HBO’s House of the Dragon season one episode six moves the story forward 10 years and introduces the adult versions of Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra. Episode six, “The Princess and the Queen,” also increases the body count and bids goodbye to three characters we hardly got to know but will sorely miss.
The episode begins with the sound of childbirth filling the air as Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) gives birth to a healthy baby boy. Within the baby’s first minutes Queen Alicent has sent a message demanding the child be brought to her. Although Rhaenyra should rest, she’s determined to accompany her baby to see her stepmother.
Princess Rhaenyra’s husband, Ser Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan), is pleased to hear the new arrival’s a boy, but not happy to learn the Queen’s demanding an audience. Laenor accompanies his wife, asking about the pain and lending moral support as they slowly walk up flights of stairs.
Rhaenyra attempts to disguise her pain as she struggles up the stairs, with Laenor ready to turn back but Rhaenyra resisting.
Laenor knows the Queen’s request is absurd, but Rhaenyra is equally as stubborn as her stepmother.
Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel, who doesn’t look like he’s aged any) guards the door to the Queen’s chamber and greets his ex-lover and her husband professionally. Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) tries to act shocked that Rhaenyra has come so soon after giving birth but it’s an unconvincing performance.
King Viserys (Paddy Considine) joins them and he’s ecstatic to meet his new grandson. He’s looking much older but appears to be feeling well as Laenor announces the baby’s name is Joffrey (after his deceased lover). Alicent notes that’s an unusual name for a Velaryon, and Rhaenyra just smiles.
The King thinks the baby has Laenor’s nose. He congratulates his daughter on the birth, and she confesses she called the midwife a c*nt.
Queen Alicent hands the baby back to Laenor and says, “Do keep trying, Ser Laenor. Sooner or late, you may get one who looks like you” – a snide comment, referencing court gossip that Rhaenyra’s babies are from her lover, not her husband.
After they leave the Queen’s presence, Alicent suggests Laenor speak with her first before he names her baby. He corrects his wife, saying it’s “our child” not just hers. She reminds him she’s the only one bleeding. And that she is, as a trail of blood is visible in the hallway.
(Ser Criston turned his back to the door as they exited and only looked at Rhaenyra after she had her back to him.)
Alicent and Laenor return to their room where their two older children – Jacaerys (Leo Hart) and Lucerys (Harvey Sadler) – are playing. They’ve selected an egg for the baby and proudly show it off. Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr), who’s been babysitting, asks to hold the baby. (Rumor has it he’s the father of all three boys.)
The boys want to play with the baby, but Laenor sends them back to the dragonpit. He leaves with them, giving Ser Harwin and Princess Rhaenyra time alone. Harwin smiles as he gently rocks the baby in his arms.
Jacaerys (nicknamed Jace, the oldest of Rhaenyra’s boys) receives instruction on training his dragon, Vermax, attempting some commands with some success. A goat is brought in and the dragon refuses to halt when Jace gives him an order. The instructor points out Prince Aegon, Alicent’s oldest son, has learned how to handle his dragon, Sunflower. Jace needs to concentrate. (The baby dragon effects are fantastic.)
Once a dragon is bound to someone, they will not take an order from anyone else.
Jace asks for permission to say “dracarys” and then gives the order to his dragon. Vermax sets the goat on fire and then feasts.
Aegon’s younger brother Aemond is the only one without a dragon, and Aegon and Jace tease him with the presentation of a pig they’ve named the Pink Dread. It’s a horrible joke and Aemond doesn’t look happy to be the brunt of it.
Everyone’s left when Aemond hears a noise in the pit. He follows the sound and finds a mature dragon. It breathes fire and he flees.
Elsewhere, Queen Alicent is giving her daughter, Helaena (Evie Allen), a lesson involving insects. They don’t seem particularly close and Alicent looks bored. Helaena flinches when Alicent reaches out and touches her arm.
They’re interrupted by the arrival of Aemond, and Queen Alicent scolds him for his obsession with dragons. He tearfully explains they gave him a pig and Alicent assures him he’ll have a dragon one day. She holds him close as the boy cries.
