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

Milly Alcock and Emily Carey were showered with critical acclaim following their five episode run as the younger versions of Rhaenyra and Alicent. As a result, fans were likely more than a little nervous to see how the passing of the young actresses' extremely impressive torch would go.

Said fans will likely be breathing a deep sigh of contentment, safe in the knowledge that these exciting characters will be played to the same stellar standard as before. John Macmillan and Nanna Blondell are also excellent as the elder versions of the Velaryon siblings during their comparatively short time on-screen, but unsurprisingly the titular Princess and Queen steal the spotlight this week.

Emma D'Arcy is exemplary as Rhaenyra, effortlessly portraying their switch from bright eyed young Princess to a world weary mother, while Alicent's superb development into a cut-your-throat-to-get-ahead villain has already been highlighted. The spellbinding chemistry so evident between Alcock and Carey has simultaneously managed to remain intact while adding subtle nuances to reflect the duo's adult relationship.

House of the Dragon's enthralling decision to integrate a childhood friendship into the history between the two vital political players has paid off big time; watching Rhaenyra and Alicent transform from beloved friends to mortal enemies has been of the show's most engaging and tumultuous storylines. When one considers that House of the Dragon's looming conflict hasn't kicked off in earnest, it is impossible not to get throughly excited thinking about the prospect of these two bitter rivals on opposite sides of a war in earnest.

As Rhaenys Targaryen ominously intoned last week, "knives will come out".