HBO’s House of the Dragon season two episode three delivered pivotal moments that set up the war to come. But more importantly, it featured one of the series’ most stunning moments involving the two most powerful women in the Seven Kingdoms: Queen Rhaenyra and Queen Dowager Alicent.
But before we get to that, episode three begins with one of the first battles of the civil war, The Battle of the Burning Mill.
The Brackens are patrolling their land when they’re confronted by the Blackwoods. An argument over boundaries quickly escalates into a fight once the Blackwoods confirm they’ve declared for Queen Rhaenyra while the Brackens have pledged to King Aegon. By the time it’s over, the battlefield is littered with hundreds of dead bodies.
At Dragonstone, Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) has Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk buried together, much to the displeasure of Jace, who believes Arryk was a traitor. Rhaenys (Eve Best) joins Rhaenyra at the gravesite and they both agree it’s the younger men who made this move, not Alicent or Otto. Rhaenys believes the only way to avert further bloodshed is for Rhaenyra to speak with Alicent.
“There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin,” says Rhaenys. “And no war so bloody as a war between dragons.”
Rhaenyra admits Alicent sent a raven, but she chose not to read the message. Alicent permitted the war, even if it’s the men around her now giving the orders. Rhaenys points out that if that’s true, then Rhaenyra permitted the murder of Aegon’s little boy. Touché!
Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) is tardy to his first small council meeting as the Hand of the King. He’s shocked to see King Aegon’s buddies are now members of the Kingsguard, and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) says it’s because they’ve lost so many men including Arryk.
Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) informs the council of the Blackwood/Bracken battle. Lord Samwell Blackwood was slain, and King Aegon’s happy the first blood was taken in his name. Members of his small council seem to think the Brackens and the Blackwoods were just looking for an excuse to fight, and both took heavy losses. It’s hard to call this a victory.
Grand Maester Orwyle suggests they contact Lord Tully of the Riverlands since both the Blackwoods and Brackens are under his control. Lord Jasper’s certain Lord Tully is barely able to control himself, let alone the people under him. Instead, Jasper believes Lord Ormund (Aegon’s uncle) is marching from Oldstone and could be called upon. Lord Lannister is of the opinion his brother can handle the Blackwoods after he amasses an army. That should only be a matter of weeks.
Ser Criston Cole finally speaks up. Since the Riverlands are the key to the war, he’ll ride to Harrenhal with men he’s personally trained. If he acts quickly, he can turn the Crownland houses to support King Aegon. After that’s accomplished, the army he’s amassed will conquer the Riverlands and take Harrenhal.
Alicent (Olivia Cooke) thinks Criston’s being too hasty and doesn’t have enough men yet. She also tosses in that acting rashly got Ser Arryk killed. King Aegon wants Criston to take Aemond and Vhagar, but Criston thinks Vhagar needs to remain put to defend King’s Landing. In that case, Aegon thinks he should come along with Sunfyre.
Criston disagrees, arguing that if they field a dragon the odds of encountering one of Rhaenyra’s dragons increase. Aemond agrees with Criston and points out that they can’t risk the loss of their king.
King Aegon is too stubborn to listen and declares himself fearsome.
Back at Dragonstone, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) is watching a dragon flying when Queen Rhaenyra joins her. Rhaenyra’s in her debt after Mysaria saved her life by warning that Ser Arryk was masquerading as Ser Erryk. They discuss ways to pay off the debt, and Mysaria asks for a place at her court. The fact that Rhaenyra released her was shocking since no one ever keeps their promises. Because of that, Mysaria wants to help Rhaenyra win this war. She knows the inner workings of the Red Keep and is ready to punish the Hightowers.
Queen Rhaenyra asks Lady Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) to accompany Joffrey, Aegon, and Viserys to her cousin Lady Jeyne Arryn at the Vale. Rhaena will then take the little children further away to Pentos, where Rhaena’s mother died, to keep them safe. Rhaenyra is heartbroken over sending the children away and asks Rhaena to be a mother to her boys. “Teach them, train them, guard them as a dragon guards her eggs,” says Rhaenyra.
Rhaena isn’t happy to leave Dragonstone and her sister but agrees.
And now 15 minutes in, we finally see what Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) has been up to. He and Caraxes land at Harrenhal in the middle of a storm. Daemon silently makes his way through the decimated castle and doesn’t encounter anyone until he reaches the dining hall. (Harrenhal was nearly destroyed by Balerion when House Black was wiped out, and further damaged in the fire that killed Harwin and Lyonel Strong.) He claims Harrenhal, and Ser Simon Strong, Castellan of Harrenhal, doesn’t object. He bends the knee and pledges to Queen Rhaenyra.
