House of the Dragon season 3, episode 2 continues the momentum from the season premiere with another massive installment.
Below, we have a spoiler-filled breakdown of everything that happens in the new episode, including all the major deaths and Easter eggs, too. That means you can quickly get up to speed on the latest chapter of the Dance of the Dragons as House of the Dragon season 3 heats up. But, if you're not looking for spoilers just yet, then our spoiler-free House of the Dragon season 3 review is where you need to head.
For even more, you can keep up to date with our House of the Dragon season 3 release schedule, or our guide to all the upcoming Game of Thrones movies and TV shows.
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 recap
The episode picks up in the aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet. The three dragonseeds – Hugh Hammer, Ulf, and Addam of Hull – finally join the fight and finish off the remainder of the Triarchy's fleet. Baela, meanwhile, flies home to Dragonstone with the body of her betrothed, Jacaerys Velaryon.
When they return, Rhaenyra has finally been freed from her chambers. She is, predictably, devastated by the death of her firstborn son. After at first seeming to be in shock, not quite believing Jace is dead, Rhaenyra then gives in to devastation and mourns over her son's body.
Outside, Addam searches for Corlys Velaryon, AKA the Sea Snake, in the Gullet, while Rhaena travels to the Vale and seeks asylum. Lady Jeyne Arryn is reluctant, but Rhaena sways her by reminding her she wanted a dragon to protect her land.
Daemon, hanging out with the Winter Wolves, gets word that Jacaerys has died. He is summoned to Dragonstone to prepare to take King's Landing. Addam finds Corlys, who declares, "If this be victory, I pray I never win another." Within the Red Keep, Alicent hurries to make arrangements for Rhaenyra's arrival, including getting the gold cloaks of the City Watch on her side.
Back on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra knows Sheepstealer has a rider – and blames them for Jace's death – and it's revealed that Vhagar has been spotted in the Riverlands, safely far away from King's Landing. When Rhaenyra's resolve appears to falter in her grief, Daemon attempts to rouse her as only he can. He speaks of the Song of Ice and Fire, the prophecy that Viserys passed on to Rhaenyra, and of a dream he had of a girl with three dragons (you might recognize her as the Mother of Dragons herself, Daenerys Targaryen).
In King's Landing, Lord Jasper the Master of Coin wises up to Alicent's scheming and attempts to rape her. Fortunately, he is stopped by Maester Orwyle and some guards, who arrest Jasper. Alicent then admits to her daughter – and queen – Helaena that she made a mistake crowning Aegon, and the duo make the guards on the city walls stand down in preparation for Rhaenyra's arrival.
Aemond arrives at Harrenhal and promptly begins to lay waste to it, burning the castle with Vhagar. He also kills Ser Simon Strong and the others living in Harrenhal, but takes a wound himself, and staggers towards the witch Alys Rivers for help.
Rhaenyra and Daemon arrive in King's Landing, flanked by Hugh Hammer and Ulf on dragonback. They walk through the Red Keep, Daemon cutting down the guards that stand in their way, until they reach the throne room. There, they are surrounded by Kingsguard and the City Watch. All seems lost until the Watch side with Rhaenyra and Daemon. Rhaenyra then demands that Aegon be brought to her.
Aegon, of course, has fled, but Daemon finds a prisoner that's almost as useful: Otto Hightower. Daemon brings Otto for Rhaenyra to execute, and, after at first hesitating, Rhaenyra completes the execution in two blows. Daemon executes Jasper before he can finish delivering his last words.
Rhaenyra then ascends the throne, leaving a trail of bloody footprints in her wake. Alicent and Helaena are brought before her after they were caught trying to escape the city. The episode ends with Alicent seeing her father's body – and looking in horror at Rhaenyra, as Rhaenyra, finally seated on the Iron Throne, looks back.
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2: who dies?
The death toll isn't quite as high in this installment as last episode's Battle of the Gullet, but there are still some significant casualties:
- Otto Hightower (beheaded by Rhaenyra Targaryen)
- Lord Jasper Wylde (beheaded by Daemon Targaryen)
There are also countless unnamed guards killed, but Rhaenyra and Daemon manage to take King's Landing with relatively little bloodshed.
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 Easter eggs
New credits: The new title sequence continues in episode 2 with a remix of the familiar theme tune, and, in this episode, the tapestry depicting the history of the Targaryens has an update, too. Now, the tapestry shows the Battle of the Gullet and the death of Jacaerys Velaryon.
Corlys's Fire and Blood line: After Corlys is fished out of the ocean and reunites with Addam and Baela, he reflects on the Battle of the Gullet with the line, "If this be victory, I pray I never win another." This is dialogue ripped straight from George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood.
Daenerys Targaryen: Daemon had a vision of Daenerys Targaryen in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale, and he speaks of it again to Rhaenyra to try and rouse her to take King's Landing after she is stricken with grief over the death of her son Jace. Daemon tells her he dreamed of a girl with three dragons, specifically of the moment Daenerys emerged unhurt from Khal Drogo's funeral pyre with her three, newly hatched dragons Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion.
The Song of Ice and Fire: Daemon also talks of the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy to Rhaenyra, a prophecy passed from Targaryen king to heir since the time of Aegon the Conqueror. This is the prophecy of the Prince that was Promised, who will unite the Seven Kingdoms against the threat of the White Walkers when the time comes. You might remember that this particular prophecy plays a large role in Game of Thrones.
Harrenhal: Aemond Targaryen enters Harrenhal in a very similar way to Daemon last season, only Aemond ends up slaying everyone he comes across.
Beheading: Rhaenyra takes two swings to behead Otto, much like Theon Greyjoy took multiple swings to behead Rodrick Cassel – though Rodrick's execution was far messier than Otto's.
House of the Dragon season 3 air weekly on HBO and HBO Max on Sundays in the US and on HBO Max, Sky and NOW on Mondays in the UK. For more on the show, check out our guides, explainers and interviews:
- House of the Dragon season 3 showrunner Ryan Condal on what keeps him up at night making the Game of Thrones prequel, and the spin-off he wants to see next: "I think there's a really fascinating story to be told"
- The Battle of the Gullet in House of the Dragon season 3 features some key changes from George R. R. Martin's book
- House of the Dragon season 3 makes huge changes to the Battle of the Gullet, but I love that it makes the death of one of my favorite characters even bleaker
- House of the Dragon season 3, episode 1 confirms a book character isn't being adapted
- Who is Ormund Hightower in House of the Dragon? His Game of Thrones origins explained
- The House of the Dragon dragons, listed and explained
- Greens vs. Blacks, explained
- The Targaryen family tree
- The House of the Dragon timeline
