Kevin Bacon and Glenn Howerton join ‘Sirens’ (Credits: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP and Brian Higbee, Courtesy of Netflix)
Kevin Bacon (City on a Hill) and Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) are the newest additions to Netflix’s Sirens, based on series creator Molly Smith Metzler’s play Elemeno Pea. The casting announcement comes just one day after it was announced Julianne Moore (Mary & George), Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus), and Milly Alcock (https://www.showbizjunkies.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-1-recap-review/) had joined the cast of Metzler’s limited series.
Metzler is writing, executive producing, and will serve as showrunner. Additional executive producers on the female-driven dark comedy include Dani Gorin, Tom Ackerley, and Margot Robbie for LuckyChap. Emmy winner Nicole Kassell (Watchmen) is on board to direct episodes one and two and will executive produce.
“Devon thinks her sister Simone has a really creepy relationship with her new boss, the enigmatic socialite Michaela Kell. Michaela’s cult-ish life of luxury is like a drug to Simone, and Devon has decided it’s time for an intervention,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “When Devon tracks her sister down to say WTF, she has no idea what a formidable opponent Michaela will be. Told over the course of one explosive weekend at The Kells’ lavish beach estate, Sirens is an incisive, sexy, and darkly funny exploration of women, power, and class.”
Netflix offered this description of the limited series’ characters:
Julianne Moore as Michaela Kell: Michaela is a philanthropist and animal activist who runs island high society and is the wife to billionaire Peter Kell. Her relationship with her assistant, Simone, seems too close for comfort.
Meghann Fahy as Devon DeWitt: Devon is on a downward spiral back in her hometown. She is funny, resilient, and fiercely protective — especially of her younger sister Simone.
Milly Alcock as Simone DeWitt: Simone is Devon’s sharp, charming younger sister who has hit the jackpot working as a personal assistant to a billionaire.
Kevin Bacon as Peter Kell: Peter Kell comes from an old money family and is the highest-status person in every room he enters. He’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the occasional joint.
Glenn Howerton as Ethan Corbin: Ethan Corbin II is a dear friend of the Kells and lifelong bachelor who lives next door. He’s a regular at the yacht club and he’s rapidly burning through his trust fund.
The ex-criminal mastermind Gru, his daughters, and those wacky minions are back for another wild adventure in Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me 4. And this time, the gang is taking on suburban life.
Gru (Steve Carell) is still working for AVI (Anti-Villain League) and loving life with his family. He’s also busy trying to connect with the newest addition to their clan, baby Gru Jr. However, Gru’s life gets turned upside down when he learns that master criminal Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrel), who Gru helped capture, has escaped and is determined to exact revenge on Gru and his family.
So, Gru uproots his family and settles down in a quiet suburban town called Mayflower, assuming new names and occupations. Gru’s now a solar salesman, and his wife, Lucy (Kristen Wiig), is a hairstylist. Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Madison Skyy Polan) are not happy about the move or about taking on new identities.
“Think of it as an adventure,” suggests #GirlDad Gru, attempting to put a fun spin on their impossible situation. The big move also affects the minions, and just three stay with Gru and his family. The others return to AVL headquarters to get back to work.
While trying to blend in and make friends with their new neighbors, Gru meets Poppy (Joey King), who turns out to be an aspiring villain. And Poppy knows exactly who Gru really is. Poppy knows she’s got the upper hand and threatens to expose Gru and his loved one unless he teams up with her to execute a big heist.
Meanwhile, Maxime and his wife (Sofia Vergara) hunt down Gru and get their revenge by kidnapping Gru Jr.
Loud, chaotic, and soulless, Despicable Me 4 is a messy, even irritating, addition to the animated film series. It lacks all the charm and heart of the first film, replacing those key ingredients with too many silly, underdeveloped subplots, and zany antics.
The voice talent is still top-notch, led once again by Steve Carell as Gru, the once sinister master villain who is now a loving husband and father. His only desire at this point is to keep his family safe and happy. Carell helped create and bring to life this hilarious animated character and still portrays him flawlessly.
