If the revelations of last weeks House of the Dragon has told the audience anything, it is that we are too far ahead in this Targaeryn War to back down. It is war or death!
While Team Black and Team Green gather their armies, Daemon is haunted at Luigi’s mansion, also known as Harrenhal. The episode begins with him hallucinating that a young Rhaenyra with her adult crown taunts him until he beheads her. In another dream, he chases Aemond, who is depicted as Daemon wearing an eyepatch. Daemon sees his late wife Laena as a cupbearer when he meets Lord Blackwood (who fans will recognize as the minor lord vying for Rhaenyra’s hand in Season 1). Harrenhal confronts Daemon about all the people he has let down. However, this literal guilt has not yet had enough of an impact on his psyche to affect his overall personality, as he still tries to convince the Tully heir to kill his grandfather.
Still reeling from her Aegons being mixed up, Alicent is being proactive in the only way she knows how: drinking Plan B tea and doing historical research around the castle. Criston Cole leads a successful campaign, capturing Duskendale, Rosby and Darklyn for Team Green.
Aegon’s taunting of his brother in the brothel backfires. During Team Green’s council meeting, he is reminded of his lack of leadership and knowledge of High Valyrian. Aemond has put his war plans with Cole into action, redirecting the Green Army from Harrenhal to Rook’s Rest.
Aside from the big battles, a highlight of the episode is the introduction of Alys Rivers, the wood witch of Harrenhal. Actress Gayle Rankin is stunned as she scares the crap out of Daemon, reminding him of his fight with Rhaenyra and his many shortcomings. The line “I’m not a woman at all. I’m a barn owl cursed to live in human form” will reach platinum status on social media.
Aegon, terribly bored with the Green Council, retreats to have a highly demoralizing conversation with his drunken mother. Alicent knows no bounds as she tells Aegon the truth about his position: “Do what you are asked: nothing.”
Rhaenyra eventually arrives back at Dragonstone and reports her peace talks with Alicent. She realizes that it is war or death and agrees to send a dragon to defend Rook’s Rest.
Then we come to the MVP of the episode, Eve Best as Rhaenys. The warrior who never was, coming to terms with her existence as she rules during Rhaenyra’s brief absence and acknowledges Lord Coryl’s bastard Alyn, bravely going into battle with her dragon Meleys.
Rhaenyra is telling Jace a Song of Ice and Fire as the Battle of Rook’s Rest begins. Cole and Aemond’s plan slowly takes shape as an attempt to start a dragon war, but Aegon foils the plan by pulling out Aegon the Conqueror’s armor and riding into battle on his dragon Sunfyre. Their lack of combat experience nearly gets them killed until Aemond arrives on Vhagar. But petty Aemond strikes Aegon first so he can fight his aunt alone. Aegon and Sunfyre go up in flames.
The ground fight is confusing and chaotic as these giant beasts breathe fire into the sky. Cole is knocked off his horse and is unconscious for the rest of the fight.
As great as dragon fights sound, the show focuses on the emotional bond between dragons and their riders. The dragons scream and bleed as they fight, and it’s heartbreaking. Eve Best delivers a stunning performance as Rhaenys and Meleys die together in slow motion.
After the dragon battle, there is utter devastation as the ground troops are charred in their armor. Cole wakes up to stop Aemond from his fratricidal desires and finds Sunfyre wrapped around a crispy Aegon. Do we have a king left?
The dragons have begun to dance and the consequences will be huge. We will see which Targaryen will inherit the ashes left behind.
