| "Rhaenyra the Cruel" | |||||
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| House of the Dragon | |||||
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| Original air date | June 23, 2024 | ||||
| Running time | 69 minutes | ||||
| Credits | |||||
| Directed by | Clare Kilner | ||||
| Written by | Sara Hess | ||||
| Episode chronology | |||||
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| List of episodes | |||||
"Rhaenyra the Cruel" is the second episode of season two of the HBO medieval fantasy television series House of the Dragon. Running 69 minutes long, it premiered on June 23, 2024. The episode was written by writer and executive producer Sara Hess and directed by returning director Clare Kilner. Music was composed by Ramin Djawadi.
Official synopsis
As Otto schemes to turn the public against her, Rhaenyra questions Daemon’s loyalty. Meanwhile, Ser Criston Cole concocts a misguided plan for revenge.[1]
Plot
King's Landing
News of Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen spreads in the Red Keep; King Aegon II Targaryen is furious, the servants are assembled and questioned, the gates of the city have been shut and the search for the assassins has began. Returning to his chambers, Prince Aemond Targaryen finds the coins he left on his table have been taken and a secret passageway is open in the wall, he deduces the assassins have been in his room and he may have been the intended target. Alicent Hightower believes the death of her grandson is a retribution from the gods caused by her carnal sins with Ser Criston Cole.
In the small council meeting, Ser Otto Hightower intents on using Jaehaerys's death as a propaganda tool against Rhaenyra Targaryen. He wishes to expose the child's body to the populace of King's Landing in a funeral procession to earn the smallfolk's sympaties and to pass the blame of his death on Rhaenyra. Aegon first rejects the idea but later accepts. Lord Larys Strong enters the room with the news they have apprehended a Gold cloak with the child's head in his possession at the Gate of the Gods. Blood confesses everything to Larys at the sight of his torture tools, but that does not save him as King Aegon beats him to death with a mace.
Alicent informs her daughter, Queen Helaena Targaryen, they are both required to participate in the procession as representatives of the crown. Helena reluctantly accepts. During the procession, Helaena has a panic attack as the smallfolk cry her name and approach her.
As she prepares for her bath, Alicent asks Criston if he told anybody about their affair. The knight says no but he is blaming himself for not being there to protect Helaena and her children. Criston confronts his fellow Kingsguard, Ser Arryk Cargyll, and shifts the blame for the prince's death on him. Arryk does not understand since he was at his post with King Aegon that night. The younger knight gives in to the pressure of his Lord Commander and asks what he might to do repair this mistake. Criston commands him to go to Dragonstone and to impersonate his twin brother, Ser Erryk Cargyll, to infiltrate the castle and kill Rhaenyra.
Aemond returns to the arms of Madam Sylvi, the owner of the Cock Inn. Far away from the pression of the court, the prince opens up of the older prostitute and says he regrets killing Luke out of anger. She points out to him that when princes get angry it is the smallfolk who pay the price.
Hugh and his wife Kat talk about the food shortage in the markets of the capital due to the Velaryon naval blockade. Hugh is astonished this got this bad this quickly, Kat explains that those with more means in the city have bought great quantity of food and either keep it for themselves or resell it at greater cost to profit from the situation. Still not paid for his work for the crown, Hugh is worried he might not be able to provide for his wife and his sick daughter in the near future.
Otto confronts Aegon after he has all the ratcatcher of the Red Keep hung. The Hand of the King is furious as this act undoes everything the funeral procession gained them. The smallfolk are now angry at the king for killing innoncents men but Aegon is pleased as one of them was Blood's accomplice. As the discussion continues Aegon gets more irritated at his grandsire and strips him of his office. He names Ser Criston as Otto's replacement by vertue of his idea of infiltrating Dragonstone to kill Rhaenyra. Otto departs from court for Oldtown, but Alicent advices him to stop at Highgarden on his way to sway House Tyrell to their cause.
Driftmark
Alyn of Hull reunites with his brother, Addam, a shipwright employed by House Velaryon. Addam learned about Alyn saving Lord Corlys's life, he views this act as a chance for the Lord of the Tides to favor them and change their lives for the better. Corlys and his wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, discusses Daemon's depart and what he plans on doing in the riverlands. While gathering sea food on the beach, Addam spots Seasmoke in the sky.
Dragonstone
Rhaenyra's council discuss the news of the procession, Rhaenyra is shocked people would think her capable of such act but quickly realizes Daemon is behind it. Rhaenyra confronts him privately, he explains himself but does not take responsability. Their argument ends with Daemon storming off and leaving for Harrenhal. Rhaenyra is afraid of retaliations from the Greens, she commands Lady Baela Targaryen to scout the King's Landing area on top her dragon, Moondancer, but not to engage combat.
Rhaenyra meets with Mysaria in the castle library, she questions her about her involvement in Jaehaerys' murder. As their duscussion progresses, Rhaenyra recognizes Mysaria as the woman used by Daemon during the stolen dragon egg incident years before. Rhaenyra sees a bit of herself in Mysaria as both women where utilized by Daemon then disregarded, she decides to free her and has a passage for the Free Cities secured for her. On her way to the ship, Mysaria spots Ser Arryk and warn the guards tough they do not believe her at once.[2] Arryk is successful in reaching Rhaenyra's chambers before Erryk barges into the room, the Cargyll twins starts dueling on another. Warned by Rhaenyra's handmaid, Elinda Massey, Ser Lorent Marbrand enters the room as well but he is anable to distinguish the two brothers apart. He protects Rhaenyra as the brothers continue their fight. Ser Erryk prevails in the end but can not live any longer knowing he has just killed his own brother, he asks forgiveness from Rhaenyra then falls on his own sword.[3]
Cast
Starring
- Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
- Emma D'Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower
- Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower
- Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon
- Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
- Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
- Matthew Needham as Lord Larys Strong
- Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
- Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen
- Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen
- Phia Saban as Queen Helaena Targaryen
- Harry Collett as Prince Jacaerys Velaryon
- Bethany Antonia as Lady Baela Targaryen
- Jefferson Hall as Ser Tyland Lannister
- Kurt Egyiawan as Grand Maester Orwyle
- Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull
- Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull
- Tom Bennett as Ulf
- Kieran Bew as Hugh
- Ellora Torchia as Kat
Co-starring
- Luke Tittensor as Ser Arryk Cargyll
- Elliott Tittensor as Ser Erryk Cargyll
- Paul Kennedy as Lord Jasper Wylde
- Michael Elwyn as Lord Simon Staunton
- Phil Daniels as Maester Gerardys
- Nicholas Jones as Lord Bartimos Celtigar
- Anthony Flanagan as Ser Steffon Darklyn
- Max Wrottesley as Ser Lorent Marbrand
- Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome
- Sam C. Wilson as Blood
- Mark Stobbart as Cheese
- Michelle Bonnard as Madam Sylvi
- Barney Fishwick as Ser Martyn Reyne
- Ralph Davis as Ser Leon Estermont
- Tok Stephen as Ser Eddard Waters
- Jordon Stevens as Elinda Massey
- Scroobius Pip as Herald
- Claire Cogan as Ratcatcher mother
- Nicola Wright as Ratcatcher woman
- Jack Staddon as TBD
- Jaouhar Ben Ayed as Servant
- Denise Mack as TBD
- Stewart Lockwood as King's Landing peasant
Reception
To be added
References
- ↑ HBO.com: House of the Dragon Ep 2: Rhaenyra the Cruel
- ↑ House of the Dragon, Season 2, Episode 3: "The Burning Mill".
- ↑ House of the Dragon, Season 2, Episode 2: "Rhaenyra the Cruel".