Phia Saban and Emma D’Arcy
We’re gearing up for the end of the season with the finale fast approaching. But between now and then, we have some traitorous behaviors to address. Previously, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) had informed Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) that Helaena (Phia Saban) was a dreamer. And we open this episode seeing those visions occur, but it isn’t long before big sister drops in on her and disturbs her slumber. Rhaenyra has become obsessed with her leadership being preordained, and she expects Helaena to confirm it with her dreams, but that’s not how dreamers work. Helaena cannot dictate what she sees any more than she can control what’s happening around her. She sees flashes, some clearer than others, but it isn’t enough for Rhaenyra, who is beginning to panic.
Ewan Mitchell and Olivia Cooke
“Who do you trust?”
Out at Harrenhal, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) is struggling in his recovery. He’s still not exactly top-notch with his sword yet. But Alicent arrives on her mission from Rhaenyra, and we see the magic of the castle taking effect. Can we cool it on the incest? Seriously, I’m kind of over it. But it turns out Alicent’s not really there…at least not yet. Once she does arrive, it’s mommy meeting the new love interest, and it’s a damn awkward dinner. Alys (Gayle Rankin) warns that his mother is there to do him harm, but Aemond doesn’t quite buy it. Two girls fighting over you, could you have dreamed it so, Aemond? But who can he trust: his mommy or his witch girlfriend? He insists Harrenhal will be his seat and Alicent realizes she’s in deeper than she bargained for.
James Norton, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, & Steve Toussaint
Can I just stop for a moment to acknowledge how beautiful it was seeing Criston Cole’s (Fabien Frankel) head on a spike? Just such a wondrous sight, but I will give Frankel his flowers. I appreciate any actor who can make me hate them, so he joins the ranks of other Game of Thrones legends in my books. Gwayne (Freddie Fox) arrives back at Tumbleton announcing the Tully force is a day away. Ormund (James Norton) is confident he has a piece on the board, i.e., Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) captive. Corlys isn’t nearly as cooperative as Ormund is hoping for, and Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) is questioning him. Uh-oh, tread carefully Daeron. I have no doubts cousin would kill you easily enough if it came to it. Perhaps keep your dragon close for now; your uncle Gwayne might not always be able to protect you.
The Dance of the Dragons
“I will die absolved if I cannot live that way.”
Meanwhile, Daemon (Matt Smith) is back at the Vale begging time for Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), and you have to know this will all come to a head soon. Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) is continuing to pour her honey into Rhaenyra’s ear, positioning her against Daemon. Baela (Bethany Antonia) and Addam (Clinton Liberty) have seen Sheepstealer with a rider. The truth will rear its ugly head soon, and when it does, it will be a real Dance of Dragons. Rhaenyra and Addam take off to find Sheepstealer, coming across Daemon and Rhaena. I feel for Daemon being caught between his daughter and his wife. Rhaena didn’t mean to cause harm, but she chose to ride an untrained dragon into battle. She’s also trying to make amends by hunting down Vhagar. Daemon is trying to make amends with his daughter, whom he has long ignored, but also acknowledges that he loves his wife and doesn’t want to hurt her. And suddenly there are four very angry dragons on screen. It was a beautiful dance and also incredibly sad hearing Sheepstealer’s cries. I know they don’t exist, but I hate hearing animals in pain. He limps off, but is he really going to die?
Michelle Bonnard & Sonoya Mizuno
“Within the halls of the highborn, a whore will always and ever remain a whore.”
Back at the Red Keep, Mysaria is attempting to leverage more into her position. The Queen is no longer taking petitions, but Mysaria knows keeping the common folk relatively happy is important for the crown. Her friend Sylvi (Michelle Bonnard) can’t help but scoff. Does Mysaria really believe she’s that important? She may have the Queen’s ear from time to time, but does she really believe she has any power within the keep? Tread carefully, Mysaria. The Queen is like to be in a foul mood when she returns; I don’t suggest giving her another reason to be angry.
Matthew Needham, Tom Glynn-Carney, & Jefferson Hall
Then there’s Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), who is planning his escape to Braavos with Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall), who narrowly escaped the Gullet, and Larys (Matthew Needham), the cripple. The Mooten army is fast approaching, shown by the common folk fleeing any potential battle locations. They are for Rhaenyra, so you have to wonder what Aegon’s approach will be. Lannister insists on rerouting to Casterly Rock so that they can make Aegon’s seat to fight from, while Larys insists going overseas for now to regroup is best. Aegon decides to do neither and instead make his final fight. Not an unsurprising choice, given Aegon is tired of fleeing. Lannister agrees he will stay to fight alongside his grace, but Larys the cripple makes his position clear. He can’t fight, and he doesn’t want to die. Aegon sees the truth of this and doesn’t blame him. It was one of the few moments I’ve respected Aegon throughout this series. It will be a brutal end, two men against an army, but it will be an end they will write songs about.
Tom Glynn-Carney & Sunfyre
Others make different moves as Baela sees her sister and forgives her for everything, promising to start anew. It was a tender moment for the two to acknowledge their pain and choose to heal. Though their uncle Alyn (Abubakar Salim) gets an unsettling delivery with one of his father’s fingers. Ormund will have to do more than that to break Corlys, I’m afraid. That old goat is as rough and tough as the seas he sails. At Harrenhal, Alicent follows through on her promise and attempts to make her escape as Aemond fumbles to Alys for an antidote. “Idiot.” Guess he should have trusted his girlfriend.
James Norton & Tom Bennett
Meanwhile, Daemon entreats his wife for forgiveness, but she turns him away. Rhaenyra instead turns toward Mysaria, first in anger for her constant whispering against Daemon and then in lust as her loneliness overwhelms her. Helaena dreams different dreams: labor and her baby being taken away from her, then burning invaders atop Dreamfyre, then playing with chickens with her babies, then winter coming and a soft snowfall blown away by a harsh winter wind. Aegon makes his final stand with a surprise arrival from Sunfyre. What a misfigured duo these two make. Aegon’s gotta feel pretty good knowing he didn’t want to give up on his dragon. And then Ormund’s true piece is finally revealed as he meets with Ulf (Tom Bennett), promising him Driftmark and Lord of the Tides. Traitorous little shit was given a dragon but is butthurt he can’t drink in the taverns because he’s important now. Well played, Ormund.
The finale is sure to be a wallop of an episode as forces descend onto Tumbleton, offering up many questions. Who will prevail? Who will live? Who will die? And who else will turn traitorous? I, for one, cannot wait for these answers to be revealed.
