Within the first few minutes, we see the River Men set up an ambush, and the ragged band of soldiers that Criston Cole is leading falls right into the trap. A quick battle ensues, and Criston shows his prowess as a warrior, but as he is speaking with Oscar Tully and Roddy the Ruin, he is taken out by Alys Blackwood, a skilled archer. There is something very satisfying to see him fall at the hands of a woman. This is the man who was intimate with not one royal woman (Rhaenyra in her youth) but two (Queen Dowager Alicent). His hatred for one and his illicit relationship with the other caused him to be so blinded by fury that he was on a suicide mission to die. There will be no heroic songs sung in his honor.
Things aren’t going so well either, for Rhaena in the Vale. Hiding out in a cave with a wild dragon hasn’t been good for her mental health. When she sees two dragons flying around the Vale, she realizes one of them is her sister. Going to Lady Jeyne to speak doesn’t go over so well either – she gets slapped hard in the face. Jeyne is not only annoyed by Rhaena, but furious at the fact that she’s put into a bad position. She is harboring a criminal and doesn’t want to bring the wrath of Daemon and Rhaenyra on her. Rhaena has become a pitiful creature and is at the mercy of Jeyne’s goodwill.
Back in Tumbleton, the selfishness of Ormund is finally called out by Gwayne. Daeron has been playing the long game for many years, as he had to – being a ward of Ormund has led to emotional and mental abuse. He’s had to survive by any means possible. Poor kid doesn’t even know what a sellout his mother has become. Gwayne has made it to Tumbleton, only to be treated like garbage. When Gwayne calls out Ormund for his selfish attitude and unreliable plans, Ormund prances around like a peacock. Gwayne is tired of lords not caring for their people, not caring for the soldiers who fight, and most importantly: not risking their own necks. I say Gwayne is the real MVP in this episode, for more reasons than one.
Daemon finds that the Gold Cloaks have made their choice – they are starving and haven’t been paid in months. They have families as well – and Daemon, being a Targaryen, born into wealth and privilege, doesn’t get it. When people are starving and angry and have not been paid a living wage in months, tension is bound to spill over. To his annoyance and frustration, the Gold Cloaks hand over their resignation. This does not bode well for the city, as King’s Landing will now be left unchecked and unchallenged. The perfect time for someone in Tumbleton to strike discord.
The Baratheons make an appearance – and they treat with Rhaenyra. You can see she’s not pleased, especially since she needs an army, she needs gold, and she needs Boros’ support for stability and security. To attack Ormund, she sends a small group of assassins to Tumbleton – disguised as Baratheon emissaries. Unfortunately for Rhaenyra, she really didn’t think this through clearly. If you send a group of armed men, make sure that they have a strong resemblance to their liege Lord of House Baratheon. However, she was right about one thing: having them dirty and smelling like a compost heap would affect Ormund. The group of “Baratheons” goes to treat with Ormund, Gwayne, and Daeron. If not for Gwayne’s gut instinct and his armed guard, Daeron and Ormund would’ve been killed. Gwayne is a skilled fighter, but he also knows his Westerosi Houses and people – he knew they were assassins, especially since the leader didn’t look like who he said he was. Ormund is nothing but a brute and bully and vomits after the assassination attempt is over. Honest to God, I wouldn’t have been upset if Ormund got assassinated. But that’s just me.
We see the Dragon seeds being humiliated in one way or another, and that’s the second stage of failure. Ser Ulf isn’t a bad guy – he’s just a simple man who enjoys his beer and spending time with his friends at the local tavern. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, Rhaenyra has shown nothing but disdain for him. If you want people to remain loyal to you, you must give something back as a token of appreciation. A small keep or castle, with a brewery nearby or in-house, would be ideal for Ser Ulf. As for Ser Hugh, give him a small manor as well, so that he and his wife and in-laws have somewhere to live. Give these men devotion and appreciation, not sarcasm and condescension. As for Addam of Hull – legitimize him, period.
Rhaenyra is proving increasingly incompetent, which is exactly what Ormund wants the small folk to see and hear. Ulf is discovered at Flea Bottom by Daemon while Hugh attempts to rescue his wife out of Tumbleton, only to find that she is angry, grieving, and heartbroken. Daemon doesn’t endear Ulf by humiliating him in public. Ser Hugh is bewildered at his wife’s refusal. She’s traumatized about her brother being killed, and then there is her statement about what happened to her when she was travelling from King’s Landing to Tumbleton. You can understand why both men are starting to bristle – they’ve sacrificed a lot more than the usual person and have not been shown any appreciation. When someone is being disrespected repeatedly, you can see how the resentment builds up. These men have dragons – you might want to keep them happy, loyal and at your side. While sitting atop the Throne, listening to the people petition about many concerns, we notice Rhaenyra’s hand has been cut. This is an ominous premonition. If the Throne cuts the monarch, that monarch is cursed.
Back in Harrenhal, we have a romance beginning to surface between Alys and Aemond. They are both outcasts and both lonely. Alys has her ethereal mystique about her, while Aemond has his angry, vengeful persona about him. Oh, it is a match made for Westeros – complete with a secret cache of dragon eggs – and Alys having those for Aemond was a deal-maker. I have a feeling that there’s a room or two in Harrenhal that they will be making effective use of. Although Vhagar is still nowhere to be found, Aemond can bury his sorrows with his lust for Alys. She has him wrapped around her finger.
Then we have Alicent still doing what she does – trying to get herself out of trouble by throwing anyone else under the bus. I feel sorry for Helaena – she is not a vile person with no malicious intent. She’s stuck in a family and a place where she doesn’t belong. Helaena would rather do her quiet needlepoint or look at her caged bugs than deal with her mother. Her needlepoint had something eerie – a scene in which there was a naked figure atop a red circle. Could that mean Aegon when he was burnt and bloodied? Or does this signify something else that’s about to happen? Now that Alicent has told Rhaenyra that Helaena is pregnant, this just adds to more political and personal stress for Rhaenyra. But let’s be sensible here – Rhaenyra wants to kill Aemond and find Vhagar, which would ease her fears. Alicent discloses where Aemond has been hiding out – Harrenhal.
Instead of doing the pragmatic thing – send Daemon – or Daemon and a small regiment of skilled soldiers to dispatch Aemond – let’s send his mother. A plan so full of holes that it’s pathetic. Alicent is forced to make for Harrenhal, leaving Helaena behind.
Corlys is with his regiment, sitting around a bonfire and surmising about the day’s events. He got rid of a lot of traitors. He gave a huge regiment of soldiers to Rhaenyra, so she could keep law and order in King’s Landing. This man has fought many a sea battle, so you’d think he was astute when it comes to enemies lurking in the dark. Well, unfortunately for the Sea Snake, we see that he is overtaken at night, and we don’t know if he’s been taken hostage or murdered.
Don’t miss the final two installments of the season!
