House of the Dragon: The Targaryens and Hightowers ready themselves for war after a controversial killing that has torn Westeros apart… as King Aegon II makes a controversial choice

Both House Targaryen and House Hightower ready themselves for an all-out war after a controversial death in the second episode of House of the Dragon Season 2.

The first season ended with the shocking death of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s (Emma D’arcy) son Lucerys “Luke” Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) and his dragon Arrax from Aemond Targaryen’s (Ewan Mitchell) dragon Vhagar, who killed Luke on his own without being ordered to do so from Aemond. 

That death set the stage for the Civil War in Westeros, which took a brutal turn in last week’s Season 2 premiere that exacerbated the inevitable war.

Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) – acting on his own and not at the behest of Queen Rhaenyra – ordered for Aemond to be killed, hiring two assassins to enter the Red Keep, under the guise of being ratcatchers.

While they couldn’t find Aemond… they did find Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) and her twin heirs to King Aegon II Targaryen’s (Tom Glynn-Carney)’s Iron Throne… brutally slaughtering the son Jaehaerys.

After Lord Larys (Matthew Needham) suggested King Aegon II get a new Hand of the King, he made the controversial choice to remove Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) – Hand to the last three kings – and replace him with Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), after he made the bold move to send Ser Arryk (Luke Tittensor) to kill Rhaenyra. 

The new episode begins with the bloody bedding being taken after the slaughter of the King’s son, as the Red Keep is in chaos.

The King screams, ‘I’ll kill them! I’ll kill them all! as his handlers try to calm him down, though he screams, ‘This is war! I declare war!’

Aemond – the true target of the hit – is seen walking through the Red Keep, sporting his eyepatch, hiding his disfigured left eye.

He reaches under a table and pulls out a gold coin, while Alicent Hightower is told by her father Otto that the gates have been shut and the killer will be found.

Alicent says, ‘The child. The child is dead. His pain is ended. But what they’ve done to my girl.’

Otto says they will mourn but there is a chance that some good could still come of this treachery.

King Aegon II screams that the son is his legacy, as Lord Larys comes in and says someone has been detained carrying the child’s head.

The King says he is positive that Rhaenyra is behind the attack and wants to blame her publicly since he doesn’t want to seem weak… but Otto says he’s already weak.

Otto believes they should publicly have the funeral of Aegon II’s son so they could see what Rhaenyra did, but Aegon does not want this.

Otto thinks those who support Rhaenyra may not anymore when they learned she killed King Aegon II’s infant son.

Otto thinks they could double their strength as his mother Alicent agrees, but when Otto thinks Alicent should be there publicly too, she doesn’t agree.

Otto adds that the public must see how the most powerful in the Red Keep mourn for the king’s dead son.

Alicent tells Queen Helaena about the funeral plans but she doesn’t want to do that, as Alicent insists it’s her duty.

The commoners all gather in the streets as the funeral procession begins, with Alicent and Helaena riding on a cart together. 

Meanwhile, Larys visits one of the assassins, who says that he and the other were hired by Daemon Targaryen.

As the procession continues, the commoners mourn for the royalty, with Otto’s play appearing to be working, as a man screams, ‘Behold the work of Rhaenyra Targaryen… pretender to the throne,’ as the child’s severed head rests on his neck.

 

Aegon II goes to see the man in jail and brutally hits him in the head with a club, while, in the streets, the procession is stalled as the cart wheels get stuck.

The commoners all get close to the cart as Helaena has a nervous breakdown while one man says Rhaenyra is ‘monstrous.’

Back in Dragonstone, Rhaenyra is told what happens, and says they must double their guard.

Rhaenyra is told that the damage done is ‘immeasurable,’ as Rhaenyra insists, ‘Having lost my own son, that I would inflict such a thing on Helaena, of all people… An innocent.’

‘Are you suggesting, Ser Alfred, that my grief drove me to order the decapitation of a child?’ she says.

Rhaenyra is alone with Daemon, when she asks, ‘Did you send assassins to murder children in their beds?’

‘I sent the queen’s vengeance for her son,’ he says, as she adds, ‘What did you tell this “Vengeance”? What did you say to him, Daemon, that a boy lies dead and I am accused of killing it?’   

