House of the Dragon S1E05 - We Light the Way

Two Dudes That Game Reviews: House of the Dragon

James and Ender review and breakdown episode 5 of House of the Dragon, We Light the Way.

Episode Summary:

In the Vale, Daemon murders his wife, Lady Rhea Royce. Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor Velaryon are betrothed, mollifying Lord Corlys. Understanding Laenor's homosexuality, Rhaenyra proposes fulfilling their duty to produce heirs, then take lovers; she rejects Ser Criston's wish to run away together. Before leaving King's Landing, Ser Otto warns Queen Alicent that Rhaenyra becoming queen makes Alicent's children a threat to the crown. Alicent questions Ser Criston about Rhaenyra and Daemon, only to learn Criston was the princess's lover. During the king's speech at a celebratory feast, Alicent enters the hall purposefully wearing a green gown, the signal color for House Hightower's call to arms. Ser Gerold Royce confronts Daemon, claiming he murdered his cousin, Lady Rhea. Daemon denies it and demands he inherit his wife's property. Laenor's lover, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, surmises Criston is Rhaenyra's paramour. When Joffrey smugly suggests guarding each other's secrets, Criston becomes enraged, perceiving his words a threat, and brutally kills him, devastating Laenor and horrifying guests. Rhaenyra and Laenor are privately wed late that night; Viserys collapses after the ceremony. Later, Alicent intervenes as Criston is about to commit suicide.