House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 recap: [Spoiler] finally dispatches archenemy in game-changing episode

Well, House of the Dragon season 3 shows no signs of slowing down with this game-changing episode.

In last week’s premiere – the HBO drama focusing on the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of Dragons – those following Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) may have won the bloody Battle of the Gullet, but they suffered the loss of her son and heir, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett).

Meanwhile, Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) returned to King’s Landing and manoeuvred to get her son, Prince Regent Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), out of the city so Rhaenyra can win the war in the most bloodless way possible.

But did things go to plan?

*Spoiler warning for the episode*

House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 recap

In the Riverlands

The Blacks, including the Riverlords and the Northern lords, celebrate their victories.

Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) arrives with fine wine but offers a message to King Consort Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) from Rhaenyra – news of Jacaerys’s death.

Daemon orders his forces to meet him at King’s Landing as he plans to take it for Rhaenyra.

Before he leaves, Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) tells Daemon to ask Rhaenyra to give Harrenhal to her, but Daemon refuses until suggesting another reward. Alys warns Daemon not to return.

Meanwhile, on the road, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), and their forces spot Vhagar flying to Harrenhal and plan to follow.

Finally, Prince Regent Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) and his dragon Vhagar take Harrenhal with fire and blood.

In the great hall, Aemond confronts Ser Simon Strong and seeks Daemon. Aemond challenges Simon to a duel, but as the latter tries to placate him, he is driven through with a sword before Aemond then dispatches Simon’s sons. Alys then appears just as Aemond begins to bleed out himself from a wound and begs for her help before collapsing at her feet.

In the Gullet

Leaving the battle, Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) carries her betrothed Crown Prince Jacaerys Velaryon’s (Harry Collett) corpse back to Dragonstone.

Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) searches the waters for his missing father and then on the shoreline until approached by Baela, who joins the search. Baela remains adamant that they will find Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), while Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) also flies overhead in search of his father and finds him injured.

On the shore, Corlys laments their loss on the Gullet and that of his treasured possessions at his destroyed home of High Tide, but Corlys offers Alyn and Addam legitimacy in House Velaryon.

On Dragonstone

Baela returns with Jace’s body and declares the battle won, but the cost to Ser Lorent Marbrand (Max Wrottesley) is clear. Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) is freed, and she is devastated to have lost her eldest child and is initially in denial, not believing him dead, before collapsing in grief. Ser Lorent tries to pull her off and offers Rhaenyra his sword and his life forfeit. Rhaenyra is furious, upset and betrayed by their actions.

Later, Daemon returns and is furious to find Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) and Ulf White (Tom Bennett) there, having resigned their mission to lie in wait for Aemond. Daemon strikes Ulf for his insolence, but Hugh explains that their encounter with a witch near Harrenhal led to them abandoning their posts.

Daemon then has a tense encounter with his former mistress and Rhaenyra’s new advisor, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), and each mistrusts the other. Daemon asks Mysaria about Rhaenyra’s judgment and her trust in Alicent. Word arrives that Aemond, riding Vhagar, has been spotted leaving King’s Landing for the Riverlands.

Daemon then approaches a grieving Rhaenyra who wants Sheepstealer’s rider dead for their role in Jace’s death. Daemon gives words on Vhagar’s flight from King’s Landing, and Rhaenyra laments the loss of two sons to claim the throne. Daemon tells Rhaenyra of his visions at Harrenhal and how Aegon’s Dream and prophecy are real.

A resolute Rhaenyra then returns to her council and reveals her plan to fly with Daemon and her dragonseeds and take the city, but her advisors fear it’s a trap. Rhaenyra gives orders for Ser Lorent to choose how to die as she leaves. Mysaria then asks Rhaenyra to send for her and to remember her loyalty, while Daemon chafes at Mysaria’s new role. Hugh and Ulf take orders from Daemon, who warns them to merely stand watch and not to go rogue. Daemon plans to go after Vhagar once the city is taken. All four then fly on the dragons to King’s Landing.

In the Vale

Meanwhile, Lady Jeyne Arryn (Amanda Collin) rides out to meet Lady Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell) as she returns dishevelled after riding Sheepstealer. Jeyne then reports Jace’s death to Rhaena and reveals that Queen Rhaenyra will be hunting Sheepstealer. Rhaena begs for asylum in the Vale and offers Sheepstealer as protection. At this, Jeyne lets Rhaena remain in the Vale.

In the Crownlands

Elsewhere, Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) and King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) continue their journey towards the coast as captives of marauders. Their journey is interrupted by warring Blacks and the Triarchy.

