House Of The Dragon Episode Ten Review - 9 Ups & 1 Down
3. Up - The second confrontation on the Dragonstone causeway
"I would rather feed my sons to the dragons than have them carry shields and cups for your drunken usurper c*nt of a King."
Daemon's contemptuous dismissal of Otto's terms set the tone for another electrifying confrontation against the backdrop of the Dragonstone causeway. Said stand off featured the same players from the previous flashpoint in the same location from the season's second episode The Rogue Prince; the stark charge in the political landscape adding a mournfully poignant air to proceedings.
Otto once counted on the reassuring presence of Syrax as back up, but on this occasion finds himself and his entourage at the mercy of Rhaenyra's suddenly foreboding golden dragon - unfortunately, Caraxes is nowhere in sight this time around. Funnily enough for House of the Dragon's slimiest villain, Otto still attempts to shamelessly exploit Rhaenyra and Alicent's once loving friendship by showing the Black Queen a page from their childhood lesson books, visibly moving Rhaenyra.
Swords are thankfully drawn soon after. Daemon wants to start the war right there and then - the Rogue Prince's charming plan being the return of Rhaenyra's answer to Alicent in Otto's mouth (along with his "withered c*ck") only for the situation to be expertly diffused by the prospective new Queen of Westeros. Even in the face of a golden opportunity to rid herself of such a traitorous leech, who has wounded her so grievously, Rhaenyra chooses to show mercy, showing levels of wisdom and restraint far exceeding the expectations of someone who has been Queen for such a short time.