Joey King is a pleasant new addition as Poppy, the rising teenage villain who really idolizes the old Gru and yearns to be just like him. The heist she plans with Gru is one of the few high points in the film. But, unfortunately, it’s over way too soon and turns out to be nothing more than a minor subplot.
Another silly and unnecessary subplot involves the creation of the “Mega Minions” — regular minions who undergo a Captain America-like experiment to create a new super crime-fighting team. Their storyline feels forced and out of place within the film.
The greatest crime of the film might be the lack of attention (and screen time) given to Gru’s daughters. Once central to the Despicable Me films, Margo, Edith, and Agnes are barely involved in the antics in this fourth installment. They’re basically reduced to just being background players. None of the girls receive a meaningful storyline that allows for character growth.
Overloaded with subplots that go nowhere and missing the appeal and spirit of the earlier films, Despicable Me 4 is a disappointing and forgettable entry in Illumination’s animated film series.
Freddie Fox, Douglas Booth, Jack Gleeson and Steve Coogan (Photo Credits: Netflix, Simon Annand, Yellow Belly, Thomas Laisne / Photos Provided by Netflix)
Douglas Booth, Steve Coogan, Freddie Fox, and Jack Gleeson have joined the cast of Netflix’s The Sandman season two. Ruairi O’Connor, Ann Skelly, Clive Russell, Lauren O’Fuarain, and Indya Moore have also signed on to the upcoming season of the critically acclaimed series, based on the DC comic series by Neil Gaiman.
The newcomers are joining returning series stars Tom Sturridge, Kirby, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Patton Oswalt, Vivienne Acheampong, and Gwendoline Christie. Also reprising their roles from season one are Jenna Coleman, Ferdinand Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Vanesu Samunyai, and Razane Jammal.
Ruairi O’Connor, Indya Moore, Ann Skelly, Clive Russell and Laurence O’Fuarain (Photo Credits: Netflix, Misan Harriman, Sally Mais, Joseph Sinclair / Photos provided by Netflix)
The Sandman Season 2 New Cast and Characters:
Ruairi O’Connor (he/him) is ORPHEUS, the poet, musician, and oracle, is the only child of Dream and the muse, Calliope (last seen in The Sandman, Episode 111). Orpheus is an idealistic, romantic, young man – and very much his father’s son – until tragedy strikes and reveals to him the true nature of love.
Freddie Fox (he/him) is LOKI, the god of chaos. Loki is a charming, seductive shapeshifter. The smartest and most dangerous person in any room, Loki is utterly irresistible and never to be trusted.
Clive Russell (he/him) is ODIN, the father of Thor, and blood-brother to Loki. He is a longtime ally of Dream’s, but finds himself driven to desperate extremes in his efforts to stave off Ragnarök.
Laurence O’Fuarain (he/him) is THOR, the storm god. With his hammer Mjollnir, Thor is brusque, rude, and driven entirely by his appetites – for food and drink, for battle, and for sex.
Ann Skelly (she/her) is NUALA and Douglas Booth (he/him) is CLURACAN, royal emissaries from the court of Faerie. Nuala and Cluracan are siblings who are opposites in every way. Nuala is responsible, empathetic, and principled. Cluracan is an impulsive rogue who lives for pleasure. They disagree about everything, except their devotion to one another.
Jack Gleeson (he/him) is PUCK, a malevolent hobgoblin who serves as the royal jester to King Auberon of Faerie. Puck is fascinated by mortals and enjoys nothing more than making sport of them for his own amusement. He’s also the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Indya Moore (she/her) is WANDA, a professional driver and security agent for an exclusive travel firm. Wanda proves herself to be an indispensable guide on an Endless road trip to the waking world.
Steve Coogan (he/him) is the voice of BARNABAS, the canine companion of the Endless’s prodigal brother. Barnabas is loyal and loving, but an outspoken cynic. He’s man’s best friend and man’s sharpest critic.
