Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) makes a risky move in an effort to stop the impending war before it even starts on HBO’s House of the Dragon.
After her letters went unanswered, Rhaenyra decided to meet Alicent in person at King’s Landing, while disguising herself as a commoner.
While she was successful in moving through King’s Landing undetected, she wasn’t able to convince Alicent that her father made a mistake in making Aegon be King.
With that gambit failed, the war between the Targaryens and the Hightowers will seemingly start in earnest on next week’s episode.
Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) states that she, ‘lost my throne and I want it back,’ while still mourning the death of her son Lucerys.
The new season has been scaled back some, from 10 episodes in the first season to just eight in Season 2.
HBO ‘s House of the Dragons returns with the third episode of its action-packed second season, which teases that a full-scale war is just around the corner.
HBO ‘s House of the Dragons returns with the third episode of its action-packed second season, which teases that a full-scale war is just around the corner
Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) makes a risky move in an effort to stop the impending war before it even starts on HBO ‘s House of the Dragon
After her letters went unanswered, Rhaenyra decided to meet Alicent in person at King’s Landing, while disguising herself as a commoner
The episode begins with four soldiers talking in a field, when someone yells out, as it’s revealed to be rival soldiers.
They are told not to move the boundary stones as they both stake claims to the land they stand on.
One says that Rhaenyra is a ‘baby killer’ while another says that Aegon is no true king.
One draws his sword as the others laugh, though we later see them and many other soldiers dead on that same field after the imminent battle.
Meanwhile, Rhaenyra buries both the twins Eryck and Aryck – the former who was sent to kill her.
Rhaenys (Eve Best) says that Otto Hightower would have never ordered this, adding, ‘Soon they will not even remember what began the war in the first place.
Rhaenys thinks they can stop the way by going through Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), though Rhaenyra does not agree.
‘Alicent is in King’s Landing. Her son sits my throne. There is nothing more to be said,’ Rhaenyra says.
The episode begins with four soldiers talking in a field, when someone yells out, as it’s revealed to be rival soldiers.
They are told not to move the boundary stones as they both stake claims to the land they stand on
One draws his sword as the others laugh, though we later see them and many other soldiers dead on that same field after the imminent battle
Meanwhile, Rhaenyra buries both the twins Eryck and Aryck – the former who was sent to kill her.
Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) – the new Hand of the King – is late to a small council meeting as the King is told of first battle, which came in the King’s favor.
‘Call it what you will. I call it war, and so will Dragonstone. The real question is, what are we going to do about it?’ Aegon says.
They suggest writing to Lord Tully but others think he’s worthless as they continue arguing.
Cole says the Riverlands is the ‘key to the war’ and says he will turn those to his cause or he will take Harenhaal himself.
Cole says that the Gods favor the bold but Alicent thinks the Gods did not favor Aryk, as King Aegon throws them for a loop by saying he will fly out with Cole.
Meanwhile, Rhaenyra meets with Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), who is told Mysaria came back to warn of Eryck coming to kill her, as she admitted she saved her life.
In return, Mysaria wants a seat on her council, which Rhaenyra seemingly agrees to.
Rhaenyra meets with Rhaena, telling her to, ‘send Joffrey to ward with my cousin, Lady Jeyne Arryn.’
‘Call it what you will. I call it war, and so will Dragonstone. The real question is, what are we going to do about it?’ Aegon says.
‘She has pledged an army in return for a dragon, so she will have one. Aegon and Viserys will accompany him until a place of greater safety can be found,’ Rhaenyra says, though Rhaena says, ‘Tyraxes is but a hatchling.’
‘Rhaenyra adds, ‘The Red Keep is in disarray. They have sent one assassin in the night and their dragons are ever a short flight away. You must take the little ones further. To Pentos, I think,’ adding Pentos is, ‘safer than anywhere in Westeros.’
‘Write to Prince Reggio. If he will have you, then go to him. I am sorry to put this upon you. It breaks my heart to send my boys away, not knowing when I will see them again. But you have seen what may befall them here,’ Rhaenyra says, as Rhaena agrees.
Meanwhile, Daemon (Matt Smith) makes his way through the Harenhaal castle, claiming it as his own, as Simon Strong bends the knee.
‘I, Ser Simon Strong, Castellan of Harrenhal, pledge fealty to Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, First of Her Name,’ he says.
