"Smallfolk"[5] is the sixth episode of the second season of House of the Dragon. It is the sixteenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on July 21, 2024 on HBO and Max. It was written by Eileen Shim and directed by Andrij Parekh.
Premise[]
With few options left, Rhaenyra summons a trusted knight for a risky venture and plots with Mysaria to catalyze the smallfolk. Meanwhile, Daemon’s unease grows, and Aemond takes steps to reshape the Green Council.[5]
Synopsis[]
In the Westerlands[]
Lord Jason Lannister and his army arrive at the Golden Tooth, seat of House Lefford which guards the pass through the mountains bordering the Westerlands and the Riverlands. They are met by Lord Humfrey Lefford, who informs Jason he has raised five hundred men of his own. Jason declares he has a thousand knights and seven times as many foot soldiers with him, confident of victory against the Riverlanders. When Humfrey asks if Jason intends to march against Harrenhal, Jason instead instructs his vassal to send a raven to his brother Tyland at King's Landing, informing him that they will remain at the Golden Tooth (much to Lord Humfrey's consternation at having to feed and shelter so many men) until such time as Prince Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar join them.
In King's Landing[]
At a meeting of the Small Council, Aemond, having received Lord Jason's summons, furiously erupts at Tyland Lannister over his twin brother's arrogant audacity to summon him like a servant. Tyland attempts to defend his brother's decision by reminding Aemond of Caraxes's presence at Harrenhal (against whom the Lannister host would be defenseless should Daemon fly out to intercept them), but Aemond angrily orders Tyland to write back commanding Jason to march into the Riverlands, threatening Caraxes will become the least of Jason's problems if he disobeys.
Alicent tries to calm her son down, but Aemond talks over her, instructing Tyland to sail across the Narrow Sea and negotiate with the Triarchy for naval power to break the blockade of the Gullet. The rest of the Small Council are aghast at this; Tyland and Criston Cole protest the dangers of allowing Triarchy military forces, whom they consider little better than pirates, so close to Westerosi waters, but Aemond is adamant, arguing that it will take the fleets of Houses Lannister and Hightower too long to sail around Westeros, whereas the Triarchy's fleets are much closer and would surely relish the opportunity to avenge their previous defeats at Corlys Velaryon's hands. Alicent, reminding Aemond the bloody battles fought in the Stepstones against the Triarchy during his father's reign prove their untrustworthiness, proposes an alliance with the ironborn as an alternative way to gain naval power, but Orwyle admits all his ravens to Dalton Greyjoy have gone unanswered. Jasper Wylde opines that Dalton is biding his time to see whether declaring for the Greens or Blacks will be more advantageous to him, proposing that they offer Alicent's hand in marriage to Dalton to sweeten the deal, but Alicent flatly vetoes any such proposal.
Aemond also orders Criston to muster their forces and march against Harrenhal. Criston protests, arguing that their army is so depleted by the casualties sustained at the Battle at Rook's Rest that if Daemon succeeds in rallying the Riverlords to his banner, Criston can't be sure of defeating him, urging they should wait until House Hightower's armies can arrive to reinforce them. Aemond overrules him, as it will take two weeks to march to Harrenhal and the longer they wait, the greater the risk Daemon will raise an army against them; Aemond assures Criston that once he and Jason have forced Daemon to fight on two fronts, he will fly out with Vhagar to join them and put an end to Daemon.
As the meeting adjourns, Aemond requests Alicent wait a moment. As she begins rebuking him for his brash conduct, Aemond talks over her again, asking what her actual position on the Small Council is. Alicent reminds him she ruled in his father's stead while Viserys's health declined, and has counselled Aegon, but Aemond insists that his father is dead, his brother is likely soon to be dead, and he has no further use of her, and removes her from the Small Council. Alicent insists she is needed on the council to provide a tempering voice, but Aemond scoffs he has too many of those already, snidely remarking Alicent should be happy she's free to return to more "domestic pursuits". Shaken by her son's newfound hostility towards her, Alicent cups Aemond's cheek, asking if he hasn't by now avenged the indignities of his childhood (Aegon's bullying, the loss of his eye to Lucerys), but Aemond pulls away from his mother, dismissively thanks her for her service to the Crown and leaves.
In Flea Bottom, as food shortages in King's Landing worsen due to the blockade, Sylvi and Dyana, at Mysaria's behest, inform the patrons of a tavern, including Ulf, that Aemond and the nobles are feasting in the Red Keep while the commoners starve. The next day, Ulf heckles a troop of Hightower guardsmen escorting a wagon full of sheep to the Dragonpit, complaining the dragons there are kept well fed while the people are going hungry.
