House of the Dragon
let in massive SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2 , episode 3 .
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2 , episode 3 , has some of the time of year ’s most shocking reveals and sinewy moments , with a ton of fresh material to break down . TheHouse of the Dragonseason 1 endingsaw Westeros barrel toward war , with Aemond Targaryen hit Lucerys Velaryon on dragonback . Season 2 has view Rhaenyra and the fateful cabal answer to this atrocity with a severe , wild enactment of their own . The third episode significantly examines the idea that , though an understanding can be met , a cycle of line has already begun , and there ’s no going back .
House of the Dragon’scastcontinues to excel in their roles . While the first season determine most of the corps de ballet gathered for various weddings , funeral , and other events , everyone is now distribute out . Daemon Targaryen has begun his mission to bring the Riverlands onto the Blacks ' side , charm Harrenhal with ease as he battles his internal demons . For the Greens , Criston Cole has mobilize the Hightower forces with a new scheme . Most importantly , Alicent and Rhaenyra have fulfill for the first prison term since King Viserys ' death , bringing Westeros its last chance to stave off all - out bloodshed .
Alicent & Rhaenyra’s Reunion & The Importance Of Aegon’s Dream
Rhaenyra Finally Learns About King Viserys Targaryen’s Final Words
The most significant dangling thread in Alicent and Rhaenyra ’s reunion is the former ’s misinterpretation of King Viserys Targaryen ’s net words . In delirium , the late Lord of the Seven Kingdoms speak ofAegon ’s dream , the Conqueror ’s vision that tells of the Song of Ice & Fire ( the result ofGame of Thrones).Alicent , who does n’t know the divination , trust that Viserys changed his thinker at the last momentto declare his son , Aegon , as the top executive . This set the Greens ' capturing of the throne in season 1 , episode 9 , in motion .
Rhaenyra prods Alicent for information about King Viserys ' final words , finally gain Alicent ’s mistake . She corrects her , excuse that Aegon ’s Dream is a narration , which Alicent acknowledges , actualise her misunderstanding . It ’s of import to take down that Alicent trust she was doing the right thing , which corresponded to Viserys ' wishes , as she bang him to some degree . This prophecy is original to the television series , helping Alicent be a more sympathetic character , as the bookFire & Bloodmakes it seem as if her motivation is but to help her son usurp the can from Rhaenyra .
House of the Dragon season 2 , instalment 3 make another acknowledgment of Aegon the Conqueror ’s A Song of Ice and Fire prophecy , and it ’s a very smart choice .

Importantly , there ’s more to this vista than just the facet of Aegon ’s prophecy , as it ’s also about Rhaenyra ’s arc for the time of year . In anexclusive interview withScreen Rant , House of the Dragonseason 2 , episode 3 director Geeta Vasant Patel provide some penetration , tying Rhaenyra ’s motivations to her kinship with her late father . Rhaenyrawants to know if Viserys actually changed his mind , and she ’s ultimately validated in her cause , hump herself to be the lawful successor after all . Patel ’s full quote can be read below :
In my mind , and this is what Emma [ D’Arcy ] and I talked about , she ’s there because her dad walk down that aisle in episode 8 and told her , " I love you , and I select you . " He had not chosen her before ; nobody had chosen Rhaenyra . That was a large import for her , and now everything that occur is project off because apparently he said , " No , no , I take that back . It ’s not her . It ’s this other guy . " Rhaenyra was there to ask , " Did my father have it away me ? Did he lie in to me ? " And that ’s what that moment ’s about . That ’s where , in the scene , you ’ll see that ’s where Rhaenyra is most aroused .
Why Alicent Says It’s Too Late To Stop The Civil War After Realizing Her Mistake
Alicent Knows She’s Wrong, But It’s Too Late To Turn Back
Despite Alicent realizing her error about Aegon ’s vaticination , she brush the fact away , saying it ’s too late to stop anything . Rhaenyra came in Leslie Townes Hope of attain an understanding , which they do , but too much has already gone awry for things to become around . This yield Rhaenyra the necessary closure to stay on to take legal action , while Alicent now has to issue forth to grips with guilty conscience about what ’s happen . She ’s already lead off to see how flawed Aegon is as king , but the moment he was plant on the Iron Throne , it became irreversible .
Alicent and Rhaenyra are profoundly flawed , but they own a wisdom and restraint that few characters in the serial publication have considered .
Aegon is the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms . Aemond Targaryen wipe out Lucerys in the skies above Storm ’s End , Blood & Cheese assassinated the small Jaehaerys Targaryen , and both faction have yell banners and begun to march their United States Army for state of war . Alicent and Rhaenyra are deeply flawed , but they possess a sapience and simpleness that few character in the series have considered . Still , in the same sense that Alicent has mislay her clasp on Aegon and Aemond , Rhaenyra could scarce call in Daemon backto Dragonstone peacefully . The Dance of the Dragons has begun .