Queen Alicent tells King Viserys his grandsons gave Aemon a pig with wings, calling the boys savages. She’s blaming Rhaenyra’s sons, but Viserys wonders if Aegon was the instigator.
She’s surprised their eggs hatched since Laenor is not the father. Alicent thinks three children by someone other than Laenor is an insult to House Targaryen. Viserys, however, refuses to believe the children aren’t Laenor’s.
“Nature is a thing of mysterious works,” says Viserys. He warns her that the consequences of her allegations would be dire, and she’s not to speak of it again.
Queen Alicent turns to Ser Criston to discuss the matter since he’s a sympathetic ear. Criston describes Rhaenyra as a spider who stings and sucks her prey dry. It’s obvious he’ll never get over having his proposal turned down by the Princess. For good measure, he adds that she’s a spoiled c*nt but then quickly apologizes. (That c-word’s being tossed around quite a bit this episode.)
Alicent is sure in the end honor and decency will prevail. They need to both commit to that – and to each other.
Prince Aegon stands in the window and masturbates out of the castle. He’s caught doing so by his mom but all she wants to know is who thought of giving a pig to Aemond. He claims it was Jace and Luke, and Alicent warns him he must defend his brother – no matter what he thinks of him. Rhaenyra’s boys aren’t his playthings.
Alicent reminds him that if Rhaenyra is Queen, then Jace will be next in line. Aegon doesn’t care and Alicent points out it could mean his death if Rhaenyra’s crowned. She demands he listen as she explains that by being the King’s firstborn son, he is a huge threat. Everyone knows he’ll be king unless Rhaenyra moves against him.
Prince Daemon’s Caraxes soars alongside his wife Lady Laena’s dragon, Vhagar – much like a Sunday joyride but with massive beasts and flames. After they land, they feast with friends and toast to Aegon the Conqueror. Prince Reggio Haratis of Pentos has a proposal and Laena wonders if he wants to marry one of their daughters. He doesn’t; he’s offering them a permanent residency in Pentos.
They would have their freedom of the city and the harbor. Why? Because Lys and its allies are rising. The Triarchy has joined with Prince Qoren Martell of Dorne, and in the future, they may attempt to conquer the North. Daemon and Laena have three dragons – with a new baby and a fourth dragon on the way. If they aid Pentos, he’ll shower them with gratitude.
Laena’s immediate reaction is to turn down the offer, but Daemon (Matt Smith) stops her and says they’ll consider it.
They discuss this in private and Laena knows they’re being used, but Daemon doesn’t seem to care. Laena insists that since they’re the blood of old Valyria, they don’t belong in Pentos. She wants to give birth at Driftmark and raise their daughters there – where she was raised – according to their birthright.
Ultimately, she wants to die a dragonrider’s death, not that of a fat country lord.
Daemon doesn’t respond.
Back in King’s Landing, the boys practice their sword skills and Viserys is happy to see Alicent and Rhaenyra’s children all training together. He hopes they’ll form a lifelong bond. Aegon gets distracted by girls and Ser Criston challenges him to a battle. It’s Criston vs Aegon and Aemond, and Criston easily turns them both away, even slapping one on the butt.
Ser Harwin suggests Rhaenyra’s boys need Criston’s instructions too, and Criston pits Jace against Aegon. It’s not a fair match, as Harwin points out, but Criston says in battle you can’t expect things to be fair. (Criston and Harwin don’t like each other, thanks to their shared history with Rhaenyra.)
Aegon knocks Jace to the dirt, but Jace gets up and continues the attack. Harwin pulls Jace aside to give him instruction and Criston does the same with Aegon. Aegon is much bigger, and Criston encourages him not to let up.
Harwin finally grabs an out-of-control Aegon and Aegon responds in anger, “You dare put your hands on me!” Viserys isn’t happy with that reaction and Harwin wonders if this is what Criston teaches – cruelty to a weaker opponent.
Criston points out that Harwin’s interest in Rhaenyra’s boys’ training seems strange, given that he’s not related to them. When he suggests the boys are Harwin’s sons, Harwin attacks Criston and beats him senseless. He’s finally dragged off by the Kingsguard.
