Written by Angelica Monk and Jamie Broadnax
Last week’s episode of House of the Dragon left us with yet another tragic death and this time it was a blow to both houses as the Cargyll twins met their demise over at Dragonstone. The first scene of our third episode of the series opens in the Riverlands. A rivalry between House Bracken and House Blackwood ensues. Consider these two more like the Bloods and Crips if you will, fighting over territory.
A Blackwood knight demands the Brackens move their stone boundaries to their rightful place, a Bracken refuses stating it’s their Houses’ land. The knights have a disagreement over their King and Queen (Aegon and Rhaenerya respectively). One knight refers to Rhaenyra as a “baby killer” and the other refers to Aegon as “craven and no true king”. We cut to the Bracken knight dead in a creek, a sword in his neck. The camera pans out to a sea of Bracken and Blackwoods all dead in a field after a great battle beneath a burning mill. The dispute is aptly named the Battle of the Burning Mill.
At Dragonstone, Ser Erryk and Arryk Cargyll are buried together. Jace calls him a baseless villain who sullies his brother’s grave (they were unable to tell the twins apart). Rhaenyra does not fault Ser Arryk for honoring his vows and Jace asks if she finds fault in the ones who sent them before storming off. Rhaenys approaches Rhaenyra stating Otto Hightower would never have done this. She believes their bitterness will cause them to forget what started the war in the first place. Rhaenyra says the war started when her throne was usurped and Rhaenys tells her that that is only one answer. Some will say the war started when the heir was beheaded or when Aemond killed Luke, or when Luke took Aemond’s eye. Rhaenys notes Alicent feared war, there is war so hateful to the Gods than those between kin and no war is as bloody as war between dragons.
Ser Criston broods in his chamber when he’s interrupted by a page, calling him Lord Hand. The camera pans to a chain of golden interlocked hands adorn his armor. He enter the Green Council room and joins them at the table. He asks Aegon about his choice to appoint the new Kingsguard and Aegon simply says they are meant to replace those that have been lost. Ser Jasper makes a reference to Ser Arryk and Criston downplays his death, stating he failed, Alicent quips Erryk failed because Criston’s plan was rash. Aemond interrupts stating that the Blackwoods and the Brackens went to battle and heavy losses were lost on both sides. Aegon celebrates the first drawn blood shed in his name. The Grand Maester suggests seeking the backing of the Tullys as the Blackwood and Brackens are their vassals. We also see Aemond still flipping the coin he found in his room that was used as a ransom for his life in episode 1.
Ser Criston declares he will go to the Riverlands and force the houses that declared for Rhaenyra to join the Greens, and with their army growing, they will take Harrenhal. Alicent cautions Ser Criston, insisting the plan is rash, Criston ignores her asking for Aegon’s thoughts. Aegon agrees and wishes to send Aemond and Vhagar with Criston but Criston states Aemond will remain with his dragon to protect the city. Aegon declares they will go to war, and he will follow on the back of Sunfyre, but the Green Council advises against this. Aegon relents but insists he’s as fierce as any in Rhaenyra and her dragons.
Mysaria watches Seasmoke flying as Rhaenyra approaches her, thanking her for her attempt to warn her about Ser Arryk. Mysaria nods and wishes to work with Rhaenyra, Rhaenyra is taken aback, she was under the impression Mysaria didn’t want to be involved with those in power. Mysaria was touched by Rhaenyra’s mercy, she wants the Hightowers to pay for what they’ve done to her, and she tells Rhaenyra the small folk won’t care who rules them, but she feels Rhaenyra is the better choice.
Later, Rhaenyra meets with Rhaena asking her to take her sons, Aegon & Viserys, along with their dragons Ceraxes and Stormcloud. Rhaena wants her to write to Prince Reggio of Pentos to see if he will have them, Rhaena notes Pentos is where her mother died. Due to the danger that befalls their house, Rhaenyra wants Rhaena to be the mother she cannot be. She is to look after the children like a dragon looks after its eggs. Rhaena does not want to go and asks about Baela, Rhaenyra tells her she needs Baela in Dragonstone and Rhaena states it’s because of her dragon. Rhaenyra asks Rhaena to make this sacrifice for the future of their house and she reluctantly agrees before leaving.
Daemon arrives at Harrenhal, landing Caraxes on the highest tower as the rain pours down in sheets. He descends into the castle, his sword drawn and finds the Castellan of Harrenhal Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), dining with his family including Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). Ser Simon pledges his fealty and bends the knee. Daemon joins them at dinner but refuses to eat, fearing he will be poisoned. Ser Simon insists he is a guest. Daemon asks about their allegiance, as their Lord is Larys Strong. Ser Simon scoffs, he refuses to acknowledge Larys Clubfoot. He notes he finds it suspicious that his nephew Ser Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) and his great-nephew Ser Harwin Strong died in a fire when Harrenhal is so damp, he has no love for Larys. Daemon tells Simon he wants to meet their liege, Lord Grover Tully and Ser Simon calls him all but an invalid. Undeterred, Daemon wishes to meet with him. Garrisoning a great army at Harrenhal and winning the loyalty of the Tully’s, will aide the Blacks in taking back the Iron Throne.