At another session of the Small Council, Aemond complains to Jasper Wylde and Larys Strong (the only other attendees) as to why the smallfolk are blaming him for food shortages when Rhaenyra ordered the blockade. Larys points out the smallfolk expect him to ensure their safety and suggests that Aemond name a new Hand of the King, in place of Criston, to aid him. Aemond scornfully mocks Larys for thinking he would ever name Larys to the position, ordering him to summon Ser Otto Hightower back to the capital to resume his old office. The meeting is interrupted by Orwyle, who informs them that Aegon has regained conciousness. Aemond adjourns the meeting and goes to Aegon's chambers, interrogating his brother by applying pressure to his wounds; Aegon insists he remembers nothing of Rook's Rest, and Aemond withdraws when Orwyle comes to treat Aegon.
Alicent later comes and sits at her son's bedside. When Orwyle arrives to treat Aegon again, he assures Alicent that while Aegon sleeps nine of every ten hours, he did open his eyes and speak, offering hope Aegon will recover, though he remains silent when Alicent asks what quality of life her son will have even if he survives. Alicent asks what has come of her letters to her father; Orwyle confirms he sent letters to Oldtown and Highgarden to summon Otto Hightower, but he has not responded. Orwyle also informs Alicent that war has broken out in the Reach, as House Beesbury have risen in revolt over Lord Lyman's murder.
Alicent leaves her son's bedside and goes down to the Red Keep's yard, where Criston and his troops are preparing to leave. Before she can approach Criston, she is intercepted by her brother, whom she quickly pretends was the object of her visit. Alicent asks Gwayne if he's heard from their father; Gwayne replies no, remarking that Otto would be more likely to contact her than him. Alicent then asks Gwayne what Daeron, her youngest son by Viserys who is a ward in Oldtown, is like as a person, admitting when Gwayne asks that Daeron writes few letters to her these days. Gwayne assures Alicent his nephew is a kind, decent young man, much to her relief that he has not developed the same flaws as his brothers. Gwayne proposes that Aegon and Aemond's flaws have more to do with the hostile environment within the Red Keep than any failure on her part as a mother. Gwayne then mounts his horse and departs with Criston, who shares a glance with Alicent before leaving. Alicent later goes to Helaena's room and proposes they visit the Grand Sept to pray for Aegon and themselves. Concurrently, Larys visits Aegon and warns him that Aemond means to kill him, causing Aegon to beg Larys for help.
In the dead of night, boats bearing Rhaenyra's banner and laden with foodstuffs wash ashore, prompting riots as the starving smallfolk fight over the supplies. The riots swiftly spread through the city, even as far as the Grand Sept, where Ser Rickard Thorne ushers Alicent and Helaena from the sept as an angry crowd pelts them with insults and rotting fish, shouting support for Rhaenyra. When an old man grabs Alicent, Martyn Reyne hacks off his arm, and the outraged crowd turns violent, attacking the royal escort. Leon Estermont is dragged down and beaten to death by the enraged mob, while Rickard bundles Alicent and Helaena into a waiting wheelhouse which he orders to stop for nothing until they reach the Red Keep.
At Harrenhal[]
Daemon continues to suffer nightmares as he remains at Harrenhal; he walks into Harrenhal's great hall, only to find it has become the throne room of the Red Keep, with his late brother Viserys sitting upon the Iron Throne. As Daemon approaches the throne, Viserys angrily confronts him over his quip about "the Heir for a Day", following the death of his nephew Baelon. In contrast to his previous arrogance on the matter, Daemon is horrified and guilt-stricken as Viserys castigates him and banishes him back to Runestone, to the point he tries to flee in panic, pounding on the throne room doors begging to be let out. Ser Simon Strong opens the hall doors, ending the nightmare, but Daemon seizes him at bladepoint in his confusion, accusing Simon of poisoning him either at the behest of his nephew, Lord Larys Strong or Rhaenyra, dismissing Simon's protestations of innocence.
Having had enough of Harrenhal's influence on his mind and the hostility of the Riverlords, Daemon makes for the castle's godswood, where Caraxes awaits him. Before he can mount his dragon however, Alys Rivers intercepts Daemon, mocking a furious Daemon for yet again running from his problems when things don't go his way, insisting that he is ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Daemon rages that Rhaenyra never even wanted the crown, to which Alys counters that perhaps that was why Viserys named her his heir, reminding Daemon that his brother never wanted to be king either but did the best he could with it, insisting rulership is not a prize to be won but a burden to bear.
Frustrated and at his wit's end, Daemon asks Alys if she has any counsel on how to win over the Riverlords. Alys replies that the only thing that keeps the stubborn Riverlords from tearing each other apart is their loyalty to House Tully. Daemon insists that so long as the infirm Lord Grover Tully remains Lord Paramount of the Trident, he has no hope of winning over the Riverlords, but Alys bids him wait three days, implying circumstances may change within that time.
