🤨 WORST of the Season?? | HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S2 Episode 5 Review & Explained

This week "House of the Dragon" has a new person in charge: Aemond Targaryen took over at Prince Regent. Meanwhile, Daemon is still hallucinating at Harrenhal, and Rhaenyra is still fighting with her council. Not the most exciting episode, if you ask me, but a necessary one. As always, I'm here to discuss it with you in my full breakdown and analysis of everything that happened in the 5th episode of season 2, "Regent". We're talking about everything that happened, everything you need to be paying attention to, and how all of this compares to “Fire & Blood". Definitely one of the weaker episodes of this season, but what did you think of it? Let me know!

► TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - The aftermath of Rook's Rest
03:30 - Team Black
08:50 - Daemon at Harrenhal
13:59 - Team Green
20:45 - Important details
22:32 - Overall thoughts

► WHERE ELSE TO FIND ME:

#houseofthedragon #episodebreakdown #explained #impressionblend #houseofthedragonreview #houseofthedragonseason2 #hotds2 #gameofthrones

[aaronfrey]

Great review. It feels like many characters are spinning their wheels this season and it’s frustrating. It’s almost inexcusable when there are only eight episodes.

[cnmcnm]

I agree Fabien Frankel was specially amazing... finally the writing in the last Episodes make some justice to the Actor and the Kingmaker

[garrymugen]

Thanks Marianna, for very eloquently stating what I don't like about this season. The decreasing of main character stats/time stretch of levelling up per se just purely for show plot filler to get more seasons versus being creative or taking some risks is definitely dragging this show down.

[NatS]

I love your Reviews! It does make me chuckle that all the stuff you say you were worried about happening that would damage the story later on.... ends up happening and damaging the story later on:')

[airixxxx]

I agree with everything, I pretty much never like when they change the characters, in the books Rhaenyra is the one that goes bananas and Daemon has to put up with her, she's always thinking he betrayed her and for the most part he doesn't.
I also think the pacing is off, they put episodes with lots of action and events, and then episodes where pretty much nothing happens, I think having more balanced episodes would be better.

[trainmap]

I personally loved the episode, but, just in general, I feel they're missing opportunities this season, such as:

Episode 3. You know how you'll get a TV show, and one episode might be dedicated to a particular character, town, villain etc. and it's made to just bring context to a story/character arc? They should've done that here. They should've named the episode 'Blackwoods and Brackens' or something to that nature, give us an episode of the two houses and how they hate each other and end it with the final 15 minutes or so being the Battle of the Burning Mill. That way when they mention how they fought at the small council meeting how they each fought, the line of how they may be fighting just for the sake of fighting each other would land better. It would also make the scene where Daemon unsuccessfully negotiates with the Brackens land better and would make you understand why he had to go Rogue in order to get their surrender/swords.

Other characters. There are characters being thrown to the wayside and it would be interesting to have more screen time with them. It blows my mind that they didn't have Corlis and Rhaenera have a throw down drama filled argument over Rhenys death....ending with him ultimately taking the Hand of the Queen at the end of the episode after speaking to his grand daughter. Corlis has been limping around for a while now, and for a character that plays such a huge role and was rumored to have his own show at some point, the sideline story he's on is a miss step. Also, give us more Helaena, Alyn, Addam, Ulf, OTTO (bring him back ASAP!!!). I think the cool down episodes have been great, and I agree with Episode 2 being the best of the season (FANTASTIC episode), but pushing some of these characters to the periphery, cutting/changing MAJOR events (Blood and Cheese) while going deja vu in Harrenhall is getting a bit boring tbh, let's move on.

All that said, with all the battles and major events/negotiations still to happen, at this pace, how are we going to cover all of it in only 19 more episodes? Is there going to be some mad rush to the end like Game of Thrones was? I'm genuinely concerned about this

[welldonebooks]

I'm so torn on this season. I feel like it's doing a lot of heavy-lifting (though not sure I understand the direction their taking it), but I don't feel as connected to many of the characters, like I did with the few main characters of s1. I don't really care that mcuh about Rhaenyra which is surprising since she was such a standout earlier. I still like Alicent (or enjoy watching her scenes) but everyone's characterization feels so spread thin that it's hard to get to know them like you did with characters in GoT.

[TheZoodonym]

excellent critical commentary. entertaining and insightful. Thank you!!

[jimdonoghue]

Very fair thoughtful review . Thanks for insight. Regards . 😊

[mirrojas]

It’s annoying that if the writers are having issues writing Daemon, they could literally ask GRRM for guidance. Especially since that’s his fav Targaryen 😅

[AhBeeDoi]

I think the mold at Harrenhal is hallucenogenic for Daemon. He needs to fly away.

[lindsayweimer]

In re: to daemon wanting the throne suddenly, i am also really hoping this just the influence of alys rivers. Esp after reading more of her powers later in the book. Realllyyyy banking on the idea this will end once hes away from her

[themindfullone]

The end of this episode made me feel like I was watching Wishbone on PBS. 😭 Like how did the mood shift so fast

[katehartley]

I agree. The pacing this season is all over the place. Regent is setting up some future events but, I don't feel like a lot of this episode was important -or interesting. What a waste in an 8 episode season

[EwwwitsMara]

It was much needed episode to cooldown and build up again. A lot of little things happening everywhere. I really wanted Corlys having a go at Rhaenyra even if I loved Baela delivery

[Elephant-wili]

The best series are the ones when you cannot predict what direction they are going and how they will wind it. That is the case with 'House of the Dragon.' Your reviews serve as a great supplement to the episodes. Look forward to the rest of the season.

[PhotoTrekr]

I agree with your critique. It probably will play better when watching the show as a whole. But, for now, everyone is getting ready to do something and I'm anxious for them to get to the actual doing part.

[ejoviu]

Daemonites cant just accept Daemon is and has been using Rhaenyra for power! The show has been laying out his ambition since season 1 . Even Rhaenyra now knows this.

[kosmosyche]

Slower episode, but I still enjoyed it. And I also think the next one is going to be 🔥❤‍🔥🔥

[michael]

There seems to be some denial in where the writers are taking Daemon. Given his words and actions, it would be inauthentic to have him suddenly reverse course and support Rhaenyra. Even if the writers go that direction, it will only be a temporary red herring as Daemon seeks out long-term strategic control.