One step towards power, the other towards destiny. How many surprises can a single hour of an episode have? If last month’s episode is any indication: enough to make fans of the franchise rethink everything they knew about its companion book,“Fire & Blood.”
This episode explored the motives of Lord Ormund Hightower, Rhaenyra Targaryen clinging to power, Aegon Targaryen’s journey in hiding, and so much more. Through their decisions and actions, the characters take a different path, thrusting themselves into danger.
On Sunday, July 11, the fourth episode, “Tumbleton” premiered. We’re taken into the walls of the town where Hightower knights are lodging in the civilians’ homes, one of them being dragonrider Hugh The Hammer’s wife Kat and her family. While Ormund, played by James Norton, smugly holds court first with the Lord and Lady Footly, the rulers of Tumbleton, and his men, the real Prince Daeron Targaryen is seen by his side as he listens. Who as it turns out bores Hightower features in comparison to his siblings.
Ormund, who originally sent a decoy of the prince to Rhaenyra, keeps the young prince close throughout the episode. He’s present during significant points such as Ormund’s meltdown and punishing a knight for assaulting Kat in her family’s house. But what begins with Ormund acting as a father-figure to Daeron slowly develops into manipulative enablement. With the death of Otto Hightower early this season, a champion to his house was bound to rise. But compared to Otto’s nature, Ormund brings a much darker presence to House Hightower. His menacing and calculating decisions, particularly seen with Daeron, underline that his ambitions are not about the right of succession, but rather his own self-interest.
Away from King’s Landing and Tumbleton, the narrative shifts to focus on Aegon arriving with Larys Strong at Rook’s Rest. Unrecognized from his burns, the two are forced to work hard labor at the camp settlement in the ruined castle. Within its walls, Aegon faces his lowest point by far this season.
From the scene where Aegon sees his dragon Sunfyre’s body for the first time to his humiliating treatment by other camp settlers at Rook’s Rest, Aegon’s arrogance strips away leaving him vulnerable and with the audience daring to root for him to succeed. In many ways, Aegon is on a self-discovery journey, as teased by Glynn-Carney, this season will be a “rollercoaster” for his character. Which is actually foreshadowed back in the season two finale, with Helaena sharing her prophecy to Aemond, having seen Aegon sit on a “wooden throne.”
Through the story’s twists and turns, does it lay the groundwork for something yet to come, leaving an ominous feeling toward the end that no one is safe. A new game for power has begun with all the pieces ready to move on the board.
New episodes of “House of the Dragon” air Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT on HBO and are available to stream on HBO Max.
Featured image: “HBO (Midtown)” by JasonParis, CC BY 2.0
Edited by Kester Kafeero
