Everything is going to plan in HotD S2Ep6.
It feels good to be right.
The Short Take:
This show is hitting its stride. Everything’s in motion! Also, a big episode for dragon lovers like me.
New Dragon Count: 1
(And no, I am not counting evidence of a dragon. We need to have eyes on the dragon itself for it to count!)
Cumulative Dragon Count: 8
[SPOILER WARNING: Unlike King’s Landing, this review has nothing but an abundance….of spoilers. Do not proceed if you have not seen House of Dragon Season 2 through Episode 6, “Smallfolk.”]
Image Credit: FilmSpeak
The Long Take:
It feels great when a prediction pays off. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it feels great. I mean…the episode title is “THE SMALLFOLK”! Come on! If that’s not confirmation that I was right to bet my dragonbucks on them, I don’t know what is.
In this case, however, rather than a testament to my psychic abilities or sheer luck, my prediction that the smallfolk of Westeros would play a major part in the war between The Greens and The Blacks came true this week because the creators of the series seeded this storyline early and often. So by the time people are throwing fish in Alicent’s face and rioting in the streets, it seems like the logical boiling point for a conflict that has been stewing for a while rather than a sudden, random turn. I was just picking up what they were putting down.
I called the smallfolk gaining power or prominence on two fronts: the politics of this war and the (relative) democratization of dragon riding. We saw Mysaria’s plan to sew discontent against Team Green (to Rhaenyra’s benefit) come to fruition in a big way, with Targaryen Prime same day shipping of fruits and vegetables. And that delivery is just in time, just after smallfolk characters we’ve seen in previous episodes — like Brothel Madame Sylvi and Self-Proclaimed Dragonseed Ulf — loudly complain about the people’s suffering and King Aegon’s (oops, I guess it’s Aemond now) cruelty for all to hear. This perfectly engineered storm led to a mob chasing Alicent and Helaena on their way back from the Sept. I joked earlier about an amorphous blob of seafood hurling at Alicent, but this sequence was genuinely scary. The editing and shot composition managed to convince me, at least for a brief moment, that those two were in real danger.
Image Credit: Screen Rant
Meanwhile, on Dragonstone, Ser Steffon Darklyn’s crispy failure to claim Seasmoke confirms for me that we are one step closer to an army of bastard dragon riders. Rhaenyra made several mentions of noble birth last week and this week, and I’m really hoping that rather than scrapping this plan all together, she and Jace rethink their application process. And, of course, we now have proof that bastards make better dragon riders, as Addam becomes Seasmoke’s rider. If I had to guess, I would say that the upcoming confrontation on the beach between Rhaenyra and Addam will prompt Rhaenyra to realize that the teems of new riders are in fact out there, just not where she, as a queen, would ever think to look. And we’ve already established that Addam is the brother, unlike Alyn, who wants to cash in on his “I’m related to Corlys” chips. So I see him having no qualms about firing back at Rhaenyra about his lineage and why that makes him worthy of Seasmoke.
Image Credit: Screen Rant
It must be said that I am concerned about the amount of time required to make this gathering of dragonseed bastards believable (and logistically possible, even). There are only eight episodes this season, unlike last season’s 10. And we only have two of them left. If I’m recalibrating my expectations to be more reasonable, we are more likely to end the season with Rhaenyra speaking her dragonseed recruitment project out loud than we are to have actually talked to and collected the likes of Hugh Hammer and Ulf. And that’s okay. I would much rather wait than rush that process because the moment they’re all riding into battle together will be a moment to relish.
Dragon Watch:
Image Credit: Vulture
This was a HUGE episode for dragon lovers. Seasmoke exhibited so much personality in multiple scenes. He tried to be a good draggo and play ball politely with the dragon tamers (out of desperation in loneliness, I’d like to think), but then in the end had to be true to himself and flame on in rejection of Ser Steffon. I had a feeling the scene would end this way. In fact, I kept saying, “Doesn’t he look like someone who’s only here to get eaten?” I kind of like the idea that Ser Steffon was too much of a “square.” It does seem like we are, albeit unintentionally, establishing that dragons only like characters who have, if not the literal fire of a Targaryen, then the figurative fire inside. Addam certainly seems like a more ambitious, looking to the sky kind of character than Ser Steffon, who would never have let his wonder overtake his fear. Seasmoke’s chasing down of a terrified Addam only to have a moment of stillness as they stare at each other was absolutely thrilling to see.
Image Credit: Screen Rant
But I also can’t conclude this review without gushing over the adorable BABY dragon that we saw as well!!! He was adorable. And he better begetting all the love and attention he needs in The Eyrie. I am a little concerned on that front because Lady Jeyne Arryn seems like a very reluctant, perhaps even resentful host. But Rhaena is primed and positioned to finally claim a dragon — a wild one at that. While I’ve not read past the first couple of chapters of Fire and Blood, I have heard many names of dragons in the books thrown around by book readers on podcasts and social media. Since we see some toasted sheep in this episode, I would assume we’re about to meet Sheepsteeler.