House of the Dragon episode 3 begins with Daemon (Matt Smith) and Lord Corlys’ (Steve Toussaint) war for the Stepstones but over at King’s Landing, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and all of the Seven Kingdoms have a reason to rejoice – Prince Aegon, a male descendant has been born for Queen Alicent and Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) hopes to see seated as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Though Rhaenyra remains as next in line, it’s clear the houses of Westeros see her as a means to an end. The abrupt fast-paced narrative may have caught viewers off-guard but for context, the third chapter takes place two years after episode 2. A time-jump that sets in motion a near impending power struggle. Here are the best moments from House of the Dragon episode 3, according to GOT fans.
The mysterious big-bad from episode 3’s preview, Craghas the Crab-feeder (Daniel Scott-Smith) that gave viewers main villain vibes in the first two episodes initially has the Velaryon forces and Daemon tipping on the losing side of the scales. The Triarchy, the alliance of the Free Cities manages to stave off Caraxes’s fire thanks to Bloodstone’s cave. But unfortunately for Craghas, Daemon’s wrath intensifies after receiving a pity offer for help from his brother Viserys. The Myr forces are baited into an all-out land battle and Daemon ultimately kills Craghas, cutting him in half.
Before the climactic battle at Stepstones, King Viserys is suffocated with politicking ever since the birth of his first son, Aegon II while his heart also longs for his daughter’s happiness. Rhaenyra is spending her days listening to her favorite song on loop, dubbed by some HOTD fans as “Rhaenyra playing her Spotify on repeat”. It’s clear Alicent and Rhaenyra have drifted apart and as Queen, she one-ups the princess in command as well. Hesitantly, Rhaenyra departs for the royal hunt, a grand celebration for Aegon II’s second name day.
Unfortunately for the princess, the day turns into a reminder of her necessity to strengthen her stance after Lord Jason Lannister surprises her with a betrothal offer. Speaking of who, the Lannisters are shown as twins, played by Jefferson Hall with the above-mentioned serving as the Lord of Casterly Rock. It’s interesting to see the Lannisters gunning for a seat beside the Targaryen knowing their future position in Game of Thrones.
House of the Dragon episode 3’s White Hart scene assures Rhaenyra as the rightful heir
King Viserys’ dysfunctional family drama with his daughter breaks off when Otto informs about the White Hart, the stag is the king of the Kingswood and seen as a regal portent to Prince Aegon’s name day – giving another reason for Rhaenyra to storm off but Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) is quick to follow. Seeing the White Hart grace the princess is the surprising twist that only audiences were meant to experience.
An indication that the gods and Targaryen ancestors had chosen her as the rightful heir. Nevertheless, it’s not a Game of Thrones series without a few stomach-churning moments, like when Otto decided to council his King to marry Aegon II to Rhaenyra, Yes, the two-year-old brother betrothed to her sister. It appears Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) is the only unbiased advisor by the King’s side for now though that’s a statement that Fire & Blood book readers have cautioned against, as can be seen in reactions below.
Daemon read that letter and said pic.twitter.com/pk9m1YgUeb
— House Targaryen (@BridgerStan_) September 5, 2022
The white heart came to Rhaenyra 👑
The crown was and always will be hers #HOTD #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/pugZTC0GPG— Nyra 🔥 (@___Ny_ra___) September 5, 2022
The only dude in Westeros giving actual honest advice to the king. #HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/HSKqaN738v
— Tim (@Kicksburner316) September 5, 2022
Daemon pulling up on the crabfeeder 🦀#HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/0ESALe8pDJ
— AshDuhFunk (@AshDuhFunk) September 5, 2022
Rhaenyra Targaryen playing her Spotify on repeat#HouseoftheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/BvvxtUq3PV
— JADE'S YEAR (@TheRarestJade) September 5, 2022
Turns out it runs in the family#HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/42dFrvHoir
— Avalanche Paradigm Shift RT(R) (@pursuantpriest) September 5, 2022
Can you imagine you have already seduced an old ass crusty king at 15 by playing with his emotional support legos, married him, birthed one of his kids and are pregnant af with his second ALL CAUSE YOUR DADDY TOLD YOU TO – and he comes in asking for more favors? #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/VnMgeIoJ21
— film rambling (@morgonzofilm) September 5, 2022
Daemon when he found out Viserys was sending help: #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon #HOTD
pic.twitter.com/H53IS2latU— Lex (@l3xivi) September 5, 2022
Daemon is literally thee most dramatic man in the realm like he just loves chaos and making mess love him for that #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/So6bzdNbey
— depression (@raccoonmum) September 5, 2022
That look she gave him, She ATE that #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/yODi1jsYXv
— House Of The Dragon Source (@HOTDsource) September 5, 2022
Okay but this scene was fucking hilarious she playing her playlist on repeat lmao#HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/vpSlQcqpfe
— kiara ✨ #HouseOfTheDragon (@kiiarasg_13) September 5, 2022
Rhaenyra Targaryen: The Princess that was promised. #HouseoftheDragon #hotd #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/SUlAW9ORm2
— EMiLY (@EMiLY_thebold) September 5, 2022
He's an icon, he's a legend and he is the moment! #HouseOfTheDragonHBO#Houseofthedragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/dnOouOWbIS
— Mila (@elaaott) September 5, 2022
i’m sorry but i love him#houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/4tb1Mct6Ja
— eleanor, leader of daemon nation (@stormdnerys) September 5, 2022
Lmao Daemon said lemme be the bait cause there ain’t no way in hell I’m letting Viserys take credit #Hotd #Houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/43EY2W6MdL
— ✨Moonie ✨⁷ ⟭⟬ (@Moonfaeriess) September 5, 2022
did Otto hightower just say Rhaenyra should marry her two year old brother ? or am i hallucinating?#HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseoftheDragon #hotd pic.twitter.com/E6ixBMRPdI
— yari (@watrmelonsugarr) September 5, 2022
otto: “there’s another choice. how about rhaenyra marries aegon”
everyone: #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/K2AhDau5zA
— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) September 5, 2022
The heart and soul of the show #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/F9J7Fy4reY
— House Of The Dragon Source (@HOTDsource) September 5, 2022
This is Daemon's "FINE I'LL DO IT MYSELF" moment as no one can make the btchs go out of those caves, rendering the dragons useless!
Visenya will be proud of you, Daemon Targaryen, worthy wielder of Dark Sister!#HouseoftheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/iy8yvBsgAp
— 🐣 (@gonlyb) September 5, 2022
The two standout moments of House of the Dragon episode 3 comes from Rhaenyra and her uncle, Daemon. There also seems to be a foreshadowing of a possible union between the two though it would only further complicate the crown’s stance against Daemon, especially after his single-handed assault against a horde of Myr warriors and emerging victorious without the King’s aid.
Amidst all the chaos, you can’t help but feel for Viserys drinking away his misery. Unfortunately, that could also signal an impending conflict due to the Seven Kingdom’s realpolitik. And let’s not forget Alicent’s struggles too, as a teen married off to the King, disdained by her once friend, and still caught up in her Father’s trap while being pregnant with another child.
House of the Dragon episode 4 will air on HBO in the US next Sunday.
