House of the Dragon episode 5 has everything you need to know about the show

It’s safe to say that weddings rarely go well in the world of George R. R. Martin. game of thrones First part series House of the Dragon is no exception.first season of House of the Dragon move much faster than game of thrones: Five episodes covered five years of the royal life of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) and his traitor. And in Episode 6 we see another time jump. This takes the viewer another decade into the future.

Alliances are shifting, factions are forming, and animosity is deepening. As always, readers of the book know where this is going. But “We Light the Way” gives viewers an elegantly constructed summary that helps keep everything straight as they move forward.

an area House of the Dragon At its best, it lays a visual foundation that gives the observant audience clues as to what happens next. Queen Aricent’s (Emily Carey) green dress in this week’s episode is a great example of this visual storytelling, as is the blood-sipping rat on the dance floor at the end of the episode. (Check out “Blood and Cheese, Dragon Dance.”) These hints point the direction of the story. But episode director Claire Kilner’s most elaborately constructed apparatus reminds us of where it used to be, setting up a King’s Landing throne room outfitted for a week-long wedding celebration, and several each looked down and then across the room. Central aisle where “Dance of the Dragons” takes place.

Photo: Olly Upton/HBO

Photo: Olly Upton/HBO

Kilner alternates between these perspectives to cut medium shots of various characters. Lord Corliss Velarion (Steve Toussaint) and Princess Rainis Targaryen (Eve Best), the groom’s parents. The bride’s father, King Viserys, and his second wife, Aricent. Prince Damon Targaryen (Matt Smith), the bride’s uncle and jealous suitor; And the paramours and sworn guardians of the bride and groom – they all have a stake in the outcome of this marriage. The couple stay in the center of the frame while the gathered lords and ladies rise to join the dance.

Here, Kilner cuts to Aricent’s uncle, Lord Hobart Hightower, and he rises from his seat to tell Aricent, who departs, “Know that the Old Town is with you.” As the dance continues, the camera again switches to Laenira’s bodyguard and her lover Sir Christon Cole (Fabien Frankel) — alluding a little to his final moments in the episode — then Vale Sir Her Gerold switches to Her Lois. A unique reason to oppose Targaryen rule. More players are joining the dance, both literally and figuratively.

For the time being, these knowing glances and unspoken disrespect remain the tenuous realm of court manners, but these tensions will inevitably lead to the life and death of thousands of Westeros. The characters understand the importance of such small symbolic gestures. Aricent being late to Laenira’s wedding reception is more than just the end of their friendship. It’s a declaration of war between them. The show also recognizes the importance of these by blocking and editing this scene so that postures, gestures, and gazes can be closely read.

Photo: Olly Upton/HBO

Even Viserys, who usually prefers to ignore court tensions, can’t help but notice the ensuing confrontation between Sir Gerrold and his arrogant brother Daemon. But he looks back at the dance, focusing on his daughter in the center of the swirling fabric and outstretched limbs.This is Viserys’ fatal flaw. He only has eyes for Rhaenyra and his dream of keeping the Targaryens on the throne for the next 100 years, and rats are running around the edge of his grand plans. can’t see the renner and his Her bodyguard/lover, Sir Geoffrey Lommus, is more attentive, noticing Ser Christon’s forlorn expression, and correctly guesses that he is the reason Laenira is happy with her “arrangement” with her fiancée. Accustomed (and good at it) to sneaking under his brother’s nose, Daemon also manages to slip into a spot as his niece’s dance partner.

From here, cuts get faster, wide shots across the dance floor become more frequent, and Kilner shifts the camera’s focus back to Targaryen and Velarion. You never know how a fight on the dance floor will start. All you hear is a scream, which eventually draws the royal attention back to the guests. The battle is glimpsed in fragments, losing track of Laenira and Reynor in the chaos.

As soon as the body is dragged out, someone (possibly Viserys) decides it’s best to get this wedding out of the way as quickly as possible before someone else dies. The ritual takes place in the remains of an abandoned feast, putrefying and gnawed by rats. But as personal grudges continue to escalate, “Dance of the Dragons” morphs from a literal dance to something symbolic: a dance of swords and knights on the battlefield. game of thronesand now House of the Dragon, tends to get a lot of attention and credit for its well-planned battle scenes. ‘We Light the Way’ approaches the political side of the show with a similar filmmaking sensibility and brilliantly highlights the connection between the two. Today, a ruined party; tomorrow, an abandoned house.