will prevail," says Alicent, because she hasn't read these books. A couple other things to note in this scene: Ser Criston Cole isn't rotting in jail for the very public murder of Joffrey last episode; in fact, he's been promoted to the queen's personal guard. But I can't help feeling we've been denied the chance to see them grow into adults in their own right, instead of solely in relation to the men in their lives.

The adult stars of House Of The Dragon have arrived at last – and their rivalry is growing ever more intense.

Almost certainly, but Rhaenyra’s desire to get away from the endless attacks on herself and her children is understandable. And Alicent is left terrified of her own ally, having seen what the quiet, mild Larys is capable of. We finish with Daemon once again widowed – it’s becoming a habit – and Rhaenyra leaving King’s Landing for her ancestral fortress on Dragonstone, abandoning the court and its machinations to her rival. Daemon makes no choice, and it’s not clear whether he holds back out of respect for his wife – he does appear to have some – or from horror at the decision itself, a weakness in the face of unimaginable crisis. If her own death is certain and she accepts that, wouldn’t she let them try to save the child? Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) has offered to resign as Hand of the king following Harwin’s brawl, but Viserys won’t hear it – so Lyonel has begged leave to at least escort his son home to their (famously unlucky) stronghold of Harrenhal. In the novel, the baby is born deformed, and Laena simply dies in childbirth. Alicent obviously knows about it, but no one will make the accusation publicly for fear of treason – and Viserys (Paddy Considine) is willfully blind to the whole thing. Aegon and Rhaenyra’s eldest, Jacaerys aka Jace (Leo Hart), team up to play a trick on Aegon’s dragonless younger brother, Aemond (Leo Ashton), in the shadowy depths of the Dragonpit, which prompts Alicent’s fury at her eldest because she needs her sons to stick together against their nephews. With the women confined to bickering by court protocol and a shared deference to Viserys, their rivalry plays out by proxy. The umbilical cord is barely cut before there’s a demand from the queen to see the baby: Rhaenyra, stubborn to the bone, insists on carrying the baby herself as a sort of passive resistance. But perhaps the most illuminating exchange is the scene where Alicent interrupts her son Aegon (Ty Tennant) during his, er, private time (a boy prince wanking over an entire city is quite the metaphor) to explain to him the existential threat that his nephews pose.

Sam Adams: Jack! Welcome to the Worst Person in Westeros. You are a longtime George R.R. Martin fan and diehard Thronesie, as I believe they prefer to be called ...

Larys is both the son of the king’s hand and the brother of Rhaenyra’s lover, but he’s more loyal to Alicent than to either of them—or, put another way, he sees more advantage in being her fixer than he does in being House Strong’s less-favored son. (The actors in this episode seem like they’re in a contest to see who can come the closest to saying the word “bastard” without actually doing so; at one point, Alicent refers to Rhaenyra’s sons as “bbbbb-plain-featured.”) Lyonel dare not risk it, and the king won’t accept his resignation, so poor Lyonel is stuck, although he gets leave to escort Hawin, who’s now been kicked out of the city watch, back to the family seat at Harrenhal. Plus I’m inclined to cut Alicent just a little slack because I do think she’s doing what she’s doing out of a real concern for the well-being of her children, who, bratty as they are, probably should be looking over their shoulders once their half-sister (ew) Rhaenyra ascends to the Iron Throne. As awful as Alicent is, by episode’s end she does seem genuinely horrified when she realizes the atrocities Larys has committed on her supposed behalf, and Larys seems all too eager to let her know that he now considers her in his debt, with no small amount of menace. And let’s not forget Criston Cole, who seems intent on working through the feelings he caught for Rhaenyra a decade ago by subjecting her children to physical abuse at the hands of their cousin. Rhaenyra isn’t about to let her newborn out of her sight, so she pulls herself upright and winces her way up the stairs, leaving a trail of blood behind her. [faced with in the first episode](https://slate.com/culture/2022/08/house-dragon-premiere-game-thrones-hbo-max-recap.html): namely, should we [ perform a c-section](https://slate.com/culture/2022/08/house-of-the-dragon-c-section-birth-scene.html) that will definitely kill your wife but might save your child? It’s a week of firsts, in fact, since with the show’s sixth episode, “The Princess and the Queen,” the narrative jumps forward by about a decade and introduces new actors to the roles of Rhaenrya, Alicent, Leonor, and Laena (although in one case, not for very long). Unfortunately this isn’t a world where good news always bring good results: She’s still unable to deliver, and faced with the likelihood of slow and agonizing death, she chooses death by dracarys, ordering her own dragon to burn her alive. Adams: “The Princess and the Queen” has a lot of business to attend to, not just introducing the new cast but setting the table for the back half of the season, and perhaps because of that, it actually features people acting somewhat reasonably for once. I have to say, I knew that the great actor-swap was coming this week but it was still a pretty weird adjustment, particularly since I don’t think the characters are really supposed to be all that much older. Martin fan and diehard Thronesie, as I believe they prefer to be called, and yet this is the first time you’re weighing in House of the Dragon.

