House of the Dragon vs Rings of Power: Episode 5 (Who won the week?)

With “Partings” from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and “We Light The Way” from House of the Dragon, fantasy fans find themselves with an embarrassment of riches. Though different in their sensibilities and scope, both shows are maturing into something special.

The Rings of Power took a bit of a stumble with Episode 4, losing some of the narrative drive established in Episode 3. House of the Dragon’s fourth episode was a polished installment focused on relationships and the struggle of young royal women in a patriarchal society. Both shows needed to up the ante for Episode 5.

House of the Dragon, Episode 5: “We Light the Way”

We open with Daemon Targaryen at his worst, murdering his wife Rhea Royce in order to improve his political situation. It gives “We Light the Way” an unpleasant shocker to get things started. The episode to follow uncoils like a beautiful golden snake.

The plot gets rolling on Alicent’s estrangement from Rheanyra as the always conniving, pro-Aegon Otto undermines her faith in her former best friend’s goodness and mercy. Alicent learns of Rheanyra’s lie about her night out with Daemon from Larys Strong. Though away from the city, it’s possible Otto has agents working for him at King’s Landing.

As King Viserys, Rheanyra, Criston Cole and Ser Lyonel Strong travel to Driftmark to negotiate Rhaenyra’s union with Laenor Velaryon, the King’s obvious illness begins to really wear on him. The issue of his succession now looms larger than ever, and the politically astute Rhaenys Targaryen sees the coming conflict clearly, even if her husband does not.

Rheanyra may tell some lies, but she has done nothing thus far to cause Alicent to fear for her children. Rheanyra’s busy with preparing herself to be queen, working out a deal with her betrothed Laenor that allows both of them to choose lovers freely; unfortunately for her, the surprisingly idealistic and romantic Criston Cole cannot accept the future she’s planned for them.

Later, Alicent questions Criston and stumbles across Rhaenyra’s lie of omission in the process; she keeps her cool and overlooks Cole’s transgression. The King is dying, and she may be Aegon’s only hope for survival. She will need allies like Criston on her side. Alicent announces her intention to advance her own interests by wearing a green dress to Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding feast.

The wedding feast is a magnificent sequence, from the muted, golden tones to how it advances nearly every storyline. Rarely in the history of television have there been so many loaded glances in one sequence.

As the wedding proceeds, director Clare Kilner shows birds being cut and ripped apart, a not-so-subtle way to foreshadow what’s about to happen to the Targaryen dynasty. (Adding the blood-drinking rat may have laid things on a bit thick, but why not?) Cole’s shocking murder of Laenor’s lover Joffrey Lonmouth explodes the facade of propriety that Viserys had been hoping for, though Alicent saves him from his dishonored suicide. Capping it all off, the King drops like a stone at his daughter’s wedding.

“We Light the Way” is another textured and intense installment of House of the Dragon. The power dynamics shift as characters realize they may well have to take sides in the conflicts to come.

We give a fond farewell to actors Milly Alcock and Emily Carey, who played the young Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower with such power and grace.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Episode 5: “Partings”

“Partings” opens with a song as we watch the harfoots migrate over Middle-earth. Is Nori right about the Stranger? Is he a good soul? His defense of the Harfoot girls against the vicious forest creatures is a plus, but freezing Nori’s hand alongside his makes her uncertain (plus the music associated with him is overtly ominous).

In Númenor, political and familial tensions bubble over. The angry Captain Elendil refuses the wayward Isuldur’s appeal to join his regiment. Although Queen Regent Miriel supports Galadriel, her cousin Pharazon harbors his own dreams of men ruling Elves, and her befuddled father prophesizes “darkness.”

Galadriel’s attempt to persuade Halbrand to join the Numenorean expedition to the Southlands doesn’t go well; even her nicely staged and exhilarating swordplay (centuries of experience has its advantages) with Elendil’s cadets still does not convince him. Later, in an intense scene where both characters admit their greatest mistakes to each other, Galadriel finally persuades Halbrand to join the party.

Dinner is underway in Linden, where High King Gil-galad and Elrond host Durin, but probing questions and veiled answers make the gathering tense. Even Gil-galad and Elrond suspect each other of telling untruths. Gil-galad shows Elrond that the light of the Eldar is fading, and the Dwarf secret Elrond has sworn to keep may actually seal the fate of his people.

Realizing he’s been used by both Gil-galad and Lord Celebrimbor, Elrond must forgo his oath if he wants to protect the Elf race. His admission of deception to Durin, who surprisingly stows his ego and suspicion in the name of friendship, results in a potential alliance between Dwarf and Elf.

Bronwyn and Arondir attempt to rally the people assembled in the watchtower to its defense against Adar, but many decide that bowing to the new dark lord is a better choice. Theo reveals his broken sword and Bronwyn painfully decides that submission to Adar is her people’s only chance for survival, though Arondir disagrees. Yet Adar and his orc army are already marching on their position.

“Partings” returns to the engaging narrative flow that buoyed Episode 3 so effectively, in fact, it’s even more dramatic. Personal dilemmas strike the characters left, right and center, driving the plot forward and ending with the magnificent launch of Galadriel’s Numenorean expedition to Middle-earth.

Who won the week?

Both “We Light the Way” and “Partings” are superb installments in their respective series. The true winner is every fan of both shows. If a candidate must be selected, one episode stands out as the more consequential of the pair: it feels like The Rings of Power saved up most of its story twists (thus far) like arrows in a quiver, firing them all into the bullseye in one, glorious barrage with “Partings.”

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