‘House of the Dragon’ Season 1 Episode 2 Recap: “The Rogue Prince”

By
Rebecca Murray
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House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 Recap
Paddy Considine, Eve Best, and Steve Toussaint in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 2 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)

HBO’s House of the Dragon season one episode two opens with a disturbing scene of men, presumably pirates, alive and being feasted on by crabs. Lord Corlys “The Sea Snake” Velaryon warned King Viserys and the council that the Triarchy, led by Craghas Drahar, was wreaking havoc in the Stepstones. The scene confirms the warning was correct. It also confirms that Craghas’ nickname Crabfeeder is well-earned.

Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and his council learn Lord Commander Ser Ryam Redwyne of the Kingsguard has passed. Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish), the succeeding Lord Commander, wants to quickly replace Ser Ryam to return the guard to seven.

Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) arrives at the meeting late with news four ships, including one of his own, have been lost. He doesn’t want compensation from the kingdom; he wants to seize the Stepstones and kill Craghas Drahar.

Lord Corlys is reminded the Seven Kingdoms have never gone to war with the Free Cities, and King Viserys doesn’t want to do so now. Lord Corlys points out that Prince Daemon’s been at Dragonstone for six months, protected by his personal army of gold cloaks. No one fears the Crown anymore.

(This reveals the action’s moved forward half a year.)

King Viserys is determined to settle this without engaging in a war. He’s already sent men to negotiate on his behalf.

Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) is in attendance as the King’s cupbearer and has been listening to the discussion. She suggests her father send his dragonriders as a show of force. Lord Corlys backs her plan, but King Viserys says it’s not that simple.

Princess Rhaenyra is summarily dismissed and sent off with Ser Harrold to choose a new member of the Kingsguard. The Hand of the King, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), assists in the selection and as the candidates are introduced, Princess Rhaenyra asks if any of the men have combat experience. Only Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) does, and his introduction marks the first time Princess Rhaenyra engages in actual conversation with a candidate.

Rhaenyra’s impressed with Ser Criston’s history as a soldier and chooses him. The Hand warns her not to be hasty, reminding her of the politics of the decision. Rhaenyra disagrees. Her father needs the most capable, experienced fighter to protect him.

King Viserys has a quiet, private moment with Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) in which he describes the sculpture of the ancient Valyrian capital and how it was built. She compliments his skills, but he credits the stone masons with constructing the model. He simply provided the blueprints. Old Valyria had 1,000 dragons and a massive navy. “The glory of old Valyria will never be seen again,” notes King Viserys.

Their hands touch and there’s a moment when King Viserys actually sees Alicent as more than just his daughter’s best friend. The moment passes, and he asks how Rhaenyra is doing, worried she no longer speaks to him about personal matters. Alicent assures him it will take time and that perhaps he should make the first move.

King Viserys hopes Alicent isn’t mentioning their talks to Rhaenyra. She may not understand. (Apparently, these talks are now common occurrences.)

Later, Rhaenyra confesses to Alicent that she’s upset they’re trying to marry off her father just six months after her mother’s death. She’s also aware they’re hoping for a new heir to the throne. Alicent reminds her friend that the King chose her as his heir.

“He didn’t choose me; he spurned Daemon,” replies the wise-beyond-her-years princess.

Rhaenyra shows her vulnerable side, breaking down in tears as she prays while thinking about her mother and father. She wants her father to see her as more than just his little girl. She and Alicent commiserate about fathers who don’t know the language of girls.

King Viserys, Lord Corlys, and Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) engage in a chat to mend fences and assure one another how much they value each other’s opinions. Lord Corlys asks permission to speak candidly and suggests their enemies are now paying close attention to the Red Keep. The Queen has passed, Prince Daemon’s seat on Dragonstone has been allowed to continue unchallenged, and a girl has been named heir to the throne. Plus, the Triarchy has seized control of their most powerful shipping lane.

The Crown’s perceived as vulnerable and Lord Corlys explains, “To allude a storm, you can either sail into it or around it, but you must never await its coming.” Lord Corlys proposes that King Viserys marry his daughter, Laena, bonding the Targaryen and Velaryon families. Viserys’ dragons and Lord Corlys’ fleet together are too imposing for enemy forces to consider attacking.

King Viserys admits he hasn’t considered remarrying.

That evening, Princess Rhaenyra breaks the silence over dinner and King Viserys takes Alicent’s suggestion to heart and engages in a real conversation with his daughter. He confesses he loved her mother very much and Rhaenyra discusses the selection of Ser Ryam’s replacement. Only Ser Criston had any real battle experience; the other candidates were just tourney knights.