“When the Sandman, aka Dream (Tom Sturridge) — the powerful cosmic being who controls all our dreams — is unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for over a century, he must journey across different worlds and timelines to fix the chaos his absence has caused,” reads Netflix’s season one synopsis. Season two plot details haven’t been released.
Allan Heinberg serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner, with Neil Gaiman and David S. Goyer also executive producing. Heinberg, Gaiman, and Goyer developed the series. Jamie Childs is the director.
Universal Pictures’ new Twisters video features the film’s stars talking about their love of the original Twister and having to stop shooting due to the actual weather mimicking the film’s storyline. The two-minute behind-the-scenes featurette also reveals background actors who are real storm chasers would leave the set to, well, go chase storms.
The cast includes Daisy Edgar-Jones (Where the Crawdads Sing), Glen Powell (Hit Man), Anthony Ramos (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts), Brandon Perea (Nope), and Maura Tierney (Beautiful Boy). Sasha Lane (American Honey), Harry Hadden-Paton (The Crown), David Corenswet (We Own This City), Daryl McCormack (Peaky Blinders), and Tunde Adebimpe (Leave the World Behind) also star.
Filling out the ensemble are Katy O’Brian (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), Nik Dodani (Atypical), Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and Paul Scheer (Black Monday).
Minari‘s Oscar nominated director Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) is at the helm with Mark L. Smith writing the screenplay, based on characters created by Michael Crichton and Anne Marie Crichton. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley serve as producers, with Steven Spielberg, Thomas Hayslip, and Ashley Jay Sandberg executive producing.
Twisters is set to spin into theaters on July 19, 2024.
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and director Lee Isaac Chung on the set of ‘Twisters’ (Photo Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures & Amblin Entertainment)
The Plot, Courtesy of Universal Pictures:
Twisters stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos as equal forces, with opposing motivations, who come together to try to predict, and possibly tame, the immense power of tornadoes.
Edgar-Jones stars as Kate Carter, a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi (Ramos) to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Powell), the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the better.
As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, and Kate, Tyler, Javi and their crews find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
The trailer for Netflix’s Cobra Kai season six part one begins with Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence putting the past behind them and ready to move forward as a unified dojo. However, the trailer goes on to show that, given their history, things aren’t going to go smoothly when they try to combine their styles. But the big surprise comes in the final seconds with the discovery of something left behind by Mr. Miyagi.
The sixth and final season will stream in three parts, with part one premiering on July 18, 2024 followed by part two on November 28, 2024. The series will finished up with part three, “The Finale Event,” arriving in 2025.
“With Cobra Kai eliminated from the Valley, our senseis and students must decide if and how they will compete in the Sekai Taikai — the world championships of karate,” reads Netflix’s part one synopsis.
The cast is led by Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRussa and William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence. Season six also stars Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso, Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz, Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene, Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso, and Jacob Bertrand as Hawk.
Gianni Decenzo plays Demetri, Vanessa Rubio is Carmen, Peyton List is Tory, Martin Kove is John Kreese, Dallas Dupree Young is Kenny, and Oona O’Brien is Devon. Plus, Griffin Santopietro is Anthony, Yuji Okumoto is Chozen Toguchi, and Alicia Hannah-Kim is Kim Da-Eun.
Counterbalance Entertainment’s Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg write and executive produce. Additional executive producers include Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Susan Ekins, and Westbrook Studios’ Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Caleeb Pinkett.
Josh Hartnett stars as a serial killer who’s trapped inside a concert surrounded by the police in the trailer for M. Night Shyamalan’s crime drama Trap. The trailer pretty much confirms Harnett is the serial killer the cops have set up an elaborate trap to nab. So, what’s the Shyamalan twist?
“A father and teen daughter attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event,” reads Warner Bros. Pictures’ synopsis. The father is played by Josh Hartnett and Ariel Donoghue stars as the daughter. Hayley Mills and Allison Pill also star, with Shyamalan’s daughter Saleka playing pop star Lady Raven.
