Previously on the HBO series House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra and Alicent are still on bad terms, and both Team Black and Team Green are still at war. Although Rhaenyra has a little bit of hope that she and the Queen can come back together, her son Jacaerys tells her that Alicent has already made up her mind. He decides to put matters in his own hands, sacrificing himself in the war at sea. While he’s trying to be brave, he gets struck down and, unfortunately, is killed. 

House of the Dragon continues its exploration of the emotional cost of war in this episode, delivering a chapter centered around grief, denial, and loyalty. The episode focuses on the aftermath of Jacaerys’ death, with everyone handling it differently. While others continue to fight through and be brave, some either decide to drop their swords or choose to ignore the matter. Rather than focusing mainly on the war itself, the episode takes time to examine the aftermath of Jacaerys’ death. Rhaenyra, handling the loss of her son, finds herself torn between her duties as a leader and her overwhelming grief as a mother. 

Additionally, this episode emphasizes the various ways in which characters deal with emotional turmoil. Many characters are put in awkward situations, but their responses differ based on their own challenges. Particularly, Rhaenyra and Alicent are still put in situations where they have to face hard realities about who they are, the decisions they made, and the repercussions of those decisions. 

In one scene, Daemon and Team Black soldiers celebrate a minor victory with a feast and songs, giving us some emotional peace for the moment. Daemon displays optimism that things will turn out well for them and that they will win the battle throughout this episode. Daemon has always been someone who thinks things will turn out in his favor, but we see him hopeful that everything will work out in Rhaenyra’s favor instead. 

Another major theme explored is murder and hierarchy— the idea of power and control. Rhaenyra must make a big decision that will determine how she will become the Queen. Daemon makes sure she is aware of her responsibilities and what actions she needs to take in order to be successful. Another character who has a moment that fits this theme is Aemond. Known for being ruthless and not liking anyone in his way, he is determined to find Daemon. A soldier tries to attack him, but ends up in flames. Although the soldier is already weak, Aemond makes the attack and kills him. 

Overall, this episode was filled with lots of bloodshed and emotional turmoil, which are both very frequent for House of the Dragon. Emma D’Arcy’s acting i as Rhaenyra stood out. Her vulnerability is evident, yet she remains determined to uphold her family’s legacy during the chaos and her heartbreak. With how this episode ended, there’s only more added nervousness for the next. 

Rating: 9/10