That every one modifications with this week’s episode, when the inevitable battle between Rhaenyra Targaryen’s household at Dragonstone and Alicent Hightower’s household at King’s Touchdown arrives, together with a number of very giant dragons.
With Otto stripped of his position as chancellor, battle planning was hasty and inept on Hightower’s half. Nevertheless it seems that the ever-vigilant Aemond was taking part in three-dimensional chess whereas everybody else struggled with checkers. By the top of the episode, he is poised to carry onto as a lot energy as doable in Westeros.
How did we get there? Let’s recap:
Bear in mind, Daemon was supposed to lift a military for Rhaenyra, however he obtained caught up in an Ari Aster film, taking part in the “nice shift of the fortress” at Harrenhal. Daemon stored seeing a younger Rhaenyra in his desires, and he or she stated to him, “You will have now determined to destroy me as a result of your brother liked me greater than you.” Daemon beheaded Rhaenyra in his desires, however she continued to talk, whilst her head lay on the bottom in a pool of blood.
So evidently Harrenhal is certainly haunted, as revealed by Alice Rivers, the healer who instructed Damon he would die there. We study extra about her after Damon hears footsteps exterior his door and meets her within the kitchen, the place she is cooking up one thing sinister. He describes her as a “unusual kind of lady,” however she explains that she is definitely a barn owl in human kind, which just about proves his level. She rapidly tries to persuade him, asking if he’s at Harrenhal to get away from his spouse. How lengthy earlier than Damon has extra silver-haired youngsters with this woman?
Daemon’s assembly with Samwell Blackwood, who Rhaenyra’s staff desperately wants at his aspect, would not go nicely. Blackwood explicitly reminds Daemon that he as soon as competed for Rhaenyra’s hand in marriage and that he holds her in excessive regard – emphasis on “her.” Daemon guarantees his armies if Daemon can “carry justice to the Brackens,” so evidently this feud remains to be ongoing regardless of the Battle of the Burning Mill.
In the meantime, phrase spreads that Kryston Cole is taking one fortress after one other, and could also be heading for Harrenhal. Daemon must rally allies rapidly, however he stumbles as soon as once more: as an alternative of getting the assembly he desires with Riverlands lord Grover Tully, Daemon meets together with his grandson, Oscar Tully, the long run Lord Paramount. Daemon not less than wants a Lord Paramount plus, however Oscar’s father is lengthy useless, and {the teenager} is unwilling to take motion whereas his grandfather is incapacitated. Daemon, who makes a foul joke about placing a pillow on Grandpa Tully’s face, is offended, annoyed, and probably going mad.
As hostilities proceed to escalate, we lastly get the lacking backstory of two new characters, brothers Allen and Adam, who’re associated to Corliss the Sea Serpent as a result of Allen as soon as saved Corliss’ life at sea. The story turns into extra genealogically fascinating when Rhaenys reveals up on the shipyard and instantly locations her hand on Allen’s face, noting that his mom will need to have been very stunning. “I do know who he’s, Corliss,” she tells her husband after Allen leaves. Corliss appears to have earned his title truthfully, however Rhaenys holds no grudge towards his illegitimate offspring and notes that Allen’s previous shouldn’t be his fault.
Whereas Rhaenyra secretly visits Alicent, her council begins to develop impatient. The troublesome elders quarrel with the youthful era—Bayla and Jace—over whether or not to take motion within the queen’s absence. Rhaenyra returns, and Corlys, who has come along with her, berates the council for the infighting.
Rhaenayra finally returns to seek out everybody arguing over whether or not to ship a dragon to counter Kryston Cole’s successful streak, together with his victory at Duskendale (extra on that later). Jace is livid that his mom has disappeared at such a crucial juncture, so she reveals that she met with Alicent in hopes of avoiding battle. This attracts additional criticism, however Rhaenayra assures the council that it was obligatory. Now, she says, “I both win my declare or I die.” Rhaenayra agrees to ship a dragon to counter Kryston Cole, however she is not going to ship Jace or Baela. She desires an skilled fighter, and Rhaenayra steps ahead.
In a non-public session, Rhaenyra provides Jace extra particulars in regards to the “ice and fireplace” prophecy. She tells her son that as her inheritor, he must know that they’re not simply preventing for the throne, however to guard your complete kingdom as they unite towards a standard enemy. In fact, everybody on this present will probably be lengthy useless by the point that occurs, however in Westeros, it’s finest to look to the long run.
