Written by Sara Hess
Directed by Clare Kilner
Daemon (to Rhaenyra): "In this moment, you will become queen."
I thought last week's opening episode should've been the finale for last season but actually, it's this episode that should've ended the second season. What an episode.
In those last moments, Rhaenyra finally became Queen after over twenty years of being promised the crown. It should've been a moment of joy for Rhaenyra but it's clear as day that it wasn't the victory she had hoped for. How could it have been?
In such a short space of time, Rhaenyra lost three of her six children and she was struggling big time with Jace's death throughout this episode. Daemon practically had to push Rhaenyra into asserting herself as Queen. Rhaenyra's first act - why killing Otto of course.
I've disliked Otto Hightower from the very first episode and his death was totally on him. Otto's scheming and overreaching finally came to roost and I liked that Rhaenyra was the one to do it. Otto absolutely had it coming and there was no way that he could've been kept alive. Alicent might have looked shocked but surely, she should've expected it.
Speaking of Alicent, she maintained her word in helping Rhaenyra seize King's Landing while trying to protect Helaena. It almost went spectacularly wrong for her when Jasper attempted to rape her until Orwyle stepped in. Jasper got his just desserts and now Alicent and Helaena are at Rhaenyra's mercy. Going by next week's trailer, Alicent will be fine.
As for her feckless sons, Aegon managed to escape reuniting with his sister while still being rather mad at Larys for outing his identity. Aemond stormed Harrenhal, killed the Strong clan, bled a lot and found himself at the mercy of Alys.
Last but not least, Corlys survived the events of the Gullet and had some choice scenes with both Baela and Alyn. Rhaena on the other hand found herself at odds with Lady Jeyne and she can't go back to her family. Yeah, Rhaena really got the crap end of the stick this week.
- The episode introduced Ser Luthor Largent (Tom Cullen). He went along with Alicent's plan and remembered his past with Daemon.
- Orwyle clearly believed Jasper when the latter revealed Alicent's plan. He also quickly swore fealty to Rhaenyra.
- That's two episodes in a row that Alicent has been a victim of sexual assault. It's not a great pattern.
- Daemon might have set Hugh and Uluf to eventually betray Rhaenyra. I liked his scene with Mysaria in this episode too.
- Harry Collett had his name in the credits as well saw Rhaenyra grieve over Jace's corpse early in the episode.
- Chronology: From where the previous episode left off.
Queen's Landing felt like a finale for the previous and now that Rhaenyra has the very thing she's clamouring for, it's come at a horrible price for her. By far, the best episode so far from the show.
Rating: 9 out of 10
No comments:
Post a Comment