One advantage this series has over GOT is that the character list we are following is relatively small. We can focus an entire episode on Rhaenyra and Daemon, and not have to cut to what is happening at The Wall or over in Qarth. Not saying it is better or worse, just allows for a different show (I am actually tired of reading all the comparisons, especially from people who only seem to remember the final season and want to make it seem like GOT was terrible and HOTD is perfect). Anyways, the cool thing about this episode was the relationship between the characters. So much happens between them and at the same time, there is very little action (although, it was more tense than episodes with full battles).
-The relationship between Viserys and Daemon is incredibly complex. Daemon returns wearing a crown and everyone is nervous about what could happen. But, Daemon kneels to his brother and gives him the Crabfeeder’s ax to add to the throne. He then says that the Stepstones are part of Viserys kingdom. Later we see the brothers joking and having a great time. There is this idea that Daemon wants to be king, but I think he loves his brother and family, and just wants to see the Targaryen Dynasty strong and powerful. Hence his reason for wanting to marry Rhaenyra. Yes, it puts him one step closer to the throne, but remember what he said in the first episode? He was upset that Viserys never asked him to be his Hand.
-Everyone is talking about the incest scene. Rhaenyra and Daemon going to a brothel, then the two of them almost have sex. Again, I have read multiple theories about what is happening here. Some believe Daemon is getting her riled up and then spurning her in order to teach her a lesson (also, he removed her hat so that everyone would see her and report back to Otto). Or that he was just manipulating events to get himself more power. I do not think that is it. The scene looked more to me as someone who is having second thoughts about what to do. He wanted this from her, but as he has it, he realizes that he loves his niece and knows that going down this road could hurt her claim to the throne (but then he takes advantage of that position later with his brother by offering to marry her). Again, Daemon is complicated.
-Rhaenyra sleeps with Ser Criston Cole after leaving Daemon. Book readers know how this turns out (although, if I remember correctly, the book never says if they sleep together, it just implies they were romantically involved). I do not want to spoil anything, so I will leave their relationship alone for now.
-I enjoyed the way the show cut between Rhaenyra and Alicent’s sexual experiences this episode. Alicent doing her duty with her husband, looking bored and miserable, while Rhaenyra is…well I think it is safe to say she was enjoying herself. The episode also continues to hammer home the idea that women in Westeros get the short end of the stick. As Rhaenyra points out, if she were a guy, she could screw and father a bunch of bastards and no one would care, but as a woman, she is not allowed.
-At the beginning of the episode, Rhaenyra is at Storm’s End interviewing potential suitors. She listens to Lord Dondarrion blather on about his exploits before cutting him off and dismissing him. Hmm, something tells me that when things go down, Lord Dondarrion will not be backing Rhaenyra’s claim. The best part was the inclusion of the Blackwoods and Brackens. They have a historic feud in Westeros. GOT never really mentioned them, but book readers know how much these two houses hate each other. People are saying that the show changed a detail about the famous duel that occurred during the civil war between two members of the houses, but I think this is a precursor to that duel. This will be used as more pretext when another Bracken challenges that Blackwood later…just a guess.
-Viserys seems to realize that his friend Otto Hightower is a schemer and the result of that realization is Otto being removed as Hand of the King. Who will be the new hand? Something tells me this will be Lyonel Strong’s time to shine. Also, Ser Harwin Strong is the knight who Rhaenyra runs into in Flea Bottom, who lets her go after recognizing her. He will become very important to this story later. Sorry for the sort of spoiler.
-The final relationship is that of Viserys and Rhaenyra. He was obviously pissed at his daughter, but when they finally do talk, he continues to explain more about Aegon’s prophecy (the dagger has the prophecy inscribed on it that can only be seen when it is hot). She reads about the prince who was promised. For those that are not aware, so much of what happened in GOT was the result of Rhaegar’s interpretation of these different prophecies. Anyways, the end result of this conversation between father and daughter is that Viserys informs her she will be marrying Laenor Velaryon.
