After the explosive events of last week saw Rhaenyra finally sit upon the Iron Throne after much bloodshed, House of the Dragon season 3 continues its moody run this week.
The third episode centres on Queen Rhaenyra as she tries to keep a hold on her newfound power, but dangers still lurk and the threat of the Greens in the Dance of Dragons has not been entirely extinguished…
Is the war really over?
Spoiler warning…
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3: Rhaenyra Triumphant
Off the Kingsroad
Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton) and his host treat with King Consort Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) in the field, with Caraxes, Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) and Ulf White (Tom Bennett) with their dragons.
Daemon orders surrender with clemency, and Ormund submits and bends the knee, pledging fealty to Rhaenyra. Ormund prepares to depart, but Daemon demands that Ormund hand over his cousin’s son and his war and squire, Prince Daeron Targaryen, as a hostage. Ormund hands over a platinum-haired teenage boy (Charlie Gordon) to Daemon.
In King’s Landing
In the Red Keep, an emotional Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) reminisces as Daemon reports and then shows off Daeron Targaryen. Rhaenyra pushes for him to reveal information on Ormund, Aemond and Aegon, before he is taken away to be confined, while Green banners are pulled down. Daemon says they’ll have to kill Daeron.
In the council chamber, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) reports to Rhaenyra that the wealth of the kingdom is gone. The few advisors include Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), whom Daemon is angered by. Rhaenyra wants an elaborate coronation, but is advised not to by Mysaria and Corlys for the well-being of the people. Rhaenyra sends ravens to the Great Houses, asking for tributes. Rhaenyra does not want her Small Council anymore. Aemond is reported as being at Harrenhal, but Rhaenyra promises Harrenhal to the person to slay Aemond, and also wants Sheepstealer found.
Later, in their chambers, Rhaenyra confronts imprisoned Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) about the lost money, while demanding answers that Alicent cannot provide. Alicent advises Rhaenyra to declare the scarred Aegon dead, and if he returns, to call him a pretender. Rhaenyra promises to set them free when Aemond is eliminated.
Following this, Rhaenyra orders Ser Luthor Largent (Tom Cullen) to declare Aegon dead and for her now eldest son, Prince Joffrey Velaryon, to be retrieved from the Vale. Rhaenyra is troubled by Daeron’s presence, and Mysaria warns that he is a threat. Rhaenyra is troubled by visions of her dead son, Jacaerys and orders Mysaria to question the staff and root out those loyal to the Hightowers.
In the throne room, Rhaenyra meets with the High Septon to discuss being crowned and anointed in full public view, but he refuses due to having previously crowned and anointed King Aegon II Targaryen. Rhaenyra tells him that Aegon is dead, but the High Septon does not believe it, and he refuses and tells her not to make an enemy of the Faith or risk peril.
Over dinner with Rhaenyra, Corlys recognises Alyn (Abubakar Salim) and Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) as his bastard sons and requests that they be legitimised as Velaryons and that Alyn of Hull be named his heir, but Rhaenyra does not grant it and says she will think on it.
Later, Rhaenyra ignores Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) following her betrayal and returns to the monarch’s bedroom before leaving it with a lantern and climbing into bed with Daemon.
The next morning, Rhaenyra dresses to meet the people for the first time in the throne room, but she begins to bleed. One person with sheep reveals a desire for an investment due to being attacked by dragons, while Rhaenyra struggles to deal with the anger of the Smallfolk, including one who calls to punish the wealthy.
In the Small Council, Mysaria and Daemon continue to clash, while Rhaenyra continues to feel delirious and asks after Baela’s searching, with Addam sent with her. Rhaenyra believes she will never have justice. Rhaenyra orders a banquet, and she and Daemon knight Ser Ulf the White, Ser Hugh the Hammer, and Ser Addam of Hull.
Hugh visits Rhaenyra and asks what living to expect and for Hugh to send for his wife, Kat, in Tumbleton to return to King’s Landing, but Rhaenyra asks for his patience.
In her chambers, Rhaenyra is visited by Alicent, who asks for her father’s remains to be sent to Oldtown, and Rhaenyra grants the request. Rhaenyra asks for Alicent’s advice on ruling, with Alicent advising to shut off from feeling her emotions and to embrace doing what is ruthless to rule effectively. Rhaenyra denies that this would be needed.
At a banquet with noblemen, Rhaenyra drinks with them, and a feast of rats is served to them, including food that the Smallfolk would eat, to make clear the disparity in food and resources between rich and poor. Rhaenyra reveals that her Gold Cloaks are plundering their supplies and will return them to the Smallfolk.
Rhaenyra interacts with Northern aristocrat Ser Torrhen Manderly (Dan Fogler), who admires her actions. Rhaenyra sends Daemon to demand soldiers from Lady Jeyne Arryn. Daemon warns that Rhaenyra doesn’t know who she is, and he encourages her to seize and conquer with her six dragons. Daemon tells Rhaenyra that they will stand as Gods as in Old Valyria. Rhaenyra hopes to learn from Viserys, but Daemon does not believe he was Great, and Rhaenyra recalls the Doom of Valyria. Daemon leaves her but reminds her that Daeron needs to die.
Rhaenyra visits the room where Daeron is being held and watches him sleep.
The next day, a sleep-deprived Rhaenyra is advised by Mysaria to address her grief for her lost sons, but Rhaenyra reveals that she is full of rage and swears to confront her sons’ killers.
At the Great Sept, Rhaenyra receives a rapturous response from the crowds, whom she dispenses food to as a gift with Mysaria’s help.
Later, back in the Red Keep, Rhaenyra rejects Corlys’s request to legitimise his bastard sons, prompting Corlys to grow angry, but Rhaenyra is fearful of invalidating her own scrutinised sons. Corlys furiously calls Rhaenyra’s children bastards in front of multiple witnesses before leaving.
In her chambers, Rhaenyra confronts Alicent once again and reveals that she has Daeron, and she plans to exile her half-brother to the Wall. Alicent wishes to see Daeron for herself after many years.
Later, Rhaenyra tells Daeron his fate, but the boy remains silent. Alicent is then brought in to see Daeron, but it becomes clear from her reaction that this boy is not Daeron at all but is a decoy given over by Ormund in a deception.
Rhaenyra then receives word that the Hightower host has taken the market town of Tumbleton with the young dragon, Tessarion, Daeron’s dragon. A dragon tamer delivers the message and warns that Rhaenyra would be burning her own people should she attack the town.
In the final scene, Rhaenyra watches as the Greens’ flags and colours are burned outside in the courtyard with a hard stare.
What will be the Queen’s next move?
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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