House of the Dragon 2×03 “The Burning Mill” is the best episode of the second season so far, even if it gets bogged down by the same sentimentalist that has hindered the season. Fire & Blood was many things, but it was never meant to be a black-and-white story about good and bad characters, if anything, it was meant to be a commentary on how tales are told by the victors, and when there is no victor, truth becomes complicated. Add to that that, Rhaenyra, as a woman, was always going to get the raw deal from any retelling of history, and it feels like House of the Dragon is trying to be kinder to the character to make up for that.
But Rhaneyra’s character isn’t the issue with House of the Dragon in Season 2 beyond the perplexing decision at the end of this hour to go speak with Alicent — a decision no one in their right mind should have allowed the Queen to make. Daemon’s character, on the other hand, continues in the same vein of what “Rhaenyra the Cruel” set up, to be whitewashed into someone who now seemingly drowning in his remorse over killing a child, even though Daemon has never expressed remorse over doing much worse. Then there’s Cole, the only character allowed to be competent while still being petty and ridiculous and therefore, worth hating if you are Team Black.
So let us discuss how things happen and yet, nothing happens in House of the Dragon 2×03 “The Burning Mill”?
the plot moves forward, but do things actually happen?
House of the Dragon 2×03 “The Burning Mill” is an interesting episode in that the plot moves forward — Rhaenyra sends her younger kids to safety, and entrusts Rhaena with what is basically the future of House Targaryen, Daemon “takes” Harrenhal, and Alicent and Rhaneyra come face to face for the first time since the war started, but not much actually happens. It feels like that’s been the main issue with House of the Dragon Season 2 so far, pacing. The story is moving very fast, and at the same time, nothing is actually happening in a character sense.
It’s both baffling and infuriating as a viewer because it feels like the show is only interested in checking a box of the big moment after the big moment. But big moments only become big moments if you take the time to set them up and do the character work. Character deaths don’t hit as hard if we haven’t come to care for the characters, and it seems like House of the Dragon is getting lost in the little moments — or forgetting to give them to anyone but the main four or five characters.
There are moments in this hour that could have served this purpose. But even the goodbyes are rushed, not just for Rhaenyra, but for Jace, Baela, and Rhaena. Corlys and Rhaenys get a brief moment, but it doesn’t feel like enough, because we don’t get to pause in the moment and feel what the characters are feeling. Instead, it’s just a thing that happens, and that’s it. At this rate, there will be a lot of big losses, and many of them will come soon, and we just won’t care. And that’s exactly what the show doesn’t want.
it’s too late
It’s hard to blame Alicent for her declaration at the end of House of the Dragon 2×03 “The Burning Mill.” It is too late. What is she supposed to do now? What did Rhaenys and Rhaenyra expect? They had an entire conversation about the men around Alicent and yet somehow expect her to be able to end the war, even if she indeed wanted to? Would Aegon let her? Would Aemond or Cole? Would her father?
Alicent is too deep to turn back now, and in some ways, so is Rhaenyra. Everyone’s gotta commit now. For Rhaenyra, that means sending dragons. There is no other way. For Alicent, that means …well, that means living with the truth that she caused all of what’s coming, and it was all because of a mistake. This isn’t what Viserys wanted. It never was. The Dance of the Dragons was caused by a Hightower. Ironic, isn’t it?
Things I think I think:
- That battle at the beginning was the definition of ‘give me an excuse’
- We are obviously supposed to think that the dragon eggs Rhaena takes from Dragonstone are her dragon AND the 3 dragon eggs that end up in Daenerys’ possession.
- They made Ulf Baleon’s bastard. Really?!
- Was I the only one whispering “Dracarys” at Baela?
- Well, let this episode be a reminder to everyone that Aegon II was always a bully. People can contain multitudes! I appreciate that, to be honest.
- I’m not exactly sure what this show is doing with Aemond, though. Like, is there a plan? We have seen very little of him that isn’t at the brothel or the Small Council.
- To be honest, I almost missed Otto Hightower.
- “You will die here”? But only technically?
- No one in Game of Thrones history has ever made a decent prophecy, I swear.
- Let us make a pact to stop naming people Aegon, please.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of House of the Dragon 2×03 “The Burning Mill” Share with us in the comments below!
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
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