The penultimate episode of the third season of House of the Dragon surprised viewers with an intense mix of intrigue, denied pardons, shocking betrayals and the imposing presence of dragons in action. The narrative delves into the internal and external conflicts that shape the fate of the Targaryens and their allies.
Helaena’s Prophetic Dreams and Rhaenyra’s Fury
The episode’s opening sequence delves into Helaena’s mind, through a dream that places her outside the Red Keep, interacting with a horse under a golden light. The brief vision is interrupted by the voice of Rhaenyra, who had promised her protection, while Alicent dedicated herself to the mission of sending an assassin to Harrenhal to eliminate Aemond.
Helaena’s awakening is abrupt and full of tension. Rhaenyra questions whether Aemond encouraged her to fly Dreamfyre during battles, which Helaena confirms. However, the princess reveals her reluctance to ride dragons, describing the experience as “too much” for her.
Rhaenyra compares Helaena to their father, Viserys, who also disliked dragon riding. Helaena then offers an intriguing perspective, stating that Viserys “didn’t want to be turned,” raising the question about dragons’ ability to alter their riders.
Faced with this observation, Helaena retorts, pointing out to Rhaenyra that she herself, surrounded by so many dragons, would not be “transformed” by the influence of these powerful creatures.
The true reason for Rhaenyra’s visit soon becomes clear when she asks Helaena about her gifts as a “dreamer”. The conversation quickly turns into an interrogation about visions of Daemon, the Winter Wolves, or Ormund Hightower.
Although Helaena’s powers do not work this way, Rhaenyra appears to believe that her half-sister is withholding information, displaying a mixture of anger and despair at some premonition about her own success.
Aemond and the Dark Secrets at Harrenhal
A disturbing scene at Harrenhal shows Aemond seeing Alicent enter his room. The reunion, initially affectionate, becomes frighteningly intimate, culminating in a kiss on the lips and a frenzied sexual act. However, the woman who moans is not Alicent, but Alys, who asks Aemond what he saw.
At first, the assumption is that Alys was using magic to impersonate Alicent. However, the episode raises the doubt whether Aemond, under the influence of some magic linked to Harrenhal or the Targaryens, had hallucinated, confusing Alys with Alicent.
The situation takes on an even more disturbing turn when Aemond runs into the courtyard and finds the real Alicent, wearing the same clothes as in his vision, a detail that increases the mystery about the nature of her experiences.
The March of the Armies and Ormund Hightower’s Plan
Meanwhile, Rhaenyra’s army continues on its march, with the camera highlighting Roddy the Ruin, displaying the severed head of Ser Criston Cole on his battle axe, a macabre display of the advance of the queen’s forces.
In Tumbleton, Gwayne informs Ormund of the army’s slow progress. Ormund is dismissive, suggesting that Gwayne’s “Dornish friend” “died in the mud in vain” as he now has a “piece on the board” that will force Rhaenyra to her knees, keeping his true intention a secret.
Daemon in the Vale and the search for dragon riders
In the Vale, Daemon Targaryen bursts into the Eyrie to meet Lady Jeyne Arryn. She reveals that Rhaena has not been following the order to stay hidden, which is crucial given the complexity of her current situation.
In a nod to the books’ readers, Lady Jeyne mentions local rumors about a dragon rider, a “wild girl who lives with nettles and sheep.” Desperate, Daemon asks her for one more day to resolve the issue before informing Rhaenyra, going so far as to beg, which is unusual for him.
Lady Arryn agrees, offering a clue as to where to look for “Rhae’s nettles”, mentioning that the Sheep Thief has been sighted near Vhagar.
Baela and Addam are also looking for Vhagar and share a revealing moment. Addam, almost explicitly, confesses his passion for Baela, who, without understanding, associates this with their mutual attraction for Alyn.
The atmosphere becomes tense, but is interrupted by the appearance of a flying dragon, which is not Vhagar, adding another element of surprise to the already complicated scenario.
