It ’s all too tempting to make a bunch offirejokes when babble aboutHouse of the Dragon , but this workweek ’s instalment , “ Smallfolk , ” was genuinely sizzle . With just two more episodes to go after this week ’s , we ’re in the prime moment for the show to build its tension as gamy as potential — and the foundation is already shape for a Inferno of aseason twofinale .
We spread out with an army on horseback , and based on their banner and the fact that they ’re toting lion in cage , we lie with this is the Lannisters — led by Lord Jason Lannister , whose duplicate sidekick ( yes , there are a lot oftwins in Westeros ! ) Tyland baby-sit on the Green Council . House Lefford — come from the Golden Tooth — greet Jason with compliance , proudly offering 500 serviceman to fight down for Team Green , and is met with an avalanche of classic Lannister snobbishness . Also , Jason has decided his regular army wo n’t head to Harrenhal until Aemond ’s able to join them on Vhagar ; after all , Daemon ’s own wolf , Caraxes , is dangerously nearby .
In King ’s Landing , Aemond angrily crumples the raven - post content — the Westeros equivalent of bequeath someone on read — and rages at the melodic theme that anyone thinks he ’s at their beck and call . “ I am thePrince Regent , not a firedog to be called to heel , ” he grumbles , making an specially uncomfortable moment for Ser Tyland Lannister . The awkwardness gets worse when Aemond be given over Ser Tyland ’s chair and tell him to go make a treaty with the Triarchy — the same Free Cities alliance we encountered during season one , duringthe show ’s “ Crabfeeder ” era .
Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) will put a spell on you. © Liam Daniel/HBO
Ser Tyland is n’t on board with this architectural plan , not one piece , and neither is Alicent , who pipes up that King Viserys would not have dared accede an alliance with the Triarchy , who are not to be trusted . ( Moments subsequently , she has to snarl “ out of the interrogation ” when another fellow member of the Green Council suggest offering up the Dowager Queen ’s hand in man and wife might tempt the notoriously salty Greyjoys to link up their cause . ) Even Ser Criston Cole dares to speak up against Aemond ’s schema . But the Prince Regent just tells him it ’s clip to border his army to chance Daemon at Harrenhal , and brushes aside all of Cole ’s ostensibly valid points about why waiting a bit would be better . “ I will fly out to receive you when the prison term is right , ” Aemond smirk . “ My uncle is a challenge I receive , if he defy confront me . ”
“ I see we ’re all gibe , ” he say to a elbow room that is very much not in correspondence , and as the get together ends he tells Alicent to abide behind — so he can inform her he does n’t need her sitting in on council meetings anymore . He talks over her protests : “ I let go you of your stern , such as it was . I ’m sure you ’ll be much - pleased to return to more … domesticpursuits . ”
“ Have the indignities of your puerility not yet sufficiently been avenge ? ” she asks her boy , and we all know the answer .
© Ollie Upton/HBO
At Dragonstone , another council is about to meet . Lord Corlys is now wearing the Hand of the Queen thole — and frankly , we ’re relieved to see him back in action . There ’s a peculiar guest superstar in the room : Ser Steffon Darklyn . Rhaenyra ’s genealogic research has check he just might have enough dragon blood to become a dragon passenger , and though it ’s an outrageously severe thing to attempt , he ’s profoundly moved by the petition , and check .
At Harrenhal , Daemon is still being haunt by his yesteryear . This clip , it ’s Paddy Considine reprize his office as King Viserys , more or less study us through the accurate same rally he had with his brother last time of year , after he learned Daemon had cruelly called Viserys ’ idle new-sprung boy “ heir for a day . ” He separate Daemon he ’s slay him from the logical argument of succession , naming Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne instead , and Daemon has to re - live the agony of that second . For the first time , we start out to think that perhaps Daemon is open of feel rue .
Daemon ’s yanked out of the imaginativeness by Ser Simon Strong , and hisreaction is particularly cranky and paranoid . He accuses the old man of sabotaging him , and even wonders if he ’s in secret work for one of Daemon ’s many enemy ( which now include Rhaenyra ) . Ser Simon , who ’s been nothing but hospitable for this troublesome Edgar Guest , manages to soothe him , but it ’s very decipherable that Daemon has become super unglued .
