The latest episode of House of The Dragon features one of the best sequences in all of Game of Thrones. A funeral and an impromptu wedding bring all of the various factions together. In glorious fashion, political allegiances are forged and startling violence ensues in Driftmark.
The Velaryons, Targaryons and the Hightowers gather together for this solemn event. For the most part, the adults are a bit cold towards each other but cordial. Unfortunately, Daemon, Rhaenyra and Alicent’s children engage in a vicious brawl which will spark the upcoming war. Aemond, Alicent’s younger son, steals Laena’s dragon for a joy ride of sorts. Laena’s daughters and Rhaenyra’s sons confront Aemond leading to a violent clash. The fallout of the fight tears the families apart.
Since this is a family reunion, it gives Rhaenyra an opportunity to reconnect with Daemon. Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy have fantastic chemistry in their first scene opposite one another as Daemon and adult Rhaenyra. In the last episode, I had issues with Rhaenyra’s lack of tact regarding her family. Driftmark does a great job of showcasing Rhaenyra’s skill for scheming and decency.
There are a couple of issues in Driftmark. The beach scene between Daemon and Rhaenyra is poorly lit. You can barely see their bleached white hair. Rhaenyra’s lack of empathy for the death of her lover is strange given the lengths she goes to protect Laenor in the episode’s climax. To be fair, Rhaenyra’s actions aren’t altruistic. Due to the fast pace, the wedding takes place so quickly the moment between Rhaenyra and Daemon doesn’t quite hit the mark
In spite of those issues, the final scenes are full of twists and turns which strengthen Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne.
With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood in Driftmark. There may be some minor spoilers. House of the Dragon is available to stream on HBO Max.
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Funeral at Driftmark is no walk on the beach
The funeral itself is a melancholy affair. In fact, the funeral and reception scenes don’t have much dialogue. The camera mostly follows the kids and Rhaenyra as they navigate around the furtive glances. The only vocal expression is an inappropriate laugh by Daemon. Eventually, Corlys breaks the silence when he tries to motivate his grandson Lucerys.
The reunion allows Daemon and Rhaenyra to reconnect. During a dimly lit walk on the beach, Rhaenyra and Daemon talk about their respective marriages. Rhaenyra reveals she and Laenor tried to have children together, but there was no passion in it. Daemon once again plays his cards close to the vest, he doesn’t talk about his children at all or reveal anything about his feelings for Laena.
Eventually, they circle back to the sexual tension they shared at the brothel when Rhaenyra was still a virgin. Daemon maintains Rhaenyra being a child was the reason he didn’t go through with sleeping with his niece. Rhaenyra counters that she’s no longer a child and they finally consummate on their sexual tension.
Smith and D’Arcy are simply terrific in this scene. The shared chaotic energy between them now works better than the crush Rhaenyra seemed to have.
Kids will be Kids
While Rhaenyra gives into her incestuous desires with her uncle, Aemond is looking for his own sense of fun. Aemond is Alicent’s younger son who was bullied for not being able to sire his dragon. He decides to take the deceased Laena’s dragon for a ride.
Rhaenyra wakes up to find Daemon looking into the distance. Daemon and Rhaenyra appear to hear the dragon. Meanwhile, Baela and Rhaena Targaryen wake up Rhaenyra’s sons. They confront Aemond. Laena’s dragon was supposed to go to Baela. Unfortunately, now the dragon is bonded to Aemond.
A huge, nasty brawl occurs. Aemond hitting the girls was especially troubling early on and it gets worse from there. Aemond brandishes a rock and starts beating up Jacaerys and Lucerys. Jacaerys counters with a knife and cuts out Aemond’s eye.
Ser Harrold Westerling breaks up the fight and brings the boys to the king. Everyone in Driftmark attends. The maiming of Alicent’s son brings out the best in Rhaenyra and the worst in Alicent. Rhaenyra straight up brings the allegations of infidelity father out and into the open. Out of anger, Alicent charges Rhaenyra, but she’s able to block her strike. Rhaenyra, in little more than a whisper but with plenty of menace, tells Alicent that everyone knows who she really is. Alicent withdraws but cuts Rhaenyra’s arm in the process. Rhaenyra doesn’t flinch and blood drips on the floor to end the scene.
Family matrimony with a twist
After the brawl, Laenor has a conversation with Rhaenyra. He wants to recommit himself to their marriage. Rhaenyra seems to appreciate his sentiments. Later, she talks to Daemon and reveals something will have to be done in order for them to be together.
Ser Qarl Correy appears to betray Laenor at Daemon’s behest. Daemon attacks and kills Laenor’s guard. Correy attacks Laenor and appears to throw Laenor’s body into the fire. Corlys and Rhaenys walk into the chamber to find their son’s body burnt to a crisp.
However, it’s all a clever ploy put together by Rhaenyra with Daemon’s help. The final scene reveals a bald Laenor sailing off to parts unknown with Correy. Rhaenyra is setting Laenor free of his family obligations, which allows her to finally marry Daemon.
Rhaenyra and Daemon exchange marriage vows to end the episode. The climax of this episode is sensational. The beginning of the sequence starts with astonishment over Rhaenyra’s descent into darkness. Based on the setup scene, it looks like Rhaenyra orders her own husband’s death. Then the sequence ends with Laenor alive and the only person in this show who has a chance at happiness.
Rhaenyra is playing the game of thrones at the highest of levels now.
Driftmark Final Thoughts
A Funeral, incest, violent children, brilliant scheming and a wedding all take place in Driftmark. The rapid-fire pacing can make it tough at times for individual scenes to breathe. Luckily, the walk on the beach scene does a good job of fleshing out Rhaenyra’s change over the past 10 years.
The biggest issue with the pacing is the wedding between Daemon and Rhaenyra has no time to breathe. Driftmark immediately switches from Daemon exchanging vows with his niece to Laenor’s escape. Even in Westeros, that’s too quick a turnaround from hosting a wake to a wedding.
Luckily, the performances continue to shine throughout and that twist ending is one of the best in all of Game of Thrones.
The Review
Driftmark Review
PROS
- Last week I questioned Emma D'Arcy's performance, that was foolish. D'Arcy is remarkable.
- The brutal fight between kids.
- Incredible twist ending.
- Joy riding with a dragon looks like riding a broomstick in Harry Potter.
CONS
- The pacing takes away from the story at times.
- The lighting in this episode and particularly in the walk on the beach scene was dreadful.
