Recap of House of the Dragon: Tension within the Targaryen family erupts

In the most recent episode, the children are in danger (but Rhaenyra and Daemon are).

 

The Targaryen and Velaryon clans have gathered at Driftmark to prepare for Laena Velaryon’s sea burial. When Daemon (Matt Smith) lets loose with a diabolical giggle as Vaemond (Wil Johnson) recites the funeral rites, the audience becomes uneasy. He is aware that everything is about to change.

 

The interaction between Rhaena (Eva Ossei-Gerning) and Baela (Shani Smethurst), the children of Daemon and Laena, and Jacaerys (Leo Hart) and Lucerys (Harvey Sadler) and the children of Alicent (Olivia Cooke) — Princes Aegon (Ty Tennant) and Aemond (Leo Ashton) and Princess Helaena (Evie The coming together of these tribes, especially as a result of young Aemond’s activities, is a volatile mixture.

 

The prince, who hasn’t yet claimed a dragon of his own, approaches the sleeping dragon after spotting Vhagar, the orphan dragon of Laena, alone on the Driftmark beaches in the dead of night. After waking her, he is almost burned to death, but with pure willpower and a self-assured tongue, he manages to tame Vhagar and on her back. He awakens the castle by taking the dragon on a joyride around the island and the surrounding water.

 

Baela is upset because she believes Vhagar is hers to claim. Aemond strikes her with a fist as nasty and ruthless as Aegon. A battle starts when Rhaenyra’s children show up to offer assistance. Jacaerys and Lucerys will perish “screaming in flames much like your father did,” Aemond threatens, alluding to the recent passing of their real father, Harwin Strong. This is shocking not only because of the emotion, but also because King’s Landing considers acknowledging a person’s true parentage to be frowned upon. As a result, Jacaerys strikes Aemond with a sharp rock. When it appears that Aemond would overcome him, Lucerys stabs his half-uncle, leaving a scar down his face and damaging his left eye.

 

Explosive fallout is the result. According to Rhaenyra, the attack was legitimate because Aemond had allegedly committed “the highest of treasons” by questioning Lucerys’ ancestry. In response, Alicent demands “eye for an eye.” She takes matters into her own hands when King Viserys (Paddy Considine) refuses, but Ser Criston (Fabien Frankel) won’t comply either.

 

The Song of Ice and Fire-inscribed Valyrian steel knife is attempted to be drawn by Alicent on her own. When Rhaenyra tries to stop her, Alicent erupts in a rage: “Duty is where? Where is the offering?” She screams at her old acquaintance, showing the depth of her anger and how much of it stems from long-forgotten grudges. Alicent has abided by the law and given up her happiness in order to serve the realm. Rhaenyra, who still holds the Iron Throne, lies nonstop in order to satisfy her own desires. It feels unjust to Alicent.

 

Rhaenyra answers, “Now people see you for who you really are. Alicent strikes with the sword as a result, deeply wounding Rhaenyra’s wrist. The ground is covered in blood.

 

Aemond is the one who calms everything down. It’s a fair trade, he claims. I may have lost an eye, but I acquired a dragon, the person said. He is not the only one to think that way, but it is undoubtedly one. Following Lyonel Strong’s passing, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), who had previously served as Hand of the King, concurs. “A thousand times the price he paid” is how much Vhagar is worth. Otto is also pleased with his daughter. He comments, “I’ve never seen that side of you. Now that you’re determined to win, I can finally see it. Who wins? Obviously, Game of Thrones. It’s a terrible game.

 

However, they will face some opposition. For the first time in a long time, Rhaenyra and Daemon get together at Laena’s burial. She tells him, “You left me.” “Look at how different my life is now without you.” She yearns to be desired by someone else the way Harwin once was. Sparks that had been extinguished between the two are rekindled, and they finish what they had started so long ago.

 

But there’s more going on here than just lust. Like their ancestor Aegon the Conqueror did with his sisters, she says, “Let us link our blood.” Together, her right to the throne would be more difficult to deny. She refers to individuals who support Queen Alicent and Prince Aegon’s throne assay, saying, “I cannot confront the greens alone.” There is only one issue: Laenor (John Macmillan).

 

Laenor missed all the drama with the kids, Rhaenyra and Alicent, since he was too busy embarrassing his father, Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint), during the funeral by sobbing inconsolably while kneeling in the water. Later, Laenor tells Rhaenyra that he failed. He complains, referring to his sexuality, “I despise the gods for making me way they did.” Rhaenyra treats him well. She reassure him, “You are an honourable man with a kind heart.” It is an unusual occurrence. He reiterates his commitment to her and their union. Though fruitless, the gesture was admirable.

 

Rhaenyra agrees with Daemon when he declares that they can only get married if Laenor is dead, but commitment and honour aren’t enough to make her change her mind. (Remember that he previously murdered one spouse.) Still, Rhaenyra is uneasy about this. She doesn’t want to be a tyrant who murders anyone who stand in the way of her gaining control. Daemon asserts that there isn’t any other option. Leaders need to be feared. She is concerned that the realm “will murmur that I am partly responsible” if Laenor dies. She then realises, “They’ll be afraid of what more we might be able to do.” That might help when you’re up against as much opposition as she is.

 

Laenor’s boyfriend Qarl (Arty Froushan) is approached by Daemon, who offers him money to have Laenor killed. In Castle Driftmark, Qarl looks to be in agreement as he draws his blade toward Laenor. A squire witnesses the brawl in dread.

 

Later, a burned-out body is discovered in the fireplace by Corlys and Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best). They think it is Laenor. Corlys and Rhaenys’ disagreement was depicted earlier in the episode. Rhaenys had given up on her aspirations of the kingdom, but he still has ambitions for it, despite both he and his wife being aware that Rhaenyra’s children were not of Laenor. That doesn’t matter to Corlys. He claims, “History does not remember blood.” It keeps track of names. The threat to the longevity of Laenor’s name has increased with his passing.

 

It’s unfortunate that they are unaware of Laenor’s continued existence. It appears that Laenor’s demise was staged by Qarl and a newly bald Laenor, most likely utilising the squire’s corpse. In the final moments of the episode, we see the couple in a rowboat, which we may guess is transporting them to the Free Cities, where money is more important than manners.

 

In the meantime, Rhaenyra and Daemon have been wed. It was always intended for them to burn together.