‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Episode 5 Review - Criston Cole Refuses to Break

The sight of cats roaming around in Rhaenyra's castle might just be the only cheery thing you will see in Unbowed and Unbent. Game of Thrones enthusiasts might recall that the title of Season 5, Episode 6 was "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken." How's that for casual trivia night? Anyway, look beyond these feline creatures' fluffy fur, and you'll notice that there isn't much, um, "softness" in the troubling, stressful lives of these royals, commoners, and witches. Disemboweled bodies are found on the streets and within the castle walls; Alicent has to be extremely careful about Helaena's pregnancy to keep her safe from Rhaenyra's cruelty; Baela is drowning in regret and is desperate to prove herself to the new queen of King's Landing; and Criston Cole is crushed but not broken by his defeat. He gets to deliver a moving monologue in which he earnestly opens up about wanting to die gloriously in battle, that too on his own terms and not as someone else's servant.

The title refers to Cole's determination and spirit (he wants to eventually leave the mortal realm unbent). He is tired of following the orders of the lords and wants to be his own man. What would a man of his nature have become had he been born into privilege? I ask this question because, in Episode 5, Larys finally holds a mirror up to Aegon. He tells him that he foolishly squandered every opportunity, every resource that could have made him great by opting to spend his days drunk with his idiot friends. Aegon chose mediocrity, so all his moans of self-pity are really exhausting—almost unbearable. "You are a terrible king, a terrible man," Larys adds. Finally, someone said it! Larys's words are like music to your ears. This spoiled, arrogant child needed to learn some harsh lessons.

On the other hand, you also wonder what kind of "harsh lesson" awaits Mysaria after the news of her doing favors for Alicent by keeping Helaena's pregnancy a secret reaches Rhaenyra's ears. Mysaria has proved herself to be very valuable, very loyal. How would Rhaenyra deal with this "betrayal"? I am sure Daemon will love to see her receive punishment. But by turning her back on Mysaria, Rhaenyra would sacrifice the services of a sharp intellect. I am already quite sure that Daemon made a mistake by not accepting Alys's request to pass Harrenhal into her hands. He didn't put the proposal before Rhaenyra and just dismissed her outright. If Unbowed and Unbent indicates anything, it's that Aemond might find a powerful ally in Alys. He sees her as a mother or a maternal figure. Given the kiss Aemond gave to Alicent, who's to say that Alys won't end up becoming his mistress or lover? This is, after all, a twisted, unpredictable universe. Anything can happen at any moment. Beware.

Final Score - [6.5/10]