Saleka wrote, produced, and performed the songs featured in the concert scenes.
Trap was written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Additional producers include Ashwin Rajan and Marc Bienstock. Steven Schneider executive produces. Shyamalan’s behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, production designer Debbie de Villa, and editor Noëmi Preiswerk. Caroline Duncan is the costume designer, Javier Marcheselli is the VFX supervisor, and Douglas Aibel is the casting director.
Susan Jacobs is the music supervisor, with music by Herdĭs Stefănsdŏttir.
Warner Bros. Pictures is releasing Trap internationally on July 31, 2024 and domestically on August 2nd.
Josh Hartnett as Cooper and Ariel Donoghue as Riley in Warner Bros. Pictures’ crime drama thriller ‘TRAP’ (Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
The buzz surrounding Neon’s horror thriller Longlegs continues to build as it nears its July 12, 2024 theatrical release. The final trailer teases the hunt for a serial killer who, for 30 years, has left behind letters signed “Longlegs” with his victims.
“In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree,” reads Neon’s synopsis. Maika Monroe stars as FBI Agent Lee Harker and Nicolas Cage plays the serial killer. The cast also includes Alicia Witt, Kiernan Shipka, and Blair Underwood.
Although Cage’s character is the source of the terror, he’s never seen full-on in any of the teasers or trailers. “It’s the equivalent of putting a warning label on a jar of nitroglycerin,” explained Cage to Entertainment Weekly. “The monster is a highly, highly dangerous substance. The way it’s moved, unveiled, deployed has to be treated very carefully. Forget about the movie theater blowing up; the whole city could blow up, nay the country, maybe even the world. He is going to change your reality. Your doors of perception are going to open, and your life is not going to be the same.”
Maika Monroe in ‘Longlegs’ (Photo Credit: Neon)
Oz Perkins, son of Anthony Perkins (Psycho), wrote and directed Longlegs. Perkins’ credits include I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, Gretel & Hansel, and February. Producers include Nicolas Cage, Dave Caplan, Chris Ferguson, Dan Kagan, and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones.
Commenting on reactions to the early screening at Beyond Fest, Perkins admitted to IndieWire that he wasn’t expecting people to be so terrified by it, or to find it “so grotesque and so brutal.” Perkins added, “I never set out to make anybody feel bad. I don’t know that any filmmaker necessarily does, although there’s a couple of people who I wonder if their intention is to make people feel bad. I don’t like those movies at all. But for me, honestly, I just tried to make something that was good and that people would want to enjoy.”
Less than two weeks from its release, the R-rated horror is sitting at 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Richard Gere as Bosko and Michael Fassbender as Martian in ‘The Agency’ (Photo Credit: Luke Varley/Paramount+)
The cast of Paramount+ with Showtime’s The Agency continues to grow, with Richard Gere the latest to sign on to the espionage thriller as a series regular. The series, based on the French drama Le Bureau des Légendes, is currently in production in London.
“Richard Gere is in a class of his own, adored by generations of fans worldwide for his exceptional ability to infuse depth and authenticity into every role he plays,” stated Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. “We are delighted to have him join our extraordinary cast that includes Michael Fassbender and Jeffrey Wright in Showtime’s latest thriller.”
Two-time Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave, Steve Jobs) and Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction) were previously announced to star.
“The all-new political thriller follows Martian (Fassbender), a covert CIA agent, ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station,” reads Paramount+ with Showtime’s synopsis. “When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart; hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.”
Gere is attached to play Bosko, described as “the London Station Chief with a storied past after serving as an 8-year undercover agent.”
Tony Award winner Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth are writing the 10-episode season and serving as executive producers. Two-time BAFTA winner Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice) is directing the drama and also executive produces. Additional executive producers include Michael Fassbender, TOP-The Originals Productions’ Alex Berger, and Smokehouse Pictures’ George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios’ Keith Cox and Nina L. Diaz executive produce as well as David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, and Bob Yari of 101 Studios.
