House Of The Dragon Episode Ten Review - 9 Ups & 1 Down

Don’t look now, but a brush with death appears to have rid Corlys Velaryon of his trademark tunnel vision. The once implacably legacy-obsessed Lord of the Tides has grown weary of the constant dog-eat-dog nature of Westerosi politics and now wishes for nothing more than to retire in peace with his beloved Rhaenys - when she is done bitterly scolding him for abandoning her.

Ultimately, while Steve Toussaint plays Corlys with his usual polished flair, this scene is all about the aforementioned Targaryen Princess. To date, Rhaenys had not given off the vibe of somebody about to throw her support behind Rhaenyra - refusing to kneel when the Black Queen is crowned on the cliffs of Dragonstone - but she is the one who convinces Corlys despite Rhaenyra's perceived complicity in their son's murder, urging the Sea Snake to think of the welfare of his remaining descendants and highlighting Rhaenyra's wisdom and restraint as why they should back her.

All of this culminates in a much-needed uplifting moment in the midst of a sea of bad omens. The Velaryons reveal that in addition to pledging their support to Rhaenyra, their gains in the Stepstones means that the Blacks now possess the ability to blockade King’s Landing, starving the Hightowers' base of trade while Rhaenyra gets her ducks in order. After a desolate start to episode, this was just the sort of feel-good boost that the Blacks were so desperately were in need of. Audiences should have guessed something abhorrent was about to happen.