© Ollie Upton/HBO
As Daemon , his man - grip compact , is flouncing away from the castle and toward Caraxes , he come across — of track — Alys Rivers , who front nervous and full of secrets even when she ’s just standing around . She teases him a little flake about being a scaredy - cat , and gives him shit for once again extract the trigger on his “ I do n’t care this , I ’m outta here ” approach to sprightliness . She also level with him : “ There are erstwhile thing in this humans than you , or I , or bread and butter remembering . You are not the musician , but a bit on the board . As am I. ” After she lectures him about why Rhaenyra would make a better ruler ( and he yells “ Do n’t lecture me ! ” ) , she reminds him that the crown is n’t a prize . It ’s a burden .
And then … what ’s this ? Daemon Targaryen need for advice ? Alys herself can just believe it . But she turns thoughtful , and go on to indicate out the importance of House Tully ’s support when it comes to convincing the Riverlands to support Daemon ( especially after his cruel maneuver were exposed , as we saw last week ) . “ Do nothing now , ” she advises , looking extremely badass as a war hawk screeches down and settle cosily on her weapon system . In a few days , the winds will budge , she says , and walks off with her birdie without explaining what that means .
In the Dragonpit of Dragonstone , it ’s Ser Steffon ’s moment . From the depth , Seasmoke — riderless and solitary since Laenor Velaryon faked his own death in season one — come out , with all the snorting menace you ’d require . “ Do not show fear , ” one of the Dragonpit attendants muttering to Ser Steffon , which is hilarious because nothing about the setting is anything short of terrifying . Though it seems like for a second Seasmoke might be willing to play along , he suddenly draws his giant chief back and torches Ser Steffon , as well as the poor guy endure next to him ( who cuts his own pharynx rather than die any more easy in the Hell ) .
© Liam Daniel/HBO
In the background , Rhaenyra and Jace watch out in revulsion . Not only have they miss a brave , fast knight — their dragon plan , a do-or-die ploy under any context , has seemingly ended in tragedy .
Down at the pier , Addam watch with mystification as Lord Corlys walks up to his brother , Alyn , and asks him to be his first better half ; they ’ll be set sail shortly as part of the war ’s ocean effort . Alyn reckon like he ’d rather step into Seasmoke ’s line of fire than match , but Lord Corlys frames it as an ordering — a friendly orderliness — so he has no choice .
In King ’s Landing , in a half - empty tavern , patrons — including Ulf , the Targaryen bastard we met earlier this time of year — kick about scarceness in the capitol . The want of food for thought is very substantial and very troubling , but you have to assume one cleaning lady ’s chatty contingent about the abundant feasts still being held in the Red Keep ( “ racks of lamb , mince pies , honeycakes , beef and gravy ” ) are part of Mysaria ’s whisper campaign , especially when she add up Rhaenyra — the rightful heir of Viserys , a ruler that wouldneverhave have his hoi polloi starve .
© Theo Whiteman/HBO
And talk of Rhaenyra , she ’s walk through Dragonstone being nattered at by an older lord — Lord Bartimos Celtigar , Lord of Claw Isle , to be exact — about the Seasmoke snafu when she stops , turns , and slaps him across the aspect . “ It is my fault , I intend , that you have forgotten to venerate me , ” she sizz . It ’s a turning point for her . She returns to her chamber and is rummaging through her sword collection when Mysaria walk in . “ It was worth the risk , no matter the outcome , ” Mysaria insure her , and boost Rhaenyra to keep attempt to find new dragonriders .
She also offers an optimistic update : the smallfolk of King ’s Landing are listen , and they ’re getting angry and angry at Team Green . Plus , whatever the next step of Mysaria ’s plan is — it ’s about to materialize very soon . While they ’re talking , Rhaenyra is holding her sword , and Mysaria pauses . “ If I may , Your Grace : this becomes you . ” Is that … flirting ?