Ashley Stern and Pascal Breton executive producer for Federation Studios/Federation Entertainment of America.
Richard Gere’s credits include An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, Chicago, and Nights in Rodanthe. Gere recently wrapped up work on Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada starring Jacob Elordi and Uma Thurman. He’s attached to star in The Making Of with Diane Keaton and Blake Lively.
Production is officially underway on the live-action adaptation of Japan’s highest-selling manga series One Piece season two. Netflix announced the start of production with a short video showing the series’ stars reuniting in Cape Town to begin filming.
Season one premiered on August 31, 2023 and earned a quick season two renewal in September. Netflix’s latest announcement didn’t confirm when fans can expect to catch up with the Straw Hats crew for season two.
The popular series stars Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. The returning cast also includes Ilia Isorelys Paulino as Alvida, Jeff Ward as Buggy, and Michael Dorman as Gold Roger.
Newbies to the wild One Piece world include Brendan Sean Murray as Brogy, Callum Kerr as Smoker, Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5, Clive Russell as Crocus, Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9, and David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3. Jazzara Jaslyn joins as Miss Valentine, Julia Rehwald will play Tashigi, Rob Colletti is Wapol, Ty Keogh is Dalton, and Werner Coetser plays Dorry.
“One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.”
Matt Owens and Joe Tracz serve as writers, executive producers, and co-showrunners of the series, based on Eiichiro Oda’s pirate manga. Additional executive producers include Oda, Tetsu Fujimura, Chris Symes, Steven Maeda, and Tomorrow Studios’ Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements.
Emma D’Arcy in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 episode 3 (Photograph by Theo Whiteman/HBO)
HBO’s House of the Dragon season two episode three delivered pivotal moments that set up the war to come. But more importantly, it featured one of the series’ most stunning moments involving the two most powerful women in the Seven Kingdoms: Queen Rhaenyra and Queen Dowager Alicent.
But before we get to that, episode three begins with one of the first battles of the civil war, The Battle of the Burning Mill.
The Brackens are patrolling their land when they’re confronted by the Blackwoods. An argument over boundaries quickly escalates into a fight once the Blackwoods confirm they’ve declared for Queen Rhaenyra while the Brackens have pledged to King Aegon. By the time it’s over, the battlefield is littered with hundreds of dead bodies.
At Dragonstone, Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) has Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk buried together, much to the displeasure of Jace, who believes Arryk was a traitor. Rhaenys (Eve Best) joins Rhaenyra at the gravesite and they both agree it’s the younger men who made this move, not Alicent or Otto. Rhaenys believes the only way to avert further bloodshed is for Rhaenyra to speak with Alicent.
“There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin,” says Rhaenys. “And no war so bloody as a war between dragons.”
Rhaenyra admits Alicent sent a raven, but she chose not to read the message. Alicent permitted the war, even if it’s the men around her now giving the orders. Rhaenys points out that if that’s true, then Rhaenyra permitted the murder of Aegon’s little boy. Touché!
Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) is tardy to his first small council meeting as the Hand of the King. He’s shocked to see King Aegon’s buddies are now members of the Kingsguard, and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) says it’s because they’ve lost so many men including Arryk.
Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) informs the council of the Blackwood/Bracken battle. Lord Samwell Blackwood was slain, and King Aegon’s happy the first blood was taken in his name. Members of his small council seem to think the Brackens and the Blackwoods were just looking for an excuse to fight, and both took heavy losses. It’s hard to call this a victory.
Grand Maester Orwyle suggests they contact Lord Tully of the Riverlands since both the Blackwoods and Brackens are under his control. Lord Jasper’s certain Lord Tully is barely able to control himself, let alone the people under him. Instead, Jasper believes Lord Ormund (Aegon’s uncle) is marching from Oldstone and could be called upon. Lord Lannister is of the opinion his brother can handle the Blackwoods after he amasses an army. That should only be a matter of weeks.
