House of the Dragon Episode 5 Review – Another Red Wedding?

Game of Thrones Season 8 was one of the worst things that could’ve happened to the world and worse for HBO as they’d found TV gold. Just when everyone was starting to get over the atrocious Game of Thrones finale, HBO has enticed us with another royal saga to lure us back into the Game of Thrones Universe. The story of the infamous house that ruled over the Seven Kingdoms before Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark’s rebellion. The house whose people are closer to gods than men. The house that tamed the greatest power the world has seen- dragons. The house our Mother of Dragons – Daenerys Stormborn belonged to: House Targaryen or rather House of the Dragon. The series is a prequel to the events of Game of Thrones. The shows events are set 172 years before Daenerys Targaryen. The prequel focuses on King Viserys I’s rule.

His inability to give the realm a male heir has rendered kingdom in a state unsurety. His heir is to be decided between his brother Daemon Targaryen and his eldest daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen. On paper this seems to be the central conflict of the show, although as these events are taking place in Westeros things will never be simple. The show is based on another book of George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood. The pilot of the prequel became HBO’s biggest debut with gathering as much as 9.986 Million viewers in the first 24 hours. While many judged this success was simply an extension of the fan base that Game of Thrones has left behind but the follow-up episode proved everyone wrong. The second episode of the prequel out did the first when it comes to viewership numbers as there was a 2% growth.

Meaning not only did the show retain its audience but in fact added eyeballs. However, the third episode saw the show’s first linear viewership drop but that was only on cable. The prequel soared high on HBO Max with 16 Million viewers. Episode 4 saw another 5% growth in viewership numbers. Apart from viewership records and ratings, episode 4 certainly left us on a note of uncertainty as to what will conspire next. I had no idea what is going to happen in Episode 5 except for Ser Laenor and Princess Rhaenyra’s wedding. I was excited for episode 5 and after watching it, I’m extremely delighted. So, without any further ado, let’s continue the Dragon Saga. Review Marathon – Episode 1 / Episode 2 / Episode 3 / Episode 4.

Episode – We Light the Way (SPOILERS AHEAD)

Rating – ★★★★

House of the Dragon Episode 5 Review: A Royal Wedding!

House of the Dragon Episode 5 titled, “We Light the Way” begins in the Vale where Lady Rhea Royce is out for a hunt where she meets her husband Daemon who was sent to the Vale after he tried to have sex with Rhaenyra. Rhea provokes Daemon and he tackles her and well murders her. We then cut to Rhaenyra and her entourage where they’re going to Driftmark to ask the Sea Snake for Ser Laenor’s hand. There we see that Viserys is extremely sick. Viserys proposes the marriage to Lord Corlys.

Viserys clarifies that Rhaenyra would the Queen and Laenor her King Consort. Their children will be Velaryons but when they will ascend the Iron Throne they’ll be named Targaryens. Rhaenys doesn’t want to put her son in danger as she thinks Rhaenyra’s succession would be challenged but Corlys thinks it’ll be fine. Rhaenyra and Laenor come to a different arrangement where they’ll produce heir for their lineage but they would both pursue different interests afterwards (extra marital affair) like an open marriage.

Otto is sent away, I’m not aware where but while leaving he asks Alicent to prepare Aegon to rule. Alicent finds out that Viserys had sent the Grand Maestor with a tea. Ser Criston asks Rhaenyra to run away with him however Rhaenyra denies him and he is upset with her. Alicent calls Ser Criston to know what happened and there because of a misunderstanding, he confesses to her that Rhaenyra and him copulated. Alicent is upset with Rhaenyra but doesn’t tell anyone what really transpired.

In House of the Dragon Episode 5, we also learn learn that Laenor’s side interests are a bit risky. He is gay and is sleeping with his friend Ser Joffrey. Velaryons arrive to King’s Landing and the Royal wedding begins. Daemon arrives at the wedding as well and Viserys doesn’t cause a mess. Rhaenyra and Laenor dance. Alicent is clearly having a problem with everything going around her. Daemon dances with Laena. Lord of the Vale accuses Daemon of killing his cousin. Daemon denies and asks for his inheritance as Rhea stood to inherit everything in the Vale.

Ser Joffrey realizes that Ser Criston is Rhaenyra’s entree. He goes and asks him to keep quite and that is how they can all enjoy this union. Joffrey provokes Criston but he keeps his calm. Daemon starts dancing with Rhaenyra and asks her if this what she wants? Rhaenyra tells him that if he really cares about her then why doesn’t he take her away and make her his wife. Viserys notices this and just when there was something going to happen, there is a kerfuffle.

It seems like Daemon has taken Rhaenyra but no it is Ser Criston smashing Ser Joffrey’s head. Everyone tries to stop him but continues and smashes his head to bits. Rhaenyra is recused by Ser Harwin. Laenor tries to stop and save his love but it is too late. Criston kills Joffrey. Rhaenyra and Laenor get married even after this unfortunate incident. Ser Criston goes to the Godwoods and is about to kill himself when Alicent stops him. Viserys is sick and he finally crashes during the wedding.

I’m not sure whether is dead or not. The episode leaves us once again on a note of uncertainty. I know the next episode is taking a huge time leap but I’m not sure Viserys is dead just yet. The episode’s plot was a bit thin but it managed its various plots really well.

Verdict

House of the Dragon Episode 5 is an extremely well made addition to the Game of Thrones’ prequel. After episode 3 & 4 this episode complicates matter further and what I appreciate about Game of Thrones and now House of the Dragon is that they employ such small and seemingly worthless triggers for their characters. The first two episodes saw the writers using Viserys’ dead son Baelon to do some extreme things. Now they’re using Alicent and her relationship with Rhaenyra.

This shows how well the writers know their characters and they make the plot to trigger their characters’ dark side, with the smallest of moments. For a show about the Iron Throne which features over 17 different dragons, all the character emotions and actions are very human. Anyone can relate with these larger than life characters. This episode didn’t have a mind blowing plot but the way the story progressed in this episode is in the correct direction. The episode had the vibe of another Red Wedding.

It was not as graphic as that but it is a certainty that the royal families can’t have normal weddings. I’m extremely excited for the rest of the season. I want to appreciate Milly Alcock and Emily Carey for their brilliant performances for the first five episodes. I hope Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke take these characters and build on the foundation laid by these two. Milly Alcock has been the stand out performer of the season so far. Episode 5 of House of the Dragon is great and is drum roll please……. 4 out of 5 stars. The betrayals and shocks are about to kick in. We’ve gotten a taste of it but there is a lot more. If you haven’t watched it already, check out House of the Dragon on HBO Max or Disney+ Hotstar.

The GOT prequel has an incredible ensemble cast that includes Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Along with the main cast, the supporting cast of the show includes- Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn, and more.

House of the Dragon’s first five episodes are currently streaming on HBO Max or Disney+. New episodes will debut on every Sunday or Monday on HBO and HBO Max or Disney+ Hotstar depending on the region you live in, at 9 pm or 6.30 am.

If you have any questions regarding House of the Dragon, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!