My Review of House Of The Dragon: "Unbowed And Unbent"

 

Written by Philippa Goslett

Directed by Nina Lopez-Corrado

Helaena (to Alicent): "You look away when you lie."

Okay, this might a very Greens centred episode but make no mistake that the Blacks also had plenty to do. Both sides were winning and losing respectively.

Focusing on Team Green first. Alicent spent most of the episode trying to get Helaena to have an abortion with the latter rightly refusing her mother. It also didn't help that Mysaria became privy to Helaena being in the family way. Alicent and Helaena trying to escape King's Landing also didn't pan out for them.

Then there's Ormund and Daeron. The former spent the episode proclaiming the latter as King (which got back to Rhaenyra). Ormund also didn't seem particularly pleased when Daeron beat him in that one game but he was more concerned with discrediting Rhaenyra to be too mad at Daeron.

Then there's the two brothers that Ormund hates. Yup, I'm talking about Aegon II and Aemond of course. The former's pity party came to an abrupt ending thanks to Larys dropping truth bombs and Tyland Lannister turning out to be alive after all. Also getting to kill certainly did a lot to boost Aegon's confidence. 

Aemond on the other hand wasn't enjoying the nightmares of Harrenhal but he's found an ally in Alys. I'm really fascinated by their relationship. Slightly icked by the fact that he might also see her as a mother figure of sorts. Either way, I'm intrigued.

Then there's Gwayne and Criston. I found it amusing that the latter being on an almighty suicide mission was enough to get Gwayne to walk away. Personally, I would've abandoned Criston ages ago but Gwayne had a lot more patience with him than deserved. Surely, Criston's not much longer for this whole.

As for Team Black, Rhaenyra still needs to get great Council in order and she's got to be clever about Ormund as well. That guy's running rings around her as of now. It would help if her and Daemon could be on the same page as well.

Daemon had his own problems this week. Gold Cloaks were getting slaughtered throughout the episode, including Ser Luthor Largent. We barely knew the guy and he died horribly. I might have also turned away when Daemon started eye gouging as well.

- Alicent knew a lot about Mysaria's past and wasn't above using it as a bargaining chip. She also sold her pendant to get safe passage.

- Helaena seemed to confirm that she was expecting a boy. She also warned Jaehaera about poisonous plants.

- I like the potential couple of Baela and Addam. They're cute together. 

- Ormund told Daeron the story of Meria Martell. Of course it was to make a point that Daeron seemed to get.

- Alys summoning bats to attack intruders was a nice display of power. 

- Chronology: Not long from where the previous episode left off.

Unbowed And Unbent was a bit slow moving compared to the previous episode. Criston's speech didn't land the way it should've but it's a good episode for Team Green. Maybe their strongest one since the first season.

Rating: 7 out of 10