Martin gives us another wedding to remember on the latest episode of House of the Dragon.
Still, Corlys is receptive to the marriage, though he has questions about succession.
He’d like Rhaenyra and Laenor’s children to bear their father’s name, as is tradition.
Paddy Considine, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best.Ollie Upton/HBO
Privately, he’s thrilled, but Rhaenys has reservations.
She knows better than anyone how the realm feels about a female ruler.
There’s also the matter of Laenor’s “true nature.”
Matt Smith, Gavin Spokes, Emily Carey, Paddy Considine, Milly Alcock, Theo Nate, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Wil Johnson, Savannah Steyn.Ollie Upton/HBO
It’s a sweet, naive proposition, one that Rhaenyra can’t take seriously.
Marrying her is the only way he can restore his integrity.
He blames her for his dismissal, saying she chose to side with Rhaenyra.
Emily Carey.Ollie Upton/HBO
Alicent defends her friend: “She swore her innocence and I believe her.”
But Otto’s concern isn’t for Rhaenyra’s innocence so much as her claim on the Throne.
“Either you prepare Aegon to rule or you cleave to Rhaenyra and pray for her mercy.”
Paddy Considine, Milly Alcock, Theo Nate.Ollie Upton/HBO
Otto isn’t the only one whispering in Alicent’s ear.
She summons Criston once Viserys and Rhaenyra return to King’s Landing.
Alicent is struck, not by Criston’s betrayal but by Rhaenyra’s deception.
Alicent sold out her father because she wanted to believe her best friend wasn’t lying to her.
She dismisses Criston with no punishment.
As he endures another leech bath, he ponders his legacy with Lyonel.
“Hardly makes a good song,” he mutters while reflecting on his relatively unremarkable reign.
“Is it not better to live in peace than to have songs sung after you’ve died?”
It’s a good question, but an unromantic one.
As Larys explains, green is the color Hightowers fly when they’re going to war.
Alicent’s chilly demeanor is evident.
Rhaenyra and Laenor entertain with a choreographed dance as the masses mingle.
Gerald, meanwhile, confronts Daemon about Rhea’s death.
He believes Daemon had something to do with it.
All that was Rhea’s, including all of Runestone, will now be his.
He leaves Gerald dumbstruck to go dance with Laena Velaryon (Savannah Steyn), who he quickly charms.
As Laena swoons over Daemon, Laenor and Joffrey sense the uneasy energy emanating from Criston.
It’s clear to Joffrey that Criston longs for Rhaenyra.
He approaches Criston, acknowledging their individual places in the lives of Laenor and Rhaenyra.
Daemon, having moved on from Laena, finds himself dancing with Rhaenyra.
Their violent, lustful chemistry instantly manifests.
“He will bore you senseless,” he says of Laenor.
He is a man of honor, after all; deception is not something he takes lightly.
He kills Joffrey, exits the castle, unsheathes his dagger, and prepares to end his life.
It’s Alicent who stops him.
He can be of use to her.
Inside the castle, as a rat slurps up Joffrey’s blood, Rhaenyra and Laenor are married.
Just moments after the union is sealed with an uneasy kiss, Viserys topples to the ground.
It wouldn’t be a Westerosi wedding without a bloodbath.