Simon insists that Daemon is welcome here and Larys Strong is a scourge on his family’s name.
Strong insists that Larys Strong is not welcomed there, but when Simon calls him, ‘My prince,’ Daemon says, ‘Your grace,’ which surprises him.
Daemon says the castle must be repaired and he wants to speak with Lord Grover Tully but Simon insists he grows frail.
Cole is ready to leave when he meets Alicent’s brother Ser Gwayne, as he cracks some jokes about his father being usurped as Hand of the King.
Simon asks what will happen if he’s successful and Daemon says he will, ‘march to King’s Landing and take the throne,’ joking ‘it’s a big chair, made of swords.’
Cole is ready to leave when he meets Alicent’s brother Ser Gwayne, as he cracks some jokes about his father being usurped as Hand of the King.
Alicent says Gwayne will join him and while Cole says they have a full company, she insists.
He asks Alicent for her blessing to go into battle and she hands him something from her dress, though we don’t see what it is.
Cole leaves the castle with the others in his company, set for Harenhaal, unaware that Daemon has already claimed it.
Back at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra says they must give Daemon time to assemble the army but they think she needs to act.
They think she should go somewhere else safe but Rhaenyra thinks that would be treason before leaving her council.
Rhaenys tells her husband Corlys that her council is failing her and says she thinks Rhaena should be the heir to Driftmark.
Cole is ready to leave when he meets Alicent’s brother Ser Gwayne, as he cracks some jokes about his father being usurped as Hand of the King.
‘We are at war, Corlys. If something were to befall you…’ as he says, ‘Then it is well that I’m a good sailor.’
Rhaenyra sees off Baela as she leaves on her journey, saying the eggs she’s giving her are their, ‘hope for the future.’
Meanwhile, Alicent meets with Helaena, who says she felt sad for losing Jaehaerys, as Alicent says she worries for her but Helaena forgives her.
Larys goes to see the king before he flies off into battle, as he spreads a rumor that Alicent would rule in his absence.
Aegon asks who is spreading these lies and Larys says it matters little, as Aegon says to tend to the errors.
Aegon says he wants a Master of Whisperers and says he wants Larys to fulfill the role, as Aegon changes his mind about flying.
They say he can go out with them as they joke about someone never having sex with a woman but Aegon says he thought they took a chastity vow.
We head into a lively tavern as the bastard brother of Daemon tells some patrons a story about his family.
The bastard says that his nephew is the true heir to the Iron Throne as Aegon walks in and he quickly praises the King, as he buys drinks for the pub.
The drunken king wanders through a brothel when he finds Aemond in the brothel as Aegon laughs that he still lays with his first.
‘Such is the madam’s prowess, that even now my brother will not sample another,’ Aegon says though Aemond says the squire is welcome to her and leaves naked.
Back in Dragonstone, Rhaenyra is seen mourning her late son while Cole continues to Harenhaal.
We head into a lively tavern as the bastard brother of Daemon tells some patrons a story about his family.
Cole is ready to leave when he meets Alicent’s brother Ser Gwayne, as he cracks some jokes about his father being usurped as Hand of the King
Baela reports back to Rhaenyra telling them that Cole and his knights are there as the rest in her council are urging her to act now
‘Such is the madam’s prowess, that even now my brother will not sample another,’ Aegon says though Aemond says the squire is welcome to her and leaves naked.
Cole is traveling with Gwayne arguing about where to stop when they reveal they’re exposed as a dragon flies above them: Baela on her dragon Moondancer.
They finally make it into the woods unscathed as the dragon hovers above the trees, trying to find them, before ultimately retreating.
Criston says they will move under darkness and in trees but they won’t stay in any inns.
Baela reports back to Rhaenyra telling them that Cole and his knights are there as the rest in her council are urging her to act now.
They ask her to burn out Cole and his party but says she will only consider them for now, hesitant to declare war.
Daemon is busy putting buckets under various leaks in Harenhaal when they find someone trying to get in.
Daemon goes outside but doesn’t see anyone and tries to find the person trying to get in.
Daemon sees a vision of a young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) when he’s told by a woman that he will, ‘die in this place.’
Rhaenyra asks Mysaria what she knows about the movements of Alicent Hightower, saying she wants to speak with her
Rhaenyra asks Mysaria what she knows about the movements of Alicent Hightower, saying she wants to speak with her.