They discuss the council meeting, and he assures her she’ll learn when it’s time to speak. Rhaenyra’s expression suggests that was not the advice she was hoping to receive.

Later, Otto Hightower and Grand Maester Mellos (David Horovitch) are in attendance as maggots set to work on King Viserys’ damaged finger. (He cut it on the Iron Throne while banishing Prince Daemon.) Viserys explains Lord Corlys proposed a marriage to his daughter, and The Hand believes Lord Corlys overreached.

Otto points out Laena is young, but Grand Maester Mellos believes this might be a way to heal wounds caused when the Great Council passed over Princess Rhaenys.

Uniting the great Valyrian Houses would signal unity. However, Otto – who is looking out for his own interests – suggests that replacing a deceased wife for duty’s sake is an unenviable task.

In the following days, King Viserys attempts to get to know Laena who’s just a child. Their discussion concerns dragons, mostly, but then Laena cuts to the chase and promises to give him many children of Valyrian blood if he chooses to unite their Houses. She confesses her father told her to say this, but her mother promised she wouldn’t have to consummate the marriage until she turns 14.

King Viserys can only sigh in response.

House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 Recap
Milly Alcock in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 2 (Photo by Ollie Upton / HBO)

Princess Rhaenyra watched the interaction from above and is confronted by Princess Rhaenys as she walks away. They have an antagonistic relationship, and it’s obvious they’re not close. However, Princess Rhaenys does deliver important advice. She reminds Rhaenyra that her father will wed and will likely have male heirs.

“And when that boy comes of age and your father has passed, the men of the realm will expect him to be heir – not you – because that is the order of things,” says Princess Rhaenys.

Princess Rhaenyra declares that when she’s queen, she’ll create a new order.

Rhaenys delivers the hard truth: “Men would sooner put the realm to the torch than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne. And your father is no fool.”

King Viserys and Alicent share a meal, and he admits he doesn’t know Laena well, but the council wants him to marry her. Alicent believes it would be a strong match but as she says this, her nervous habit of picking at her fingers gives away her true feelings.

Alicent presents Viserys with a gift of a dragon. It’s one that he recently broke, and she requested the stone masons fix it. Viserys is touched by the gesture.

Their peaceful meal is interrupted by The Hand requesting the King’s presence at an emergency council meeting.

A dragon’s egg has been stolen and it was Prince Daemon who took it in the middle of the night. Daemon left a note in which he declared himself the rightful heir and announced he’s taking a second wife. He names her “Lady Mysaria of Dragonstone” and she’s with child. The stolen egg will be placed in the baby’s cradle.

The note also includes an invitation to the wedding.

Otto calls this an act of sedition and Viserys believes Daemon did this to provoke him. Daemon has Dragonstone, an army, and now he’s stolen a dangerous weapon.

Princess Rhaenyra asks which egg and the dragonkeeper reveals it was Dreamfyre’s. It was the egg Rhaenyra chose for Prince Baelon’s cradle before he was born.

King Viserys is livid and orders a detachment assembled. The theft of that particular egg has moved Viserys to act, and he announces he’s going to Dragonstone to retrieve Daemon and make him face justice.

The Hand will not allow King Viserys to put himself in danger and requests to go to Dragonstone in his place.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 2 recap
Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 2 recap (Photo by Ollie Upton / HBO)

The Hand, Ser Harrold, Ser Criston, and 20 men arrive at Dragonstone and are met on the bridge leading into the castle by Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), and the City Watch.

A rather delicious battle of wills ensues, with Prince Daemon welcoming Otto and Otto demanding Daemon turn over the egg, relinquish his army, leave Dragonstone, and banish his whore.

Daemon, who’s handling the egg with less care than a football, attempts to intimidate Ser Criston, calling him Ser Crispin. Criston reminds Daemon of the time he knocked him from his horse, and Daemon chuckles, acknowledging Criston scored a point. (Criston isn’t to be trifled with.)

Otto calls Daemon’s acts – including marrying his whore and fathering a bastard child – abominations that sully the Targaryen name. Daemon holds out the egg, taunting Otto to come get it.

Otto warns Daemon he’s committing treason. Swords are drawn on both sides, but the two parties stay a good distance from each other. (Not within striking distance.)

Suddenly, Daemon’s dragon, Caraxes, appears out of the castle and looms over the two opposing forces. Otto, wisely, tells his men to sheath their steel.