Corlys Velaryon’s captivity and concerns in King’s Landing
Back in Harrenhal, Alicent acts out her story of “escape” from the Red Keep, rambling about the knight who helped her. Aemond, after thanking the man, sticks a knife in his throat, justifying to his mother: “There are secrets here, and I can’t trust strangers.” His action demonstrates the growing brutality and distrust that consumes him, a worrying sign of his alignment with the Green faction.
Alys then appears, inviting Alicent to dinner. The scene cuts to Tumbleton, where Ormund receives Gwayne, Daeron and an unexpected prisoner: Lord Corlys Velaryon, who was captured in the previous episode.
Corlys assumes that this is their last meal, but Ormund, with an excited tone, assures them that they hope to enjoy his company for a long time. He believes Rhaenyra will not care about her Hand’s capture, but he bets that the Velaryon soldiers will be hesitant to defend King’s Landing now that their leader is in the hands of the Hightowers.
Daeron the Bold questions Ormund’s strategy regarding the disorder in King’s Landing, especially with the Winter Wolves approaching, but quickly regrets his intervention. Ormund, instead of answering, asks Corlys why he sided with the “brutal and disinterested” Targaryens.
The conversation is brief. Corlys demands to return to her cell. Ormund agrees, but wields a huge knife, indicating that he will need a “little gift” from Corlys before his departure.
After dinner, Daeron and Gwayne criticize Ormund. Gwayne questions whether Ormund’s plan for King’s Landing is effective in the face of Rhaenyra’s large army approaching. Daeron considers him a “madman” who is leading everyone to a massacre.
Despite the situation, their options are limited. They cannot surrender. Daeron cannot simply flee on his dragon, as he has nowhere to go and would never abandon his men, revealing a sense of loyalty that would differentiate him as a good king. He doesn’t care about being petty, stating that Rhaenyra can have his crown.
Conflicts in the queen’s council and distrust in Daemon
Rhaenyra, on the other hand, finds herself in a tense Small Council meeting. Ser Manderly complains about being the scapegoat for the Crown’s financial problems, arguing that the lack of gold is not his fault and that his proposal to tax the population to raise funds was ignored.
The queen tries to change the focus of the discussion. There is no news from Harrenhal, Lord Corlys, or Daemon’s intentions. The only good news comes from Alyn: the Rivermen are advancing on Tumbleton, and the Velaryon should arrive in King’s Landing soon.
Lady Frey intercedes to remind everyone that Harrenhal is technically hers, and Rhaenyra simply instructs her to take possession of the castle. Lady Frey is enchanted, unaware of the sinister confusion that awaits her.
The atmosphere of the meeting changes with the entry of Baela and Alyn. They report that while searching for Vhagar, they spotted the Sheep Stealer with a horseman, a piece of information that adds further mystery and apprehension.
As they leave, Mysaria confronts Rhaenyra, questioning the veracity of the head that Daemon brought her, interpreting it as another one of her lies. She insinuates that Daemon may be plotting something even more dangerous behind Rhaenyra’s back.
Faced with Rhaenyra’s hesitation, Mysaria grabs her arm, but quickly lets go when she realizes that she has crossed the line. She questions Rhaenyra: “Is there anything Daemon could do that you wouldn’t really believe?”, planting the seed of doubt about the prince’s loyalty.
Twists in Aegon’s escape and Sunfyre’s redemption
Then, the plot follows Larys, Tyland Lannister and Aegon on their journey to Maidenpool and, consequently, to Braavos, a destination that Tyland detests. However, they are forced to change course when they find the road blocked by people fleeing the Black Team’s rapidly approaching army.
At Harrenhal, another tense dinner scene unfolds. Alys tries to maintain polite conversation while Alicent silently realizes how wrong her plan – in fact, Rhaenyra’s plan – has gone. She is also intrigued by Alys, the woman who took a liking to her son and convinced him to stay at Harrenhal and make it his “seat”.
Alicent reminds Aemond that he is no longer able to claim seats in Westeros, but he is indifferent. He believes that Rhaenyra will fail, and that “a new dawn is coming”, exchanging a knowing smile with Alys.
He then holds Alicent’s hand, declaring that he hopes she will stay at Harrenhal to help welcome this “new line of unblemished kings”. Aemond’s speech reflects his growing ambition and distorted vision of the future, ignoring family ties in favor of purified power.