We cut to King ’s Landing , where the smallfolk desperately trying to line up food gawk as a cart full of sheep — nutrient for the majestic dragons — clatters by . In the Red Keep , the only person who could possibly be keeping tab on the situation , Lord Larys , warns Aemond that the smallfolk are becoming “ ungratified . ” Aemond ’s answer is everlasting selfish Aemond : “ So ? ”
© Ollie Upton/HBO
Larys ’ advice , drive home in the most unctuous style , is still justly on . “ The foeman without may be oppose with swords ; the foe within is more pernicious , ” he say , while prompt the Prince Regent that the people look to him to ensure their well - being . Then , a rarified Larys misstep : he brings up the fact that Aemond has no Hand ( Ser Criston being the out of commission Aegon ’s choice , of row ) . Just when you think he ’s steered Aemond into giving him the fizgig , Aemond tells Larys ( after disdainfully scream him a “ toad ” ) to muster Ser Otto Hightower . Time to give grandpa his job back !
Just then : awful / miraculous news , depend on who hears it . Aegon has briefly retrieve consciousness ! possibly his death is n’t imminent after all ? Aemond ’s first move is to go to Aegon ’s room , kick everybody out , and imperil his brother to never tell the truth about what happened at Rook ’s Rest . “ I recollect nothing , ” Aegon wheeze .
In the Eyrie , Rhaena — who got a honorable mention earlier in the sequence , in the context of “ she failed at dragon riding”—is walk with one of Rhaenyra ’s little boy when they come across a giant patch of burned land , far too turgid to be made by one of the baby dragon they brought from Dragonstone . Is there another large brute drift the skies ? When she asks the brittle Lady Arryn , she admits that thereisa large dragon in the Vale : “ It is big and redoubtable . But alas , wild . ” Rhaena agree ( “ Alas ” ) , but you may see the rack in her head begin to turn . perchance she wo n’t have to go to Pentos after all ?
On Dragonstone , Alyn is carefully shaving his Targaryen - blond stubble as Addam ( who doesnothave the trademark hair people of color , though they are brothers ) gives him a hard time about being reluctant to take Lord Corlys ’ offer . Alyn give him a arduous time the right way back , saying the Sea Snake will never recognize them as his sons : “ Stop wasting your life expect for something that will never come . ”
Rhaenyra looks out across the water — she ’s got a lot on her mind , understandably — when Jace appears . He brings up THE SLAP , and she explains she ’s tired of feeling like the men around her are protecting her as if she ’s a wife or daughter . She ’s their swayer , dammit . And while Jace mostly believes in her , he says that to defeat the Green army , they ’ll need Daemon and his dragon . “ May I be free for evenone hourof the ceaseless refrain of Daemon , Daemon , Daemon ? ” she moans . Just then , Mysaira appears with a message : “ Our endowment is sent . ” Jace marvel what that means , and so do we — until we see a fleet of small , unmanned boats full of food , drifting to the shores of King ’s Landing .
