'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 5: Why parading slain dragon could bring bad luck to Greens
Contains spoilers and speculations for 'House of the Dragon' Season 2
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 5 aired on HBO on Sunday, July 14, 2024. The gripping episode follows the aftermath of a fierce Battle at Rook's Rest, which saw the Greens emerge victorious.
However, the victory came at a grave price, possibly leaving King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) with a devastating and potentially irreparable injury.
The biggest casualty of the war occurred on the Blacks' side, with the fierce Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) falling in battle. Alongside her, the dragon Meleys was also killed by Vhagar.
As Episode 5 began, Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel) paraded the dead dragon on the streets of King's Landing, provoking outrage among the city's smallfolk.
Here's why the action was condemned and what it could mean for the Greens in the future.
Parading Meleys could bring bad luck to the Greens
Meleys, known as the Red Queen, has served the Targaryens across generations in numerous battles. The dragon was well-known among the smallfolk of King's Landing.
Dragons are revered as akin to gods by the smallfolk, who have worshipped them for generations due to their supernatural abilities and unwavering service to the Targaryens.
The respect of Targaryens hinges on their dragons; without them, they would be no more esteemed than any other noble house.
When a dragon dies, it is traditionally honored by preserving its skull in the Red Keep. The smallfolk view the disrespectful parade of Meleys after her death as a grave offense that could invite bad omens.
Criston Cole (played by Fabian Frankel) views the Battle at Rook's Rest as a triumph worthy of boasting, but his decision has backfired, exacerbating the already strained relationship between rulers and the smallfolk.
The angry small folk of King's Landing could lead to the downfall of Greens
The parading of Meleys has intensified the smallfolk's resentment in King's Landing, already burdened by dwindling resources.
This is evident in the plight of Hugh the Hammer's family (Kieran Bew), who have been struggling without pay for a prolonged period.
Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) was determined to garner support from the smallfolk, which motivated him to organize the parade, aiming to evoke sympathy for Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) following the death of her son, Jaehaerys Targaryen.
As someone seasoned in politics, Otto understands the importance of winning over the people of King's Landing.
However, the Greens now are increasingly losing support, exacerbated by Aegon II Targaryen's (Tom Glynn-Carney) actions, first by executing the rat-catchers, and now, parading the dead dragon.
Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), who took over as the Regent decided to close the gates of King's Landing leaving the small folk without resources. This decision is likely to stoke anger and could lead to a public rebellion.
In 'Fire and Blood' by George RR Martin, Hugh leaves King's Landing to join the Blacks as one of the dragon seeds destined to ride Vermithor, one of the largest dragons in the Seven Kingdoms.
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.