It was probably too much to hope that the battles of “
We open with the most heartbroken character of the lot, Corlys Velaryon (Steven Toussaint), who has lost his wife Rhaenys. Did he spend years of their marriage at sea? Yes. Was he 100% faithful? No. But does that mean he didn’t care? Also no. His granddaughter Baela (Bethany Antonia) suggests later that Corlys only sailed his many voyages and brought back so much plunder to impress his wife, and he does not demur. He’s clearly pondering death now, after the loss of his wife and twin children, and offers Baela the chance to be his heir. She says however that she is “blood and fire; Driftmark must pass to salt and sea.” Cute way to nearly mention the name of the source material, Baela – and a decision that leaves the way open to Alyn (Abubakar Salim), who we’re nearly certain is Corlys’ illegitimate son after last episode. Corlys, meanwhile, must decide whether to take the position he’s offered as Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) Hand. He’s the obvious choice, and about her best chance of getting her squabbling council in order.
In fact, squabbling councils are a feature this episode, with Rhaenyra’s lords more-or-less ignoring her to bicker among themselves and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) out-maneuvered among her own side. In both cases, the lords are concerned that a woman can’t be a strong leader in wartime. Rhaenyra even points out that they have all lived their lives in a time of peace, so that the men have no more experience than her, but in private she bemoans her lack of fight training. Still, two capable women are left sidelined and fuming. The show has finally remembered some of the…