House of the Dragon S3E5 Shows Criston Crushed, Alicent Hiding 1 Pregnancy
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
House of the Dragon S3E5 Shows Criston Crushed, Alicent Hiding 1 Pregnancy
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
Summary
Episode 5 pushes both factions deeper into collapse as Ser Criston Cole abandons hope after Black forces outmaneuver the Greens with burned bridges and booby traps.
Criston responds by leading his battered survivors on a death march and planning a suicidal assault, convinced his battlefield prowess means little in a war dominated by dragons.
Alicent faces a quieter crisis in King’s Landing: Helaena is pregnant with a potential rival claimant, a threat if Rhaenyra learns of it.
Grand Maester Orwyle provides abortifacient tea, but Helaena refuses it, forcing Alicent to drink it herself to avoid arousing Mysaria’s suspicion.
The episode’s through line is that the Dance of the Dragons is grinding down every side, reinforcing the sense that no camp is truly winning.