TV reviews of the week.

Andor, Episode 5:

This was another solid episode. The characters continue to develop well. Once again, if there is a problem, it is the VERY predictable nature of most of the plot. SPOILER: For example, I could readily foresee that some members of the rebel cell would view Andor with suspicion, but he would ultimately win their trust, with his dedication. The Mon Mothma subplot is a bit less predictable, but also not that interesting.

Rings of Power, Episode 7:

I haven't watched most of this yet. Why? Because I fell asleep during my first attempt to try to watch it. That happened in part because I was just tired. But also does not speak well for the episode. Will update when I have seen more. But don't have high expectations.

House of the Dragon, Episode 8:

This was another strong episode. It effectively condenses and conveys the last stages of the run-up to the conflict that will break out when King Viserys dies. Several scenes were genuinely moving.

My only criticism [SPOILER here] is that Viserys' final comments to Alicent and her apparent misunderstanding of them set up the possibility that the conflict could have been avoided if only she understood correctly. This scene doesn't directly contradict the book, because it's something the narrator couldn't know about. But it seems improbable that Alicent and her supporters would really have desisted but for this moment.

Finally, this episode continues the path of portraying Rhaenyra and her supporters (the "Blacks") more favorably than their rivals (the "Greens"). Alicent and her father clearly exploit the king's illness to consolidate their power, and her sons are the main instigators of the conflict between the representatives of the younger generation. Rhaenyra seems more genuinely willing to make peace than the greens.

Of course, we know that the Greens' main grievance - that Rhaenyra's three oldest sons are bastards - is valid. But this doesn't matter as much to the modern audience for the show, as it would in the quasi-medieval society where the characters live. Essentially, the showrunners have have aligned things so that viewers support Rhaenyra's faction because our values differ from those of Westerosi society. This balancing act will become more difficult, however, if the civil war goes anything like it does in the books. I look forward to seeing how the show handles it.