HBO’s House of the Dragon season one episode three, “Second of His Name,” finds King Viserys in a miserable mood, his daughter still at odds with her stepmother and former best friend, and the battle in the Stepstones coming to an end after three brutal years. The Hand continues to attempt to manipulate his daughter into choosing her family over Rhaenyra in the line of succession, while King Viserys shows compassion toward Rhaenyra over the issue of marriage.
And now on to the detailed House of the Dragon episode three recap:
Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) has sided with Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and agreed to join his war against the Triarchy, led by Prince Craghas Drahar. The episode begins with Prince Daemon riding Caraxes over a burning ship owned by House Velaryon. Craghas and his men are engaged in looting it and killing the ship’s men when Caraxes attacks, roasting members of the Triarchy.
One Velaryon sailor who’s covered in crabs and about to die a slow death is overjoyed to see Prince Daemon and his dragon. Although he cheers for his prince, his cries are cut off as Caraxes lands on his chest. (Given the circumstances, it’s a much less torturous way to die.)
Prince Craghas (Daniel Scott-Smith) escapes into a nearby cave while his men fire lit arrows at Caraxes and Daemon. The dragon doesn’t appear to be injured but Daemon takes an arrow to his shoulder and is forced to flee.
The action leaps forward three years. Prince Daemon and Lord Corlys remain engaged in battle with the Triarchy in the Stepstones as King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and a pregnant Queen Alicent (Emily Carey) host a celebration of the second nameday of their first son, Aegon. The Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) stands off to the side and engages in a conversation about Aegon’s future.
At this point, The Hand appears uncertain that King Viserys would ever name Aegon his heir, rather than Princess Rhaenyra.
The celebration’s interrupted by Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) arriving with a message. Lord Corlys desperately needs help in the Stepstones, but King Viserys is unwilling to even consider such a serious discussion on this special day. The King insists it’s been three years; it can wait three more days.
Tyland doesn’t give up and explains the situation in the Stepstones is so dire that even the sellswords are deserting the battle. Daemon’s demands on the men are causing them to leave, and The Hand points out that any intervention now would just make the Crown appear weak since this battle was launched without King Viserys’ consent.
While drinks and food satisfy those in attendance, King Viserys won’t be satisfied until someone tells him where Princess Rhaenyra is and why she’s not participating in Aegon’s party.
It turns out she’s in the godswoods reading a book and listening to a minstrel named Samwell sing the same song repeatedly. Queen Alicent finds her and attempts to get her to join the party, which Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) will only do if so ordered by her father. Poor Samwell’s caught in the middle when Queen Alicent orders him to leave and Princess Rhaenyra commands him to stay. Ultimately, the Queen wins out.
Alicent is trying to mend their friendship but it’s not working. However, Princess Rhaenyra does join them in the royal carriage as they head off to a great hunt in the Kingswood. The tension’s so thick you could cut it with a sword when King Viserys brings up that Rhaenyra will have her own child in the near future.
Rhaenyra declines her father’s offer to join him on the hunt. They argue about her “duties,” and Rhaenyra points out that no one is here for her. It’s all about his son.
Princess Rhaenyra speaks the truth. After they arrive in the large encampment made up of dozens of tents, she walks through a grand tent where the party is continuing. No one even bothers to look her way, other than Ser Tyland Lannister’s twin, Lord Jason Lannister (also played by Jefferson Hall).
Queen Alicent is seated in a large circle of women and one man – Larys Strong (nicknamed Larys Clubfoot). They’re discussing the war in the Stepstones when Rhaenyra walks by and she’s invited into the conversation. One lady contends the kingdom’s at war whether King Viserys admits it or not. Princess Rhaenyra stands up for her father, insults the woman, and exchanges looks with Alicent before leaving.
Rhaenyra wanders outside and Jason Lannister immediately begins flirting with the heir to the throne. He brags about Casterly Rock, calls his twin “frightfully dull,” and then claims he’s wealthy enough to build a dragonpit. Rhaenyra wonders why he’d build one and Jason replies, “I’d do anything for my Queen…or Lady wife.”
Rhaenyra hands him back his wine and walks straight back into the tent to confront her father. She demands to know if she’s just a prize to offer to the great Houses.
“You’re of age, Rhaenyra. Jason Lannister’s an excellent match,” says Viserys.
He’s arrogant and self-serious,” claims Rhaenyra.
“Well, I thought you might have that in common,” points out Viserys.
King Viserys reveals he’s drowning in marriage proposals, but she refuses to consider any. They raise their voices and Ser Otto interrupts, attempting to get them to stop fighting in public. Viserys gets the last word and says she must marry.
Ser Otto informs King Viserys that a white hart has been sighted in the Kingswood. The white hart used to be the symbol of royalty before the dragons, and Otto believes it’s a sign since it appeared on Aegon’s second nameday.
