Disclaimer: This story contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 3 of House of the Dragon.
The second episode of House of the Dragon ended with the tragic deaths of Elric and Erik Cargill, symbolizing the ongoing struggle between two factions of Targaryen family members for the Iron Throne. In the new episode, Rhaenyra and Aegon continue to prepare for the bloody battle on their doorstep, reflecting the ongoing tension within the series.
What happened in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 3
The dragon’s new home begins with a land dispute between the Blackwoods and Brecon, which turns into a battle over allegiance to Rhaenyra or Aegon. The scene ends with dead bodies on both sides, and it is revealed that Brecon, who sided with Aegon and the Greens, claimed victory in the conflict, but lost many people, making it difficult to consider it a victory. This new chapter of their rivalry continues the Targaryen civil war.
At Dragonstone, Rhaenyra is burying twin Cargill soldiers, despite one of them attempting to kill her. Rhaenyra suggests contacting Alicent, but Rhaenyra is unsure. She also converses with Mysaria, thanking her for warning her about the assassination attempt and offering her a position at Rhaenyra’s court in return.
In King’s Landing, Ser Criston Cole becomes the Hand of the King, forcing Otto out of the city. The Kingsguard is now composed of untrained soldiers who were Aegon’s friends. Cole is criticized at the first council meeting for killing Rhaenyra and trying to have a knight killed. After hearing about the incident in the Riverlands, Cole decides to take Harrenhal for the Greens, which Aegon supports, willing to fly on his dragon to join the mission.
Daemon and Caraxes arrive at Harrenhal, the greatest castle in Westeros, which has been largely destroyed. They meet House Strong, led by Simon Strong, who welcome them and bow to Rhaenyra. Daemon makes plans to build an army of the Riverlands, with Harrenhal serving as their outpost, and march on King’s Landing for the Iron Throne. The question is whether he will take the throne for Rhaenyra or sit on it himself.
Alicent’s brother, Gwaine Hightower, arrives in King’s Landing just in time to join Cole on his expedition to the Riverlands. Cole clearly doesn’t want him there, but Alicent has the right to make the final decision. She doesn’t fully trust Cole and it seems like Gwaine is probably there to keep an eye on him.
At Dragonstone, Rhaenyra’s council, except for Rhaenys, is urging her to send all the dragons after her enemies, even though she knows Aegon’s forces will take them out. However, the council disagrees with her strategy, as she appears to be as bloodthirsty as Aegon’s allies.
Rhaenyra sends her niece Rayna to the Valley with her dragon babies, eggs, and young sons and asks her to be their mother to protect them during the war. Despite Rayna’s desire to go, she has limited choice in the matter.
A brief scene between Helena and Alicent shows Helena trying her best to get over the loss of her son, and Alicent feeling a lot of guilt because her relationship with Kol kept her from her position. Helena knows this and tells Alicent that she forgives her for what happened. Elsewhere in the Red Keep, Aegon wears the Conqueror’s armor, ready to join the battle. Lairis convinces him with some clever lies, which gets him the job of Master of Whispers.
In King’s Landing, a man named Ulf the White claims to be Daemon and the brother of King Viserys. He is stopped by Aegon and his friends who find themselves in a brothel. Aegon finds his brother, Aemond, with an older woman, causing the king to ridicule him. Ulf the White is a character who will play an important role later in the story.
At Harrenhal, Daemon has a vision of a young Rhaenyra resembling him and the consequences of his actions, causing him to panic. Waking up, he finds himself standing in front of a weirwood with his sword drawn. The terrifying Alice Rivers appears behind him to deliver an ominous message, “You are going to die in this place.”
The episode concludes with Rhaenyra meeting Alicent in King’s Landing, where she learns of Viserys’ last words and her father’s mistake regarding Aegon the Conqueror, but Alicent believes it is too late to change anything.
New episodes of House of the Dragon Season 2 air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.