House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 3 is, in many ways, a brilliant episode. The hour switches its focus from war to governing and examines the challenges Rhaenyra must face as Queen. From rats everywhere, to allies that don’t seem all that loyal, without forgetting the fact that there’s no money to do anything—not even a coronation—it’s a complicated time for Rhaenyra. And the episode portrays it beautifully.
But the episode doesn’t just focus on how hard it is to rule; it focuses on how hard it is to rule as a woman. It might seem a little reductive to show us Rhaenyra getting her period and dealing with that discomfort as she tries to go about her day, but it’s a reality women know very well. And Rhaenyra bears it as we all do, without letting it affect how she behaves.
That seems to be the point here, to show that things can sometimes be twice as hard for women. Not just that, to make it clear that we will likely be judged as emotional whether we are or not.
However, for all the episode does right and the showcase it gives an Emma D’Arcy who surely deserves to be in contention for some awards, the plot of this episode relies on characters behaving in ways that make no sense, because that’s what would push the story forward. It’s tiresome, and at this point more than a little predictable.
Why would Daemon not worry about “Daeron’s” dragon? Why does Alicent tell Rhaenyra that the boy is not her son? How many times will the show send Daemon away when he and Caraxes being with Rhaenyra would solve problems? Does Corlys really understand nothing of diplomacy to the point of pushing the issue of Alyn and Addam so hard right away?
If you don’t think about it too hard, it’s possible to enjoy the way this episode is constructed. As soon as you give it some thought, however, it all falls apart.
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The Rightful Queen
Rhaenyra’s reign gets off to a bad start. There’s no money—not even for a coronation. People are starving, and that means they’re more likely to look badly upon their ruler, whoever it is. And the ruling Houses, save a few noted exceptions, also don’t really care who is on the throne. They just care about how one or the other will benefit them.
But even in the little moments of this episode, we see Rhaenyra trying to be the kind of ruler her father would be proud of. She doesn’t heed Daemon’s wise advice about Daeron, which ends up being good considering that’s not Daemon. And it’s clear that she, unlike Aegon II, does care about the people of King’s Landing. It’s just hard to see how one gesture of goodwill can solve all the problems.
Then there’s the problem of the rumors about Rhaenyra’s sons being bastards. To be clear, this is just an excuse for the misogyny. Because the boys are not technically bastards, Laenor claimed them, and they bear the Velaryon name. But also, if she hadn’t had bastards, they would have found another reason to say Rhaenrya’s claim was not legitimate. If her first son had been born with silver hair, they would have said it was Daemon’s baby. There was no way for Rhaneyra to win. Once Aegon II was born, there was always going to be a war for the throne.
Notice I say once Aegon II was born. There was another male heir before, one who could have easily taken the throne after Viserys. But Daemon never really wanted the throne. If his actions in the previous episode don’t prove it, this episode goes a long way towards cementing it. What Daemon loves above all things is Rhaenyra. He would have never stood against her, and now, with her as queen, all he wants is to make sure she is successful.
And this isn’t a one-sided thing. Rhaenyra loves him too. Sometimes, despite herself, because she holds a little grudge for how he left her when she was young, and even when he went to Harrenhal, she still loves him. She still trusts him. She is proud to have him by her side. And it’s not just political. You don’t sneak into your husband’s bed at night to hold him because of politics. You do it because, deep down, this is where you feel safe.
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Fake Daeron & the Threat of Ormund Hightower
The whole Daeron plot is a little contrived, but it’s set up that way to provide us with another villain in the absence of Otto—and with Aegon II on his own sitcom-like adventure with Larys and Aemond hurt in the Riverlands. That villain is, of course, Ormund Hightower, and I’d be more upset about it if James Norton wasn’t delightful in the role.
Does that make him a worthy opponent for Daemon? I’d say no, but then the show doesn’t even try. He gives up “Daeron” like nothing, and Daemon takes him at his word. The dragon, whatever. We won’t worry about that. And sure, this is not Daemon’s decision. This is Rhaenyra being a little too soft. Daemon would have gladly killed everyone instead of letting them go back to Oldtown. But everyone still gives Ormund too much leeway, only to be surprised at the end of the episode when he causes problems once again.
Ormund is an interesting character so far. He seems like a nice enough guy, considering the standards this show has set. He could indeed just be protecting Daeron. But somehow, it doesn’t feel like that’s why he’s doing anything.
The Daeron plot becomes a little more absurd when Rhaenyra decides to send him to the wall and takes Alicent to see him. Alicent and Rhaenyra’s new truce aside, there was absolutely nothing to be gained by Alicent telling Rhaenyra that’s not Daeron. Because now Rhaenyra will have to hunt Daeron. And it’s not like Alicent tried to keep a secret, and Rhaneyra got it out of her. Her face said everything. She was basically in charge of everything for years; she’s got a better poker face than that when she wants.
But how can Ormund be the villain the show wants him to be without Daeron?
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The Dragonseeds
Ulf, Hugh, and Addam are very different characters, and yet they represent a problem for Rhaenyra in that they are people who are on her side, but who don’t owe her any personal loyalty. If anything, Addam might feel like he does because of his ties to Corlys and Baela, but Hugh and Ulf have absolutely no reason to stay on her side. And they have dragons!
Addam also becomes more of a problem this episode, when Rhaenyra decides not to legitimize him. Though in truth, the one who takes that personally is Corlys. And though in a way I get it, and the Sea Snake has indeed been very volatile before, it still feels a little contrived to have him yell at Rhaenyra about her sons. Sure, that’ll get you what you want, Corlys.
Daemon’s treatment of Hugh and Ulf, as funny as it is, doesn’t help. Every other person with a dragon in this show is part of the same family in one way or another. Then there are these two. They’re wildcards, and they’re not being treated as such. Instead, they’re assumed loyal. Assumptions make a fool out of you and me.
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Things I think I think:
- I don’t mind the plotline of Rhaenyra having her period as much; I just think it’s a little ironic to have it be a plot point just as she takes the throne. Double whammy of this is why women will never be seen as equals, I guess. Way to reinforce the point that was always a bad point.
- Rhaenyra sneaking into Daemon’s room is kinda funny. Tell your husband to sleep with you and cuddle you!
- They literally sleep holding hands, okay.
- Sometimes I’ve had issues with the change to the source material that made Rhaenyra and Alicent childhood friends, but I think this episode utilizes that change well. Their conversations don’t feel out of place, even if a lot of what Alicent is telling Rhaenyra are things that perhaps in those circumstances she shouldn’t.
- “You will have an empire unassailable, Rhaenyra. And our children will rule it forever and a day.”
- Daemon had the right of it, though the problem is that he’s acting like this war is already over. And it’s very much not.
- All of Viserys’ other kids are still alive, after all.
- This show should have done so much more with Baela.
- Criston and Gwayne Hightower exist. That is all.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 3? Share with us in the comments below!
House of the Dragon Season 3 airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.
