David Bridges
Season one in every of Home of the Dragon was very a lot concerning the contentious relationship between Alicent and Rhaenyra—and in addition the lads who manipulated them to realize energy in Westeros. Misogyny remains to be alive and nicely in season two; it’s one thing each ladies repeatedly encounter regardless of their positions of energy. However within the background, a trio of feminine characters have begun to reveal different methods to make a distinction.
Mysaria
Once we met Mysaria in season one, she was a distinguished determine on the seedier streets of King’s Touchdown, operating a brothel whereas additionally sustaining a spy community beneath her secret identification, “the White Worm.” Her shut affiliation with Daemon helped her succeed, however their relationship soured when she realized how egocentric he was—telling his household she was pregnant together with his little one throughout one in every of his schemes to reclaim his place as King Viserys’ inheritor.
Once they reconnect in season two, there’s zero flicker of heat between them, although he does comply with free her from jail after she provides him with probably the most priceless forex in Westeros: data.
That data results in the entire Blood and Cheese affair. However as Mysaria makes very clear to Rhaenyra—who’s interested in this sensible, cynical, well-connected girl; she’s about the identical age as Rhaenyra, with a completely completely different life expertise to attract on—she has no political allegiances. All she cares about is getting paid, a survival technique that’s helped her create alternatives in a world the place each door has been routinely slammed shut in her face.
We see that begin to shift when interactions between Mysaria and Rhaenyra—who initially bond over their shared annoyance with Daemon—start to melt. After Mysaria helps save Rhaenyra from an assassination try, she explains she’d somewhat have a spot at courtroom somewhat than a financial reward. Whether or not she realizes it or not, Rhaenyra can actually use her assist. Her want for a feminine confidant is extra pressing within the absence of Rhaenys, particularly now that her Small Council is questioning her capability to guide as a result of she’s of “the gentler intercourse.”
In the latest episode, “Regent,” we noticed Mysaria actually step into her function of Mistress of Whispers. She’s the Crew Black equal of Crimson Maintain lurker Lord Larys Robust, however with out all of the manipulative vibes that run via his affect over Crew Inexperienced.
Notably, she helps Rhaenyra’s declare to the Iron Throne as a result of she thinks Rhaenyra shall be kinder to the small folks—Mysaria’s personal folks, those who so typically undergo because of choices made by these in cost. She is aware of that the folks will play an vital function within the Dance of the Dragons, and counsels Rhaenyra to not overlook the significance of swaying public opinion. With King’s Touchdown on edge—persons are ravenous and scared, and Ser Criston Cole’s dead-dragon parade didn’t assist one bit—it’s time to grab the second the way in which the White Worm is aware of greatest: “What you can not do, let others do for you. There may be a couple of technique to struggle a conflict.” When Mysaria offers recommendation, you realize it’s actual discuss.
Baela
Previous to the latest episodes, Home of the Dragon hadn’t turned a lot give attention to Daemon’s daughters together with his late second spouse. However in “Regent,” his oldest, Baela, actually steps up. She’s betrothed to Jace, Rhaenyra’s oldest son; he’s the possible inheritor to the Iron Throne, if the Dance of the Dragons goes Rhaenyra’s manner.
Although we haven’t seen many romantic sparks between them, there’s clearly a shared sense of respect; they’re each dragon riders, in any case. So Baela is the pure selection for Jace to speak to when he decides it’s excessive time he concerned himself within the conflict effort. She suggests possibly not busting in on Daemon at Harrenhal, which might certainly have turned sideways contemplating Daemon’s flagging loyalty to Rhaenyra. And his second-choice journey—to satisfy with the Freys on the Twins—goes even higher than anticipated.
Elsewhere within the episode, we see Baela talking to her grieving grandfather, Lord Corlys, to ask him to place apart his uncooked emotions about Rhaenys’ demise to be Rhaenyra’s Hand of the Queen. His presence is dearly wanted within the Small Council, and as a lot as he’d somewhat sail into the horizon and by no means return, Baela’s plea strikes a chord. Do we now have a grasp negotiator on the rise?
Alys Rivers
Although she’s lately befriended—or regardless of the equal of “frenemy” is, in that context—Daemon, Riverlands bastard Alys Rivers is neither Crew Black nor Crew Inexperienced. Harrenhal, the place she lives and works as a healer, is a spooky place, and Alys appears proper at house flitting round its haunted halls.
She has a sixth sense of kinds—she is aware of what’s in Daemon’s desires, and she or he’s in all probability enjoying a component in all these trippy visions he’s been having—and although he’s referred to as her a witch, her powers could also be much more potent than he realizes. We’ve seen her poke into his most susceptible emotional hotspots; she intuited that he wasn’t at Dragonstone as a result of he had an argument with Rhaenyra, and she or he’s additional dared to recommend he’s now not supporting his spouse’s declare to the Iron Throne.
In “Regent,” we additionally see her name him out for encouraging torture and worse in opposition to ladies and kids, a part of his scheme to pressure Home Bracken’s troopers to affix his military. “This isn’t conflict,” she says. “These are crimes in opposition to the harmless.” Alys is daring. She speaks her thoughts. She is unafraid of Daemon. And she or he has a humorousness! (In spite of everything, she’s not a lady in any respect—she’s a barn owl, compelled to stay in human kind.) Her path forward is murky, however she brings a trickster vitality to Harrenhal’s gloom every time she’s round.
New episodes of Home of the Dragon arrive Sundays on HBO and Max.
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Daniel Mercer
