House Of The Dragon – S1 E5 We Light The Way Recap & Review
House Of The Dragon – Season 1 Episode 5 “We Light The Way” Recap & Review
"We Light The Way" Review :
Episode 5 of House of the Dragon begins with a cloudy sky. Lady Rhea walks out alone, stopped by a strangely dressed man who is dwarfed by the castle atop a hill behind her. This is Damon, and he has come to see his wife. She taunts him about his arrival, pointing out that they have not yet completed their marriage and asking what he intends to do with Taj. Her hard look is enough to reach Riya's bow. The horse gets scared and drops him, runs away, leaving him defenseless and leans on his back. Picking up a rock, Damon (off-screen) sticks his skull in.
Meanwhile, Viserys is terminally ill while Kristen continues to grow affection for Cole Renera. However, Alicent is less satisfied, seeing that his father has been cast out as the Hand of the King. Outside in the courtyard, as it rains, he warns that there will come a time when war will consume the land, especially if Rainera ascends the throne.
Deep down Alicent knows it brings horrors, but cries for his father as he has been banished from the castle and forced to leave. Alicent is clearly conflicted about her choice and wonders further about its implications.
Viserys eventually makes it to High Tide, where he is greeted (coldly) by Lady Lana. Lord Corliss awaits him, especially delaying the bow and paying attention to Viserys' foul cough. The new hand for the king is Lord Lionel, who has been given some warm words of encouragement from Corliss. It reaches them that Riya was killed "in a hunting accident" by crushing her skull.
Viserys, clearly realizing that the throne is under threat from Damon and unsure where Alicente's allegiance lies, proposes marriage between Corliss's son, Ser Lenore, and Rainera. The thing is, Corliss isn't exactly happy with the idea of a woman taking the throne - namely that of Renera. Though the visionaries talk of a good game and the promise of a second era for the dragons is enough for Corlys to agree to the terms.
As far as Rainera and Lenore are concerned, they come to a settlement of their own, deciding to "dine where they see fit" after doing their bit for the kingdom. This is, of course, a reference to his favorite love interests, but the show cleverly doesn't feel the need to tell us that.
Lenore's heart grows for Ser Joffre, and it appears that Corliss and his wife are aware of his extramarital activities, especially if their secret chat is anything to go by. The dialogue here is beautifully portrayed!
On the way back on the boat, Kristen Cole lays out her claim for Rainera's hand, suggesting that they run away together and that she leave the crown and everything else behind her. "I am the crown, Ser Kristen." Rainera says in return. That's a derogatory "no thanks" if I've ever heard it!
Viserys makes it back to King's Landing but is weak and collapses as he exits the car. As for Kristen Cole, he is called to see Alicent, where he confesses that his oath has been broken and had sex with Rainera. Sensing the crime, Kristen Cole demands death instead of torture. Alicent decided to consider it.
As for Viserys, he is greatly weakened and after Meisters turns around on him, offering leeches and medicine, Viserys is left with his arm, Lionel. Viserys wants to be known as a good king, and it's clear he's doing his best this season, but everything he touches turns to ashes. However, the king gathers his strength in time for the royal wedding.
The big day rolls on, with Ser Lenore and Rainera both playing their roles. Damon appears in the middle of this as well, smiling but offered the same seat at the head table.
Right in the middle of Viserys' big speech, Alicent interrupts and arrives in a stunning green gown. A shade of green that also depicts Oldtown's banner for the war. And during the dance and festivities, Alicent is granted support by her uncle, who acknowledges that he stands by her.
Meanwhile, Ser Gerold Royce contacts Damon and tells him that he needs to pay for his crimes. He is Rhea's cousin and knows that Damon's wife did not die in a hunting accident. Damon is smart though, and cleverly tells with dancing eyes that Rhea was on the verge of inheriting the runestone. With him now dead, he turns to Damon instead. He wants to petition himself when the marriage is over, completely shutting down Royce. Interestingly, Lionel listens to all this attentively.
Lenore also discovers that Rainera has slept with Kristen Cole, prompting Ser Joffrey to reveal and admit that they are both deeply invested in the marriage, and that both of them keep quiet about it. Would be nice to live.
However Damon is the wildcard here and he runs up to Rainera on the dancefloor, who challenges him to kill the Kingsguard and take him to Dragonstone, ifAnd that's what he wants.
However, the guards suddenly show up and there is chaos in the hall. It's hard to see what happened...to begin with. Ser Kristen Cole beats Ser Joffrey, beats him, leaves him bloodied- and dead.
Lenore and Rainera are married in the wake of this death, with the former struggling to hold back tears. Outside in the courtyard, Ser Kristen is saved by Alicent Hightower from killing himself. However, this doesn't save Viserys, who collapse as they exchange their vows as a couple.
Episode Review :
House of the Dragon stepped up once again and produced a pretty poignant and really well written episode. The dialogue in this chapter is particularly full of double entenders; Little hints at what is to come and what has happened, mixed with visual metaphors as well.
Seeing Alisant in green at a wedding is an obvious, defiant act that foreshadows the great consequences of Rainera's marriage. I wouldn't be surprised if Alicent seduces Kristen Cole, perhaps using her as a tool to wage war and keep his "step-daughter" off the throne.
With Viserys dead, is it out of the realm of possibility that the Grand Masters are behind it? His preoccupation and fuss about the king, giving him the tonic and claiming that he likes leeches, may well be a sign that he is worsening, not bettering, his condition. I'm not entirely familiar with Westerosi lore, but surely they should have given him opium milk to ease his pain?
Either way, the pieces here seem to be moving well towards a strategic checkmate, but it's anyone's guess which side of the conflict will come out on top. One thing we do know is that the wildcard daemon is likely to turn the table upside down, and when that happens, what will happen to the scope?
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