Ser Criston Cole finally speaks up. Since the Riverlands are the key to the war, he’ll ride to Harrenhal with men he’s personally trained. If he acts quickly, he can turn the Crownland houses to support King Aegon. After that’s accomplished, the army he’s amassed will conquer the Riverlands and take Harrenhal.
Alicent (Olivia Cooke) thinks Criston’s being too hasty and doesn’t have enough men yet. She also tosses in that acting rashly got Ser Arryk killed. King Aegon wants Criston to take Aemond and Vhagar, but Criston thinks Vhagar needs to remain put to defend King’s Landing. In that case, Aegon thinks he should come along with Sunfyre.
Criston disagrees, arguing that if they field a dragon the odds of encountering one of Rhaenyra’s dragons increase. Aemond agrees with Criston and points out that they can’t risk the loss of their king.
King Aegon is too stubborn to listen and declares himself fearsome.
Back at Dragonstone, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) is watching a dragon flying when Queen Rhaenyra joins her. Rhaenyra’s in her debt after Mysaria saved her life by warning that Ser Arryk was masquerading as Ser Erryk. They discuss ways to pay off the debt, and Mysaria asks for a place at her court. The fact that Rhaenyra released her was shocking since no one ever keeps their promises. Because of that, Mysaria wants to help Rhaenyra win this war. She knows the inner workings of the Red Keep and is ready to punish the Hightowers.
Phoebe Campbell and Emma D’Arcy in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 episode 3 (Photograph by Theo Whiteman/HBO)
Queen Rhaenyra asks Lady Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) to accompany Joffrey, Aegon, and Viserys to her cousin Lady Jeyne Arryn at the Vale. Rhaena will then take the little children further away to Pentos, where Rhaena’s mother died, to keep them safe. Rhaenyra is heartbroken over sending the children away and asks Rhaena to be a mother to her boys. “Teach them, train them, guard them as a dragon guards her eggs,” says Rhaenyra.
Rhaena isn’t happy to leave Dragonstone and her sister but agrees.
And now 15 minutes in, we finally see what Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) has been up to. He and Caraxes land at Harrenhal in the middle of a storm. Daemon silently makes his way through the decimated castle and doesn’t encounter anyone until he reaches the dining hall. (Harrenhal was nearly destroyed by Balerion when House Black was wiped out, and further damaged in the fire that killed Harwin and Lyonel Strong.) He claims Harrenhal, and Ser Simon Strong, Castellan of Harrenhal, doesn’t object. He bends the knee and pledges to Queen Rhaenyra.
They invite Daemon to dinner and Daemon refuses to eat, believing the food might be poisoned. Ser Simon laughs and assures Daemon he is welcome. He denounces Lord Larys Strong (aka Larys Clubfoot), pointing out how strange it is that Lord Lyonel died in a fire in such a damp environment. It’s not even dry in the summer. He believes Larys ordered the fire and killed his kin.
Simon doesn’t know why Daemon’s come to Harrenhal, and Daemon points out it’s the largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms. (Even if it’s in horrible shape.) The Riverlands has 40,000 swords and currently stands as the biggest undeclared part of the realm. Daemon wants to change that and then garrison them at Harrenhal. He’s unaware of the Blackwood and Bracken battle.
Daemon orders Simon to summon Lord Paramount Lord Tully, and Simon confesses Tully’s barely alive and his bannermen do as they please. Daemon doesn’t care; Tully should be obeyed no matter his condition. He believes his presence, along with his dragon, will convince everyone to fall in line.
Simon, not one to mince words, asks what Daemon hopes to accomplish. Daemon confirms his plans are to march on King’s Landing and seize the throne.
Simon says, “The throne?”
“It’s a big chair made of swords,” replies Daemon.
Meanwhile, Criston’s army assembles just as Ser Gwayne Hightower (Alicent’s brother) arrives with his men from Oldtown. It’s obvious from their first conversation these men detest each other, with Gwayne (Freddie Fox) admitting he was shocked that Criston had replaced his father as the Hand.
