‘House of the Dragon’ – ‘Smallfolk’ – Review

The war for the Iron Throne is starting to become a taxing exercise for both the Greens and the Blacks, and at this point, there’s no clear winner. But brash decisions and a hungry populace are about to add fuel to the dragonfire in the latest episode of House of the Dragon.

With few options left, Rhaenyra summons a trusted knight for a risky venture. Meanwhile, Daemon’s unease grows, and Aemond takes steps to reshape the Green Council.

The Dance of the Dragons continues to consume all of Westeros, and neither the Greens nor the Blacks could be said to be the clear victors at this stage. Blood has been spilt, death is rampant, hunger is growing, and neither side has any clear strategy to achieve a full victory in this taxing fight. Episode Six, ‘Smallfolk’ takes audiences into the growing tension that is building up in the capital, and its the ordinary and the innocent who are beginning to pay the price for the squabbles of the royals. Firmly in command, the Prince Regent, Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), being the ultimate pragmatist, is mustering his forces and is keen to bring his uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), to battle. While on Dragonstone, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) places her bets on a strategy which, if successful, could turn the war to her side.

‘Smallfolk’ is very much an episode of strategy and reaction in a sense to the growing narrative of House of the Dragon, and here we see Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen taking a different approach to a campaign that is leaving her with her back against the wall. Seeking to find new Draginriders, she takes on a risky approach to her problems, and we see her find her own resolve in this space. For much of Season Two of House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra’s actions have been very reactionary, but now we see her having to take command, and actress Emma D’Arcy is extremely forceful in her actions and stance. Opposite to this is Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), who is having to contend with Aemond’s brutal efficiency as a ruler, and it spells more blood for her House’s cause, and we see her trying to reconcile and hold onto her shattered family in a dangerous time.

Things aren’t fairing much better for the Rogue Prince either, as Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) is still contending with the Ghosts of Harrenhal and the shunning of the Riverlords. Throughout much of Season Two, we’ve seen Daemon face a complete about-face as a character, as his dark confidence and sinister rage have been turned against him in the ghostly shell of Harrenhal. Burnt out and with few avenues left to turn, Daemon is about to turn it all in before he catches the guise of Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), the mysterious witch who makes a deal with him. And it has sinister repercussions that follow. Throughout Season Two, Gayle Rankin’s Alys Rivers has been toying with both Daemon and the audience, and the power of her influence is made clear in this latest episode.

Season Two of House of the Dragon has played with new ideas in the narrative, and under the direction of showrunner Ryan Condal, we’ve come to explore different classes and perspectives of the denizens of Westeros and the ordinary populace of this world have come to take a greater stake in the plotting. ‘Smallfolk’ is an apt title for the episode, as we see the growing hunger, resentment and animosity of the smallfolk towards their liege lords thrown into overtime in this episode. Two key events are apparent, including Queen Rhaenyra’s ploy to win them to her side by sending offerings of food and assistance to the residents of Kings Landing, which in the process sets off a flippant riot that almost leads to the deaths of Alicent and her daughter, Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban). Anarchy is on the loose in Kings Landing, and this city is now a powder keg ready to blow.

But the climatic events of ‘Smallfolk’ give the episode its tempo and pace, and we see the mighty Seasmoke, the renegade dragon of the former Ser Laenor Velaryon, seek out a new rider. These moments are a revelation that could very well change the Dance of the Dragons, and the fate of all of Westeros, forever.

Season Two of House of the Dragon is now streaming on Neon and SKY TV.

Image: SKY TV