Alys, unhappy with Aemond’s words, quickly intervenes, suggesting that his mother will certainly want to leave. Alicent readily agrees. But, in a moment alone with Aemond, Alys advises him to “exercise caution”, feeling that Alicent has come to do him harm, a warning he refuses to believe.
Sheepstealer’s fate and Rhaenyra’s confrontation
Alys is right, of course. Alicent, at that moment, is already formulating a plan B. She takes a knife from the body of the possible killer and observes a bush of wild fruits growing in the backyard, perhaps looking for a resource for her new strategy.
On the road, near Repouso do Corvo, Larys approaches Tangletongue, a well-known local. Larys already has an explanation prepared: the soldiers are looking for Tyland Lannister, as Rhaenyra, knowing that he is alive, wants to question him about the whereabouts of the crown’s gold.
Larys advises Tyland to turn himself in so he and Aegon can continue their escape. Tyland expresses a preference not to be skinned alive. However, Aegon stops him and states that they must do what they want, as he will no longer flee, determined to make his last stand there.
“I will be buried like a king, with my dragon”, declares Aegon, differentiating himself from Daeron and showing that he cares about leaving his mark on history, not allowing it to be said that he was killed in disgrace by his own brother. Tyland promises to stay by her side, but Larys, always prioritizing her own safety, declares “Okay, I’m out” and leaves.
Then, the scene fills with dragons. A pair of them fly away, nibbling and roaring at each other, revealing Caraxes (with Daemon) forcing Sheepstealer (with Rhaena) into a crash landing. The knights dismount and immediately begin a heated argument.
Rhaena is convinced that by defeating Vhagar she will restore her standing in Rhaenyra’s eyes and perhaps regain her former life.
Daemon responds with unexpected kindness, offering to help her fight Vhagar and then apologizing for being an absent father, showing a surprising evolution in his character.
However, the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Syrax (with Rhaenyra) and Seasmoke (with Addam), flying directly towards him. Rhaena tries to escape, but Addam easily catches her.
This allows Daemon and Rhaenyra to argue furiously, though some of her anger dissipates when she sees who Addam is bringing back. The tension builds with four dragons prowling and growling.
Rhaenyra, furious and hurt, berates Daemon for not revealing that Rhaena was Sheepstealer’s knight, in addition to his severed head charade. She declares, “It’s over,” referring to the Sheep Thief.
Syrax attacks Sheepstealer, followed by Caraxes and Seasmoke. As Rhaena screams in despair as she sees the Sheep Stealer falter, Rhaenyra pulls her toward Syrax, and they take off. Addam and Seasmoke follow, and Daemon, in Caraxes, delivers the fatal blow to the wild dragon.
In the midst of the battle, Daemon suffers a fall of a few meters from Caraxes’ back. As soon as Sheepstealer falls, Caraxes leans down, his huge snout exhaling fire, to check if Daemon is okay, an unusual gesture of affection between the dragon and his rider.
Intrigues in Red Keep and Alicent’s plan
Back at the Red Keep, Mysaria shows the Iron Throne to Sylvi, an old friend. Both share concerns about the chaos on the streets of King’s Landing, but Sylvi expresses her suspicions about Mysaria’s meteoric rise and changing priorities. She questions whether Mysaria still defends the people or if she just proclaimed herself champion to gain access to the halls of royalty.
Sylvi is convinced that Mysaria, without real power, was filled with pride at Rhaenyra’s attention. She warns her: “These people are not yours. You better remember that. Within the walls of nobility, a whore will always be a whore.”
In another part of the Red Keep, Rhaenyra and Rhaena have returned. Rhaenyra permite que Rhaena fique, mas exige que ela permaneça fora de sua vista, reforçando a distância e a desconfiança.
In Harrenhal, Alicent makes another attempt to talk to her son, bringing him a glass of seasoned wine, clearly poisoned. She refers to Alys as “her friend”, and Aemond responds dryly that “she is not my friend”, a detail that suggests the complexity of their relationship.