A few nights later, Daemon finds himself in another vision, this time of an inconsolable Viserys weeping beside the body of his late wife and queen, Aemma Arryn, prepared for her funeral by the Silent Sisters. Realizing now what he should have done at that moment in the past, Daemon cradles his sobbing brother as they grieve for Aemma. Daemon is abruptly woken from the dream by Simon Strong, who informs him Grover Tully has died in his sleep at Riverrun and been succeeded by his grandson Oscar. Daemon asks about the manner of Grover's death, to which Simon succumbed to his age, despite the best efforts of Riverrun's maester and Alys, who traveled there herself to offer her healing services. Realizing what Alys has done, once Simon has left, Daemon breaks down sobbing in relief at both his change in fortunes and freedom from his guilt over his past regrets with his brother.
On Dragonstone[]
On Driftmark[]
In the Vale[]
Rhaena finds patches of blackened ground littered with the skeletal carcasses of sheep, evidence of a hunting dragon. When Rhaena confronts Jeyne Arryn on the matter, Jeyne admits to the dragon's presence but insists it is feral. She also informs Rhaena that Prince Reggio Haratis has agreed to shelter her and her step-brothers in Pentos until the war is over.
Appearances[]
- Main page: Smallfolk (episode)/Appearances
Firsts[]
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Deaths[]
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Cast[]
Notes[]
- 22 of 25 starring cast members appear in this episode.
- Starring cast members Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower), Bethany Antonia (Baela Targaryen), and Tom Taylor (Cregan Stark) are not credited and do not appear in this episode.
- Simon Russell Beale is credited without the honorific "Sir," unlike in previous episodes.
- Tom Bennett is credited below Kieran Bew and Ellora Torchia. In "Rhaenyra the Cruel," he is credited first.
- Siân Brooke was first credited in "The Heirs of the Dragon" as "Sian Brooke," without the caret.
- Despite appearing in two scenes and having speaking lines in this episode, and previously being part of the main cast, Paddy Considine is entirely uncredited.
- Pete Ford, Martin Gordon, Richard Hansen, Rob Hayns, Rowley Irlam, and Ben Wright were stunt performers in this episode.
Behind the scenes[]
- This episode features six different locations (King's Landing, Dragonstone, Driftmark, Harrenhal, Golden Tooth, and the Eyrie), thus equaling the series-high for number of different locations set by the preceding episode, which also featured six locations.
- It is implied that the role of the book character Nettles will be filled by Rhaena Targaryen.
- It is the fourth episode in a row that Daemon dreams about his kin. The cause is still unclear; Daemon suspects someone poisoned his food or wine (two episodes ago Alys Rivers gave him a drink).
- It is implied that Alys Rivers "helped" Lord Grover Tully die.
- The riot in King's Landing, which did not occur in the book, has some resemblance with a riot which would occur many years later:
- It occurs at the same place
- The angry mob attacks royalty
- The commoners are driven to violence by hunger
- A guard cuts off a rioter's hand; in the book, Sansa said that the Hound had cut off the arm of a man who tried to pull her from the saddle[7]
- Among the casualties there is a Kingsguard; in the book, Ser Preston Greenfield was killed during the riot.
- Jaime suspects that Varys, Master of Whisperers (which is Mysaria's office in Fire & Blood) arranged the riot, though the reason is unclear - maybe for kidnapping Tyrek Lannister.[8]
- In Daemon's dream, his brother chides him for mockingly referring to Baelon as the "Heir for a Day" ("The Heirs of the Dragon").
- Larys Strong stops a servant from giving Aegon a painkiller (presumably milk of the poppy), because he needs Aegon's mind to be clear enough to perceive his words. In the novels, Doran Martell uses milk of the poppy regularly to dull his pains, but he does not take it on occasions when he needs his head clear, in which he bears the pain silently.[9]
- In the opening scene, during the march of the Lannister troops to the Golden Tooth, the music of The Rains of Castamere is played in the background.
In the books[]
This episode is adapted from the chapter "The Dying of the Dragons — The Red Dragon and the Gold" from Fire & Blood. It is also influenced by the following chapter of A Clash of Kings:
- Chapter 41, Tyrion IX: Riots break out in King's Landing as a result of lack of food; rioters attack royalty; a Kingsguard cuts off a rioter's arm; a Kingsguard is killed.
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Images[]
Stills[]
Screenshots[]
References[]
- ↑ HOUSE OF THE DRAGON (HBO). The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 House of the Dragon: Season 2, Episode 6: "Smallfolk" (2024).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 House of the Dragon. HBO. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 House of the Dragon: Season 2. HBO. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Smallfolk. HBO. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/HouseOfTheDragon/comments/1ec27vt/i_was_an_extra_in_season_2_i_was_a_servant_in/
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX (1998).
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III (2005).
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 38, The Watcher (2011).
Notes[]
- ↑ In "A Son for a Son," Daemon Targaryen and Otto Hightower mention that days have passed since Viserys Targaryen and Lucerys Velaryon's deaths. Unlike the first season, no major time jumps are expected; therefore, House of the Dragon: Season 2 takes place in 132 AC.
External links[]
