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In the Temple of Geek podcast, hosts Kari, Suhaila, and JJ gathered to discuss the fifth episode of season 2 of House of the Dragon.

Recap and Review: House of the Dragon, Season 2, Episode 5, “Regent”

The hosts criticized the episode for glossing over the mourning of Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon, Meleys. In particular, they felt the show failed to capture the emotional weight of their deaths and neglected the essential funeral rites of Targaryen culture. This missed opportunity to explore the characters’ grief was a significant disappointment.

Meanwhile, another key point of discussion was the contrasting attitudes towards dragons between Team Black and Team Green. Rhaenyra’s Team Black reveres dragons as family and legacy, while Team Green sees them merely as weapons of war. The scene of Meleys’ head paraded through King’s Landing starkly highlighted this difference. It showed a blatant disrespect for Targaryen tradition. Overall, the episode received a mostly positive response, but it left some viewers wanting more.

Character Analysis

In terms of character analysis, the podcast explored the complexities of Daemon Targaryen, analyzing his relationship with Mysaria and the visions of his mother that haunted him. Daemon’s ambition and relentless pursuit of power were also examined, raising questions about his motivations and the lengths he will go to achieve his goals.

Furthermore, Jace Velaryon demonstrated his political skills by successfully negotiating with the Freys to secure their support for Rhaenyra’s claim. The hosts were impressed by Jace’s abilities and recognized the significance of this scene for the war effort.

Patriarchy and Misogyny in Westeros

Thematically, the podcast discussed the recurring themes of patriarchy and misogyny in Westeros. Emphasizing how women are often marginalized and denied their rightful place in power. Additionally, the role of dragons in war and politics was a central theme. With the hosts discussing the implications of using these majestic creatures as weapons of mass destruction.

In addition, the hosts touched upon the Dragonseeds, the new generation of dragonriders who could play a pivotal role in the war. The show’s deviation from the books, particularly with the character of Alys Rivers, was also a concern.

Despite their criticisms, the hosts expressed excitement for the remaining episodes of the season and their anticipation of the upcoming events in the Dance of the Dragons. Ultimately, the podcast concluded with a shared hope that the show would delve deeper into the emotional complexities of its characters and the consequences of their actions.

Temple of Geek  Podcast

The Temple of Geek  Podcast launched in 2012, features a rotating cast of geeky hosts from the Temple of Geek team. We cover a wide range of geek and pop culture news and events. You can listen to the Temple of Geek Podcast directly on this page. Additionally, you can stream it on Apple  Podcasts, YouTube, iHeartRadio, and Spotify.

About our Hosts

JJ is a Nerd who likes to talk about Marvel, Star Wars, A Song of Ice and Fire, Lord of The Rings, and other geeky things. You can find her on TikTok as @ladydragonjj and you can check out her linktree for more. 

Suhaila is an engineer who has a love for all things sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy. Her favorite stories keep you on your toes and make you think deeper. She loves discussing characters, and themes, and thinking up wild theories (that typically pan out). And she loves creating earrings to match the shows she watches. You can watch her live reactions, see her earrings, and find her theories on her Tiktok page @sustheories.

Kari is well known in the Star Wars fandom on TikTok as @estarguarstia. Her TikTok account has become a safe place for fans who love the prequels and enjoy a thoughtful approach to discussing Star Wars. She is also a contributor at Temple of Geek.