House of the Dragon recap: Rhaenyra finally dances with dragons

“When dragons go to war,” Rhaenyra warns her husband, Prince Daemon, that “everything burns.”

Throughout the season finale, only the newly crowned Queen seems to understand the gravity of choosing to oppose the usurpation of her crown. Her standard-bearers and consort warmongers, her old enemy Otto Hightower’s taunts, and her faction’s dragons attacking her Rhaenyra stands firm even against the temptations of the destructive power that gives, like a god. , bringing tremendous subtlety to Raenira’s struggles throughout the episode, right down to the hope of receiving proof of Aricent’s continued love in the form of a childhood memento. In peace there is love, the promise of children to honor their father’s peaceful legacy and belief in the conqueror’s dream. War endangers everything.

But as Rhaenyra told her middle child, the world doesn’t consider our plans. First, her painful miscarriage leaves Rhaenyra paying for her unborn daughter. To see a sweaty, bloody woman cradling her deformed body in her arms, one can’t help but think it’s a harbinger of things to come. It’s a shadow cast by all the innocents that the war between rival lords will no doubt be cut short. The war also drives a wedge between Laenira and her husband, causing Damon’s violence as he faces both his own immaturity and jealousy over his wife’s closeness to his late brother, the King. reveals anxiety. The scene where the demon attacks the queen is one of his most disturbing scenes this season, demonstrating Matt Smith’s ability to simultaneously look away and detach from his surroundings. It is an ugly contrast to the warmth between Lord Corliss and Princess Reynis, who share a palpable warmth and solidarity even in the midst of conflict. It seems to put her marriage in jeopardy.

Image: Ollie Upton/HBO

Director Greg Yaitanes frames this parade of loss and angst with painterly precision, and the episode’s color grading is rich, dark red and morbid against a backdrop of dramatic black and bleach-light blue. Gray dominates, making it the best of the series so far.Through skillful framing and intercutting, Black Queen takes care to directly associate House Targaryens with their dragons. During Raenira’s difficult labors, we see Syracuse growling in pity for her rider. As the demon threatens the Kingsguard knights, Caraxes’ massive head fills the frame behind him. The scene depicts a demon awakening an ancient dragon, his vermitor, and the two appearing in each other’s eyes, inadvertent twin incarnations of the Force and destruction.

The visual language of the episode begs us to consider exactly who is calling the shots here. Is it the dragon itself that incites violence by its very existence, like the proverbial blade? The answer is that the worst of both parties is at the helm, as long as they can escape the tangle of guts and screams that conclude the episode’s central action scene. The immense power they give them, and their utter lack of experience with actual violence and its consequences, come together in a literally deadly clash. It’s a gut-wrenching spectacle to see dragons pushed too hard to turn on each other and scream in terror. A tremendous sense of speed. When the final blast of blood and gore hits the house, it’s almost a relief until you start thinking about what might happen next.

Photo: HBO

Gum meets Road, the idea of ​​peacefully resolving the inheritance crisis is shattered in an instant, leaving Laenira devastated by betrayal and grief. Not only did she lose her son, she lost her sense of security in her marriage and any kind of chance to rekindle her connection with Aricent. At the same time, she gained the loyalty of Bannerman, House her Velarion’s vital support, and further knights of the Kingsguard. Even before she learned of Luceris’ death, marching to war became more plausible. Throughout the episode, we see Rhaenyra pushing again and again for peace, for an uneasy and often disappointing path of compromise. What awaits beneath Dragonstone, hoisted and its furnace breath scorching the walls of the cavern?

we know what’s coming revenge. justice. fire and blood.