House Of The Dragon Episode Five Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs

Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen has been a notable feather in House of the Dragon's cap; the Doctor Who actor has earned rave reviews for his portrayal of the fearsomely enigmatic Prince.

Daemon has not one, but two spectacular homecoming sequences this week. The episode begins with Daemon returning home to his wife Rhea Royce; she is out riding when she is accosted by a hooded Daemon. While Rhea swiftly surmises Daemon is there to kill her, the terrifying thing about the scene is that viewers are genuinely unsure as to Daemon's intentions.

While the horse rears and throws Rhea, paralyzing her after Daemon moves towards it, the Prince never actually touches it or says a word. One almost feels as though Daemon murders his wife on a whim, highlighted by the manner in which Daemon bashes her skull in with a rock after she insults him after initially walking away. The casual nature of such a heinous act delivered in total silence lending further to his air of mystique and terrifying unpredictability.

Speaking of which, despite having been banished from the King's sight in the previous episode, Daemon nonchalantly strolls into the hall for the wedding celebration, laconically taking a seat at the bridal table before unashamedly trying to sway Rhaenyra away from her upcoming manage. Daemon goes as far as to almost kiss Rhaenyra in front of the entire hall before the seething King's view is blocked by the crowd swarming around an enraged Criston.

Matt Smith is absolutely relishing bringing the Targaryen Prince to life and it is an unbridled joy to behold. Long may it continue.