‘Mysaria provided me with names and a subterfuge. I was clear in my instructions: Aemond, the brother of Aegon the Usurper. I cannot be responsible for a mistake. -Cannot be responsible?’ Daemon says.

‘If Aemond was not to be found, what were your instructions then?’ she asks as he insists, ‘They did not concern, in any way, that of a little child. You said that it was your aim to spill Hightower blood, and if not Aemond, then anyone would do.’

She insists, ‘You have wounded me. Weakened my claim to the throne, my ability to raise an army, my standing among my own council. I said no. I don’t believe you. And so we come to it, at long last. Cannot trust you, Daemon. I’ve never trusted you, wholly… Much though I wished to, willed myself to. But now I have seen that your heart belongs only to you. And when I was a child, I took this as a challenge. But I am older now. I have challenges enough.’

Daemon insists, ‘I have served you faithfully.’ but she says, ‘Have you? Or have you used me as a tool with which to grasp at your stolen inheritance?’

This clearly upsets Daemon, as he gets close to her and says, ‘When Ser Erryk brought you the crown… Did I myself not place it upon your brow?’

She answers, ‘Yes, but before that, you sought to lead a council of war while I labored alone in my bedchamber. And afterward, when I thought it meet to consider -the terms our foes put before us.’

He insists it was ,’a folly! A folly! To give up my brother’s throne to the traitorous lies -of Otto Hightower!’

She hits back with, ‘My throne, Daemon, mine! I think you used my words as an excuse to take your own revenge… To indulge the darkness you keep sheathed within you like a blade.’

‘You think me some kind of monster,’ he asks, and she says, ‘Oh, I don’t know what to think of you. I don’t know what you are, or who it is you serve.’

Daemon says, ‘Am I not on my way, even now, to Harrenhal to raise an army in your name, Rhaenyra?! Yours!’  

She asks, ‘Do you accept me as your queen and ruler? Or do you cling, even now, to what you think you lost? You did not lose it. You gave it away… Because you thought ever and only of your own glory, and not of my father in his grief who needed you.’

Daemon insists, ‘Your father was a coward who knew I was the stronger son, that I was the leader of men and he was afraid to be seen in my shadow. Is that what you understand of your own brother? Oh, you know him better than I do, who was raised at his side? Do you believe he made you heir because of your great wisdom? Because of your virtue? Or did he merely use you as a tool to put me in my place because he was afraid of me? Because he knew your legacy, unlike mine, would never outshine his own.’

Rhaenyra says, ‘He was not afraid of you, Daemon! He could not trust you… Any more than I can trust you.’

Daemon adds, ‘He was a fool… Who sought greatness but shrank from spilling blood to achieve it. And I see you will suffer the same fate.’

‘You struck down a child,’ Rhaenyra says, as Daemon insists, ‘It was a mistake,’ before leaving the room.

After Daemon leaves, Baela (Bethany Antonia) enters to see Rhaenyra, who tells her, ‘When morning comes, take Moondancer and keep a watch on King’s Landing. I must know which course they take next.’

Baela says, ‘I will be vigilant,’ as Rhaenyra says, ‘I depend on you, Baela. Stay high and keep your distance. We can afford no further mistakes.’

When Baela asks about her father Daemon, Rhaenyra says, ‘He must follow his own path,’ as he’s seen mounting his dragon Caraxes and leaving.

Helaena approaches her husband but he passes by her without saying a word, as Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) – who was scolded by the King earlier for not protecting his family – watches as the King’s late son’s bedroom is being taken down. 

Rhaenyra watches her children play with small dragon toys while Alicent has a bath drawn for her while Criston waits outside.

She approaches him and asks, ‘Have you told anyone?’ He responds, ‘What do you take me for?’    

‘One who seeks absolution,’ she says, as he adds, ‘There is none for what I’ve done,’ before he closes the door and goes back to her bath, sinking under the water.

Criston finds Arryk (Luke Tittensor) and asks him about his dirty cloak, saying the procession was muddy, and he will, ‘replace it hence.’

Criston wants him to replace it now, saying, ‘The white cloak is a symbol of our purity… Our fidelity. Kingsguard are a sacred trust. Will you so easily sully our ancient honor?’

