Recap of part one, Lord Corlys Velaryon was wounded at another Stepstones battle, so he may be at death’s door. His scheming brother, Aemond, wants Driftmark! Alicent has little interest in ruling at the Small Council. She deals with a personal crisis with her son Aegon. Rhaenyra and Daemon discover Viserys is weak in mind from the milk of the poppy! Aemond plots with the Hightowers and Rhaenyra tries to make a bargain with Rhaenys, but no dice. Now we get into part two! At night, the rains come to the Red Keep, Rhaenyra goes to her father’s side. She has tears in her eyes telling him that the “Song of Ice and Fire” required her to unite the realm. Rhaenyra says her succession has divided the Seven Kingdoms. She pleads with her father to defend her so she can be queen. In the morning, Viserys’ wounds are tended to while Otto watches. He tells Otto that he wants the whole family together for a supper at night.
Viserys moans in pain as he is set back in bed. Otto has the milk of the poppy, but Viserys refuses, one final act as king? The Hand at the front of the Iron Throne announces the succession of Driftmark and sits calling on the first petitioner, Ser Vaemond. Everyone is gathered in the throne room. Vaemond speaks about the legacy of House Targaryen and House Velaryon and that he is a rightful Velaryon heir. Rhaenyra interrupts him and says her sons are Velaryon. Alicent counters that Ser Vaemond was speaking. Vaemond turns with a smile and says Rhaenyra wouldn’t know the blood of a Velaryon. Glances at Aegon and then Baela. Otto then calls up Rhaenyra on behalf of her son Luke Velaryon. She is about to speak about the “farce” when the doors open and King Viserys is announced as he walks in, heavily wearing his crown, with his cane. Uh-oh, Otto and Alicent’s plan has all fallen apart. Half of his face is in a gold mask. He kinda looks like an older Phantom of the Opera.
It is quiet, the courtiers bowing, as Viserys hobbles up to the throne. He eyes Daemon and continues. Viserys, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, tells his Hand that he will sit at the Iron Throne. He struggles to sit at the throne, his crown falls, and Daemon helps his brother. This is awesome! King Viserys says he is confused that petitions are made when the succession was already settled. Alicent just looks downward, defeated. He leaves the decision to Princess Rhaenys who stands next to Baela. She goes to address the king while Vaemond is silent, finally. Rhaenys says that her husband had decided that Driftmark would pass from Ser Laenor to his “true born son”, Luke! She also adds that she supported him and that Rhaenyra brought up to her that Luke and Jace would marry Baela and Rhaena, the deal! Vaemond’s eyes show his shock! Viserys approves of these actions. Vaemond speaks out saying the king is breaking the law naming Rhaenyra heir, treason!, and defies his decision. This scene is important in seeing the expression on the character’s faces.
He points to Luke and shouts that he is not a Velaryon. Rhaenyra tells him to go back to his room, but the upstart says Viserys can’t decide for House Velaryon which he really can as king. Vaemond is really a fool since he went to the Iron Throne to make a decision and then says the Iron Throne can’t make the decision. He goes on saying that House Velaryon will not end. Daemon is waiting, love this!, whispering, “Say it.” Vaemond does screaming out, “Her children are bastards!” Viserys leans from the throne and draws his dagger wanting Vaemond’s tongue. Instead, Daemon takes his head with Dark Sister! Viserys collapses to the Iron Throne! Alicent rushes to tell her husband to get him more milk of the poppy. He says he needs his mind clear to “make things right.” The Kingsguard helps him walk away. I like seeing Alicent before the Iron Throne out of focus and Rhaenyra in front of her, nice cinematography! There is a room with a wall of candles as Vaemond’s body and part of his head sliced at the mouth(!) are on a table.
Rhaenys watches the attendants prepare the body. Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) tells the princess that the Silent Sisters will work to have the body ready.
At the dinner table, there is the powerless Alicent, and far to the side is Rhaenyra. They all stand as the king is brought in by knights on his chair. I like seeing Rhaena sitting with Jace. and Luke with Baela. The two loser brothers, Aegon sits by Heleana, Aemond sits by himself. Alicent leads a prayer to the Mother. Then, Alicent honors Vaemond, and Daemon smiles at that part. Viserys likes the matches of the princes and the princesses bringing the two houses together. He leads a toast and Daemon gives a hearty, “Hear! Hear!” The punk Viserys tries to joke about Jace being with a woman. He is told not to joke around his betrothed! Viserys stands, panting, and says that everyone at the table he loves, but now they are separate. The king removes his mask with his eye socket revealed. Right before a meal? He wants all of them to see himself as he is to them. King Viserys says House Targaryen is like the Westeros version of Lincoln’s speech, “A house divided cannot stand”, which we will see in this civil war, The Dance of the Dragons!
Dark Sister prop, House of the Dragon: The Targaryen Dynasty exhibit, Natural History Museum Los Angeles, author’s photo.
Rhaenyra stands to toast her rival, Alicent, and apologizes for staying with her father so long. Alicent says that she respects her, that they are mothers, and toasts her becoming queen. Viserys walks over to Rhaena to refill her cup and says he offers to “satisfy” her, he wouldn’t know the first thing. Jace upset slams the table and stands up. Aemond stands up and his brother sits. Jace makes a toast to the twisted brothers. I like his tapping of Visery’s shoulder and giving a friendly thump with his fist. Luke and Baela smile. Helaena toasts Baela and Rhaena. The king calls for music, Jace excuses himself to Rhaena, and asks Helaena to dance. This kid knows how to play the Game of Thrones! Aegon just sits there. The two have fun at the dance. Aegon just sulks. No one joins the dance, but the family members start to have conversations in their groups. Otto has been silent and just smiles now.
We focus on King Viserys in pain, he is noticed by Daemon, Alicent has the guards take him away. As he is taken away, servants bring in a roasted pig, and it is placed before Aemond. The weak practical joke played on Luke. He just smiles that upsets Aemond who punches the table. All of this time, Alicent is not paying attention to her rival, Rhaenyra, ok, her husband, or her children. Just kinda to her father. Aemond holds up a cup as “final tribute” to Jace, Luke, and Joffrey. All are quiet, now Alicent looks at her son, toasting them as “handsome, wise… strong.” Alicent just says her son’s name quietly. Yup, an insult to their parentage. He repeats “Strong boys” and Jace threatens him with his charge. Jace rushes to the bully, Aemond is taller and older, and socks him. Aegon slams Luke’s head to the table. The Velaryon boys try to rush their enemies, but the knights hold them back. Alicent pleads in the background, but no one really hears her. She tries to have words to her son, but he is too happy to insult his nephews.
Daemon backs the boys down, Rhaenyra sends them to their rooms, and he just faces Aemond who doesn’t have a Valyrian sword and just walks to his room. Rhaenyra says to Alicent that they are going back to Dragonstone. Mysaria whom we haven’t seen in some time greets a servant girl, she has her own spy network, or working with Larys? Viserys is in agony in bed, Alicent brings him the milk of the poppy, he mistakes her for Rhaenyra. Then, he says the “Song of Ice and Fire” is true. Alicent doesn’t know what he is talking about and leaves, probably to tell daddy. He gasps, “No more”, his hand reaches out, and Viserys says, “My love”, his last words! Paddy Consadine turns in a great performance as an elderly king like King Lear, we see the last attempt by Viserys to stand for his family and his end! “The Lord of the Tides” part 2 has Rhaenys sets her decision to ally with Rhaenyra for her girls, and of course the rivalry continues with the next generation ready to get the civil war to explode!
Four Dragon Saddles out of Five!
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