Jason Lannister presents King Viserys with a spear he had forged in honor of Prince Aegon. He hopes Viserys will use it to kill the white hart and suggests he’d be happy to marry Rhaenyra. He adds she’d feel well compensated for her loss in station as his wife and Viserys asks what he means. Jason, along with most of the lords, assumes Aegon will be named the heir. However, Viserys claims he has no intention of doing so.
King Viserys demands to know if there’s a rebellion brewing and reminds Jason that he named Rhaenyra his heir after much thought. Viserys warns Jason that he and the other lords should remember that.
King Viserys is drinking and sulking when Ser Otto asks about Jason’s proposal. Viserys says he just wants Rhaenyra to be happy. Ser Otto suggests Rhaenyra marry her half-brother, the two-year-old Prince Aegon. Viserys briefly laughs before becoming angry about all this endless politicking.
Viserys continues to drink as his mood darkens. However, it lightens slightly as Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) informs him there’s a party out searching for Rhaenyra. Viserys jokes that if he forbade her to marry Jason, she’d have run off with him out of spite.
Lord Lyonel offers to share his opinion on whom Rhaenyra should marry and Viserys believes he’s going to name his own son, Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong. Viserys is shocked that instead, Lyonel suggests Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys’ son, Ser Laenor. That marriage would mend fences and ensure an heir of pure Valyrian descent.
Rhaenyra escapes on her horse with Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) in hot pursuit. He catches up and cuts off her ride steps from a lake. Rhaenyra confesses she doesn’t want to marry the Lord of Casterly Rock and Ser Criston jokingly asks if she wants him to kill Jason Lannister.
The mood lightens as they casually walk through the woods. Ser Criston admits everything he has he owes to Rhaenyra. It’s only because of her that he’s in the Kingsguard.
Night falls and they make camp, even though Ser Criston believes they should head back. She’s genuinely curious to see if he thinks the realm will accept her as Queen. He thinks they’ll have no choice.
Their horses are suddenly restless as a rustling is heard in the woods. A boar emerges from the undergrowth and mows down Ser Criston. It attacks Rhaenyra next, but Ser Criston stabs it. The creature’s not dead and Rhaenyra takes out her anger and frustration by stabbing the creature many more times than is necessary. She’s coated in blood by the time her arm’s too tired to stab it again.
King Viserys and Queen Alicent share a quiet moment away from the celebration. He recalls his dream of crowning his son king and that he named Rhaenyra heir to protect the realm from Daemon. Viserys didn’t think he’d marry again or have more children. He still blames Aemon’s death on his inability to shake off that dream.
Viserys wonders if he was wrong in choosing Rhaenyra.
The following day men have found a stag – but not the white hart. They’ve got it under control with ropes and King Viserys is told where to stab it to bring it down. He uses the present from Jason Lannister and misses the mark, causing the animal to scream in pain. (The sound is heartbreaking.) Viserys has to stab it a second time to put it out of its misery.
Nothing about this “hunt” has improved his mood.
The gorgeous white hart appears yards away from Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Criston. It stares at them, seemingly unafraid. Criston is about to draw his sword when she orders him to stop. She shows mercy and allows it to run off unharmed.
Rhaenyra and Criston return to camp with the dead boar. She doesn’t pause by her father’s table or join the celebratory meal.
Upon their return to King’s Landing, Ser Otto and his daughter discuss Prince Aegon’s future. Otto believes Aegon’s born to rule the Seven Kingdoms and Viserys will be cheered for naming him heir to the throne. If Rhaenyra remains the heir, the realm will destroy itself. No one will accept a woman on the throne when there’s a male heir capable of ruling.
Otto believes his daughter should do what she can to steer Viserys toward that decision.
That night, Viserys has quite the hangover as he and Alicent sit by the roaring fire. They discuss Rhaenyra’s possible suitors and Alicent points out that Rhaenyra needs to believe the decision is hers to make.
Alicent spots a letter from the Ser Vaemond Velaryon, younger brother of Corlys and commander of the Velaryon navy. Alicent reads the note and Viserys confirms Corlys and Daemon are losing the war – badly. The note is a request for aid but Viserys refuses to help, believing it would make him appear weak.
Alicent suggests sending aid would actually make him look like a good man who loves his brother. She poses a simple question: “Is it better for the realm if the Crabfeeder thrives or is vanquished?”
The following day Viserys has changed his mind and will lend support to the war. Rhaenyra is with her dad when he sends word, and she wonders if Daemon asked for help. “He would sooner die, but his King does not mean to allow that,” says Viserys, actually smiling.