We jump over a decade into the future and, surprise, relations between princess and queen are not good.

"In all of King's Landing is there no one to take my side?" Lord Strong says a shadow is being cast over his house, and that it's damaging both his reputation and that of his house. "My father cannot give unbiased council to the King." It's evident that the Small Council has become a political battleground, as the two loudest voices are that of Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra. When the Stepstones and the Triarchy's new arrangement with Dorne comes up, Rhaenyra suggests defending the area Daemon won a decade ago with men and equipment. Queen Alicent's silver-haired children are pummeling a strawman when Ser Criston, who as Kingsguard knight is in charge of training the royal boys, suggests they try to fence with him. "Do not speak of this again," he adds, with a kiss on the cheek. Rhaenyra and Laenor have apparently struck a bargain: As long as he pretends to be father of her children, Laenor is free to love as he pleases. She reprimands Aegon for taunting his little brother with the pig gag, and says they need to be a unified front in public. Both the princess and the queen have a squad of children running about them now, too. The queen is also a new woman, Olivia Cooke instead of Emily Carey. That means a bunch of new faces: Emma D'Arcy is Rhaenyra Targaryen now, and Queen Alicent is now played by Olivia Cooke.

This week's House of the Dragon episode is all about daddy issues, fatherly love, and the weak spots represented by one's children.

After uttering the word "dracarys" various times in tears, she is burned to death, leaving Daemon to decide the fate of Rhaena and Baela. Doomed to die in childbirth, and not the dragonrider's death that she wished for, Laena storms off in search of her dragon. Lord Lyonel and Ser Harwin aren’t the only characters to go out in flames in this episode of House of the Dragon. Disillusioned with the way things turned out for him in Westeros — you know, with how he killed his first wife for nothing and all — Daemon wants to stay behind, but Laena wishes to raise her daughters at Driftmark. The princess and her husband seem to have a good thing going on with their open marriage, and Laenor is content to have Ser Harwin siring the princelings. Alicent vents her frustration with Rhaenyra and Viserys to another friend she made last week: Ser Larys, Lord Lyonel’s club-footed son who had a lot to say about the princess’ choices of tea. [the Triarchy’s](https://collider.com/house-of-the-dragon-the-triarchy-explained/) return to [the Stepstones](https://collider.com/house-of-the-dragon-stepstones-explained/), she asks to speak to the queen in front of the council’s members. [Olivia Cooke](https://collider.com/tag/olivia-cooke/), Alicent is still suspicious of Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) escapades and makes no effort to hide it. Across the Narrow Sea, Daemon awaits the birth of his third child with Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell) while caring for his eldest daughter, Rhaena (Eva Ossei-Gerning), and ignoring his youngest, the dragon-less Baela (Shani Smethurst). King Viserys is still around, though probably not for long, as is Ser Criston (Fabien Frankel), who has managed to avoid any severe punishment for murdering a guest of the king at the princess’ wedding banquet thanks to the queen’s good graces. Time skips just got larger and larger from episode to episode, and, from the get-go, fans knew that there was a ten-year jump waiting for them in the middle of the season. A lot has changed in King’s Landing over the course of a decade, but a lot remains the same.

Full recap for House of the Dragon episode 6 The Princess and the Queen and changes to the Fire and Blood book.