The clouds ripple and Princess Rhaenyra arrives on Syrax. She lands behind Otto and his men, strides through them, assuring them she doesn’t need protection and stands before Daemon. She reminds him he’s occupying her castle since she’s the rightful heir. Daemon’s mood changes to sullen as he’s put in his place by Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra treats him like a spoiled child, accusing him of stealing her brother’s egg. She even gets him to admit Mysaria isn’t even pregnant. (Mysaria’s heard enough and leaves.)

Rhaenyra proves she’s a strong, fierce leader. She reminds her uncle if he wants to be king, he needs to kill her. “Do it, and be done with all this bother,” says Rhaenyra.

Daemon understands who he’s up against and that it’s Rhaenyra who’s in the power position at this point. Grudgingly, he concedes defeat by breaking off eye contact first. He turns and walks away, casually tossing the egg back at Rhaenyra.

Mission accomplished and bloodshed averted, Rhaenyra flies away on Syrax.

Daemon joins Mysaria in the castle and she’s upset he lied and told his family she was with child. She swore she’d never have a child and now she believes Daemon’s put her life in danger.

King Viserys turns to Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), Master of Laws and Lord of Harrenhal, for advice. He’s a longtime friend and trusted member of the small council, and Viserys wants his opinion on Lord Corlys’ proposal that he marry Laena.

Lord Lyonel delivers the cold hard facts, advising it would be the best political move. Lord Corlys’ family is the wealthiest in the realm, Laena has Valyrian blood, and although she’s just 12 years old now, she will mature. Viserys doesn’t want to remarry but Lyonel reminds him he can’t put this off for long.

Lord Lyonel believes that only a direct line to the Iron Throne will satisfy Lord Corlys. Plus, Lord Corlys is in charge of the ships which they’ll need if the Triarchy cuts off the shipping lanes. Lyonel thinks marrying Laena is the best option.

Ser Harrold interrupts to report that Rhaenyra has returned from Dragonstone.

Viserys had no idea his daughter flew to Dragonstone, and he’s angry she acted so foolishly and could have been hurt. Rhaenyra calmly explains she retrieved the egg without bloodshed, something Otto couldn’t have done without her help. Viserys reluctantly admits that’s true, and then he actually laughs at her outrageous behavior. He also acknowledges that she’s just like her mother.

Rhaenyra’s happy to hear her father express his grief over her mother’s death. Viserys asks her to understand what he’s forced to do next, and Rhaenyra sets his mind at ease by assuring him she knows he’s doing what’s best for the realm.

Viserys claims he doesn’t intend to replace her as heir, but he needs to have more children so that their bloodline doesn’t die off.

The council assembles and King Viserys announces he’s decided to remarry. Princess Rhaenyra and Alicent are in attendance, and most of those gathered around the table assume Viserys will wed Laena. He shocks his council – and Rhaenyra – by declaring he’s going to marry Alicent.

Rhaenyra is stunned. She’s been completely betrayed by her father and her best friend.

Lord Corlys is insulted by Viserys’ decision and storms from the room, but not before exchanging looks with Alicent’s father, the Hand of the King.

Rhaenyra also flees the chamber, followed by Ser Harrold.

Episode two ends with Lord Corlys attempting to make a deal with the devil. House Velaryon is older than House Targaryen, but only the Targaryens are dragonlords. When Corlys ascended the Driftwood Throne, he built up his House and added to the family’s wealth.

Lord Corlys believes he and Daemon (the devil referenced above) are made from the same cloth. He wants Daemon to clean out the Stepstones and take care of the Triarchy and its leader, the Crabfeeder. Lord Corlys believes this will prove Daemon’s worth to the realm.

“We are the realm’s second sons, Daemon. Our worth is not given; it must be made,” says Corlys.

Episode 2 Takeaways:

  • Princess Rhaenyra has emerged as the Targaryen with the personality, temperament, and intelligence to lead, while King Viserys continues to appear ill at ease when handling disagreements and difficult decisions. He’s a peacekeeper and not one to leap into action unless forced.
  • Two episodes in and Milly Alcock is outshining her more established co-stars, although Matt Smith’s giving her a run for her money. Unfortunately, Smith was sidelined for much of episode two. However, the two scenes featuring Smith were two of the most pivotal – and entertaining – in “The Rogue Prince.”
  • Steve Toussaint’s voice is mesmerizing. “Mesmerizing” isn’t a word I’d use to describe whatever accent Sonoya Mizuno is attempting as Mysaria.

Favorite exchange from episode two:

Prince Daemon: “It was never my brother’s strongest trait.”

Lord Corlys: “What?”

Prince Daemon: “Being king.”




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