Viserys asks for his daughter’s opinion, and she points out no one cares what she thinks. Daemon’s enough of a thorn in his side; Viserys wishes his daughter wouldn’t take after her troublesome uncle.
She doesn’t want to get married off to Casterly Rock, but that’s not really why she’s angry. Rhaenyra speaks her mind and says she’s aware he wants to replace her with Alicent Hightower’s son – the boy he’s always wanted. Rhaenyra believes she’s of no use now so he might as well exchange her for ships or land.
King Viserys admits that as rulers they have to marry to forge alliances, but he loved her mother. Viserys claims he’s not going to replace her as heir and blames himself for making her feel so alone. He wants her content and happy and thinks that would come with having a family.
Viserys is momentarily speechless when his daughter scores a point by reminding him that if he were to have married for advantage, then he would have chosen Laena Velaryon. He admits that’s true. Instead, he followed his heart.
Still, Rhaenyra must marry. However, she can choose whom she wants. “Search him out. Find one who pleases you,” suggests Viserys, acting as her father rather than her king. It’s now Rhaenyra’s turn to be rendered speechless.
Before she leaves, he confesses he wavered once but swears on her mother’s memory that she will “not be supplanted.”
A dragon patrols the skies over the Stepstones as across the bay at Drawfstone Lord Corlys issues a status report. They have dwindling supplies, including food and only 18ish ships. A fortnight is all they have left. He knows the Triarchy’s aware they have the upper hand and will capitalize on it. Lord Corlys’ son, Ser Laenor (Theo Nate), says attacking by air won’t work because the Crabfeeder created a choke point. Dragons (yes, plural!) have strafed them but the Triarchy retreats into caves. They need to somehow get them out of the caves.
Ser Laenor believes they need a man who’s willing to sacrifice himself to draw out the Crabfeeder and suggests Prince Daemon. Ser Vaemond (Wil Johnson) thinks Prince Daemon is why they’re losing and demands an answer as to why they should continue to support King Viserys’ brother. Corlys warns his brother he will not allow him to stoke mutiny.
Prince Daemon arrives on Caraxes while Ser Vaemond warns his brother to seize control of the war just as messengers arrive with Viserys’ note. Daemon reads it silently and then beats the messenger who delivered it.
Viserys’ note reveals he’s sending 2,000 men and 10 ships. He doesn’t want his brother to fail and hopes this action will secure a victory. He’ll pray for his brother’s safe return.
The men look exhausted and weary of the battle as Prince Daemon scans the faces of those assembled.
Daemon rows over to the Stepstones and walks among all the dead men who’ve been fed to the crabs. He rips off a piece of cloth and stands holding a white flag over his head.
Prince Craghas Drahar emerges from the cave as Daemon unsheathes his sword and holds it out as an offering. Triarchy soldiers emerge from the cave as Prince Daemon bends his knee to the Crabfeeder, still holding out his sword.
Triarchy archers take up positions on the cliff and prepare to shoot in case this is a trap.
A soldier takes Prince Daemon’s sword as Daemon removes another blade and strikes him down. He charges forward, grabbing his sword, and dispatching his enemies. Arrows fly as he makes his way through the soldiers who’ve appeared outside the caves. He runs toward Craghas in a fury, and Craghas sends additional soldiers out to meet his advance.
Craghas continues to glance at the sky for signs of a dragon as the fight continues.
Daemon is finally hit three times and crawls toward safety. Craghas sends what appears to be the bulk of the Triarchy out to finish him off.
Daemon watches them advance and stands, briefly using his sword as a crutch. He’s encircled by hundreds of fighters as Corlys arrives with his men – and Ser Laenor soars above riding Seasmoke! The Triarchy and Velaryon troops engage in a brutal battle as Craghas turns and slips back into the cave.
Seasmoke lifts fighters and throws them, and then lights up the cliffs where the archers are embedded.
Daemon gives chase and although we don’t see the fatal blow, Craghas is cut in half. Daemon drags his torso through the cave and out to the beach.
Daemon’s soaked in blood as he makes eye contact with Corlys, signaling the war has been won.
Memorable House of the Dragon Episode 3 Lines:
- “I may be Princess of Dragonstone but I’m teethless” – Princess Rhaenyra.
- “That man’s pride has pride.” – King Viserys describing Jason Lannister.
- “A truly great Targaryen king I am. Powerless over my own daughter of seven and 10.” – King Viserys
- “The road ahead is uncertain, but the end is clear. Aegon will be king.” – Ser Otto Hightower
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- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 “The Rogue Prince” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 4 “King of the Narrow Sea” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 5 “We Light the Way” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 6 “The Princess and the Queen” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 7 “Driftmark” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 8 “The Lord of the Tides” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 9 “The Green Council” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10 “The Black Queen” Finale Recap
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