I need to talk about the book for a second. If you have read Fire & Blood then you know the book is a history book written by a maester. It is full of speculation and the accounts can be biased. I know a few people who did not like the book because it was not what they were expecting, but I loved it because I like thinking about what is written and trying to figure out what really happened. The show cannot be as speculative, it has to present the events (or they could imply things, but then you need exposition, which can be a bit clunky at times–more on that in a second).
What the hell am I talking about? Well, the beginning of the episode of course. We finally meet Lady Rhea, Daemon’s wife. She is out hunting in the Vale and just by the conversation with her cousin, we know that she is an accomplished hunter/rider. She then comes upon Daemon and he causes the horse to throw her and then he picks up a rock. Later, we learn that she died and that her head was crushed by a rock. It was a dark scene and it shows just how far Daemon will go to get what he wants. But, in the book…well it plays out differently. It is mentioned that Lady Rhea died when she was thrown from her horse while hunting. I think it is noted that she was a very accomplished rider and that being thrown in such a way is unfortunate. Just a cool difference between book and show.
The rest of the episode focuses on Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding. Naturally a wedding in this universe cannot happen without some death and drama. Here are the highlights…
-Rhaenyra and Laenor come to an arrangement: do their duty, then do whoever they want. She knows that Laenor is gay. His parents know as well, it does not seem like too much of a secret.
-Okay, another one of those differences between book/show. In the book, there is speculation about what went down between Ser Criston and Rhaenyra. One account is that she tried to seduce him, but he said no, but later he tried to profess his love, but she spurned him, which caused him to join Alicent. The show is much more clear. He wants to go away with her and she cannot escape her duty (nor does she want to).
-Disadvantage to keeping the show and book so close, is that us readers know what is coming. I knew that Joffrey would take a beating from Criston. In the book it happens at a tournament (the wedding celebration is a week long and there are tourneys and feasts), the show decides to just have Ser Criston beat him to death at the dance. Joffrey implied to Criston that he knew his secret and that did not sit well with the knight. Alicent finds Criston before he kills himself and she must give him new purpose.
-The exposition from Larys Strong was clunky. When Queen Alicent shows up in the middle of Viserys toast, wearing green, Larys says to his brother something along the lines about how when Oldtown calls it’s banners, the color of the beacon is…green. Alicent is calling her banners. I think the audience would have figured out the green connection (when everyone associated with the Hightowers is wearing green…just like we put red/gold with Lannisters). Hell, I think if he would have just said something like “oh, the queen, wearing Hightower green and interrupting her husband’s speech, he will not like that” would have worked better. Oh well.
-Does any actor say so much on this show without actually saying anything as Paddy Considine? When Jason Lannister makes some stupid comment about women taking so long to get ready, Viserys makes this face…
That is totally the face that says I want to feed you to a dragon, but I have to be nice to you because your family is powerful, so I will smile, but just know that I hate your guts and wish anyone here would stab you.
-Speaking of actors, was Rachel Redford perfect as Lady Rhea? Also, Daemon was a little off in his description of his wife, she was definitely better looking than a sheep. She did a great job of expressing her dislike for her husband.
-Another quick mention. It looks like we continue to get some hints about the Grand Maester Conspiracy. There are so many theories and conspiracies from the books, GRRM loves to give us clues and he will never let us know the truth. I highly suggest reading about the GMC, but the show has had a few moments where it gives the theory some credence. In this episode, a younger maester says he has a poultice for the king, but the Grand Maester says they will do a leeching. Hmm, makes you wonder…
-From what I understand, this was the final episode for Milly Alcock and Emily Carey (Rhaenyra and Alicent). The next episode jumps ahead a few years and it is time for Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke to take over their respective roles. The young ladies did an incredible job, and they have set the bar high for their counterparts.
-And finally, I want to talk about Otto Hightower. He constantly says that the realm will go to civil war if Rhaenyra is crowned. Why? Yes, when they all swore to her, there were some that seemed to do it begrudgingly. But, Rhaenyra has dragons. If anyone rebels, it would be a short-lived rebellion. Or has Otto been stoking that animosity himself since the moment his grandson was born? Has he been whispering to lords who would not like to be ruled by a woman that there is another option? It is what Tywin Lannister would do, but is Otto Hightower that type of man? Time will tell I suppose.
I am finally reading the book. I’m up to Jaehaerys I and just finished the chapter on The Year of the Stranger. I find I enjoy it as much as and occasionally more than GRRM’s novels themselves.
I feel like there is a part coming that you will enjoy
I just got to the part where [redacted] stole [redacted] and came back full of [redacted]. That was the horror equivalent of the White Walkers in the first chapter of the first book.
Yes! I mentioned that in one of my other HOTD posts. There are some cool dragon tidbits tucked away