HOTD episode 5 is like that perfect interval of a film where the precedence is set while you eagerly wait for the rest

House of the Dragon, HOTD episode 5 has a red wedding too where blood, love, and freedom are sacrificed at the cost of the politics of the Iron Throne.

House of the Dragon in just under five episodes has gone from redeeming the massacre of GoT to becoming a full-fledged show of its own. Its strength to stand on its own ground and not let its extended brand name tarnish it is in itself quite a feat to achieve. People have grown to love these new characters, especially Matt Smith (Prince Daemon), watch the dance of the dragons, and draw parallels with GoT where they see one. In HOTD episode 5, a political marriage of Princess Rhaenyra takes precedence that turns into a red wedding as bloodshed ensues in the midst of a celebration while everyone is still busy placing their webs of deceit, lies, and politics for the Iron Throne at the cost of love, friendship, and emotions. (spoilers ahead)

After her rendezvous with Prince Daemon and Kingsguard, Ser Criston Cole, Princess Rhaenyra has to settle for marriage with Laenor Velaryon, son of Corlys and Rhaenys Velaryon. And even though Laenor is gay and has someone in his life, along with Rhaenyra, both of them decide to enter into a marriage for the sake of their duties towards the throne and their fathers while finding pleasure outside of the marriage. But this proposal has broken Ser Criston Cole who also puts forth his own proposal of marriage to the princess. And knowing the truth about Rhaenyra's deceit, Queen Alicent wages a war in her own way while Prince Daemon kills his own wife and gets back to Kings Landing. All of this takes place while King Viserys I health deteoriates.

Also Read: House of the Dragon episode 4 is full of sex being a bed of politics

Through each episode, Prince Daemon has become a character that always causes huge havoc yet you eagerly wait for him to do so. This time he has killed his own wife and come to attend Rhaenyra's marriage festivities. On the other front, Otto Hightower, who reminds you of Tyrion Lannister, has been banished from Kings Landing but he doesn't leave without sharing a valuable truth in front of his own daughter - she needs to pick a side. Though it's the rise of Queen Alicent Hightower after finding out about Ser Criston Cole and Rhaenyra that forms an interesting high point of the show (that walk in that green dress).

While you can understand why Rhaenyra is doing what she's doing, it doesn't break your heart any less to see Ser Criston Cole break apart so badly over a sin he has committed. The way the princess behaves with him makes you wonder how much she has turned into the men who don't care about the consequence of their actions and just believe in taking what they think they deserve. While the whole wedding festivities is a grand celebration with politics brewing inside, a brutal bloodshed is not what you are expecting to witness as of yet. The killing reminds you of Oberyn Martell's death in the trial of combat.

Though the dragons breathe fire and fly high in the sky, it's the blood flowing on the ground that makes up for the dance of the dragons in House of the Dragon. The show never leaves a chance for a metaphor, but this episode being a part of the 10-episode series makes up for a perfect intermission to leave you eager about how the story will move forward. The two young ladies of the show, Princess Rhaneyra and Queen Alicent have grown up and will be played by grown-up actors as the child actors leave the show. It'll be interesting to see how people warm up to these actors.

Here's the first look!

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