The sixth episode of the second season of HBO’s House Targaryen Chronicles begins with the arrival of the Lannister army at Golden Tooth and the meeting with Lord Lefford, who is forced to surrender. But Jason Lannister cannot advance to Harrenhal without Aemond joining the battle on Vhagar.
This leads to a tense meeting of the Green Council. Aemond, not surprisingly, does not like being given orders. He proposes a deal with the Triachy to challenge Team Black’s navy and open a passage that will break the blockade of King’s Landing. When Criston Cole warns Aemond of the risk, he is sent to prepare for the Battle of Harrenhal. Alicent is ignored at the meeting, not to mention nearly married to a Greyjoy. She is then officially relieved of her Council duties.
The Black Council takes an exciting turn when Rhaenrya puts all her energy into implementing her plan to find dragon riders hidden in the family tree. First up is Ser Steffon Darklynn, whose great-grandmother is Targaryen and who has the honor of riding a god. But we quickly learn how risky this endeavor is. “To claim a dragon, one must be willing to die.”
Somehow, Daemon is still on his ghostly adventure in Harrenhal and is plagued by dreams of Viserys. The first dream recalls the time when Daemon referred to Viserys’ dead young son as “the heir for a day” and the breakup of their relationship. Daemon sulks like a sad puppy trapped in the throne room. The second dream serves as a visualization of Daemon’s guilty conscience. He finds Viserys sobbing over the body of his dead wife and comforts him as he would have liked to do in real life. These scenes prove how much we have all missed Paddy Considine on our screens.
Daemon is certifiably manic at Harrenhal, as he begins attacking Lord Strong and fleeing from Alys Rivers. But Rivers is still in his head, giving him some much-needed “advice.” She tells him to calm down, and in three days the “wind will change.” And it does, in the form of Lord Grover’s final death and his young grandson’s takeover of Riverrun. Daemon, completely distraught, cries.
The dragon rider experiment literally goes up in flames as Ser Darklynn fails to tame Seasmoke. The aftermath has left Rhaenyra confused about which sword to wield in this war: a real one or a metaphorical one. Her PR campaign, put together by Mysaria, goes over well, and the people of King’s Landing are in such dire straits that they immediately believe rumors of feasts at the Red Keep. Most importantly, the common people we see throughout the series are Targaryen bastards. Ulf is disgusted by the tavern, and the blacksmith rushes to get the food that Team Black sends in small boats. Still, Rhaenyra is so restless and sick of hearing Daemon’s name that she slaps Lord Bartimos for mere yapping.
Under Aemond’s leadership, Larys Strong loses his influence over Team Green. Aemond sees through Larys’ constant attempts to become Hand and asks Larys to get him a real Hand of the King: Otto Hightower. The PR Queen returns to Team Green!
Aegon is alive, and that complicates everything for Aemond. Aegon fears for his incredibly fragile life and admits that he has no memory of his brother trying to murder him. Ironically, Aegon’s right eye is burned.
Rhaena discovers that there is a dragon loose in the valley. It would be a shame if there was a Targaryen who could ride it. Lord Corlys asks his (still not officially recognized) son Alyn to become his first mate. Alyn continues to reject Corlys and hides his identity by shaving off his white hair.
A depressed Alicent talks to her brother Gwayne about their youngest son, Daeron. He was sent to Oldtown as a ward and has grown up to be a nice person. Alicent is happy that one of her children is not bad yet, and melancholy that it was the child she did not raise. She goes to the Red Keep with Helaena, but street riots interrupt their prayers. The queens come face to face with the hungry and tired commoners. Alicent is hit by a fish as the rioters proclaim Rhaenyra the true queen. Alicent and Helaena escape as the public brawl turns deadly.
Larys stands by his royal ally Aegon and breaks the news that he will be permanently disabled. We learn that Larys was born with a deformed foot and was immediately disowned by his family. He is close to tears as he prepares Aegon for the humiliation that his disfigurement will bring.
After cooking Ser Darklynn, Seasmoke escapes Dragonstone free. Until he chases Addam through the woods of Driftmarck. The scene changes as Addam faces the dragon. Could this bastard son tame his half-brother’s dragon?
Throughout the episode, Rhaenyra is consulting with Mysaria behind the scenes. The two have gone from being a feuding queen and prisoner to a queen and advisor, plotting. Mysaria tells Rhaenyra about her past sexual abuse at the hands of her father and her infertility as a result. She pledges her faith in Rhaenyra and they kiss. This moment is horribly cut short when news comes to light that Seasmoke has been spotted with a rider. Rhaenyra does not go to the council because she rode her dragon after this mysterious rider.
This episode raises many questions, such as: Will Team Black accept a dragon rider who is not from a noble family? Is the Mysaria Kiss a hint that a certain Green and Black fan ship series is canon? Who fed that stray dog during the blockade of King’s Landing?
House of the Dragon is now streaming on Max.
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