‘I have erred, my lord. I’ll remedy the error,’ Arryk says, walking away, though Criston asks, ‘Where were you when Jaehaerys was murdered?’

‘With King Aegon,’ Arryk says, as Criston asks, ‘And you were not in the private quarters where you might have prevented the crime.’ 

‘His Grace wished to entertain his companions in the throne room,’ Arryk says, though Criston shoots back with, ‘But if you had thought to go upstairs…’ ‘

‘Where were you, Lord Commander? And why has Helaena the queen been granted no sworn protector? Surely once she ascended, she…’ 

Criston angrily says, ‘Your brother is a thief and a traitor to the crown!’

‘You well know how it pains me,’ Arryk says, as Criston questions, ‘How are we to know that you do not secretly share his sentiments?’

‘I denounced him before the king. We were one soul in two bodies, yes. If I’d shared his sentiments, I would’ve fled with him,’ Arryk insists.

Criston says Arryk has brought disgrace to their ranks and now he must restore it, as Arryk asks how might he do that?

‘You will go to Dragonstone and strike down Rhaenyra in her own halls. The way she sought to do with Aemond. We will pay the princess back in her own bloody coin,’ Criston says.

‘Alone?’ Arryk asks, as Criston says, ‘Does your courage fail you, Ser Arryk?’   

Arryk insists, ‘It’s not a matter of courage. The castle is defended against all enemies, now especially. How would I enter?’  

‘Your twin serves there at the pleasure of the so-called queen. They will mistake you for him if you play the part,’ Criston says.

‘We are sworn to serve forthrightly, not to traffic in deception,’ Arryk insists, as Criston says, ‘Put down the pretender and you will end a war before it begins.’ 

‘You would send me to my death,’ Arryk says, as Criston responds, ‘Or to triumph. And glory. Now, will you go? Or must I question your loyalty to the king?’

‘As you command… My lord,’ Arryk says, his mission afoot.

Meanwhile, Baela is seen outside shooting her crossbow when she’s approached by Jacaerys (Harry Collett), who says she missed supper but sh said she wasn’t hungry.

She asks where her father Daemon went and Jace says, ‘Harrenhal, I would think.’ 

‘Sometimes I think I hate him,’ Baela says and Jace says, ‘It’s hard… With fathers.’

Baela asks, ‘What do you remember of my uncle?’ Jacaerys responds, ‘He taught us to catch fish… And sing sailors’ shanties. He had a weakness for cake.’

She asks, ‘And… Ser Harwin Strong?’ He says, ‘He was gentle, and fierce. -They called him “Breakbones.”‘

‘He loved us… I think,’ she says, and he says, ‘Of course, he did,’ before adding, ‘I miss Luke.’

Aemond is seen naked with a lady named Madam Sylvi, telling him, ‘Daemon sent them to kill me. I was out,’ as she says, ‘You were with me.’ 

‘In truth, I am proud… That he considers me such a foe. And that he seeks to murder me in my bed. He’s afraid of me,’ he says.

‘As well he should be. The boy is grown into a man,’ she says as she starts to kiss him but he says, ‘No. Not here. Hm. I do regret that business with Luke. I lost my temper that day. I am sorry for it.’

Madam Sylvi says, ‘I am glad to hear it,’ as Aemond continues, ‘They used to tease me, you know? Because I was different.’

‘I would remind you only that when princes lose their temper, it is often others who suffer. The smallfolk… Like me,’ Sylvi says.

Meanwhile, Hugh asks, ‘How is she?’ as she approaches a coughing child, while Kat says, ‘Much the same.’

Kat adds, ‘The markets have been running low since the blockade. Surely the city cannot yet be short of food. I think not, but people are afraid. Those with means are hoarding everything they can. I walked two hours today to find a chicken for the pot and paid three times as much as I should have.’

Hugh says, ‘The king has promised us some relief,’ but Kat asks, ‘Did he say when? I’m afraid, Hugh.’

Back at a pier, Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) reunites with his brother Addam (Clinton Liberty). 

‘I see all your great adventures have done nothing for your looks,’ Addam says, as Alyn adds, ‘Well met, brother, after many months away.

Addam says he heard Lord Corlys commended him, asking if he offered to sail with him but Alyn says there is no such offer.     

