Season 1, Episode 2: The Rogue Prince / Written by Ryan Condal / Directed by: Greg Yaitanes / HBO Max and Sky Atlantic (Now TV) / Stars: Paddy Considine. Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, Steve Toussaint. Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Milly Alcock / Running Time: 53 Minute
The Pitch: Six months after Rhaenyra is named the heir, Daemon illegally occupies Dragonstone, supported by loyal City Watch guards. When Prince-Admiral Craghas Drahar, known as the Crab Feeder, menaces the Stepstones at the Triarchy's behest, Rhaenyra's suggestions of showing force are dismissed. She is instead relegated to appointing a new Kingsguard knight. Ignoring others' advice, she chooses Ser Criston, the only knight with actual battle experience.
It's weird to see a recap montage at the start of episode 2. It makes you think there is a whiff of apology as the key points are retold moments before we return to the format we know. That drumbeat. Those animated models of the kingdom and the bloodline. Not the ones we are used to, but everything old is new again.
I appreciated it to be honest. However, I would have foregone that for a little moniker explaining how much time has passed since the last episode. They talk as if it was years, and then it's only six months. It was a bugbear in the first show but, given this is a ‘historical tale’ rather than an immediate movement of plot... think it would cement the approach accordingly.
However, as the crab king's wrath is shown and the council becomes more heated. We still have Rhaenera being a cliched outspoken youngster..bold, and practical, and ….let's be frank given how we have been told to …frankly “FEAR THE WYMIN AND THERE WAYS AND POCKETS” in the last episode seems weirdly humored.
The show does keep the scenes tight. But with talk of a before high time, I do fear this franchise will continue to run on like the walking dead, before going ‘Krypton’ like before ‘Krypton’ even existed. Admittedly I could watch Paddy Considine read a phonebook at times, even without the mullet. But it sometimes feels great acting is the dark art against poor writing, and the frailties always show.
Having said that, There is a range to our young padawan/ heir apparent that does allow for a lot of speculation about how this story could end. Her frenemies and her have great chemistry and it does make for emotional viewing. Indeed for all the concerns I had with the first episode, it's hard to deride the tension and affection as Visiyeres and Phaenys try to bond awkwardly over their dinner together. Family and duty lead them, but can they work together…for them?
The desire for a male heir at any cost does rear its head in a move that is at once shocking for a show and typical for THIS show. While age gaps are one thing let alone the simple abhorrence the story sets to elicit. I think it's important to remember the women we have seen in the previous show, such as Lady Mormont and Myra Stark.
The show does amp up the spectacle. To see Dragonstone at its height and the attack of the crab king ensures your spectacle need will be saved. Ultimately this episode sees the gears of politics and war begin to turn. It's at once more subdued than the previous while imbued with a greater tension as motivation is given to add grist and the Crab keeper is revealed as a serious threat to the realm. I will look forward to the third episode more than I did last week. I feel skipping to this one would be my recommendation going forwards.