WARNING: Spoilers included from the third episode of House of the Dragon Season 2.
Blood feuds and growing tensions burn on all sides.
Expansion by Conquest
House of the Dragon emphasizes the idea of everlasting conflict among bloodlines. Episode three opens with an exchange between the two largest armies under one banner Bracken & Blackwood. In the episode aptly titled “The Burning Mill”, the consequences of this dispute are shown. Both houses lost many soldiers, with no side being named a true victor. Team Black and Team Green, aware of this, make haste towards the Riverlands. Ser Criston Cole marches with a small army in hopes of winning over both houses so the Greens may hold the advantage over the Blacks.
Legacy Ensured
After the attack on Rhanerya’s life, the queen of Dragonstone takes measures to protect the lineage. Tasking Rhaena with looking after the youngest Targaryen kin, Rhanerya makes a difficult but necessary decision. Sending them to the Vale, Rhaena is also entrusted with four dragon eggs to look after. Despite not being thrilled with the decision, Rhaena becomes more accepting of the decision after speaking with Baela and seeing the eggs.
Daemon Takes Harrenhal
Upon arriving at the broken edifice, Daemon Targaryen does not have to work very hard to conquer the cursed castle. Simon Strong is quick to bend the knee to the Blacks. However, once inside the castle, Daemon is confronted with his guilt. Making a surprise return, the image of a younger Rhanerya (played by Milly Alcock) haunts Daemon while sewing the neck of young Jaehaerys back to his decapitated head. Daemon is then warned that he will die in Harrenhal. Matt Smith’s portrayal of the wicked Targaryen king consort, is nothing short of exceptional here, especially after the character reflects on his actions.
To Conquer or Not To Conquer?
Back in King’s Landing, Aegon fits into his armor ready to meet Ser Criston Cole to take the Riverlands. Larys Strong enters the fitting chamber and convinces Aegon to change his mind and for once, Aegon finally goes with a smart decision, albeit due to a bruised hubris. Aegon also, in turn, makes Larys Strong the Master of Whisperers. Aegon intends to rule very differently from his father Viserys. Tom-Glynn-Carney’s portrayal of Aegon this season is a nice change of pace from last season as the cowardly drunken child, to a king intending to make a name for himself as king of Westeros, even if the throne doesn’t belong to him.
Last Chance for Peace
After weighing in on how to proceed with a council of people ready to go to war, Rhaenrya makes another hard decision – Confronting Alicent in a plea for peace that could avoid a looming war. Rhaenrya travels to King’s Landing in disguise and confronts Alicent over the recent tragedies. Alicent doubles down on her notion that Viserys changed his mind, and Aegon was named king of Westeros with his dying breath. Rhaenrya also finds out Alicent was told of The Song of Ice and Fire – which, in turn, leads Alicent to have a devastating revelation – Viserys last words were about the prince that was promised, not their son Aegon. The episode cuts to a black screen, and we’re left feeling just like Rhaenrya. Confused, distraught, but ultimately, coming to terms with the way the world is. This episode of House of the Dragon made one thing clear – War is inevitable.
New episodes of House of the Dragon air on Sundays on HBO.