‘He made no offer. And I would rather he didn’t, truth be told,’ Alyn says, as Addam says, ‘Do not be foolish, Alyn. To serve with the Sea Snake is to make your fortune. Had I such a chance, I would leap at it.’ 

‘That’s because you haven’t seen what I’ve seen. There is a war brewing, Addam. A real one,’ Alyn says,

Addam adds, ‘Another opportunity to distinguish yourself. Remind him of your worth,’ but Alyn insists, ‘Oh, I need no favors.’

Addam adds, ‘But, brother, he owes you, he owes us. Does the stew have carrots in it?’

Rhaenys (Eve Best) is in bed with Corlys (Steve Toussaint), telling him, ‘I mistrust this silence. Daemon flies when we most need his hand at the oar.’

Corlys says, ‘Devotion has never sat well with him. Where he goes, he wishes to be his own master. Well, he is the king consort.’

Rhaenys says, ‘But he is not the king,’ as Corlys adds, ‘Neither am I, but I manage.’ 

Rhaenys adds, ‘I too have felt the crown pass over me. It is a hard thing to accept. And now Viserys is dead and all claims are in doubt.’

Corlys says, ‘You do not think… Daemon will challenge her?’

‘Not as such. But neither can he allow her to command him,’ Rhaenys says, as Corlys adds, ‘Pity. I have, on occasion, found that to be… Quite enjoyable.’

‘Let us take him at his word. If he can take Harrenhal, all may well be forgiven. In the meantime, I am here. And Meleys. We will not let the queen falter,’ she says.

Mysaria a.k.a. The White Worm (Sonoya Mizuno) is brought in to see Rhaenyra, who asks her what part she played in yesterday’s events. 

‘I had nothing to do with it,’ she insists, as Rhaenyra adds, ‘I know you are entwined with the usurpers, that you aided them in denying me my birthright.’ 

‘I took profits from an inevitability. I regret it now,’ Mysaria says, as Rhaenyra says, ‘ I’m sure you do.’

‘Who are you?’ Rhaenyra asks, as she insists, ‘A prisoner. I gave Daemon two names. That is the extent of it. And I did not wish to do that much. He said it was the price of my freedom.’ 

Mysaria asks, ‘Does he say otherwise?’ Rhaenyra says, ‘He is gone,’ though she has no clue for how long. 

‘He does do that, doesn’t he?’ she says, as she asks, ‘You remember me now.’ 

‘He said he would marry you. He said you carried his child,’ Rhaenyra says, as Mysaria says, ‘Not everyone found the jest funny. And now it seems he’s done it again, made a promise and then slipped away.’

‘You trade in the secrets of the Red Keep. Your web runs unseen through King’s Landing. And now… When my enemy coils himself to strike at me,’ Rhaenyra says, as Mysaria says, ‘I can do nothing now but ask you to honor your husband’s words.’

‘It would not serve me to set you free. At best, I lose an asset to my cause. At worst, you betray me in some foul way,’ Rhaenyra says. 

‘I have no interest in betraying you, Your Grace,’ Mysaria insists, as Rhaenyra says, ‘So you say.’

‘I was brought to Westeros with nothing. I toiled in service, I stole. I sold my own body for coin or bread. And I listened. I collected confidences. I made myself valuable to powerful men. Bit by bit, I earned my living. A house, a household, a home. Then they set it all aflame.’  

‘Who did?’ Rhaenyra asks, as Mysaria says, ‘The Hightowers, I can only assume. The Hand… Did not like it when I showed my teeth. But I thank him for it. For too long, I made it my aim to be of consequence. But now, I see that was the wish of a child. Daemon. Otto Hightower. Makes no difference. They will never accept me. I might as well have remained a whore.’

‘How did you get that scar?’ Rhaenyra asks.

Back in King’s Landing, a number of people are found being hanged, as one woman gasps and says, ‘Oh no! My son!’ 

A woman asks, ‘Who are they?’ as the man says, ‘Ratcatchers. In the king’s employ.’ She says, ‘What’d they do?’

A furious Otto finds King Aegon II, asking what had he done, and Aegon II says, ‘The maggot who took my son confessed to an accomplice. He could not say for certain which man it was, so…’

Otto insists, ‘Idiot!’ as Aegon II says, ‘Beware how you speak to your king, my lord.’