Gwayne volunteers to go with Criston into battle, but Criston doesn’t want him along. Alicent won’t take no for an answer. Gwayne, sarcastically, says he’s delighted to march out to war with a Dornishman.
Queen Rhaenyra’s council meets and Rhaenys confirms there haven’t been any sightings of horses, ships, or dragons. Members of her council believe they should act now and send out the dragons. That will shift the tide quickly in their favor.
Rhaenyra vehemently disagrees, knowing that’s just inviting their own destruction. She insists it’s the armies that will do the fighting, and believes The Greens think the same. Men are coming from the Vale and the North, and all they need to do now is give Daemon – who hasn’t been heard from – time to take care of Harrenhal.
Her council greatly underestimates their Queen and suggests that she leave for somewhere safe. The men will take care of handling the war. No need to worry her pretty little head, right? Queen Rhaenyra warns them what they’re suggesting is treason.
After Rhaenyra leaves, Rhaenys reminds the men that their Queen wears the crown of the wisest of Targaryen kings, Jaehaerys the Conciliator. Jaehaerys’ reign was the longest in Targaryen history.
Rhaenys joins her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), at the port and confirms she still believes Rhaenyra can rise to the task – even with her council working against her. She hopes Corlys will join Rhaenyra soon. Rhaenyra needs his support in person.
Rhaenys is obviously concerned about naming an heir to Driftmark before the kingdom plunges further into war. She believes Rhaena would be perfect. The other option is Joffrey, and Corlys reminds her that neither knows ships nor dragons. Corlys walks off, refusing to discuss the heir any further.
And speaking of Rhaena … the family says their goodbyes to her as she, very reluctantly, leaves with the children. Rhaenyra’s sending young Stormcloud and Tyraxes with her, as well as four incredibly fragile dragon eggs. Rhaena resents being away from the action, but Rhaenyra assures her that what she’s doing is crucial. If Dragonstone falls, Rhaena will be the Targaryens’ hope for the future. (Yes, it’s confirmed three of the eggs are the ones given to Daenerys as wedding gifts!)
Rhaena now fully understands the full importance of her role.
Tom Glynn-Carney and Matthew Needham in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 episode 3 (Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO)
King Aegon gets suited up for war wearing King Aegon the Conqueror’s armor made of Valyrian steel. His buddies, now Kingsguard, shower compliments as Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) interrupts for a quick private chat. Larys, ever the snake, says rumors have it that Aegon is either courageous and wise to go to battle or has been outwitted by the council so Alicent can rule in his place. Aegon orders Larys to tend to these people spreading rumors. He also makes the spur-of-the-moment decision to name Larys his Master of Whisperers.
King Aegon decides not to go to battle, and his buddies ask him to go out that night. Apparently, Ser Martyn’s new squire is a virgin so they’re heading to a brothel to take care of that. They laugh when King Aegon reminds them that they’re sworn to chastity. That is until they realize he’s not joking.
Night falls in King’s Landing and the townsfolk are out partying and having a good time as Ulf (Tom Bennett) makes his way through the crowds, glad-handing everyone before he arrives at a table in a pub. Among his companions is a Dornish man he’s never met before, and he tells this stranger that his grandsire was Jaehaerys the Conciliator. Ulf claims he’s the son of Baelon the Brave which makes him the bastard brother of Prince Daemon and King Viserys. His allegiance is with Rhaenyra, the one true queen.
He’d lose his head if anyone discovered this. They joke that he looks nothing like either, especially his hair, and he says it’s because he’s their half-brother. Suddenly, the room falls quiet as King Aegon and the Kingsguard enter the pub. Aegon pays for drinks all around as Ulf stares at the usurper.
Aegon’s next stop is the brothel where he can’t stop laughing when he sees his brother in bed with the same whore who took his virginity. Aemond remains silent as Aegon makes jokes at his expense. Finally, Aemond stands, and we get a full naked body shot as he leaves Aegon and his cohorts with the whore.
