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House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5: A deep dive into “Regent”
The latest episode of “House of the Dragon” titled “Regent” has left fans on the edge of their seats. After the explosive events of the previous episode, where Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) and her dragon Meleys met their fiery end, the show takes a moment to breathe and explore the aftermath of the battle at Rook’s Rest. This episode is a masterclass in character development and political intrigue, setting the stage for the conflicts to come.
The aftermath of Rook’s Rest: A city in turmoil
The battle at Rook’s Rest was a significant win for the greens, but the victory is hollow. Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and his soldiers parade Meleys’ severed head through the streets of King’s Landing, but instead of cheers, they are met with fear and trepidation. The sight of the dead dragon is a grim reminder of the cost of war.
King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) is brought in for medical treatment after being severely burned by his brother Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) and his dragon Vhagar. Aegon’s condition is dire; his armor has melted into his skin, and his bones are shattered. The maesters are uncertain if he will survive, leaving Aemond as the next in line for the Iron Throne. This development does not sit well with their mother, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), who finds herself bypassed in the line of succession.
Corlys Velaryon’s grief and Rhaenyra’s strategy
Across the sea, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) mourns the loss of his wife, Rhaenys. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) is forced to rethink her strategy after losing the blacks’ largest dragon. Her son Jace (Harry Collett) is busy gathering allies, but Rhaenyra is hesitant to risk his life in battle just yet.
Daemon Targaryen’s haunted dreams
In Harrenhal, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) is plagued by eerie dreams within the haunted castle halls. He sees visions of young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and his late wife Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell). In a particularly disturbing dream, he envisions his mother, Alyssa Targaryen, in an Oedipal scenario. These dreams reveal Daemon’s deep-seated resentment over being the younger brother to King Viserys and his unfulfilled ambition to claim the Iron Throne. Despite his inner turmoil, Rhaenyra realizes she needs Daemon and his dragon for the war and sends Ser Alfred Broome (Jamie Kenna) to bring him back.
The search for dragonseeds
The episode concludes with Aemond eyeing the Iron Throne ominously, Aegon lying pitifully in bed, and Jace and Rhaenyra brainstorming ways to counter Aemond and Vhagar. They decide to search for “dragonseeds”—ordinary people with Targaryen blood who can ride dragons. With their forces currently 0-2 against Vhagar, this may be their only chance to level the playing field.
Tom Glynn-Carney on Aegon’s transformation
Tom Glynn-Carney, who plays Aegon, had a lot to say about his character’s transformation in this episode. “The testing stage was long, and it took a while to nail what we were gonna go for. Lots of different versions. The one we settled on was gnarly, to say the least,” he shared. Glynn-Carney also discussed the challenges of wearing the makeup and prosthetics for the majority of the episode. “It was restrictive in all the right ways. It was claustrophobic. It informed the way that I breathe and move and spoke, whenever I did.”
When asked about Aegon’s voice post-injury, Glynn-Carney revealed, “I did a lot of research into how intense heat and burns can affect your vocal folds, and just completely decimate them. Obviously, I couldn’t do that to myself, so I had to find a way to replicate it. It was something that I had to definitely consider going into this new stage of Aegon. He has to feel changed, like he’s shifted. And I hope that reads eventually.”
The dynamics of betrayal and loyalty
The episode also delves into the complex dynamics of betrayal and loyalty within the Targaryen family. Glynn-Carney was tight-lipped about whether Aegon knows that Aemond deliberately attacked him. “That’s for the audience to decide. I can’t comment on that. I don’t want to tell people what to think. That’s up for grabs,” he said.
Aegon’s relationship with his dragon, Sunfyre, is another poignant aspect of the episode. Glynn-Carney likened it to his relationship with his own dog, Ziggy. “There’s an understanding and appreciation of each other, and they don’t see each other as often as they would like, but there’s probably good reason for that. It lends itself to showing Aegon’s vulnerability and that softer side that I’ve tried to carve out a little bit more of this season.”
The future of Westeros
As the episode ends, viewers are left to ponder the future of Westeros under Aemond’s potential rule. Glynn-Carney speculates, “He’d be a steel fist, wouldn’t he? I think he’d be quite cutthroat, and a cold king probably. At least from the outset, he’d want people to fear him. He often talks about being bullied as a child, so he probably wants to reinstate himself as a secure, powerful man who won’t be messed with, which could be dangerous in a kingly position.”
The episode leaves us with more questions than answers, setting the stage for the conflicts to come. As the search for dragonseeds begins and alliances are tested, the fate of Westeros hangs in the balance. The intricate web of political intrigue, personal vendettas, and the ever-present threat of dragons make “House of the Dragon” a must-watch series.
For those who want to delve deeper into the world of “House of the Dragon,” you can watch the trailer and find more information about the series here.
As we await the next episode, one can’t help but reflect on the complexities of power, loyalty, and ambition that drive the characters in this epic saga. The story of the Targaryens is far from over, and the Iron Throne remains a coveted prize that will shape the destiny of all who seek it.