Amid the chaos, the pair escapes, and Aegon kills one of their captors. They head off for shelter, but Aegon is adamant they will go to the fortress at Rook’s Rest, where Ser Criston Cole’s garrison is.

In King’s Landing

In the capital, Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) warns the Commander of the City Watch, Ser Luthor Largent (Tom Cullen), that Rhaenyra approaches and the order is given from current ruler Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) to let her forces into the city to take the Iron Throne.

On the stairs of the palace, Alicent is warned by Kingsguard member Ser Rickard Thorne (Vincent Regan) of what approaches, but she commands a meeting of the Small Council.

The Master of Coin, Lord Jasper “Ironrod” Wylde (Paul Kennedy), confronts Alicent in her chambers about her conspiring and her affair with Ser Criston before he attempts to rape her, resulting in a physical struggle before Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) and the guards catch him. While Ironrod accuses Alicent of treason, he is taken into custody. Alicent gives thanks to Orwyle, but he fears she has done something desperate.

In the Godswood, Alicent approaches Helaena and tells her daughter of plans to get the guards to stand down and allow admittance to Rhaenyra so she can take the city with as little bloodshed as possible, and Alicent hopes these actions will give Helaena happiness.

Alicent and Helaena then give orders to the men of the City Watch on the battlements of the city to stand down and not fire on the dragons or Rhaenyra herself.

Afterwards, Rhaenyra’s four dragons arrive over the city to no opposition and the citizens below panic, including Hugh’s wife, Kat (Elloria Torcha).

Rhaenyra and Daemon land outside the Red Keep and dismount. The City Watch and guards lay down their arms and bow to Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra tells those present not to be afraid before entering the palace.

Inside, courtiers flee, but guards attack, until Daemon dispatches of all of them with his Valyrian steel blade Dark Sister and does so to more as they approach the throne room.

The pair enter the great hall as Kingsguard, and more emerge to guard the Iron Throne. More guards arrive from behind in the form of the City Watch, led by Ser Luthor, who reveals he is actually loyal to his old commander Daemon and orders Rhaenyra’s opponents to stand down and surrender to their Queen. A furious Ser Rickard is then taken away and seized as he swears that Prince Regent Aemond will take revenge. Rhaenyra thanks Ser Luthor for his loyalty, who, in turn, thanks Daemon for originally giving him his gold cloak as a soldier of the City Watch.

The palace is searched for Aegon as Rhaenyra demands her rival and half-brother be brought to her, but instead they find and seize Orwyle, who then bows and swears fealty to Rhaenyra. Orwyle offers another in his stead for execution after Daemon suggests beheading the Grand Maester. Daemon then confronts Ironrod instead in the dungeons, before a mystery servant offers Daemon a gift from Lord Larys Strong. We then see Daemon approach a cell and laugh after looking inside.

In the city, Alicent and Helaena try to escape the city with young Princess Jaehaera, hooded and cloaked in disguise.

In the throne room, Rhaenyra greets freed prisoners who were loyal to her, while Ironrod is brought before the Queen. Daemon brings the gift out from Larys: Alicent’s father and the former Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans).

Ser Otto asks Rhaenyra to make the execution quick, while Daemon tells Rhaenyra not to waver. Ser Otto requests that Rhaenyra let Daemon kill him quickly. A scared Rhaenyra uses and then takes Dark Sister herself as Ser Otto looks at her before preparing himself to be beheaded, and she does so with two strikes. Daemon then swiftly beheads Ironrod with one stroke.

Treading through Otto’s blood, a tearful Rhaenyra then ascends the Iron Throne and finally sits upon it.

Following this monumental moment, the guards clear the way as a captive Alicent and Helaena are brought forward. Alicent looks down upon her father’s remains before she locks eyes with Rhaenyra as the episode ends.

Who dies in House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2?

There were three major deaths this week…

• Ser Simon Strong – stabbed along with his sons by Prince Regent Aemond Targaryen in his taking of Harrenhal.
• Ser Otto Hightower – beheaded by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen.
• Lord Jasper “Ironrod” Wylde – beheaded by King Consort Daemon Targaryen.

Read More

• House of the Dragon season 3 star reveals her devastating input into character’s “shocking” death scene
• House of the Dragon star reacts to season 3’s devastating death – and teases impact on “angry” Rhaenyra

House of the Dragon season 3 will arrive on HBO Max on 22 June in the UK. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on HBO Max, Sky and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV.

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