House of the Dragon war explained](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-dance-dragons-war-explained/) [Where was House of the Dragon filmed?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-filming-locations-sets/) [Who is the opening voiceover in House of the Dragon episode 1?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-of-the-dragon-voiceover/) [What book is House of the Dragon based on? Fire and Blood book changes](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-fire-blood-book-changes/) [Your guide to the dragons of House of the Dragon](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/dragon-guide-house-of-the-dragon/) [What is Old Valyria, the Doom and High Valyrian in House of the Dragon?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/old-valyria-doom-valyrian-house-dragon-explained/) [Game of Thrones books in order: A Song of Ice and Fire and more](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/game-of-thrones-books-order/) In the Red Keep, Larys relays the news of his father and brother's deaths at Harrenhal to Queen Alicent and he blames the curse of the castle for their deaths. Game of Thrones timeline explained](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/game-of-thrones-timeline-house-of-dragon/) [What time is House of the Dragon released in the UK?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/house-dragon-time-release-uk/) [What is the Dance of the Dragons? Others included Prince Daemon - out of a desire for Rhaenyra, Lord Corlys - as punishment for Ser Harwin cuckolding Ser Laenor, or even King Viserys himself to silence the rumours about his grandchildren. At the Red Keep, Ser Harwin bids farewell to Rhaenyra and her children. The rivalries between Alicent’s and Rhaenyra’s sons are also accurate to the book. In Pentos, Laena speaks with her daughter Lady Rhaena Targaryen (Eva Ossei-Gerning) who wants to stay in the city if her sister Lady Baela Targaryen (Shani Smethurst) stays there for marriage and laments at not having her own dragon like her sister. An angry Rhaenyra reveals the rumours about their children and blasts Laenor for thinking of leaving their children to this slander. Laena is angered by Daemon considering the offer to remain in Pentos and wants to return to Westeros, raise their children on Driftmark and die a Dragonrider’s death. An aching Rhaenyra climbs the stairs of the Red Keep and Ser Laenor wishes to turn back but Rhaenyra insists. Queen Alicent Hightower (now played by Olivia Cooke) requests that the child be brought to her immediately but a pained Rhaenyra dresses to take the child to her stepmother herself.

The Game of Thrones spinoff's showrunner talks the time jump, whether Milly Alcock or Emily Carey will return and if there's a "Kill Your Gays" issue.

Ten years have passed since Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Lord Laenor Velaryon's “red wedding” and since Queen Alicent made her first rebellion against House ...

And if Queen’s Aemma’s was meant to establish that the birthing bed is a woman’s battlefield, then each labor equates to a different outcome of war: death and defeat (Aemma), victory (Rhaenyra), and surrender (Laena). As Harwin and Lyonel arrive to Harrenhal, the prisoners hired by Larys appear in the distance, ready to start trouble. She’ll bring the baby to the queen herself, even though she should be resting, and even though her placenta is falling out of her as she struggles to get dressed. Back at King’s Landing, Harwin is saying his goodbyes to his and Rhaenyra’s children, promising to return. In a surprising move, she apologizes for any strife between her and the queen. “Dracarys!” Laena orders her again and again, but the dragon won’t obey. The difference in appearances is no matter to the children themselves, who seem to spend a lot of time together as they grow up in the castle. Criston lets out a few complaints of his own about the princess, calling her a “spoiled cunt,” which stops Alicent in her tracks. With Rhaenyra and Alicent grown up and empowered, and with allies at each of their sides, a new game of thrones is in motion. Ser Criston coldly greets the couple in the doorway before they present the baby to Queen Alicent, who’s shocked to find Rhaenyra standing. Now, a decade later, she’s more aware of her power and how to use it: She pushes against her aging husband King Viserys, she orders servants to leave the room, she schemes, and she is more focused than ever on putting her son on the iron throne. Rhaenyra holds her child proudly in her arms for only a few moments before a messenger comes in saying the queen has asked that the child be brought to her.

Like it was for the Starks in early Game of Thrones episodes, the stakes for child's play are high for these little Targaryens. A recap of “The Princess and ...

It’s the last remaining dragon from the time of Aegon I’s conquest of Westeros, and — funnily enough — the dragon Laena once questioned Viserys about when she was a child, walking with him in the gardens while he contemplated marrying her. They creep and live in the dirt, but is there more to it? This is the kind of writing we need to see more of. (Those tongues are snipped out to keep the arsonists from talking.) If only we had ever seen the two interact together, to understand their relationship better, to get a sense of how one brother can grow up honorable and strong and the other huddle in the shadows and whisper in the ears of the noble. The last we see of him is driving his shoulder into a wooden door in the castle, trying to break his father free from a massive fire. Viserys can’t let go of the notion that his family will someday experience their own after-school special conversion and turn towards each other with love and acceptance, a blindness that is wreaking havoc. Of course, the elephant in this episode’s room was the clear fact that Harwin Strong is the real father of Jace, Luke, and newborn Joffrey. They have lived as guests of the Pentoshi prince Reggio Haratis for many years, raising their daughters Baela (Shani Smethurst) and Rhaena (a doleful Eva Ossei-Gerning) there. Even if Viserys claims this succession is solidified and Rhaenyra and her children will take the throne, their suspicious paternity has opened up a new avenue for Alicent to put Aegon on the throne. (The whole affair weirdly called to mind Kate Middleton, made to march out of the hospital and stand for a photo call hours after giving birth to the future king of England, though Middleton had the advantage of a glam team and modern medicine.) Game of Thrones also established early on that the stakes for child’s play were high; in the second episode, Mycah the butcher’s boy is slaughtered off the King’s Road after Arya hits Joffrey and events spiral out of control. “The Princess and the Queen” is bookended with birth scenes.