House of the Dragon Series 2 Episode 6: Smallfolk

[GSherwood99]

Short and sweet is one way to describe Ser Steffon’s (Anthony Flanagan) appearance in this week’s episode. With Rapunzel ‘s long lost bother now positioned as heir, the only reasonable word to describe the alluding future is doomed? This episode provides a deeper look into the rippling effects of high-born conflicts on the everyday lives of the smallfolk, revealing their resilience, desperation, and the emerging leaders who dare to voice their grievances.  

Burning Flames  

Discussions begin almost immediately with Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his power trip, plotting forth the way forward with the Lannister approach on Harrenhal. Something which his mother, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), is not too impressed with. Expressing this to her son, Aemond decides that his mother is no longer needed in the council and releases her seat to focus on more “domestic duties”.  

Over in Dragonstone, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Acry) and the Black council are thoroughly delving into the archives trying to find a suitable dragon rider for Seasmoke with Daemon (Matt Smith) and Carax are still residing in Harrenhal. Due to his lineage showing the most subtle connection to Targaryen blood, Ser Steffon is the chosen one to do his best at claiming Seasmoke. This doesn't go down too well.... with Steffon resembling a charred kebab in 0.5 seconds, another innocent man fallen and Seasmoke fleeing the scene.  

Ooooo don’t these dragons just love to tease us!  

Which Way the Wind Blows  

Daemon continues having visions over in Harrenhal, if having sex with his own mother wasn't enough, his brother King Viserys (Paddy Considine) decides to make an appearance, some may say a somewhat obscure family reunion. Daemon encounters his late brother in the throne room, their conversation mirroring one exactly from the pilot. He further goes on to chastise Daemon for mocking the death of his son Baelon, who passed the day after he was born, to then inform he is naming a new heir. This moment is crucial to Daemons character development, marking the beginning of his descent into villainy.  

After waking from him latest nightmare, he confronts Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), accusing the old man of deceit and claiming he is being tricked. Up until now, Strong has been a seemingly harmless, bumbling ally to Daemon, but could there be more to him? Remember in the world of Westeros no one is to be trusted!  

The more likely subject of course... Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), appears to be the only person Deamon listens to too, following her commands. Alys’s order proves beneficial when, just as she predicted, the winds shift just days later. Of course, those “winds” had a little help from Alys, who takes it upon herself to kill Grover Tully, the ineffectual Lord Paramount of the Trident, placing Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) in charge. Now, the question is whether Daemon burned his bridges with the young Oscar during their first meeting with his sharp words, or if the King regent can find a way to gain Oscar’s trust and, by extension, the loyalties of the Riverlands. 

A Foot in the Door 

Now that Alicent has been removed from Aemond’s small council, she has a lot of free time, which she spends mourning Aegon’s (Tom Gylnn-Carney) injuries and praying at the Sept. When Alicent isn’t at the suffering King’s bedside, Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) occupies the seat, remaining impressively committed to his scheming. Although his attempts to manipulate Aemond fail and leave him humiliated, Larys makes further headway with the increasingly desperate Aegon.  

The broken King, with few true allies, finds a connection with Larys, who offers advice based on his own experiences with physical maladies. This act is likely to bond Aegon to Larys, and assuming Aegon eventually regains enough strength to rule again, it will undoubtedly place Larys in a very powerful position. 

Food for Thought  

The smallfolk are becoming increasingly frustrated with the Greens and their greed, making it an ideal moment for Rhaenyra to send a small gift to the shores of Blackwater Bay. Mysaria's (Sonoya Mizuno) plan to feed the hungry smallfolk is successful, riots begin over carrots and bread just long enough to heckle the Queen and Dowager Queen. One unfortunate small folk looses an arm during the pandemonium, and as you can imagine, that does not help the situation!  

Chants of “Long live Queen Rhaenyra” echo throughout the city, herself and Mysaria’s gift may have been a way back in to power. That’s not the only gift giving we see, with the two sharing a passionate kiss, one some might say wasn't such a surprise. In a post-kiss phase, they are interrupted by a Knight stating that Seasmoke has been claimed. Assuming this is an act of the Green council, Rhaenyra rushes to Syrax and leaves for Dragonstone. Little does she know that it’s her new Hand’s son who has managed to tame the capricious dragon. It seems the winds don’t only blow on the riverlands.