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After each episode of House of the Dragon, Slate writers come together. They try to answer an important question: Who is the worst person in Westeros? This week, a senior editor named Sam Adams and an associate writer named Nadira Goffe discuss this pressing question.
Nadira Goffe: Full Circle
It’s been an eventful season of House of the Dragon. We started by calling Blood the worst person in Westeros for brutally beheading a baby. Now we’ve reached the end. Over these eight episodes, we’ve seen brothers almost kill each other, strange experiences at Harrenhal, war crimes, and some unexpected kisses. Plus, Rhaenyra recruited some common Targaryen bastards to ride dragons, or get burned alive trying.
This episode was not as exciting as the previous ones this season. It had less action and betrayals.
However, there are still many interesting things to think about. Some storylines finally come together. Daemon manages the troops in the riverlands. Aemond learns what it means to be a ruler.
We now understand why Addam of Hull, Hugh Hammer, and Ulf the White kept appearing. The tense scene between Rhaenyra and Alicent at the end was also notable.
Those new dragonriders are interesting. Ulf’s behavior is annoying now that he can ride a dragon. His behavior is not as bad as Daemon or Aemond’s actions, but it is still irritating. Would you like to express your frustration about how annoying Ulf is?
Sam Adams: Fondness and Frustration
I understand, Nadira. I really like Tom Bennett since his role in Love & Friendship. It took me some time to realize he was playing Ulf, the annoying character with the ability to ride dragons. It’s good that the show finally makes a distinction between these characters, even though it feels a bit late. At least now Ulf is the rude guy to Rhaenyra, not just “Wait, which one is he again?”
- The show has trouble writing characters who are not the main ones.
- We’ve been watching for two seasons, but it’s still hard to tell the different families apart.
- This week’s episode did introduce a new character, Admiral Lohar, in a memorable way.
- Lohar challenged Tyland Lannister to a mud-wrestling match and playfully asked if he would be kind enough to entertain her wives. 5. I hope we see more of Lohar in the show.
House of the Dragon is spreading a thin amount of material over an unknown number of seasons. Season 2 ends with another promise of impending action rather than delivering it. Surprisingly, for a show about skulduggery, people are generally behaving themselves. Daemon, who’s been close to betraying his niece-wife, has a sudden change of heart thanks to a vision, pledging publicly to Rhaenyra, making her side suddenly more formidable with a few more dragons.
Worst Person in Westeros: The Contenders
Nadira Goffe:
- . Nadira Goffe praises Lohar, a feminist leader from the Free Cities.
- Nadira is satisfied to see a Lannister family member being defeated.
- Daemon finally supports his wife’s rise to power, which is the right thing to do.
- However, Nadira questions why it took Daemon six episodes to support his wife.
Sam Adams:
- Sam Adams agrees with Nadira.
- Aemond keeps doing terrible things, like burning down a village
- The burning of the village happens off-screen, which makes it less impactful.
- Aemond’s bullying of Helaena is upsetting.
- They should look at some other contenders first.
- Jacaerys is sulking in his castle.
- Lord Corlys gets a “Deadbeat Dad of the Year” mug from his son.
- Larys tries to convince Aegon to run away, which is cowardly.
A Battle of the Queens
Alyn of Hull reading the riot act to his dad, Corlys, is poignant. Alyn has lived in poverty while Corlys’ acknowledged children lived comfortably. Now Corlys wants to be a dad? Not so fast.
This episode wasn’t great for immediate family dynamics. Aemond threatens his sister-in-law, his brother flees, and Alicent might have imprisoned her father, Otto. Alicent also tries to persuade Helaena to flee but quickly shifts to suing for peace with Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra demands Aegon’s head for peace, which is tricky. She rationalizes that it will prevent more deaths, a common justification for mass murderers. Is it Alicent or Rhaenyra who claims the Worst Person in Westeros title for this episode and the season?
The Verdict
Nadira Goffe believes the worst part of this event is not the worst part of the whole season. Rhaenyra rejects a peace offer that she had suggested earlier. At first, Alicent did not consider surrendering. Now, faced with real damage, Alicent’s position has changed. If the Greens could still win, would Alicent offer peace?
Rhaenyra knows that refusing the deal will lead to war and many deaths. She demands that Aegon be killed, knowing that this will cause a lot of bloodshed. This makes her the most problematic character in this episode, even though we understand her reasons. Rhaenyra, who was supposed to be the queen, is the last survivor of the Westerosi characters this season. May she rule forever.
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