Reviewer Rating: 4/5.0
4
There’s been a lot of advice floating around Westeros this week.
\We are now three-quarters of the way through the season. House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6 is packed with strategy, advice, and adventure.
One can only assume that everyone on both sides of this war is preparing for the epic finale of season two of the hit show.
Before I get into this episode, though, I have to address the elephant in the room.
Why is it always the mom’s problem?
Last week, in my review of House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 5, I asked a question about the characters who appeared in Daemon’s cursed vision of Harrenhal.
Okay guys, I already know who the woman in the sex scene with Daemon is, I wish I didn’t know this.
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Most of you have probably figured it out by now, too, but for those of you who are still in the dark: the woman who wrapped her legs around Damon’s face last week was his mother.
Look, don’t come to me talking about them being Targaryens, that’s normal for this show.
Looking down at the man between your legs and calling him your “favorite son” is not normal and I would die on that hill.
Now that we’re all unsettled enough, we can move on to the latest installment of “The Demon in the Haunted Castle Side Quest,” as I like to call his scene.
Daemon Vision
We saw more visions in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6, but Daemon didn’t seem to have any repressed sexual fantasies about his late brother Viserys.
Instead, it gives us a glimpse into his relationship with the late king, their power imbalance, and Daemon’s lifelong insecurities.
Alice Rivers is bound to be revealed as the person behind Dimon’s breakdown, right? He accuses Lord Strong of poisoning him, but Alice seems an obvious suspect.
After all, she is the one with the knowledge and access. However, Damon did not expect this, and he specifically asked Alice for advice.
Yes, it was out of character for him, and Alice admitted that. But it also showed that he was more uncertain than ever about how he would proceed in this war.
I honestly don’t know what Elise’s motivations are, but she’s sinister.
She reminds me of Melisandre from Game of Thrones, the priestess who advised Stannis Baratheon on his quest to succeed her brother on the throne.
At this point, Daemon is full of twisted thoughts and out of the game, and my guess is that Aerith will be able to take advantage of him, but she wants whatever she wants.
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Speaking of suggestions, we did see a lot of them in this episode.
Rhaenyra borrowed ideas from Jacaerys and Mysaria. And then we have Aegon, who looks to Larys for help.
Misogyny rears its ugly head in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6
Of course, we can’t forget Aemond, who was so unimpressed with his mother’s advice that he unceremoniously dismissed Alicente from her seat on his council.
“Sacked” might be a kind term for what Aemond did to Allison.
Essentially, he told her that she was done playing politics and that she needed to get back to where she belonged in the kitchen.
For a proud woman like Alicent – who, to be fair, does have quite a bit of leadership experience at this point – this is a shame.
It’s terrible to hear from anyone, but to be dismissed by your own son in such a misogynistic and disrespectful way must be a real blow.
But Allison was never the warmest mother, nor did she display the best maternal instincts.
This is juxtaposed with Rhaenyra’s undying commitment to her children, making Alicent’s indifference towards them all the more striking.
To her credit, Alicente is self-aware about it all. Her conversation with Gawain makes it clear that she knows she’s never been the best mother in town.
But still. Ouch.
What’s new about dragons in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6?
Things are heating up (literally) on Dragonstone as Rhaenyra takes Jace’s advice to find the Dragon King’s bastard.
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Hopefully the dragons will be willing to bond with some of them so Rhaenyra can bolster her army.
Sadly, the first attempt ended in a colossal failure. Let’s be honest, though, does anyone really expect it to work the first time?
This guy is dying for death if you ask me.
He who wears a crown is heavy
Poor Rhaenyra longed to go out and fight for herself, but no one would let her. Of course, I understand why, but her cabin fever is contagious.
However, with one final slap she replaced a talking-back MP in his place.
I will not tolerate hitting people to demonstrate their strength. That being said, it’s time for Rhaenyra to stop letting her council treat her like a child.
Last week, one of them said that as a woman, she was too fragile to cope with the war. She also hits him verbally, reminding him that he’s never been to the war either. Queen.
But reprising Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars was her way of letting this man know that she wouldn’t tolerate their disrespect anymore. That’s what I’m here for.
Do you know what else I am here for?
Rhaenyra and Mythalia’s passionate moment was a welcome moment of LGBTQ+ representation in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6.
It’s also a brief respite from the horrific and harrowing depiction of Misalia’s childhood trauma.
I know a lot of fans are still unsure about White Worm and whether she can be trusted. Still, I hope she gets Rhaenyra back.
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Successful Strategies for House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6
Samilia’s idea of delivering food to King’s Landing for Aemond’s hungry subjects is clearly a brilliant one. No notes.
We’ve seen the riot begin, and frankly, I don’t understand how Allison and Helena escaped.
Hugh, the mysterious man with a sick daughter we’ve met a few times this season, looks like he’s ready to get organized. The man who claims to be the bastard brother of Viserys and Daemon will most likely join him.
Dragon Size Revealed
The biggest shocker at the time was the news that Seasmoke had chosen a new rider.
While we haven’t seen Aylin actually ride Sea Smoke, there are rumors that he has.
Rhaenyra, of course, immediately set off to see it for herself, so there should be some excitement on the Dragon King front next week.
There is feuding between brothers in the family
Back in King’s Landing, Aegon wakes up, clearly suffering from the pain Aemond wants to heal.
Even better, Aegon remembered Aemond trying to kill him. But don’t worry, Lalys will help Aegon avoid his brother’s wrath!
Larys, of all people, is the person I trust the least in my life, but you trust me, Aegon.
Overall, this was a great episode. There isn’t a lot of action, but that’s because everyone is strategizing and getting ready for blood and fire.
This episode actually made me realize why I’m Team Black, though.
Rhaenyra’s gifts to the people of King’s Landing were politically motivated. we know.
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But she also didn’t want to see anyone go hungry, and people knew that about her.
They also knew that Viserys would never be feasting at the Tower House while their subjects starved. They saw it in Rhaenyra as well, now more than ever.
As the season ends, we don’t know where the story will go. After Rhaenys passed away in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4, it seemed like there were more tragic deaths to come.
In preparation for the upcoming penultimate episode of the season, we want to hear your theories and thoughts.
In the comments, tell us your predictions (no spoilers from the books, please!) and what you hope to see at the end of the season.
Now, head over to HBO to watch previous episodes to catch up on anything you missed.