Criston chuckles to himself, suspicions confirmed.
Rhaenyra’s told of the incident in the training yard, and she overhears Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) berating his son for bringing shame on their family with his attack on Ser Criston. Lord Strong knows about the rumors that his son’s been intimate with Rhaenyra. He believes it could lead to exile and death, but Harwin claims it’s just rumors.
Lord Strong insists it’s only King Viserys’ willful blindness toward his daughter that’s keeping Ser Harwin’s head attached to his shoulders.
Rhaenyra listens to the conversation, tears in her eyes. She returns to her room without letting them know she heard. Ser Laenor arrives, drunk, with his close friend, Ser Qarl Correy. Rhaenyra wishes to speak with him alone and Laenor reveals war is afoot in the Stepstones. The Triarchy’s sprung to life after allying with Dorne. Ships are being attacked and Qarl’s been there, fighting. He even took a sack of sapphires from a pirate!
Laenor thinks he needs adventure and battle, and suggests he’ll be gone for a few months. He longs to be back at sea, but Rhaenyra explains dark rumors are circulating about their sons’ parentage. Rhaenyra won’t allow their true father to go waggle his sword and wink at sailors while there could be trouble at home.
“I have played my part here faithfully for 10 years. I am owed something,” says Laenor.
Rhaenyra reminds him he’s been indulging himself at court – including f*cking the lustiest boys. She doesn’t care; that was their agreement. But he needs to remain here now to battle the storm at home. Laenor disagrees and thinks the wise sailor leaves before the storm arrives.
Rhaenyra believes she has no choice and commands him to remain by her side.
Back in Pentos, Laena tells her daughter, Rhaena (Eva Ossei-Gerning), who’s holding her egg to the fire that her egg may never hatch. Some never do. (Rhaena’s waited eight years for her dragon.) Rhaena’s worried the Prince of Pentos will kick her out if she doesn’t have a dragon. Laena reveals she was without a dragon until she was 15 and if Rhaena wants to be a rider, she must claim that right. Even Daemon would say so.
Rhaena reminds her mom Daemon always ignores her. Laena claims he’s doing his best.
Later that evening, Laena joins her husband on the roof and breaks the news that Rhaenyra delivered another son. Daemon wonders if the baby was described as resembling the Commander of the City Watch.
Laena confesses she misses her brother. Daemon only misses Westeros’ strong wine.
Laena doesn’t believe Daemon when he says he doesn’t long for home. He doesn’t bother exploring Pentos and instead spends his time reading about dragonlords. She points out he doesn’t sleep and that she knows she’s not the wife he wished for himself. It’s okay with her – she’s made her peace. But she believes the man she married is more than this.
The small council meets and Rhaenyra and Alicent have seats at the table. When Alicent takes one side of an argument, Rhaenyra takes the other. (Lord Beesbury’s getting old and has a hard time keeping up with the discussion.) The topic turns to the Stepstones and The Triarchy’s alliance with Dorne.
Viserys can’t believe they’re still discussing the Stepstones, and Rhaenyra thinks they should have done something to secure and defend the area. Alicent points out they can’t afford that, but Rhaenyra knows the cost of war is greater than prevention.
Alicent calls an end to the meeting, but Rhaenyra makes everyone remain at the table. The men sit but Alicent and Rhaenyra remain standing. Rhaenyra apologizes for any offense given to Alicent and her family, pointing out they were once friends. Rhaenyra suggests her son and heir to the Iron Throne Jacaerys marry Alicent’s daughter Helaena.
Viserys, who has been coughing and looking ill, wholeheartedly agrees.
Rhaenyra also offers an egg to Aemond, if Syrax has another clutch of eggs, as a symbol of their goodwill.
Unfortunately, Rhaenyra’s breasts leak and become a distraction.
Alicent thanks Rhaenyra for her offer and says they’ll consider it.
Speaking with Viserys, Alicent suggests Rhaenyra is only making this offer because she’s cornered. She thinks Rhaenyra is desperate since everyone’s talking about her transgressions. Viserys wants them to put aside these childish quarrels and Alicent says that will only happen when she’s cold in her grave.