Crew Alicent, together with Laris the hacker
Alicent remains to be upset by her dialog with Rhaenyra. Though she denies it, she instantly takes an curiosity within the historical past books that held Viserys captive. She even asks the Grand Maester if he believes Viserys wished Aegon on the throne. (The Grand Maester, who wasn’t born yesterday, says he doesn’t know.) He additionally brings her an abortion potion, ostensibly for a pal, which she drinks herself.
After Alicent misses a council assembly, Laris visits her. He drinks the potion however doesn’t thoughts, saying it’s a sin to deprive oneself of 1’s urge for food. Noticing the e-book Alicent was studying, Laris says he had no thought she shared her late husband’s love of historical past. Alicent, nonetheless looking the depths of her soul, admits that it’s unattainable to know what Viserys was really pondering in his ultimate hours. Ultimately, she decides that what issues is who wins the battle: the ends justify the means, folks.
Ser Cole has gained a collection of battles, together with one on the seaside at Duskendale. Once we meet him, he’s providing the lads of Home Darklyn the prospect to show towards the “Whore of Dragonstone” – or else. Lord Gunthor Darklyn chooses “or else”, scolds Cole for his unbecoming knightly behaviour and loses his head to Cole’s sword shortly afterwards.
Again in King’s Touchdown, an enraged Aegon, greater than slightly apprehensive, is livid that Daemon has already taken Harrenhal, however he would not understand that the dreaded fortress has most likely been taken over by three little boys in raincoats standing on one another’s shoulders. He assaults Larys – it’s his household’s fortress, in spite of everything – however Larys assures the king that Harrenhal will serve the twin function of driving Daemon mad and losing his time.
Aemond helps the concept of Kryston repelling Harrenhal and as an alternative heading to Rockrest, the place they are going to minimize off Dragonstone by land. Earlier than the council, Aemond switches to talking Excessive Valyrian, difficult Aegon to provide you with a greater technique. Aegon not solely would not have a greater plan, he cannot converse the language.
Later, an unfortunate Aegon confronts Alicent. She is annoyed that her son believes the crown grants knowledge and tells him that he did nothing to earn his seat. Aegon asks her what she desires him to do. She says, “Nothing.” She tells him that that is what she wants from him greater than the rest. Cole prepares to maneuver in direction of Rockrest and plans to take action in broad daylight. As Cole prepares his assault, a shock occurs! We see Aegon donning his battle gear to affix the struggle as Rhaenys bids farewell to Corlys and mounts her dragon. This time, there isn’t any one round to cease Aegon.
The Greene staff approaches the fortress and defends itself towards arrows flying from the ramparts. Then Rhaenys arrives, and her dragon Meilis incinerates Cole’s males. As Cole’s forces summon Vagar and Aamond, Aegon arrives, urging his dragon ahead with the fully non-threatening battle cry “Ahead, Sunfire!” Meilis and Sunfire tangle within the air, and Meilis clearly wins. Aemond and Vagar come to Aegon’s support, however—shock!—Aemond orders his dragon to shoot Aegon as an alternative. Aegon and Sunfire fall to the bottom and crash into the forest.
Rhaenys might have returned to Dragonstone and claimed victory at this level, however as an alternative she turned to the assault. Aemond ready to struggle, their nice dragons spitting fireplace and clawing at one another in a dance of demise by the air. Vagar crashed to the bottom, colliding with a gaggle of troops, together with Kul, who was knocked unconscious. As Melleis handed over the fortress, Vagar attacked from the bottom, grabbing the opposite dragon by the throat. Melleis fell backward, and Rhaenys realized there was nothing she might do, so she let go and fell to the bottom, touchdown along with her dragon in a bathe of fireplace. Relaxation in peace, queen who by no means was.
Cole wakes up surrounded by corpses. He tries to draw the eye of a soldier in armor, however the corpse inside is nothing however ash. Whereas Gwaine leads the remainder of Cole’s military to take the fortress, Cole goes to seek for Aegon within the woods. There he finds Aemond, sword drawn, about to strike down what stays of the king. Aemond doesn’t kill his brother however picks up Aegon’s Valyrian sword. Cole, victorious in battle however unable to guard his king, falls to his knees. The grim scene concludes.
