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We’re still not quite over Jacaerys’ death on House of the Dragon, but the Dance of the Dragons continues. Rhaenyra has no choice but to push forward.
There’s a heartbreaking moment for Rhaenyra at the start of the hour, as Jacaerys’ body is brought back to Dragonstone. She initially tells him to get up, but it’s all for nought, as she knows that he has been killed in battle. It’s a battle that she didn’t even want him to go into.
The Questions of a Wild Dragon on House of the Dragon
Before anyone can discuss the next steps, there is something else that needs to be brought up: Sheepstealer. It’s clear from the conversations that only Jace realized that Rhaena was on the back of the wild dragon. Baela (who helps Alyn find Corlys) hadn’t realized that it was her twin getting everyone in trouble, and I’m curious at how she’ll react when she learns the truth.
Rhaenyra and her Council are simply trying to figure out how the Greens got their hands on a dragon. Oh, if only they knew!
What is clear is that Rhaenyra needs to go ahead with moving into King’s Landing. She reveals that Alicent will allow her in, and while everyone is questioning whether Alicent meant it or not, Rhaenyra is adamant that her former friend wants her to sit on the throne. Alicent was wrong about Viserys’ wishes all this time, and she’s trying to put it right.
Meanwhile, Rhaena needs asylum, and the only place she can turn is The Vale. Jane Arryn makes it clear that Rhaena and her dragon are welcome to remain in the area, but she is not welcome into her castle.
Alicent Helps Create a Safe Way for Rhaenyra to Take the Iron Throne
Meanwhile, Alicent has her own issues to deal with on House of the Dragon*. She is only just finding out that her son, Aegon, has left King’s Landing with Lord Larys.
Aemond decides that he wants to remain in King’s Landing with Vhagar. That’s going to ruin everything, so Alicent has to push Aemond to head to Harrenhal, which was the plan all along. She needs to make it possible for Rhaenyra to get into King’s Landing safely.
As her plan starts to come together, there’s another hurdle. Now, she needs to encourage the guards not to fire at any dragons that come in. Helaena isn’t all that into the idea at first, but she doesn’t exactly want any more blood either, so the women work together to open the doors for Rhaenyra and the Blacks.
Of course, Aemond isn’t exactly going to just walk into Harrenhal and not kill! Daemon may not be there, but he decides to take out Simon Strong and his sons — people who weren’t even originally a threat to him. There is a blow to Aemond, though, as he’s stabbed in the back. As he collapses in front of Alys Rivers, we have to question what type of wild mental journey he’ll be sent on. Harrenhal has a way of playing with the mind, as Daemon found out.
Rhaenyra Finally Takes the Iron Throne
House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2 ends in an epic way. It’s time for power to shift into the hands of Rhaenyra.
She is able to take King’s Landing. It’s not easy at first, as she and Daemon walk into the Throne Room to find the Kingsguard ready to take them down. Daemon can’t take all seven on his own, and Rhaenyra’s not the best fighter.
So, when the Gold Cloaks also rush in, there are questions about whether Rhaenyra will sit on the Iron Throne or not. Now, we have to remember that Daemon once led the City Guard, and they are still loyal to him. So, when the Gold Cloaks fight on his side, it’s clear that the power has shifted.
Finally, Rhaenyra gets to sit on the Iron Throne, but not at first. She wants the people from the dungeons released. All those who were placed there for not swearing allegiance to Aegon are now freed. On top of that, there’s a prisoner who the Blacks will want: Otto Hightower.
Larys knew that Rhaenyra and Daemon would want him, and he’s the one who put him in the dungeons without anyone knowing. There’s only one thing to do, and that’s for Rhaenyra to execute him for treason. After all, he did help to usurp the throne.
Lord Jasper also meets a sticky end — and to be honest, he deserves it after trying to attack Alicent — with Daemon stabbing and killing him.
House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2 delivers a swift change in power, but how long will it last? It’s not going to be easy for the Greens to get the power back, as Alicent and Helaena are now prisoners, Aemond is injured, and Aegon is somewhere out in the wilderness with Larys.
House of the Dragon* airs on Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
