House of the Dragon S1 Episode 6 Review: “The Princess and the Queen” A Great Story
There are two big stories again in “House of the Dragon,” Episode 6. First, we have the complicated succession chain as Rhaenyra gives birth to yet another illegitimate son. It seems her homosexual husband is not capable of fathering children, so she has an affair. Elsewhere, in the second major story, we have Daemon’s Wife, Laena, giving birth to her third child. In a scene reminiscent of episode 1, the baby is breeched, and she kills herself and the baby by dragonfire, with Daemon looking on.
The new generation of children foreshadows the war of succession that is upcoming. The confusion of King Viserys at his death is already starting to rear its ugly head. We have his chosen heir, with illegitimate children at the same time as his brother suffers a great loss. Did you think that, at this point, there was a war coming?
House of the Dragon Episode 6
In the sixth episode of “House of the Dragon,” there are two main stories. One, Rhaenyra and her illegitimate children have big repercussions. Are they heirs to the throne? She thinks so. Others are not too sure. The second big story is one that only affects this episode. Daemon’s Wife, Laena, has a difficult childbirth and kills herself (and her son) by dragon fire.
Rhaenyra and Her Illegitimate Sons
This episode of “House of the Dragon” begins with Princess Rhaenyra giving birth. She proves she is very tough, trudging up a flight of stairs when summoned by Queen Alicent to see the child. Rhaenyra trudges up and down a flight of stairs, while still bleeding and giving birth to the placenta, to make the meeting.
The subject of her children is very meaningful. They look nothing like a Velaryon, and instead they have dark hair. As they grow older, it becomes more and more clear that they are illegitimate. She thinks they are true heirs to the throne. Others, like Queen Alicent, are not so sure. That, by the way, is likely why she demanded to see the child right after it was born.
Rhaenyra not only believes her sons are legitimate heirs, but she is training them to ride dragons. In another scene of this episode of “House of the Dragon,” we see the toddlers playing with toy dragons while a young actual dragon walks between and around them. Meanwhile, the whispers in the Red Keep continue. Her children are strongly implied to be Harwin Strong’s, not someone who was killed by Ser Criston Cole in the previous episode. Criston Cole killed Joffrey Lonmouth in Episode 5, who was Laenor Velaryon’s lover.
Daemon Suffers an Unspeakable Loss
This story might be the closest we ever get to feeling sorry for Daemon Targaryen. His wife, Laena, who he appears to love, is bearing their third child. She has a difficult childbirth; much like in the first episode of “House of the Dragon,” the baby becomes breech, and she cannot push it out no matter how hard she tries.
She understands what is happening and stumbles outside, with Daemon trailing, and meets her dragon, whom she demands incinerate her and the breech baby. The Dragon does (he is named Vhagar), with Daemon watching. This is the true Targaryen way to die, but it is no easier for Daemon, who becomes as upset as we see him. This is one of the goriest scenes in “House of the Dragon.”
Why did this happen? A maester told Daemon that his wife would die if they cut her to get to the child. There was also no guarantee the child would survive. Laena once told Daemon that she wanted to die a dragonrider’s death and that she was at peace with her life and herself at that point. She certainly did.
Final Thoughts: Illegitimate Heirs
The sixth episode of “House of the Dragon” has one of the main stories about Princess Rhaenyra and her illegitimate children. This story has very long legs. Royals require legitimate male heirs; if not, people in the palace will talk, and the reign of the family line will be challenged. This specific problem causes, in part, a civil war.
Don’t forgot to check out this and other episodes of “House of the Dragon” on HBO Max
