*Spoilers for episode 2.*
Diving into Westeros politics feels a little pointless given the real-world state of things right now, but here we are.
The two sides are teetering on the brink of open warfare. Aegon’s court is in shambles. He’s dismissed Otto Hightower and appointed Ser Criston as his new Hand, and everyone is hard-pressed to rein him in. Daemon flies to Harrenhal, half sulking after his argument with Rhaenyra last episode and half intent on bringing the Riverlands under her banner. Rhaenyra’s advisors are urging her to break out the big guns (i.e. her dragons,) while Rhaenys pleads for a cooler head.
Rhaenys is probably the MVP of this episode for me. A lot of folks here are either scrambling, reacting, or leading with their tempers. They’re focused on the latest move from the other side and trying to figure out how to return blow for blow. Rhaenys is the one with an eye further into the future, recognizing what will happen to the Seven Kingdoms if all these sparks of war ignite into a full blaze. She demonstrates to Rhaenyra how, already, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when the seeds of this war first took hold, and she cautions, “When the desire to kill and burn takes hold, reason is forgotten.” Rhaenyra is fortunate to have her around.
Meanwhile, Aegon is of the mind that being king means no one can tell him what to do, basically the polar opposite of his dad. He got rid of Otto for criticizing one of his rash decisions and appointed Ser Criston in his place, which was just as rash of him. Ser Criston is trying to do his best, but he’s not really made for this, and he doesn’t have the experience or the temperament to keep the willful Aegon in line. At the Small Council, it’s Aemond of all people who demonstrates a careful hand in finessing his brother, and the weaselly Larys Strong recognizes what tools are needed to make Aegon more moldable.
Oh, by the way, Samson Kayo (Oluwande from Our Flag Means Death!) pops up briefly as one of the smallfolk in King’s Landing. No idea if we’ll see him again, but it made me happy.
Then we have Daemon at Harrenhal. He arrives on dragonback prepared to throw his weight around, and he doesn’t quite know what to do when he’s warmly welcomed by Ser Simon Strong, played by Sir Simon Russell Beale. Daemon was ready to storm Harrenhal, claiming it for Rhaenyra and forcing the Riverlands to bend the knee, but when Ser Simon immediately swears allegiance to Rhaenyra, Daemon is the one who winds up feeling on the defensive.
This makes for a really intriguing dynamic. Daemon has his back up the whole time: wary of Ser Simon’s food (“I’ve survived many a battle. I do not mean to be felled by poisoned peas,”) making an indignant point of his proper title, and barring the door of his guest chambers against intruders. He’s kind of sulky and surly throughout, while Ser Simon is down-to-earth and amiable. When he’s not openly distrustful of his host, he’s snide—after Ser Simon expresses surprise at his intention to raise an army and then take the throne, he archly replies, “It’s a big chair, made of swords.” He’s skittish, vain, and bitchy in this episode; it’s kind of great.
I also want to highlight the scene where he first arrives at Harrenhal, before he gets to the hall. It’s a grim, rainy night, and the show takes its time with Daemon taking stock of his surroundings and making his way inside. Matt Smith is very good with stuff like this. He can take a scene with no words/little action and still make it feel compelling. Kudos to him!
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