Back at the Red Keep. Criston sporting a new haircut prepares to leave with his army when he’s introduced to Alicent’s brother Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox, originally played by Will Willoughby). Gwayne (a green knight) snottily remarks that’s marched for three months to find his father unseated as Hand of King by a man from such modest beginnings. Alicent tells him Gwayne will join him in Battle (Alicent needs someone loyal to her around). Gwayne sarcastically says he’s honored to go to war with a Dornishmen and kiss his sister goodbye. Alicent wishes Criston luck, and he asks for her favor, she pulls her handkerchief from her breasts and hands it to Criston as her brother looks on. The army leaves King’s Landing, as the camera pans to Cheese rotting from the castle walls, showing the passage of time.
Rhaenys reminds the Council that Rhaenyra wears the crown of her grandfather Jaehaerys the Conciliator, a man whose prudence allowed for a peaceful reign, longer than even Aegon the Conqueror’s as the Black Council discusses their plans.
Back at Driftmark, Rhaenys brings a meal to Corlys. They discuss Rhaenyra’s plight beneath the scaffolds as work continues on repairing Sea Snake, Rhaenys predicts Rhaenyra will need him soon. Rhaenys tells Corlys she said goodbye to Rhaena before she departs for Pentos. Corlys scoffs at her fate, he would rather fight a hundred battle than go into exile watching young children. Rhaenys reminds him that Joffrey is an heir, Corlys says he knows nothing of the sea. Rhaenys believes Rhaena may be a good alternative as Lord of the Tides but in any case, they are going to a place far from Driftmark.
Rhaena looks forlornly at the shoreline as Rhaenyra wishes her farewell. She asks her to take care of her children and see if she can win support across the sea. Baela speaks with her twin, encouraging her and reminding her of the honor in her duty to protect the children. Baela shows her that there is a small consolation in her departure, not only is she to take the young princess and her dragons, but she will take dragon eggs (Dany’s eggs) with her, she carries the hope of their Great House should something go wrong. Baela and Jace hug Rhaena goodbye and Rhaenyra watches on.
At the Red Keep, Helaena tells her mother she is still sad about Jaehaerys death, but she believes she shouldn’t since people die all the time, especially babies who are so little and taken so easily. Alicent tells her that grief is a condition of motherhood. Helaena wonders if the smallfolk who watched the funeral procession feel she doesn’t have the right to grieve as they have surely endured the loss of their own children. Alicent tells her she has the right to grieve just as much as the rest of them.
Aegon prepares to ride out to meet Ser Criston, encouraged by his new Kingsguard but Larys admonishes them for encouraging such foolish behavior. Larys pulls Aegon to the side and tells Aegon about the rumors circulating about him, he claims the people believe Alicent will take control when Aegon flies away. Larys promises to tend to the rumors and as he leaves, Aegon names him Master of Whisperers.
At a brothel/ale house, Ulf the White takes a seat at a table and tells the men around him that he is part Targaryen, the grandson of King Jaehaerys. He claims he is the son of the half brother of Daemon & Viserys, Baelon the Brave a bastard, and uncle to the young true Queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen. He tells the men, he shouldn’t tell them men as a dragonseed could lose his head. The men tease him for not looking like a Targaryen and Ulf states his nephew the crown prince, Jacaerys Velaryon doesn’t look like a Targaryen either. A man at the table tells him he spots his other nephew, Aegon Targaryen and Ulf quickly stands and hails Aegon Targaryen as the true king. In search for a woman to bed the squire, Aegon finds his brother laying with the Brothel madam and teases him for only sleeping with his first. Angered, Aemond stands completely naked and tells Aegon his squire can have the Madam and he walks off.
Baela reports to the Black Council that she spotted Ser Criston and a scouting party heading north. The Council questions how Baela could have recognized them from such a height, and she admits she flew very close to them but did not engage. The Maester advises a larger host was heading northeast towards Rosby. Ser Simon Staunton (Michael Elywyn) requests that he return to his castle to fortify Rook’s Rest from enemy attack but Ser Gorman Massey Lord of Stonedance (James Dreyfus) tells him not to fret as the Greens are headed for Harrenhal.
In his chambers, Daemon sees an unseen force attempt to push his door open, they are shut, his sword wedged in the door handles. He hears a voice singing in the distance and he enters a room with a young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) sewing the head back onto Prince Jaehaerys’s body, she tells Daemon she’s always cleans up his messes are a single tear rolls down his face.
Rhaenyra travels in secret with Ser Steffon disguised as a Septa and a Septon. Ser Steffon sits at the stairs of the Sept with other Septons, pretending to read while Rhaenyra joins other Septas heading inside and conceals a dagger. Rhaenyra surreptitiously joins Alicent at prayer and reveals herself but before Alicent can run off, she threatens her with the dagger requesting to speak with her. Alicent concedes and agrees to hear Rhaenyra out.
Rhaenyra says her father loved her and even loved Alicent, he named Rhaenyra heir until the very end. Alicent snaps that he changed his mind, Rhaenyra asks what her father said before he passed. Alicent says it was hard to understand him, but he was weary and he called out Aegon’s name, saying he was “The Prince that was Promised”. Rhaenyra realizes that Viserys spoke to her about the Song of Ice and Fire, she tells Alicent there’s been a mistake and begs her to help. Alicent tells Rhaenyra to go, there’s been no mistake, her father has left court, and her son has gone to war. She tells Rhaenyra it’s too late and leaves.
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