‘If war can be averted, it is my duty to avert it. I have reason to believe she may be of the same opinion. She sent a raven. She has expressed her remorse,’ she says.
Mysaria suggests there are fishing boats she can journey with and there is one place Alicent goes to outside the castle walls.
Rhaenyra arrives in King’s Landing in a commoner disguise and walks through the city undetected when she sees Alicent with many guards.
Alicent goes to light candles alone when she’s approached by Rhaenyra in her commoner disguise.
Alicent pulls a knife from her dress as Rhaenyra says she needs to talk to her.
‘We watched the tourney together, you and I, the day my brother was born,’ Rhaenyra begins, adding she knows Alicent does not have that desire for war.
‘Rhaenys has counseled me. She said she saw in you a wish to avert the worst of what may now come,’ Rhaenyra says.
Alicent goes to light candles alone when she’s approached by Rhaenyra in her commoner disguise.
‘We watched the tourney together, you and I, the day my brother was born,’ Rhaenyra begins, adding she knows Alicent does not have that desire for war
‘So, you’ve come to surrender then?’ Alicent asks
‘So, you’ve come to surrender then?’ Alicent asks, as Rhaenyra responds, ‘I have come to see if we may uncover some path towards peace. My dragons are restless. They smell battle. But if you and I may come to terms…’ but Alicent says, ‘There are no terms now. You have no army, your allies turn from you when they hear of your depravity, your hands are bloodied in a crime I could never have imagined.’
Rhaenyra insists, ‘The trespass was not mine.’
Rhaenyra says she was with her father the night he died but Alicent insists that the king ‘changed his mind’ about Aegon becoming King and not Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra asks Alicent if the late King spoke her name when she saw him on his deathbed, but Alicent says, ‘He was weary. He was hard at times to understand, but he spoke Aegon’s name. He said he was the prince who was promised…’
Rhaenyra is startled, asking if he used those exact words – “the prince who was promised’ and Alicent says she did.
Rhaenyra says it’s from the Song of Ice and Fire about Aegon the Conqueror, as Rhaenyra says there has been a mistake but Alicent says there was no mistake.
‘It’s too late Rhaenyra,’ Alicent says before getting up and walking away from her former best friend as the episode comes to an end.
The preview for next week’s episode teases that Rhaenyra finally commits to this epic war for the Iron Throne.
HBO ‘s House of the Dragons returns with the third episode of its action-packed second season, which teases that a full-scale war is just around the corner.
The series is set 200 years before the events that unfolded in HBO’s flagship series Game of Thrones, and 100 years into the rule of House Targaryen over Westeros.
By the end of Season 1, King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) had died, with his only son, Aegon II, taking claim to the Iron Throne.
Rhaenyra felt that she had a right to the throne, as House Targaryen became divided between factions led by Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), Rhaenyra’s former best friend and wife of King Viserys.
The Season 2 premiere suffered a bit of a ratings hit, with 7.8 million viewers tuning in last week through all platforms.
That number was a 22% drop from the 10 million viewers that tuned in for the series premiere back in August 2022.
The drop was attributed to linear viewing, those who watched the episode live on HBO, which was 1 million fewer than the series premiere.
The second episode of Season 1 actually increased to 10.2 million, representing a series peak, with 9.3 million viewers watching the Season 1 finale.
Last Sunday’s season two debut was penned by showrunner Ryan Condal and directed by Alan Taylor, who previously directed episodes of Game of Thrones, as well as HBO staples such as Boardwalk Empire, Sex and the City, The Sopranos and its prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark.
The series is set 200 years before the events that unfolded in HBO’s flagship series Game of Thrones, and 100 years into the rule of House Targaryen over Westeros
The new episode which clocks in at a whopping one hour and 10 minutes – sets the stage for the war to come.
The show’s second season kicked off with a revised opening titles sequence that was noticeably different than the one broadcast in the show’s first season.
The first season of House of the Dragon featured an animated opening that incorporated Old Valyria in a stone model.
It had been presided over by the late King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine). It included red blood streaming through Valyria’s streets, with symbolism alluding to the Targaryen leaders.
House of the Dragon airs new episodes Sundays at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT only on HBO.