House Of The Dragon Episode 5 Recap: Tragic Turn Of Events

Note: Spoilers ahead!

With House Of The Dragon episode 5 premiered, the first season has completed half of its journey. So far, we were witnessing the regular drama in Westerosi land. However, the latest installment has offered more than just plots and schemings. “We Light the Way” not only marks the midway point but also provides the inciting incident leading to the civil war.

Following its ancestor’s legacy, the prequel series has yet again proved that Royal weddings need blood. In the last episode, we witnessed King Viserys I order Rhaenyra to marry Ser Laenor. So today, the whole installment revolved around wedding preparations and the tragic turn of events at the grand celebration.

We’ll be discussing the entire episode below and checking out its consequences. So without any further ado, let’s get started.

House Of The Dragon episode 5: Beginning of a new compromise

The episode opens in Vale, and we finally meet Lady Rhea Royce, wife of Daemon Targaryen. However, the meeting was not long as Daemon murdered her by throwing her off the horse and then used a rock to bludgeon her. Moving on, King Viserys reaches the Iron Islands, where he hopes to wed her daughter to Lord Caroly’s son Ser Laenor.

After heated discussions, all terms and conditions were agreed upon, and the deal was done. Later we see Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor discussing their own arrangements about this marriage cum ‘compromise.’ Moreover, the conflict also reflects on the return voyage when Criston proposes to Rhaenyra to leave together and marry outside the realm.

Princess laughs off the suggestion and tells Cole they can still see each other even if she marries Laenor. Cole is hurt by this decision and considers it a disgrace to his honor.

Investigator Queen Alicent Hightower

Meanwhile, Queen Alicent says goodbye to his father, who is no more the King’s Hand. Upon his farewell, Otto convinces his daughter to stop worrying about Rhaenyra and think about Aegon’s succession. After an emotional goodbye, the Queen meets Ser Larys Strong (son of the King’s new Hand) in the courtyard.

He cunningly signals the Queen about Daemon and Rhaenyra’s taboo relations. The intelligent man asks Alicent about the ‘tea’ that the grand maester served to Princess on King’s orders. Unaware of these facts, Alicent doubts Rhaenyra’s honor and begins her investigation.

Later, Viserys returns to the Red Keep from the Iron Islands. However, his health is degrading rapidly after this journey. The most expensive medicines, new techniques, and most proficient maesters seem to be useless to the mighty King. On the other hand, Alicent confronts Ser Cole about her best friend, but rather than clearing about Daemon. He ends us admitting that he slept with Rhaenyra.

Royal Wedding: The dance of death and doom

Boy, those were some eventful 10 minutes! The last part of today’s episode, i.e., the Royal Wedding, was undoubtedly the most enticing moment. The event was full of entertainment, from the seating arrangement to the horrific killings.

The wedding sees Daemon’s return after his last encounter with the King. After his dramatic entrance, the King starts his speech, but the ‘Queen’ interrupts him with her entrance. The entire party was astonished to see Alicent’s outfit as she wore a green dress, a sign of war. After the chaotic drama, the royal dance begins, and the new couple performs a traditional waltz thing.

As their dance finished, everyone joined them, and hence the new drama began. Daemon enters the stage, and on the other hand, Laenor’s boyfriend meets Cole. Our brave knight doesn’t let anyone dishonor the princess. When Daemon begins to aggressively touch Rhaenyra, Cole moves in to stop it.

Both are pushed aside, but Ser Cole starts beating Laenor’s boyfriend to death. Soon the chaos settles down, and everyone leaves the party. The new alliance begins with bloodshed, and both the heirs get married. However, the King collapsed in the end, leaving us with many questions.

House Of The Dragon episode 6: What will happen next?

The next episode is set to bring wrath and complete destruction to the Red Keep. With Visrey almost on the verge of death, we can expect new challengers to the Iron throne. Moreover, Ser Cole might have to face the consequences of his doings at the wedding. However, on the bright side, now the Targaryen house is more powerful than ever.

Furthermore, from the next episode, we can expect Emma D’Arcy to join the series. Subsequently, we’ll leave many new faces joining the war. Speaking of the spicey wedding, check how Twitter reacts to this event over here.

That’s all we have for this article. What are your expectations from the next episode? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.