As House of the Dragon carries on, it continues to expand. Game of Thrones generally split its episodes between at least three major locations and kept the action coherent and engaging. As the prequel moves ever-closer to the promised civil war, it also spreads its attention to new and interesting areas. Armies aren't exactly marching yet, but House of the Dragon is certainly knocking at the door of war as the second season approaches its halfway point.
Episode three is entitled "The Burning Mill," and it comes from series veteran director Geeta Vasant Patel. Patel directed episode eight of last season, and she'll be back for the season finale in a few weeks. She's been all over the TV industry, with credits on a ton of different series. She also directed Meet the Patels with her brother in 2014. Her previous experience in House of the Dragon comes into play in interesting ways in this episode.
House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 2 Recap
In the aftermath of another prince's death, both the Greens and Blacks make some lamentable decisions and push the realm closer to war.
How does the Dance of the Dragons start?
Title | "The Burning Mill" |
|---|---|
Director | Geeta Vasant Patel |
Writer | David Hancock |
Episode | Season 3, Episode 3 |
Release Date | June 30th, 2024 |
Though the Dance of the Dragon can be said to have many beginnings, the first blood spills in "The Burning Mill." Houses Bracken and Blackwood have an age-old blood feud that escalates as Bracken declares for the Greens and Blackwood for the Blacks. After a round of taunting goes too far, the two families butcher each other in the Battle of the Burning Mill. The news travels fast to King's Landing, delighting King Aegon II. It's less prevalent at Dragonstone, where Rhaenyra and Rhaenys bury the Cargyll twins side-by-side. Rhaenys, perhaps the show's wisest voice, pushes Rhaenyra to consider a peaceful option. She believes that the male leadership of both parties might drive the realm toward unnecessary conflict, which the ladies may be able to prevent. Rhaenyra is resistant, but she mentions an unopened message from Alicent in her chambers.
The Battle of the Burning Mill moves conversations along in the Red Keep. It's Criston Cole's first day as Hand of the King, and he's as terrible as one would expect. As the Small Council discusses the state of the conflict, Cole suggests another aggressive strategy. He'll lead a tiny detachment to the Riverlands, gather all the swords he can, and use them to take Harrenhal. He insists on launching this endeavor with no aerial support. Aegon wants to ride his dragon, but everyone pushes back against the idea of leading from the frontline. Larys Strong manages to push him away from the idea by reminding him that Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower will be in charge if he's gone. Cole takes off with Alicent's brother, Gwayne, in tow. He doesn't manage to reach any of his targets before Baela, atop her dragon, spots them and reports her findings to Rhaenyra.
Drgaonstone has a rash of all-too-similar events unfolding. Like Aegon's Small Council, Rhaenyra's advisors want blood, and they have a plan to get it. Every gentleman at Rhaenyra's painted table intends to hide the queen someplace distant and send the dragons to burn every Green stronghold in Westeros. Rhaenyra staunchly refuses to be pushed out of her own war room while shooting down the council's escalating tactics. Rhaenys wisely compares Rhaenyra to Jaehaerys, the longest-lasting king, as the show consistently compares Aegon to his namesake. Rhaenyra does move Daemon's youngest daughter Rhaena, her own two youngest sons, Viserys and Aegon III, two dragon hatchlings, and four dragon eggs to the Vale for safekeeping. She's fearful of a second assassination attempt and smart enough to keep non-combatants off the field. This allows Rhaenyra to consider the weight of her actions and finally open the letter from Alicent. She decides on a new course of action.
Where was Daemon going?
When Daemon left Dragonstone in a huff, there was some confusion as to his next destination. He went to Harrenhal, as he promised he would, to raise an army for the Blacks. Daemon wants a fight as he approaches the tattered remains of the once-great keep. He encounters only a mostly empty garrison and one aging noble. Ser Simon Strong sits quietly at a dinner table, hilariously nodding in blithe approval as Daemon announces his intentions to seize the place. Daemon explains that he will also be touring the Riverlands to recruit as many warriors as he can, then setting them up in Harrenhal. It's Cole's plan in reverse, but it's equal in success so far. Daemon experiences a bizarre stress dream that brings Milly Alcock back to play young Rhaenyra, stitching even younger Jaehaerys's head back on. It leads him to wander out into a lovely garden, where he encounters a lady who informs him he'll be dying in the castle.
What is Rhaenyra's plan?
Taking Rhaenys's wisdom to heart, Rhaenyra develops one last play to avoid the Dance of the Dragons. She brings Mysaria into her court, making good on the debt she owes the White Worm for saving her life, and asks her for notes on Alicent's movements. Rhaenyra and her guard dress as church officials, sneak into King's Landing on one of a million fishing boats, and travel to the Sept. Alicent only leaves the Red Keep to pray, leaving her briefly vulnerable. Rhaenyra seizes the opportunity to make one last impassioned plea for peace. She ambushes Alicent, using the threat of mutual destruction to guarantee her silence, and settles into a tense exchange. This is the moment that Alicent's side of the argument might avoid some of the mounting accusations of explicit villainy. How does Alicent handle it?
The crux of Alicent's desire for her son to sit on the throne has changed a few times. The most noble option was the reasonable fear that Queen Rhaenyra would kill Aegon to protect her claim if she ever received it. Most of Alicent's scenes in season one suggest that her allegiance to House Hightower actually motivated her routine manipulation. Her argument with Rhaenyra rests on the assertion that King Viserys I changed his mind on his deathbed. Alicent lays out the case, aggressively assuring Rhaenyra that Viserys finally went back on his word and specifically named Aegon as his successor in the moments before he passed. She notes that Viserys mentioned the "Prince that was Promised," and Rhaenyra's jaw practically drops through the floor. This is it. It's the moment that Alicent has to realize that her moral justification for a war that will kill countless people is based entirely on a misunderstanding because her dying husband mentioned Aegon I instead of Aegon II. The weight of history rests on whether she accepts the truth, works toward peace or continues to ruthlessly pursue power. Of course, despite everything she believed crumbling around her, Alicent leaves the room with no deal to speak of. Rhaenyra's last ditch effort has failed, and war is on the horizon.
The final exchange of this episode was invented for House of the Dragon. It's a surprising moment of character-establishing dialogue and one of the most impressive showcases of Emma D'Arcy's work on the show so far. This isn't character assassination for the Greens as a political force, but it is a pretty bad look for Alicent. Regardless of the moral character of the combatants, war is on its way. The House of the Dragon begins to enter its dance.
Would You Fight For Team Black Or Team Green In House Of The Dragon?
House Targaryen has officially been split into two factions, both of which are vying for the Throne. Team Black is led by Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys I's firstborn child, and Team Green is led by Aegon II Targaryen, who currently sits the Iron Throne after usurping it. Which team would you support and why?
