“He’s going to fight, just like Daemon,” Aemond’s regent ambitions revealed by House of the Dragon director Andrij Parekh

House of the Dragon season 2 is finally in all its glory. The sixth episode titled “Small Folk,” has delved deeper into the far-reaching consequences of war, especially on the common masses of King’s Landing. One major difference between Prince Regent Aemond and Black Queen Rhaenyra is in their understanding of how the small folk are elemental in winning a war.

Without their support, it will be an uphill battle for the armies and councils to prevail. As Mysaria rightly points out, there cannot be a successful battle outside when there is a lack of peace at home. Aemond does not seem to understand that as his actions only seem to further anger the masses.

Also Read: New stills suggest Aemond Targaryen has taken over a new role in House of the Dragon Season 2

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Andrij Parekh claims Aemond is an interesting character

Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

Director of House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6 Andrij Parekh opens up about each character and their motivations in the latest episode. To start with, he finds Aemond to be an intriguing character despite his impulsive actions and flaws. He says,

“I find Aemond to be one of the most interesting characters. He’s driven by a very cold rationality. Aegon makes choices out of fear or anger, whereas Aemond’s revenge will always be served cold.”

It’s not surprising how Aemond welcomes a challenge, especially from Daemon, the man he looks up to most. Their twisted relationship has added a more nuanced layer to the entire war. To this, Parekh adds, “In a state of war, he’s going to fight, just like Daemon.”

Neither Daemon nor Aemond are going to back down from a challenge, so when they come face to face, it’s going to be an epic face-off.

Ryan Condal further agrees and sheds light on their dynamic in the show, “I think he grew up in Daemon’s shadow and hearing about the mystique of him. Aemond has spun Daemon up into being this rival of his and also somebody that he wants to emulate, and then probably kill one day.”

Also Read: Biggest moments from House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5: Regent

Rhaenyra democratizes dragon-riding

Credits: Max

Even though Jacerys suggested it, we all know how desperate Rhaenyra is to get any muscle in the war as she can. Her council doesn’t fully trust her, her own children doubt her and her husband is off to an unknown land. The only person by her side is Mysaria who fills the hole of a female empathetic voice that can guide Rhaenyra with understanding and love.

Condal says, “I think it’s an act out of desperation of Rhaenyra’s because she realizes she’s never going to have the ground army. She doesn’t know how Daemon is going to break. And even if the Riverlanders do go her way, they’re still weeks away by March. She takes another one of these pretty outlandish, but understandable risks in trying to put Steffon Darklyn on a dragon.”

Parekh further explains how this act is maligning the Targaryen name. The dynasty is considered godly precisely for their dragon-riding abilities since the masses see the dragons as gods. Now, if anyone with a bit of Targaryen bloodline connection can ride the dragons, then what becomes of their superior stature in society?

Also Read: Rhaena discovers Sheepstealer’s existence in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6

Aegon is in grave danger

Credit: Max

With Aegon II finally recovering and recuperating, Aemond feels threatened as he is not ready to give up his power so soon. He has finally tasted the sweet elixir of dominance where he can command councils and warriors based on his strategy. However, if Aegon II recovers soon, everything will be pulled out from beneath Aemond.

Tom Glynn Carney shares, “Aegon is in grave danger, now Aemond’s, you know, prowling around the castle. He’s always had these suspicions of Aemond, but never really taken them too seriously.”

Aegon II is probably regretting all the times he made fun of Aemond or bullied him for not having a dragon. Now, the younger brother has the upper hand and he plans on sustaining it for as long as he can.

Restless streets of King’s Landing

Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO

With no proper food or resources from the Royalty, the small folk are forced to rebel and blame the royals for their inadequacy. The small folk understands power struggles and wars, but they cannot and will not tolerate hunger. It all comes crashing down as they see sheep being taken into the castle, possibly for their dragons. In the meantime, the common people of King’s Landing die of hunger and poverty.

Showrunner Condal wanted to give a deeper insight into this aspect as many rulers often fail to take them into consideration. The masses are instrumental in winning a war as they maintain peace at home. He added,

“It’s getting pretty restless in the streets of King’s Landing, and I think all the sympathy that they gained after Jaehaerys’ death, a lot of that has been spent. And you have people who are scared and sick and hungry. And when the masses get restless, they point at the person in the highest levels of power, and they blame them.”

With Mysaria’s acute understanding of the situation, Rhaenyra is able to capitalize on this emotion and sends boats full of food and grain to King’s Landing. Thus, the masses rejoice and even carry the Black banners all through King’s Landing.

Actress Sonoya Mizuno further claims, “She knows what makes them tick. She’s one of them. And not just how to win their hearts, but actually what they really need.”

Alicent and Halaena get attacked at Flea Bottom

Credits: Ollie Upton/HBO

When the masses finally see the faces of the ruling family in the streets, they cannot control their anger. With fish and other garbage, they attack Alicent and Halaena to take revenge for their poor treatment. The common folk don’t understand the tactics of war or that Rhaenyra’s allies blocked the passage for food. They understand what they see and right now, the Greens are their enemies. Talking about the attack and Alicent’s mindset, Condal says,

“Alicent goes through this whole experience in this episode of having all these layers of her family slowly stripped away from her. Her father has gone missing, and her son might not survive his wounds. Cole is off on the march, Aemond is a monster, and she goes to the Sept to find comfort. And even that is not a sanctuary for her.”

The latest episode was elemental in covering the basic aspects of war as it continues to crush the small folk of King’s Landing. The petulant struggle for power continues when the masses only want someone to take care of them. As the Blacks and Greens collide, they forget what it means to be King or Queen and overlook the common people completely.

Also Read: “I find it really difficult,” Ewan Mitchell on watching himself in House of the Dragon Season 2

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09/07/2024 10:57 pm GMT