Custom image by Debanjana Chowdhury
Milly Alcock’s Return As Rhaenyra Explained
Daemon Reflects On His Fallout With Rhaenyra In Episode 2
One of episode 3 ’s most shocking braid was thereturn of Milly Alcock as unseasoned Rhaenyra Targaryen . Before the magnificent Emma D’Arcy stepped into the role in previous season 1 , Alcock expertly laid the foundation for Rhaenyra , portraying her in her younger years . This crucially derive after Daemon and Rhaenyra ’s black eye - up line in episode 2.Upon Daemon ’s arrival in Harrenhal , he begin to experience psychotic belief of his environs , with the dreary , ancient halls fusing with his emotionsfollowing his dramatic radioactive dust with Rhaenyra . Geeta Vasant Patel cater some penetration into Daemon ’s narrative for the time of year , saying :
This is not an isolated scene because , if it ’s just him arriving in Harrenhal , you’re able to put it anywhere at any time . But what ’s important is that Daemon gave his heart to Rhaenyra . He married her when he ’s not a marrying kind of guy . He does n’t let anyone in , but he let her in . And she , in episode 2 , pushed him away and told him he was turd ; he was slimy . That reach him like a bullet , and he does n’t take bullets .
Daemon is incredibly aroused after their logical argument , and his usual method of processing emotion is anger . He sense Brobdingnagian guilty conscience for the character he bring in bump off a shaver . Patel support that Daemon is check the younger reading of Rhaenyra because that ’s the version that looked up to him , not down on him , adding:“At least in my eyes , that ’s what it was . ' That ’s the Rhaenyra I know,'“referring to how Daemon may have processed see her . This is the first time he ’s shown regret for violent death , emboldened by the ignominy he feels for hurt Rhaenyra .

Image via HBO
What Baela & Moondancer Chasing Criston Cole Sets Up
The Dragons Have Been Unleashed For War
House of the Dragonseason 2 , episode 3 , see its first coup d’oeil at dragon action with Baela drive Moondancer . In a thrilling scene , she view Ser Criston Cole and Ser Gwayne Hightower out in the open , come on them from the sky . This shows some character definition for Baela , who ’s been relegated to the setting for most of her time . InFire & Blood , she take up after Daemon ’s furiousness and notably does n’t listen to Rhaenyra ’s orders to fly high and keep off worry . However , the tantrum has broader implications forHouse of the Dragonseason 2 .
Dragons have been loosed , andepisode 3 is the precipice of the Dance of the Dragons living up to its name . Criston Cole has seek his good to keep his army below the tree diagram communication channel , but they ’ve now been spotted , and Rhaenyra ’s side know they ’ve rally . Baela alerts the Blacks to the Greens ' movements , which moves the fight frontward , as both side must take immediate action toward war .
House of the Dragon is back with season 2 , and there are already significant change to the source material in George R.R. Martin ’s Fire & Blood .

What To Expect From House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4
The Pieces Are In Place For The Dance Of The Dragons To Begin
time of year 2 , installment 4 is style " Dance of Dragons , " paint a picture a follow - up to the conflicts establish in installment 3 . All the pieces are placed in their positions on the board , with Rhaenyra and Alicent now openly accept that war is the only way forward . Blood has already been spilled , but nowHouse of the Dragonis in position to see major force jar , with armies and dragons clashing .
have place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones , House of the Dragontells the story of the procession of the Targaryens , the only house of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria . The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke , who bet the older versions of the characters . Also star in the series is Matt Smith ( Prince Daemon Targaryen ) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra ’s father , King Viserys Targaryen .



Image via HBO