They invite Daemon to dinner and Daemon refuses to eat, believing the food might be poisoned. Ser Simon laughs and assures Daemon he is welcome. He denounces Lord Larys Strong (aka Larys Clubfoot), pointing out how strange it is that Lord Lyonel died in a fire in such a damp environment. It’s not even dry in the summer. He believes Larys ordered the fire and killed his kin.
Simon doesn’t know why Daemon’s come to Harrenhal, and Daemon points out it’s the largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms. (Even if it’s in horrible shape.) The Riverlands has 40,000 swords and currently stands as the biggest undeclared part of the realm. Daemon wants to change that and then garrison them at Harrenhal. He’s unaware of the Blackwood and Bracken battle.
Daemon orders Simon to summon Lord Paramount Lord Tully, and Simon confesses Tully’s barely alive and his bannermen do as they please. Daemon doesn’t care; Tully should be obeyed no matter his condition. He believes his presence, along with his dragon, will convince everyone to fall in line.
Simon, not one to mince words, asks what Daemon hopes to accomplish. Daemon confirms his plans are to march on King’s Landing and seize the throne.
Simon says, “The throne?”
“It’s a big chair made of swords,” replies Daemon.
Meanwhile, Criston’s army assembles just as Ser Gwayne Hightower (Alicent’s brother) arrives with his men from Oldtown. It’s obvious from their first conversation these men detest each other, with Gwayne (Freddie Fox) admitting he was shocked that Criston had replaced his father as the Hand.
Gwayne volunteers to go with Criston into battle, but Criston doesn’t want him along. Alicent won’t take no for an answer. Gwayne, sarcastically, says he’s delighted to march out to war with a Dornishman.
Queen Rhaenyra’s council meets and Rhaenys confirms there haven’t been any sightings of horses, ships, or dragons. Members of her council believe they should act now and send out the dragons. That will shift the tide quickly in their favor.
Rhaenyra vehemently disagrees, knowing that’s just inviting their own destruction. She insists it’s the armies that will do the fighting, and believes The Greens think the same. Men are coming from the Vale and the North, and all they need to do now is give Daemon – who hasn’t been heard from – time to take care of Harrenhal.
Her council greatly underestimates their Queen and suggests that she leave for somewhere safe. The men will take care of handling the war. No need to worry her pretty little head, right? Queen Rhaenyra warns them what they’re suggesting is treason.
After Rhaenyra leaves, Rhaenys reminds the men that their Queen wears the crown of the wisest of Targaryen kings, Jaehaerys the Conciliator. Jaehaerys’ reign was the longest in Targaryen history.
Rhaenys joins her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), at the port and confirms she still believes Rhaenyra can rise to the task – even with her council working against her. She hopes Corlys will join Rhaenyra soon. Rhaenyra needs his support in person.
Rhaenys is obviously concerned about naming an heir to Driftmark before the kingdom plunges further into war. She believes Rhaena would be perfect. The other option is Joffrey, and Corlys reminds her that neither knows ships nor dragons. Corlys walks off, refusing to discuss the heir any further.
And speaking of Rhaena … the family says their goodbyes to her as she, very reluctantly, leaves with the children. Rhaenyra’s sending young Stormcloud and Tyraxes with her, as well as four incredibly fragile dragon eggs. Rhaena resents being away from the action, but Rhaenyra assures her that what she’s doing is crucial. If Dragonstone falls, Rhaena will be the Targaryens’ hope for the future.
Rhaena now fully understands the full importance of her role.
King Aegon gets suited up for war wearing King Aegon the Conqueror’s armor made of Valyrian steel. His buddies, now Kingsguard, shower compliments as Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) interrupts for a quick private chat. Larys, ever the snake, says rumors have it that Aegon is either courageous and wise to go to battle or has been outwitted by the council so Alicent can rule in his place. Aegon orders Larys to tend to these people spreading rumors. He also makes the spur-of-the-moment decision to name Larys his Master of Whisperers.
King Aegon decides not to go to battle, and his buddies ask him to go out that night. Apparently, Ser Martyn’s new squire is a virgin so they’re heading to a brothel to take care of that. They laugh when King Aegon reminds them that they’re sworn to chastity. That is until they realize he’s not joking.
Night falls in King’s Landing and the townsfolk are out partying and having a good time as Ulf (Tom Bennett) makes his way through the crowds, glad-handing everyone before he arrives at a table in a pub. Among his companions is a Dornish man he’s never met before, and he tells this stranger that his grandsire was Jaehaerys the Conciliator. Ulf claims he’s the son of Baelon the Brave which makes him the bastard brother of Prince Daemon and King Viserys. His allegiance is with Rhaenyra, the one true queen.
