HOTD S2 - Episode 5 Isn't 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏 Bad

A review of House of the Dragon Season 2 - Episode 5: Regent, where I go into why this episode really isn't that bad and discuss the discourse surrounding people claiming that this was a terrible episode. Along with pointing out great things the episode did and equally critiquing it.

Thank you to my Patrons: Logan Farmer and Jernej

Music:
The Green Council | House of the Dragon S2 | OST Cover

House of the Dragon S2 | Reign of the Targaryens | EMOTIONAL VERSION

[Infinite-void]

I started laughing super hard at the scene where Daemon is sitting down and there's just silence and then he says "I did not think they would be so eager to die."

[josephbiden]

I think the reason why Corlys dosnt interact with anyone on dragonstone is to emphasise (by him being alone in driftmark) that he is now isolated and on his own, with most of his family now being dead.

[keyamazed]

It's only slow because streaming services have destroyed people's attention spans by cramming everything into 8 episodes, sometimes even less, just darting from plot point to plot point, giving nothing but a hollow experience. What people these days call "filler" is what character development and world-building used to be about.

[mcfleury]

This episode had some top tier Daemon acid trips

[LeSage]

War has started!
Meanwhile at Harrenhall:👻👻

[alesenatorephoto]

I swear, people have NO patience and attencion span

[patrickletoiledemerde]

For the love of God, put my man Simon Strong on the Iron Throne.

[niallocarroll]

"Nothing" happened!? Daemon is establishing a potential third claim, Aemond is also scheming for the throne, they are furthering the subplot of a potential rebellion of the small folk, Jace presents an alliance with the Freys, I could go on. The reason people are bored is because it didn't have the same spectacle as the previous but everything major that happens is subtle but long term will have story impact

[septakaz]

people complain when GOT was rushed, then complain when HOTD isn't rushed lol

[markusschickedanz]

“ I am blood and fire. Driftmark must pass to salt and sea.” Was such a top tier line

[falconknight]

Honestly this is the first time I’m hearing people thought it was boring. I really liked the episode, it was slower but really interesting for what the payoff was and what they’re setting up next. And the realization moment at the end has me insanely excited for the next episode so that was a big enough revelation for me at least to count as a big way to end the episode

[joseph-fernando-piano]

Ok, but, Olivia Cooke’s facial acting/expressions during the small council scene where Aemond is made regent and you can hear the dialogue behind the zoom in on her face, has got to be some of the best wordless acting I’ve ever seen…

[umarsheikh]

i feel episodes like this are important for character development if every episode was a battle it would just get boring and overwhelming dont know why people hating on it.

[cdillon]

The lack of episodes like these is what made GoT S8 so terrible

[Charles-In-Charge]

I love how your list of the things that happen in the episode doesn’t include Aemond becoming Prince Regent

[MrAnothis]

The scene of Alicent at the table slowly realizing that she's surrounded by sycophants now serving her psychotic son, that she's all alone and has made a terrible mistake, thinking (Ralph Wiggum's voice in her head) "I'm in danger...". *Chef's kiss*

It was a great transition episode where we witness the aftermath of Rook's Rest, the dragons' destruction joining the war, and the loss of Rhaenys. Agreed that some scenes seemed cut a little too early.

[Jonathan_Collins]

The fact that none of the small folks believe aegon actually killed melys was the topping of the sundae of his kingship.

[TheBadasssnoopy]

I felt the episode was fine, until I learned that this season only has 8 episodes. I thought we were just half way, so I was fine with the show taking it's time and being slow, but now that I know that we are more than half way through I'm a bit more frustrated with the pacing. I feel like there is still so much stuff that needs to happen in this season and will either be rushed by the end, or pushed for the next one, and to have that happen so that we can watch Daemon get high for the tenth time in this season, and rhaenyra being disrespected by her council AGAIN, and Alicent being frustrated with the outcome of her actions AGAIN, is just really disappointing. The moment I learned that there are 8 episodes the seasons immediately went from like a 9/10 for me, to an 8 or even a 7.

[tankmh]

People seem to have 2 brain cells that try connection when there is an episode in which there are no fights or dragons

[davidthewhale]

It’s funny when people complain that Rhaenyra and Daemon aren’t doing anything when in the book they did even less. The show runners are actually giving them more to do.