The sowing of the dragonseeds have begun as we learn that there are some wild dragons out here that need new riders — Silverwing and Vermithor respectively. We open at the Golden Tooth which is the seat of House Lefford in the Westerlands. Jason Lannister advises one of the Lefford soldiers to send a raven to King’s Landing to tell his brother Tyland that they are ready to march as soon as Aemond joins him on Vhagar. Aemond is upset that Lannister’s army is taking too long to take Harrenhal. Aemond wishes to make an alliance with the triarchy (probably on his itinerary of things to do once he becomes King). Alicent and the council think it’s a bad idea and Aemond believes the longer they wait, the more chance Daemon will prevail. Foreshadowing begins of Aemond and Daemon facing each other in battle and Aemond fires his mom from the council in one of the coldest moments of the series.
At the Black Council, Rhaenyra discusses with her Queensguard Ser Steffon Darklyn that she needs a dragonrider for Vermithor and Silverwing. She offers him the opportunity to claim a dragon since he has Targaryen blood in his ancestry. She advises him it is risky and he could die, but he accepts his fate. Paddy Considine makes a return appearance as Viserys Targaryen as Daemon sees his brother in his next lucid dream brought on by Alys’ witchery. Viserys tells Daemon he is to return to Runestone as his new heir along with his lady wife. Daemon seems defeated and upset by this and Viserys is also disappointed in Daemon as he’s giving this order. Viserys takes off his crown which symbolizes to me that it’s a heavy burden to wear.
Daemon has a nervous breakdown and attacks Ser Simon thinking he’s responsible for these visions. He thinks Strong is playing games with him. As Daemon prepares to leave Harrenhal, he runs into Alys Rivers, who tells him “are you gonna leave without saying goodbye?” Daemon tells Alys that he believes he’s being poisoned. Once again Alys points out the hypocrisies of Daemon’s intentions and he asks for her council on how to deal with the Riverlords. She mentions the strength of House Tully. In one of the most surprising moments of the season, Daemon asks Alys for help. She tells him to wait, and that in due time, “the winds will shift”.
Ser Steffon Darklyn slowly approaches Seasmoke and the dragon looks like he’s ready to serve the queen’s guardsman. But in a sudden turn of events, Seasmoke is freaked out and releases fire on Ser Steffon Darklyn, killing him instantly. This stuns Rhaenyra.
The scene purposely cuts to a shot of Addam of Hull. And now we’re in Driftmark. Allyn and Corlys are talking and Corlys asks Allyn to be his first shipmate. Allyn declines. Allyn asks if this is an order or a request and Corlys says he expects him to report for duty which clearly shows this is an order.
At the Ale House, Sylvi chats with Dyana and Ulf The White about how the royals are eating well and how the smallfolk are starving. And also mentioning how Rhaneyra was denied her seat as the rightful heir. Bartimos Celtigar gets slapped in the face after running his mouth to Rhaenyra and she says it is my fault that you’ve forgotten to fear me.
Mysaria meets with Rhaenrya and says that Ser Steffon Darklyn went willingly and doesn’t need to blame herself for what happened. She also speaks to the smallfolk being hungry and they need someone to blame, which means now Rhaenyra has more ammo. Mysaria says it’s harder to wage war abroad when you must keep peace at home. Back at the green council, Larys warns Aemond that the smallfolk are hungry and are restless. Aemond seems unconcerned and says they should be mad at Rhaenyra. Larys says he should appoint a hand. Aemond tells him to fetch Otto Hightower to become his new hand. Maester Orwyle walks in and says Aegon has regained consciousness.
Aemond sees a half burnt Aegon and the first question he asks him is “what do you remember?” Aegon says nothing.
Rhaena walking with Joffrey in the Vale notices traces of cinder burns on the ground which comes from dragons. She’s stunned since clearly there are dragons in the Vale. In the following scene, Jeyne notices Rhaena looks morose and Rhaena reveals to her that she knows there are dragons here. Jeyne simply says it is large, and formidable, but alas, wild. She then changes the subject and pivots to Rhaena being sent to Pentos. Back at Driftmark, we see Allyn shaving his head and notice he has white stubbles.
Curious to know why he keeps his head shaved to hide his Velaryon ancestry.
Addam seems to want to take advantage of claiming Corlys’ wealth by being welcomed as his bastard son, but Allyn won’t hear of it. Jace wants Daemon to join their cause but Rhanerya has doubts.
Maester Orwylle tells Alicent that House Beesbury has raised arms against House Hightower in retribution for Lord Beesbury. Going back to the death of him by Criston in S1.
Alicent speaks with Gwayne and mentions what it would have been if Otto sent Gwayne.
She asks about Daeron and Gwayne says “does he not write to you?”. Gwayne says Alicent did good to send Daeron to ward. Helaena was looking at crickets in a cage. Not sure what this means, but I’m sure it’s a clue to something. There’s chaos in King’s Landing as the smallfolk are getting desperate. Hugh the Hammer sees a man with food, punches him in the face and steals it from him. The smallfolk turn on the royals as the queensguard escort Alicent and Helaena out of the castle immediately. The smallfolk attack them in retaliation for how they have been treated.
Larys has a heart-to-heart with Aegon about his disability and how he will never be the same again. And as he is explaining this to him he’s also talking about himself. Larys says his brother is ruling in his place and that his life is in danger. And Aegon asks for his help.
Daemon has another dream of Viserys, this time of him crying over his dead wife Aemma.
Ser Simon Strong announces to Daemon that Lord Grover is dead. And that Oscar Tullly is now in control. Simon says Alys tried to use her craft to help but there was no more to be done. Which tells us that Alys aided in this demise. Addam sees Seasmoke flying overhead in Driftmark. He’s restless and agitated. He hovers low and Addam runs. Addam runs through the woods and is cornered face to face with the beastly creature.
Back at Dragonstone, Rhaenrya speaks to Mysaria and wonders how she can rule a kingdom if her own son doubts her. Mysaria says “you have me”. Mysaria then explains to Rhaenrya how she got her scar and that it was from her abusive father. Mysaria tells Rhaenyra she was meant to be queen. The two embrace. Then the two engage in a long kiss. They were interrupted by her queensguard and told that Seasmoke has a new rider.
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