“Rhaenyra the Cruel” features some of the finest acting from the A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE story arc, or so I think. King Aegon II is completely unhinged after the murder of his son. Queen Dowager Alicent Hightower is distraught but must be a pillar of support for the inconsolable Queen Helaena. On the House Black side of the affair, Rhaenyra frantically does damage control, for she is being blamed for the assassination of the heir to the throne. Rhaenyra is furious that someone would kill an innocent child, and she deems Helaena to be innocent. S2E2 addressed my concern that the series has attempted to make viewers side more with House Black than the Green. This may be the case, however this episode is also a cruel reminder that the true enemy of war is war itself. Innocent ones die while those who should be grieving are fighting amongst themselves and their enemies instead.
“Rhaenyra the Cruel” opens with the chaotic search for Prince Jaehaerys’ assassins. The council understands that King Aegon II desires swift vengeance, yet they warn that Rhaenyra may not be complicit in the murder. The King’s Hand Ser Otto convinces the King to have a public funeral, which will show the common folk the deceased Prince’s body, which will tarnish the name of House Black. The funeral procession indeed garners the support of the people; Alicent and Helaena directly receive genuine sympathy while transporting the young prince to be cremated. Blood is caught and immediately confesses his complicity. He states he does not know Cheese’s real name, but that Cheese is a rat catcher by trade. After Blood is beaten to death, Aegon orders the execution of all rat catchers in the city. Ser Otto admonishes Aegon for such a decision. Why punish innocent people and reverse all the support gained with the public funeral?
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON is likened to a marathon run rather than a 1000-meter sprint. The series is reminiscent of the first four seasons of GAME OF THRONES. The set-up and execution have been impeccable. S2E2 does become effectively chaotic when Sir Criston slyly questions the loyalty of Ser Arryk. Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk are twins serving in House Green and House Black respectively. Criston shifts the blame off himself (he was in bed with Alicent during the assassination) and instructs Arryk to impersonate Erryk at House Black. The endgame is to kill Rhaenyra. The plan is revealed to King Aegon, who decides to promote Criston to be his new “Hand.” Otto is infuriated with this notion but relinquishes his King’s Hand brooch on the floor at Sir Criston’s feet.
At Dragonstone Arryk enters the queen’s chambers. Erryk suddenly appears and the two engage in an exhilarating fight. The fight is intense, but the entertainment factor is heightened while we try to figure out which twin is House Black or House Green. While they fight, the brothers angrily but sincerely express their love for one another. When Arryk falls to his brother’s blade, Erryk then apologizes to his queen before he falls on his own blade. Thus, House Black successfully defended itself against the assassination attempt.
With Rhaenyra still breathing, and the unnecessary killings of all rat catchers, Aegon will be challenged with coming up with a new strategy. This will be without the help of the wise Ser Otto and with the help of the loyal but politically unproved Ser Criston. It is a hot mess but one we love watching. We await Episode 3.
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, Sunday nights on HBO/Max.
