If the revelations of last week’s House of The Dragon told audiences anything, it’s that we are too far ahead in this Targaeryn war to retreat. It’s war or die!
As Team Black and Team Green gather their armies, Daemon is being haunted in Luigi’s Mansion, aka Harrenhal. The episode begins with him hallucinating a Young Rhaenyra in her adult crown taunting him until he beheads her. In another dream, he chases down Aemond, characterized as Daemon with an eyepatch. Daemon sees his late wife Laena as a cupbearer when he meets with Lord Blackwood (who fans will recognize as the little lord who vied for Rhaenyra’s hand back in season 1). Harrenhal is confronting Daemon with all of the people he’s failed. These literal guilt trips have yet to make enough of an impact on his psyche to thwart his general personality, however, as he nonetheless tries to convince the Tully heir to kill his grandpa.
Alicent is still out of sorts after mistaking her Aegons and is being proactive in the only way she can; taking Plan B tea and doing history research around the castle. Criston Cole runs a successful campaign, taking Duskendale, Rosby, and Darklyn for Team Green.
Aegon’s taunting of his brother in the brothel comes back to bite him. He is reminded of his lack of leadership and basic fluency of High Valyrian during the Team Green council. Aemond has put his war plans with Cole in motion and redirected the Green Army to Rook’s Rest instead of Harrenhal.
Aside from the big battles, the introduction to Alys Rivers, the wood witch of Harrenhal, is a highlight of the episode. Actor Gayle Rankin mystifies as she scares the life out of Daemon, recalling his fight with Rhaenyra and his many inadequacies. The line “I’m no woman at all. I’m a barn owl cursed to live in human form” is going to go platinum on social media.
Aegon, dreadfully bored of the Green Council, retreats to have the most demoralizing conversation with his drunk mother. Alicent holds no bars as she tells Aegon the truth of his position, “Do what is needed of you: Nothing.”
Rhaenyra finally arrives back at Dragonstone and reveals her peace talks with Alicent. She faces that it’s war or death and agrees to send a dragon to defend Rook’s Rest.
We then get to the episode’s MVP, Eve Best as Rhaenys. The warrior Queen Who Never Was makes peace with her existence as she governs in Rhaenyra’s brief absence and acknowledges Lord Coryls’ bastard, Alyn. She bravely goes to battle with her dragon Meleys.
Rhaenyra tells Jace the Song of Ice and Fire as the Battle of Rook’s Rest begins. Cole and Aemond’s plan slowly materializes as a push to start dragon warfare, but Aegon throws a wrench in the plan by getting the Aegon the Conquerer armor out of the closet and riding his dragon, Sunfyre, into the battle. Their lack of fighting experience nearly gets them killed until Aemond rides in on Vhagar. But petty Aemond strikes Aegon first so he can battle with his aunt solo. Aegon and Sunfyre go down in a blaze.
The ground battle is confused and chaotic as these giant beasts blow fire in the sky. Cole gets knocked off horseback and is out cold for the rest of the battle.
As awesome as dragon fighting sounds, the show focuses on the emotional bond between dragons and their riders. The dragons scream and bleed as they scrap and it tears through your heart. Eve Best provides a stunning performance as Rhaenys and Meleys perish together in slow motion.
The aftermath of the dragon battle is total desolation as ground troops are charred in their armor. Cole wakes up to stop Aemond from feeling fratricidal and finds Sunfyre wrapped around a crispy Aegon. Do we still have a King?
The dragons have begun to dance and the consequences will be mighty. We’ll see which Targaryen will inherit the ashes left behind.
House of the Dragon is streaming now on Max.
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