Following a highly eventful House of the Dragon episode last week, “Regent” deals with the aftermath and drives ahead toward more battles.
Episode: “Regent”
Runtime: 63 minutes
Original Air Date: July 14, 2024
Written by: Ti Mikkel
Directed by: Clare Kilner
Plot (via HBO)
Amid whispers of bad omens, the Greens consider how to fill a void on Aegon’s Council, Jacaerys sets out on a rogue mission to strike a deal, and Daemon enlists Lord Willem Blackwood to help persuade the Brackens to bend the knee.
Best Moment: Baela Targaryen steps up
From Aemond Targaryen taking command on the Greens side to Baela Targaryen and Jacaerys Targaryen stepping up for the Blacks, “Regent” was much about young people emerging as the Dance of Dragons intensifies. With Rhaenys Targaryen gone, Baela is beginning to fill the void of her grandmother as a trusted advisor to Rhaenyra Targaryen. The Queen sent her niece to bring the offering of Hand to a very depressed Corlys Velaryon, who appears to have been convinced by his granddaughter to accept the role. Obviously impressed by Baela’s dragon energy, the Sea Snake offered to make her his heir—but Daemon’s confident daughter said she is “blood and fire” and cannot accept.
Best Quote
“There has been peace in our lifetime. You’ve seen no more battles than I have.” – Queen Rhaenyra to Ser Alfred Broome
Notable Character Deaths
-House Bracken members
MVP: Jacaerys Velaryon
After already getting men from House Stark for his mother’s cause in the first episode of the season, Jace pulled off an even more unlikely move by getting House Frey to come to their side. The young prince is proving to be a very capable leader and negotiator despite a lack of experience. House Frey was promised Harrenhal if they win the war, so we’ll see how that goes with Daemon Targaryen currently in control of the massive castle. And to end the episode, Jace suggested to Rhaenyra that they explore finding dragonriders—people with Targaryen blood that mixed with other families and basically faded from the primary line—in a move that can turn the tide of the war. Vermithor (King Jaeharys’ dragon and the second largest behind Vhagar) and Silverwing (Queen Alysanne’s dragon) are both currently unclaimed, and you might remember Daemon looking to claim Vermithor in Season 1.
Everything Else:
-The people of King’s Landing were appalled by the head of Meleys being paraded around the streets. Expecting excited approval from the masses, Criston Cole miscalculated. Instead, there’s talk of bad omens—and it ultimately might hurt Targaryen standing in the long run to show that they and their dragons are not invincible.
-It was as clear as ever in “Regent” that Alicent Hightower thinks her son Aemond is a monster. After the entire Green Council—including Cole—decided that Aemond should rule in King Aegon’s stead, Alicent became angry and despondent. Aemond smoothly slid over to the lead chair on the Council, and he’s set to rule with a heavy hand that includes locking down the city—though he did at least order the hanging ratcatchers finally get taken down. Aemond actually has a plan and is proving much more decisive than his brother was as regent.
-An intuitive Queen Helaena knows something is up and glared at Aemond, who was staring at the Iron Throne, in the Great Hall.
-Daemon still finds himself in a whirlwind at Harrenhal, including an extremely odd hallucination/dream involving his mother Alyssa Targaryen during which she says it’s him that should have been king instead of Viserys. Alys Rivers somehow knew about the vision, and she certainly seems to have something to do with everything that’s been going on in the creepy castle.
Daemon is behaving as if he’s King, and he spoke his intentions plainly to Alys by saying he’s going to take the Iron Throne and Rhaenyra will be free to join him. Also, Daemon is quickly learning that the river lords do things a bit differently and frankly don’t care much that he is Targaryen royalty and has a dragon.
-With Rhaena Targaryen arriving at the Eyrie, we were introduced to Jeyne Arryn—who wants a large dragon to protect the skies, the only potential vulnerability at the Vale.
-Under the guidance of Mysaria, Rhaenyra sent Elinda Massey into King’s Landing on an unknown mission—but it likely has something to do with turning the common people against the Greens. As Mysaria said, “There’s more than one way to fight a war.”
-Aegon survived for now, and his injuries while in Valyrian steel armor are a reminder of just how powerful dragonfire is. A slight call of “mommy” from Aegon after Alicent left his bedchamber makes for an interesting situation. He appears set to regain some strength, and that creates quite the predicament between Aegon and Aemond.