‘The king is my grandson and my grandson is a fool! He’s worse than a fool! He’s murdered innocent men!’

‘And one guilty one,’ Aegon II says. 

‘And hanged them from the walls of the city for all to see! Plot against the king, and I will pay it back a hundred-fold,’ Aegon II says.

‘They are fathers and brothers and sons! And their wives and children gather now at our Gates to weep and curse your name! With your child’s blood, we bought their approval. With your mother’s tears, we made a bitter sacrifice against the deprivations to come. And you’ve thrown it away. After all I’ve done for you. Thoughtless, feckless… Self-indulgent,’ Otto says. 

‘At least I did something. I have not answered injury to the crown with, what? Wailing and currying favor with the fishwives? I will not be thought weak,’ Aegon II says. 

‘Even now, news of Rhaenyra’s monstrous crime spreads through the realm. The great houses falter. They cannot but come to our side,’ Otto says. 

‘I wish to spill blood, not ink! We must act. Ser Criston Cole has acted,’ Aegon II says, as Otto asks, ‘And what… Has Ser Criston Cole done?’

‘He has sent Ser Arryk to slay Rhaenyra,’ Aegon II says.

‘Alone?’ Otto asks, as Aegon II says, ‘He’s pretending to be his own twin. Brilliant.’ 

‘Gods help us all,’ Otto says as Criston says, ‘It’s time the bitch queen paid a price.’

A seething Otto says, ‘And you acceded to this, this prank without consulting me or the council? Instead of judgment, you display impetuousness, and diminish us in the eyes of our enemy! Ill-considered, trifling! Do you never think of your father? His… Forbearance, his… Judiciousness, his… His… Dignity.’

‘F**k dignity! I want revenge. My father is dead,’ Aegon II says, as Otto responds, ‘He is. And we are the poorer for it. He was right about you.’

‘He made me king,’ Aegon II insists, as Otto adds, ‘Is that what you think?’ 

Aegon says, ‘Remove your badge, Ser Otto. You were my father’s Hand. Not mine. Take it off.

‘You wouldn’t dare,’ Otto says, as Aegon II says, ‘I have dared… And I find it stimulating.’

Otto says, ‘Insolent pup. You think yourself clever, but without a strong Hand at your side… To guide?’ 

‘Give it to Cole,’ Aegon II says, naming Criston Cole his new Hand of the King, which surprises Criston. 

‘In this hour, you have proven yourself of more worth than a hundred old men. My new Hand will be a steel fist.’

Otto adds, ‘You will regret this,’ but Aegon II insits, ‘Give it to him.’

Otto drops the badge at Criston’s feet as Otto opens the door and Aegon II says, ‘You are dismissed.’

Back in Dragonstone, Rhaenyra goes to see Mysaria, telling her, ‘I do not know if I trust you. And I sense that there is danger in you yet. But I will keep the word of my house if you say that it was given. You may go.’

Rhaenyra adds, ‘There’s a Velaryon ship in the harbor bound for Myr by way of Pentos. I will see that you are given passage. I’m not so unworldly as to let you fly free,’ as Mysaria thanks her.

Rhaenyra tells Ser Erryk, ‘Mysaria will be leaving us. Let her collect her things. Then have someone take her down and secure her berth on the Corwyn.’

Mysaria is seen walking down to the boat… when she sees… another Ser Erryck… or perhaps Arryk… as she asks for ‘a moment.’

Arryk posing as Erryk approaches the castle, as one of the guards says he thought h was ‘within’ before he is allowed inside.

He walks through the bowels of the palace undetected… before hiding from his twin brother as he walks past.

He approaches Rhaenyra’s chambers, telling the guard he is ‘restless’ and he will take his duty watching over Rhaenyra.

When the handmaiden leaves, Arryk enters, drawing his sword, saying he didn’t want to do this, when his brother Erryk enters, drawing his sword.

‘Do not do this. I beg you,’ Erryk says, as Arryk adds, ‘You were the one who betrayed us, Erryk.’

A fight between the twins ensues as Rhaenyra tells Elinda, ‘Run and find Ser Lorent!’ as the handmaiden dashes off.

