'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 5: Why choosing unpredictable Prince Regent could spell end to Greens's rule
Contains spoilers and speculation for 'House of the Dragon'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 5 aired on HBO on July 14, 2024. The episode followed an epic high-octane Battle at Rook's Rest that left King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) incapacitated and Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) dead.
With Aegon unfit to rule for the foreseeable future, the Greens council had a task on their hand to decide who would rule in his absence. Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) stakes her claim having ruled in the absence of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine) when he was battling his illness.
The Green Council however decides to go with Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) to the despair of Alicent who thinks that Aemond is young. Even her most trusted advisors betray her and choose Aemond.
Why did Larys Strong and Criston Cole choose Aemond over Alicent?
Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) is among the closest allies of Alicent Hightower and has been with her throughout her journey as the Queen. But when it came to choosing the Regent ruler, he decided to choose Aemond. Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel) who is romantically involved with Alicent and is her sworn sword also decides to choose Aemond over her,
The reason for their choice is the patriarchal nature of this world where accepting a woman ruler isn't something that the Lords are used to. Criston Cole gives his reasoning and talks about keeping Alicent out of the destruction that is to follow. The reasoning seems to be more of an excuse rather than concern for Alicent.
With Alicent making the decisions, peace was a chance as Rhaenyra and Alicent could have worked out a way to avoid the war that would probably kill thousands of people on the battlefield and have long-lasting repercussions for the smallfolk too.
Aemond's actions cost the Greens in 'Fire and Blood'
Aemond might be a better tactician and warrior than his brother but he certainly lacks the experience required to win a war on the battlefield. He fails as a strategist as per 'Fire and Blood' when Aemond and Criston Cole march to Harrenhall to take the Riverlands from Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
Once Aemond leaves Harrenhall, he leaves King's Landing exposed and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) with her dragons and army takes over the throne with ease.
If Alicent had been the Queen Regent, she would not have left the Throne exposed. She had always been an advocate of keeping Vhagar in the city to keep the Blacks away.
In the book, Aemond and Daemon ultimately kill each other in Harrenhall in the Battle above the Gods Eye and also end up killing their dragons Vhagar and Caraxes.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 premiered on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024, with new episodes dropping every Sunday. To watch the series, you will need a Max Subscription.
The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.
The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99 annually.
Meanwhile, the third package, titled Ultimate Ad-Free, costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 trailer
Episodes 1-5 of 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 are streaming on HBO.