In Aegon ’s room , a kind comportment watches over him : Alicent , who ’s not take care very bright . “ What will he be if he hold out ? ” she asks the Grand Maester , who tactfully abstain from answering . She also asks him about all those letters she ’s been charge to judge and go after down her father , without response . She stare as Aegon and whispers “ I ’m lamentable . ”
In the next scene , the soldiers are ready to leave — following Aemond ’s society , of course — and Alicent wanders into the G . She see over at Cole , but she blab rather to her brother , fretting about the fact that Ser Otto is MIA . Ser Gwayne say he has n’t heard anything , but if anybody would hear anything , it would be Alicent — their father ’s front-runner . Also , “ Otto Hightower is ever - resourceful . He will charge intelligence when there is intelligence to send . ”
Briefly — but in the longest conversation we ’ve ever seen them have — they commiserate about their life until this detail ; he was raise forth from his quick family in Oldtown , she accompanied her founder to Margaret Court . “ You get on with it , do n’t you , when there is n’t any choice , ” he says . He also offers an supporting update on Daeron — Alicent ’s Word , also raised in Oldtown — who ’s now a teenager , a clever kid who ’s adult with the lady . But the true balm for Alicent is hear her Word is “ tolerant , ” because “ kindness is a quality I ’ve found lack in his brothers . ” Ser Gwayne , ever droll , opines that the Red Keep might perhaps be “ a less - than - healthy environs ” for new men . Alicent concern that it ’s her fault , but her blood brother , who also possesses some of that very rarified benignity , says “ I ’m sure you did your best . ”
She does n’t speak to Cole , but there ’s a meaningful glance exchanged , and you could see Alicent give him a tiny nod as he rides off . With no other allies to bend to , Alicent find Heleana and suggests they visit the sept to fire up a candle for Aegon , “ and all our lost individual . ” But the timing on that , she ’ll presently clear , is pretty , fairly terrible . In King ’s landing place , the people — including Hugh the blacksmith , andANOTHER DOG CAMEO FOR GEORGE R.R. MARTIN!—are in a frenzy over the Rhaenyra - transmit bounty that ’s just appeared on their shores . The streets ignite into a debauch just as Alicent and her daughter are making their manner back to the tank - like baby buggy that they use to move around the city . It ’s almost a catastrophe ( the queens are pelt with rotten food ; a member of the Kingsguard slices off a piece ’s covetous hand ; and at least one other guard gets get down up by the crowd ) , but the queens make a secure flight in the nick of metre .
In the Red Keep , Aegon has yet another visitor : Lord Larys , who interrupts the king ’s pressing annoyance - medication agenda to give him some advice , drawn from his own experience . “ Your mind is all that remains to you . I do not say that gladly … hoi polloi will sympathize with you , either behind your back or in your presence , and will stare at you or turn away . And they will underestimate you , and this will be your advantage . ” When he tell Aegon his life-time is in peril as long as Aemond ’s in bursting charge , the king say “ Help me , ” and a smile very faintly slithers across Larys ’ face .
In Harrenhal , Daemon ’s having another visual modality : this time , it ’s of Viserys sob over the consistence of his first married woman . It ’s a touching here and now between brothers , but of course Ser Simon is there to blunder in and pull Daemon back to world . There ’s been news , you see : Ser Grover Tully is dead . He ’s been sick for some time , and even the effort of Harrenhal ’s own healer , Alys Rivers , could n’t spare him . You get it on , Alys , who just paid the old man a special sojourn . A still - aroused Daemon get it on what that means , and so do we .
Meanwhile , Addam is on the beach , going about his patronage , when suddenly Seasmoke appears , screeching and doing fly - bys . Everyone scatter , but the dragon nil in on Addam , who cowers as Seasmoke push his giant hooter closer to the panic-struck young Isle of Man .
We ’ll get back to that shortly , but first , Mysaria has an update for Rhaenyra . It ’s good intelligence ( their architectural plan worked ! ) but Rhaenyra is still melancholic . Daemon is count on her mind , especially now that their complicated relationship with each other and their family legacy is coming to a head . “ I fear what he may now do , ” she confess . “ I fear he may have turned against me . ” She ’s also worried about what losing Daemon means for the future of the warfare .
Mysaria ’s there with a pep talk , and it turns into a confessional as she explains the mark on her neck opening . It was left by her abusive beginner ; he ’s also the cause she ca n’t have minor . “ I swore to myself that I would never trust another and that oath has served me well , ” she says . “ This world is cold and barbarous , and there are few in it who are steadfast . You , I think , are steadfast . ” She appreciates that Rhaenyra has watch her as equal and worthy , and she believe Rhaenyra is meant to be queen . The two woman adopt . A farseeing embrace . A loooong embrace . And then : they kiss ! They make out ! It gets heated !
But they ’re interrupted by a big while of tidings : Seasmoke has been spot around with a rider on his back . Weknow who it is , but Rhaenyra doesn’t — could it be the fearsome Greens ? She saddles up Syrax to go see what ’s what .
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonarrive Sundays on HBO and Max .
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