House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5 Review: The Dragon's breath simmers

The episode lacks the action of its predecessor, provides character development, sets the stage for future conflicts.

Episode 5 of House of the Dragon slows down the pace after the action-packed "The Red Dragon and the Gold." The focus shifts to the characters dealing with the aftermath of the battle and the political maneuvering that follows.

Corlys Velaryon grieves the loss of his wife Rhaenys and offers his granddaughter Baela the chance to be his heir. Rhaenyra's council struggles with accepting her leadership, while Alicent fights for regency as her son, King Aegon II, lies injured.

Meanwhile, Daemon attempts to raise an army for himself, causing chaos in the Riverlands. He also reveals his true ambitions to Alys Rivers, stating that he is working for himself and wants to be called "My King."

In King's Landing, a food shortage and civil unrest loom as the new regent closes the city gates. The episode ends on a positive note as Rhaenyra and Jac explore the possibility of finding new dragonriders outside the royal line.

While the episode lacks the fiery action of its predecessor, it provides essential character development and sets the stage for future conflicts. The simmering tensions and political machinations keep the audience engaged, promising a fiery return in the episodes to come.