'House of the Dragon' episode 6: From here to paternity
This recap of House of the Dragon's sixth episode contains spoilers for ... well, for House of the Dragon's sixth episode. That's pretty much what a recap is. Proceed accordingly.
If you're just joining us, here are recaps of episodes one, two, three, four and five.
That wind you felt whooshing past your face as this episode opened is 10 years of story time, in which developments big (a whole new generation of privileged aristocratic jerks have arrived!) and small (Larys is keepin' on creepin' on) have come to pass. Daemon is still smirking his way through life, though he seems to have softened a bit, now that he's a family man, while Rhaenyra and especially Alicent have hardened — or at least, grown more resolved. Distilled, in a way.
Would it have been nice to see that process happen? To spend more time with Rhaenyra and Alicent as they found their new level, had their first kids? Maybe. There's certainly a sense that both of them have shifted from focusing on themselves and their respective stations to worrying about their kids. It makes sense, given how precarious the situations they've put themselves in remain; worry is the price of power. But I can't help feeling we've been denied the chance to see them grow into adults in their own right, instead of solely in relation to the men in their lives.
It's astounding; time is fleeting
Open on: Princess Rhaenyra's bedchamber. She's having her third kid. All boys. First there was Jacaerys (he goes by Jayce). Then there was Lucerys (he goes by Luke). Now comes li'l Joffrey (he goes by Braden). (Kidding! He's Joff. It's just funny how George R.R. Martin's high-fantasy monikers always seem to get turned into names you'd find on a varsity-lacrosse team roster. Welcome, Ser Cody! To arms, Ser Eli! Lord Zeke, hail!)
All three of Rhaenyra's kids have brown hair, which is notable because both Rhaenyra
