House of the Dragon 2×06 “Smallfolk” continues the upward arc for the show, something that is both a relief and in many ways, a source of great concern. If House of the Dragon can always advance the plot as deftly, can always hone in on characterization as it did in “Regent,” and can deliver the spectacle we got in “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” then why did the show also give us such an incoherent start to the season? Even now, some storytelling threads do not make sense, the tone feels all over the place and some decisions still rankle. But it is harder to give a show the benefit of the doubt when most of it works than when only a few things do, that much is true.
A lot works in House of the Dragon 2×06 “Smallfolk,” from Aemond becoming an even worse ruler than Aegon by virtue of believing in his own hubris to Alicent being stripped of the little power she had, to Mysaria and Rhaenyra’s plan, without forgetting Daemon’s hard-earned peace. And though it’s hard to say that the path to some of these things feels earned, this hour still does a good job of bringing a lot of storytelling threads to a very nice point for the show to finish off Season 2 off with a bang.
MY UNCLE IS A CHALLENGE I WELCOME (IF HE DARES FACE ME)
First, there’s Aemond, who has become more fearsome and way less so by virtue of just …screen time. Ewan Mitchell deserved the chance to play all sides of this character, the fearsome warrior who almost relishes the idea of fighting Daemon, the lost, angry child who just wants revenge on those who bullied him, and even the person who just wants to be loved for who he is, not the name he bears. And he plays them all to perfection.
But the road to this moment has been anything but smooth for Aemond. The show’s storytelling has made him look like a cartoonish villain at times, and a lost little boy at others, and House of the Dragon 2×06 “Smallfolk” is their first attempt at trying to reconcile all of those into one person. Whether they end up being successful at this goal depends on how much they do from here on out. Character work isn’t a one-episode thing, and no matter how good actors are, you cannot leave everything up to them.
Aemond is a better character if he manages to exist in the grey, if he can be evil because he’s damaged, and if we can understand why he does the things he does, even when we don’t agree with them. Let’s just hope House of the Dragon still remembers that in a few episodes.
YOU’RE NOT THE PLAYER, BUT A PIECE ON THE BOARD
Daemon’s endless Harrenhal storyline comes to the obvious conclusion by making Daemon face the demon he needed to face: his brother Viserys. In this respect, though the storyline lasted way too long, and some parts of it — like Daemon suddenly being so obsessed with a throne he never really seemed to want — are contradictory, the emotional truth of the storyline rings true.
For Daemon, it has always been about family. But more than that, it has always been about his brother, and about the mistakes made in that relationship. All his issues with Rhaenyra go back to that. All his self-doubt can be traced back to that, too. So putting that ghost to rest, even metaphorically, is a big step for Daemon, and a big win for Team Black. It might be an even bigger one than the Riverlands — which hey, they will also win!
But overall, what was the point of it other than getting Daemon out of the way? Exactly. And though I appreciate that part for the sake of Rhaenrya’s character arc, I would have preferred if he’d at least been doing something useful with his time, or hey, something that didn’t go against previous characterization.
I AM TIRED OF BEING PROTECTED
The Rhaenyra of House of the Dragon 2×06 “Smallfolk” is a Rhaenyra who is finally ready to be a Queen at war. In many ways, she has been ready to be Queen before, but it’s very different to be a Queen in peacetime than it is to be one in the middle of the war. Because war means hard decisions, and it also, sometimes, means making the choice others don’t think you should make. Because you are the queen.
Before, the lesson had been that she had people she could rely on. Now the lesson is different, however. Rhaenyra sees that. She understands it. But she has also come to realize one thing that the people around her have failed to grasp. Being the Queen doesn’t mean she must be protected at all times. Being the Queen means that, sometimes, she must lead. Sometimes, she must be the first one to face the fire. Even if that means she gets burned.
Is it a good decision? Maybe not, but that’s the type of Queen Rhaenyra has decided she wants to be.
Things I think I think:
- Far be it for me to agree with a Lannister, but marching on Harrenhal with Caraxes there is suicide.
- Alicent’s entire arc of meeting consequences is very satisfactory, I must say.
- I just have one thing to say about Daemon’s hallucinations: we should have just cut to the heart of the problem faster: Viserys.
- Someone hug Rhaena!
- I’ll give it to Mysaria, that was quite a bold and perfect move.
- Okay, but I do wonder what the point of remarking that Daeron is “kind” is.
- Propaganda war is very effective, what can I say?
- Finally, this episode gives us back Larys Strong as an intriguing character. How we needed that.
- “I’m sorry. You needed me. I’m here now.”
- Everyone’s having emotions in this episode!
- Seasmoke is like, “close enough, you’ll do!”
- Okay, far be it for me to say Rhaenyra and Mysaria shouldn’t kiss, but is this kiss adding anything? Like, is it going somewhere or did we just add it to say it happened? I would love for it to not just be a thing we forget and never mention again, just saying.
- Does anyone like a cliffhanger?
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of House of the Dragon 2×06 “Smallfolk”? Share with us in the comments below!
House of the Dragon airs on Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