Once more to Dragonstone we go, and Queen Rhaenyra’s in a reflective mood, thinking about her children she just sent away. She finally reads the message Alicent sent.
Their journey’s begun but Ser Gwayne and Ser Criston are no closer to forming a bond when Criston tells Gwayne’s group to camp with the rest of the company. Gwayne would rather travel a couple of miles to a tavern with real beds. He will meet up with Criston’s company at first light after a good night’s sleep. Criston’s been distracted while they’re talking and suddenly realizes they’re exposed. A dragon is circling high overhead.
They race to the trees for cover just as Baela (Bethany Antonia) on Moondancer spots them. Baela heads straight toward them but they manage to beat her into the woods. She circles above the tree line looking for any movement but doesn’t see anything and leaves.
Gwayne has a change of heart about Criston, thanking him for saving his life. Criston alters their plan. From now on they’ll move at night under the trees. And, obviously, no one will stay in an inn.
Baela reports that she spotted Criston Cole and other knights on the move. The council also received word from Lord Farring that a larger force is moving towards Rosby. They insist it’s time for action. Lord Simon wants to leave to fortify his lands, while others are certain the main force is on its way to Harrenhal which puts Daemon at the heart of the battle. Rhaenyra thinks Daemon will be fine since he has Caraxes, but the council reminds her Cole could call on a dragon for support.
Her council believes the dragons need to be brought into action now. Kill Criston Cole and his men and stop their advance. Rhaenyra glances at Rhaenys and then agrees to consider their arguments.
Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 episode 3 (Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO)
The episode’s final visit with Daemon finds him having a vision of a young Rhaenyra sewing Jaehaerys’ head back on while telling her uncle/husband she always has to clean up after him. A woman warns him that he will die at Harrenhal.
Rhaenyra asks Mysaria about Alicent’s movements, and Mysaria wants to know why. Rhaenyra reveals she wants to speak with Alicent and that Alicent expressed remorse in a message. Maybe if they can talk, they can come up with a solution before more blood is shed.
Mysaria believes Rhaenyra has a chance to meet Alicent face-to-face if she goes by fishing boat to King’s Landing and dresses as a septa. Alicent only goes outside the castle for prayer, and that’s where Rhaenyra surprises her as she’s lighting candles, alone. After stopping her from screaming, Rhaenyra reminds Alicent that they both know men are eager to fight. Rhaenyra hopes that Rhaenys is right and that Alicent wishes to avert further bloodshed.
Rhaenyra believes they can come to terms, but Alicent thinks that’s impossible. Besides, Rhaenyra doesn’t have an army or many allies. They both swear they didn’t cause the deaths of either Lucerys or Jaehaerys. But Alicent won’t agree that they stole Rhaenyra’s throne. She insists King Viserys changed his mind.
Rhaenyra informs Alicent that she visited her father just hours before his death, and he affirmed that she was heir to the throne. But as they talk, Rhaenyra starts to believe Alicent truly thinks Viserys changed his mind. She asks Alicent about her last conversation with Viserys, and it’s clear that Alicent misinterpreted what happened.
Alicent says Viserys was very tired and difficult to understand. However, he said Aegon’s name. “He said he was the prince that was promised to unite the realm,” recalls Alicent. Rhaenyra’s shocked her father spoke to Alicent of the Song of Ice and Fire, and Alicent indicates she’s never heard of that before. Rhaenyra explains it’s a story about Aegon the Conqueror.
Alicent fumbles out, “The Conqueror,” as it dawns on her that King Viserys wasn’t talking about her son Aegon. They sit in silence for a moment, letting that sink in. Finally, Alicent tells Rhaenyra she should leave and refuses to take action to stop the war from decimating the Seven Kingdoms.
Alicent says it’s too late and then quickly leaves. Rhaenyra remains seated and considers what to do next now that it’s confirmed her father never changed his mind and Alicent won’t change hers.