Arryk briefly gets the best of Erryk and goes after Rhaenyra but Erryk stops him as Ser Lorent arrives but doesn’t know which is which.

Arryk ultimately gets the best of Erryk, as Arryk says, ‘You parted us! But I still love you, brother.’

They both get up as Erryk slays his brother Arryk, before telling Rhaenyra, ‘Your Grace. Forgive me,’ before killing himself with his own sword.

Back in King’s Landing, Otto complains about losing the Hand of the King role to Criston with his daughter Allicent. 

‘It is ignorance and vanity. You know as well as I do that Aegon must be kept in check. As does Ser Criston. The two of them together…’ Otto says.

‘Ser Criston is not temperate… But his devotion cannot be questioned,’ Allicent says.

‘He’s ensured it. He’s young and unschooled. His faith is in steel and bone. He has not the long view. None of them do. They wish now not for the good of the realm, but for the petty satisfaction of vengeance,’ Otto says. 

Allicent says, ‘Aegon is still malleable. It is the death of the child that has unstrung him.’

Otto says, ‘I can’t stay here. Exiled from the council. Witness to the blundering of our plans. I’ll return to Oldtown. The Hightowers still have strength, and you have a son there who will take more kindly to instruction. Daeron may yet help us in weeks to come.’

Allicent says, ‘Go rather to Highgarden. The Tyrells must be taken in hand. Their bannermen are wavering. While you’re gone, I’ll speak sense to him. His blood will cool. In time, you may yet return.’

Otto says, ‘The young are peacocks… All shrieking and feathers. But we will yet prevail and bring forth peace, I still believe it. As long as you and I hold fast.’

Allicent says, ‘I have sinned,’ but Otto adds, ‘I do not wish to hear of it.’

Allicent goes to see Aegon II and finds him weeping before she walks away and returns to her chambers where Criston is waiting… and she slaps him twice.

She starts pushing and slapping him more before they start making out as the episode comes to an end.

The preview for next week’s episode finds Rhaenys saying, ‘Soon, they will not even remember what it was that began the war in the first place. When the desire to kill and burn takes hold… reason is forgotten.’

Criston Cole says, ‘We cannot hide in our castle, waiting for war to come to us,’ as Aegon II says, ‘Good. To war, then.’

It’s also revealed that there has been no word from Daemon yet and it’s not clear where he went after leaving Dragonstone.

House of the Dragon returns with the third episode of Season 3 on Sunday, June 30 at 9 PM ET on HBO. 

The trailer for this new episode showed how furious Aegon II was after the killing of his son, fervently declaring war on Rhaenyra.

However, Rhaenyra was just as upset with Daemon as Aegon II was, saying she can’t trust him and now he’s weakened her right to the Iron Throne.

The series is set 200 years before the events that unfolded in HBO’s flagship series Game of Thrones, and 100 years into the rule of House Targaryen over Westeros.

By the end of Season 1, King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) had died, with his only son, Aegon II, taking claim to the Iron Throne.

Rhaenyra felt that she had a right to the throne, as House Targaryen became divided between factions led by Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), Rhaenyra’s former best friend and wife of King Viserys.

The Season 2 premiere suffered a bit of a ratings hit, with 7.8 million viewers tuning in last week through all platforms.

That number was a 22% drop from the 10 million viewers that tuned in for the series premiere back in August 2022.

The drop was attributed to linear viewing, those who watched the episode live on HBO, which was 1 million fewer than the series premiere.

The second episode of Season 1 actually increased to 10.2 million, representing a series peak, with 9.3 million viewers watching the Season 1 finale.

Last Sunday’s season two debut was penned by showrunner Ryan Condal and directed by Alan Taylor, who previously directed episodes of Game of Thrones, as well as HBO staples such as Boardwalk Empire, Sex and the City, The Sopranos and its prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark.

The show’s second season kicked off with a revised opening titles sequence that was noticeably different than the one broadcast in the show’s first season.

The first season of House of the Dragon featured an animated opening that incorporated Old Valyria in a stone model, as it had been presided over by the late King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine). It included red blood streaming through Valyria’s streets, with symbolism alluding to the Targaryen leaders.