Alicent tries a new tactic, offering to leave so as not to disturb Aemond’s relationship. This leads to a brief argument about who he should trust, and he confesses that he tried to kill Aegon. Alicent reveals that she already knew and calls him “my dear foolish boy”, a mix of affection and reprimand.
In Rhaenyra’s chamber, the queen examines the skull of the man Daemon tried to pass off as the Sheep Thief’s knight. Daemon enters, and Rhaenyra insists that her maid remain in the room, ensuring a witness to Daemon’s attempts to calm the situation.
He insists that he was not plotting against her, but rather trying to do a kind gesture for his long-neglected daughter. Rhaenyra does not grant him forgiveness, expelling him with an “it’s late”, but her disturbance at the situation is palpable.
In another part of the castle, Baela and Rhaena have a much more emotional reunion. Rhaena still feels guilty about what happened to Jace, but Baela, demonstrating rare forgiveness in House of the Dragon, hugs her and tells her, “You will start over,” offering a glimmer of hope amid the chaos.
Outside, Alyn and the Velaryon soldiers return with new Hightower Loyalist prisoners. Alyn receives a package: Corlys’s finger, with the ring bearing the crest, a sinister gift from Ormund that serves as a warning to House Velaryon.
At Harrenhal, Aemond staggers towards Alys, in a scene reminiscent of their first meeting, indicating that he drank the poisoned wine. “Idiot,” Alys sighs. Alicent is seen hurriedly walking away, leaving the question open: where will she go and how will she survive alone?
Helaena has another dream. First, she is giving birth, and a man in armor takes the baby. Afterwards, she finds herself powerful on Dreamfyre’s back, ordering the dragon to use “Dracarys” to fend off soldiers rushing towards her.
The most touching scene in the Game of Thrones series, a fantasy of Helaena, shows her and her two children in a field, feeding chickens, fulfilling her wish. But the scenario changes: an eclipse covers the sun and it starts to snow, announcing the arrival of winter.
Rhaenyra is not dreaming, but seething with rage. She gets out of bed, cracks her skull on the fireplace and looks for Mysaria to talk about Daemon. She also reveals that she knows that Mysaria tried to instigate intrigue between her and the prince.
However, Rhaenyra is still susceptible to Mysaria’s charms, and the two end up in bed together, a development that further complexes the relationships of power and affection.
The Great Betrayal: Ormund and Ulf Make a Dark Deal
Sitting around a fire near the Raven’s Rest, Aegon and Tyland Lannister await the confrontation that will seal their fates. The army emerges from the forest, riding towards him, preparing for the inevitable.
Initially, it appears that Aegon will flee. But he gathers all his strength and delivers the most moving speech of his life, announcing his identity and declaring himself the true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.
As Aegon shouts, the once mocking soldiers turn serious and begin to retreat. But it’s not out of respect for his words. It’s because SUNFYRE IS ALIVE and suddenly emerges from the forest, a dramatic turn of events that surprises everyone.
Aegon commands “dracarys”, and the soldiers are incinerated. While Aegon isn’t a character to root for, it’s a triumphant moment, and the similarity of the battle scars between him and Sunfyre adds an interesting touch.
There’s still one more twist before the end. The scene cuts to another campfire, where Ulf the White and Ormund Hightower share a drink. The conversation reveals that this is not their first secret meeting, and the meaning of Ormund’s “piece on the board” is finally revealed.
Ormund praises Ulf, mentioning the beating Daemon gave him and Rhaenyra’s ban on his tavern, implying that the Targaryens only see him as an instrument. Ulf accepts the narrative.
“I understand who you really are,” Ormund assures. Ulf remembers an earlier discussion about a lordship and castle he longs for. Ormund had mentioned Honeyholt, the Beesbury headquarters, but now offers an even more tempting prize: Driftmark.
“Lord of the Tides,” Ormund enunciates, asking Ulf what he thinks of this, and promising that no one will laugh at him again when they see him in his new position. Ulf agrees and adds, with a sinister smile: “They will burn.” The episode ends with this dark alliance sealed.
The series House of the Dragon is approaching the end of its third season, with just one more episode to air on HBO.