He’d lose his head if anyone discovered this. They joke that he looks nothing like either, especially his hair, and he says it’s because he’s their half-brother. Suddenly, the room falls quiet as King Aegon and the Kingsguard enter the pub. Aegon pays for drinks all around as Ulf stares at the usurper.
Aegon’s next stop is the brothel where he can’t stop laughing when he sees his brother in bed with the same whore who took his virginity. Aemond remains silent as Aegon makes jokes at his expense. Finally, Aemond stands, and we get a full naked body shot as he leaves Aegon and his cohorts with the whore.
Once more to Dragonstone we go, and Queen Rhaenyra’s in a reflective mood, thinking about her children she just sent away. She finally reads the message Alicent sent.
Their journey’s begun but Ser Gwayne and Ser Criston are no closer to forming a bond when Criston tells Gwayne’s group to camp with the rest of the company. Gwayne would rather travel a couple of miles to a tavern with real beds. He will meet up with Criston’s company at first light after a good night’s sleep. Criston’s been distracted while they’re talking and suddenly realizes they’re exposed. A dragon is circling high overhead.
They race to the trees for cover just as Baela (Bethany Antonia) on Moondancer spots them. Baela heads straight toward them but they manage to beat her into the woods. She circles above the tree line looking for any movement but doesn’t see anything and leaves.
Gwayne has a change of heart about Criston, thanking him for saving his life. Criston alters their plan. From now on they’ll move at night under the trees. And, obviously, no one will stay in an inn.
Baela reports that she spotted Criston Cole and other knights on the move. The council also received word from Lord Farring that a larger force is moving towards Rosby. They insist it’s time for action. Lord Simon wants to leave to fortify his lands, while others are certain the main force is on its way to Harrenhal which puts Daemon at the heart of the battle. Rhaenyra thinks Daemon will be fine since he has Caraxes, but the council reminds her Cole could call on a dragon for support.
Her council believes the dragons need to be brought into action now. Kill Criston Cole and his men and stop their advance. Rhaenyra glances at Rhaenys and then agrees to consider their arguments.
The episode’s final visit with Daemon finds him having a vision of a young Rhaenyra sewing Jaehaerys’ head back on while telling her uncle/husband she always has to clean up after him. A woman warns him that he will die at Harrenhal.
Rhaenyra asks Mysaria about Alicent’s movements, and Mysaria wants to know why. Rhaenyra reveals she wants to speak with Alicent and that Alicent expressed remorse in a message. Maybe if they can talk, they can come up with a solution before more blood is shed.
Mysaria believes Rhaenyra has a chance to meet Alicent face-to-face if she goes by fishing boat to King’s Landing and dresses as a septa. Alicent only goes outside the castle for prayer, and that’s where Rhaenyra surprises her as she’s lighting candles, alone. After stopping her from screaming, Rhaenyra reminds Alicent that they both know men are eager to fight. Rhaenyra hopes that Rhaenys is right and that Alicent wishes to avert further bloodshed.
Rhaenyra believes they can come to terms, but Alicent thinks that’s impossible. Besides, Rhaenyra doesn’t have an army or many allies. They both swear they didn’t cause the deaths of either Lucerys or Jaehaerys. But Alicent won’t agree that they stole Rhaenyra’s throne. She insists King Viserys changed his mind.
Rhaenyra informs Alicent that she visited her father just hours before his death, and he affirmed that she was heir to the throne. But as they talk, Rhaenyra starts to believe Alicent truly thinks Viserys changed his mind. She asks Alicent about her last conversation with Viserys, and it’s clear that Alicent misinterpreted what happened.
Alicent says Viserys was very tired and difficult to understand. However, he said Aegon’s name. “He said he was the prince that was promised to unite the realm,” recalls Alicent. Rhaenyra’s shocked her father spoke to Alicent of the Song of Ice and Fire, and Alicent indicates she’s never heard of that before. Rhaenyra explains it’s a story about Aegon the Conqueror.
Alicent fumbles out, “The Conqueror,” as it dawns on her that King Viserys wasn’t talking about her son Aegon. They sit in silence for a moment, letting that sink in. Finally, Alicent tells Rhaenyra she should leave and refuses to take action to stop the war from decimating the Seven Kingdoms.
Alicent says it’s too late and then quickly leaves. Rhaenyra remains seated and considers what to do next now that it’s confirmed her father never changed his mind and Alicent won’t change hers.
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- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10: “The Black Queen” Finale
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