Lord Lyonel Strong has come to resign his position as The Hand because of Harwin disgracing himself. Viserys doesn’t see it that way and thinks his expulsion from the City Watch was punishment enough. Lord Strong begs to differ. Viserys refuses to accept his resignation, calling Strong a man who never put his own interests above those of the realm.
Lord Strong continues to insist the shadow growing over his House makes it impossible for him to serve as The Hand. He refuses to name the shadow – even though Alicent urges him to and Viserys demands it – and Viserys orders him to continue to be The Hand.
Lord Strong requests leave to take Ser Harwin back to Harrenhal where he’ll resume his family duties. Viserys grants the leave.
Alicent looks disgusted as Viserys continues to remain willfully blind to Rhaenyra’s infidelity.
Alicent joins Lord Larys (House of the Dragon’s version of Littlefinger) for a quiet dinner to share gossip. Larys (Matthew Needham) isn’t surprised his father tried to resign and Alicent confirms his father refused to describe Harwin’s transgressions. Both know that Harwin pretty much admitted it himself when he attacked Ser Criston. If Ser Otto was still The Hand, he’d lift the blinders off Viserys’ eyes.
“In all of King’s Landing is there no one to take my side?” asks Alicent.
Larys visits the cellars where the prisoners are kept and speaks with the prisoners who’ve been sentenced to hanging. He’ll offer them mercy if they pay a little price. He has the tongues removed of those who agree.
Back in Pentos, Lady Laena is having difficulty delivering and can’t push out the baby. The doctor has no idea what to do because the child simply won’t come out. The only thing he can do is cut open the womb, but the baby may not survive. The mother definitely won’t.
Lady Laena makes her way outside, gown coated in blood. She’s in incredible pain and yells dracarys at her dragon, Vhagar. She screams it repeatedly, but Vhagar doesn’t obey. They make eye contact and it’s not until Daemon is walking up that Vhagar sets Laena on fire.
Daemon watches his wife burn alive and looks stricken.
Ser Harwin says his goodbyes to the boys, assuring them he’ll visit when he can. He promises to return and it’s obvious the boys will miss him. He gently kisses the baby’s head and bows to Rhaenyra before leaving. She doesn’t say goodbye but assures Jace they’ll exchange letters.
Jace shocks his mom by asking if Harwin is his father. “You’re a Targaryen…that’s what matters,” replies Rhaenyra.
Ser Laenor is practicing in the yard with his lover, Qarl, when Rhaenyra informs him that they’re leaving. She’s been undermined and made a spectacle, and she doesn’t want to stay. She wants to move to Dragonstone and Laenor wonders what will happen to her position. She’s always said Alicent would change Viserys’ mind if she left, and Rhaenyra uses Laenor’s own words to explain her decision.
“The wise sailor flees the storm as it gathers,” says Rhaenyra. She tells Laenor to bring his lover with them, adding they need every sword they can muster.
The prisoners without tongues watch as Lord Strong and Ser Harwin arrive at Harrenhal. That evening while Lord Strong’s in bed the castle is set on fire. Harwin attempts to open his father’s bedroom but dies when burning timbers fall. Larys’ crew enters the castle to make sure Lord Strong is also dead.
Rhaenyra and Laenor arrive at Dragonstone with their children.
“What are children but a weakness? A folly? A futility? Through them you imagine you cheat the great darkness of its victory,” says Larys. ‘Love is a downfall. It’s best to make your way through life unencumbered.”
Larys explains Harrenhal was said to be cursed. As he speaks Alicent realizes he’s responsible for his family’s deaths. Larys assumes she’ll write her father now that there’s an opening. Larys believes Alicent will reward him when the time is right.
Laena’s daughter cries beside her mother’s bones. Daemon does not comfort his daughters.
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 1 “The Heirs of the Dragon” Recap and Review
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 “The Rogue Prince” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 3 “Second of His Name” 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 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
- HBO Awards House of the Dragon with an Early Season 2 Renewal Order
