New Power Dynamics Unleashed: House of the Dragons Episode 3 Shifts Focus to Aegon IIs Claim and Rhaenyras Struggle

The third episode of House of the Dragon is now accessible on HBO Max and Disney+ Hotstar, and it primarily addresses themes of male dominance and matrimonial proposals. While Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) dedicated much of the previous episode to establishing her authority, a mere toddler has now begun to eclipse the future ruler. This child is none other than Prince Aegon, the firstborn of King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and the current Queen Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), who is expecting another child. (Considering the boy’s young age, it has been approximately three years since episode 2.) In honor of Aegon, a feast and a hunt have been arranged, providing a welcome change for viewers as the Game of Thrones prequel series finally departs King’s Landing for nearly an entire episode — venturing only as far as the Kingswood, but it feels refreshing!

This gives House of the Dragon episode 3 the chance to create a brief escape for Rhaenyra and her protector, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), as the agitated princess ventures into the Kingswood. (This aspect was arguably one of the highlights of Game of Thrones, where characters with diametrically opposing views unexpectedly teamed up for adventures.) Rhaenyra is displeased with the attention directed at Aegon, particularly because, like everyone else, she anticipates her father will choose the infant as the new heir, given he is the eldest son. Even the title of episode 3, “Second of His Name,” is attributed to him. Personally, I think a gender-neutral title could have been wiser, as it would reflect Rhaenyra’s current sentiments.

Although she is first in line for the Iron Throne, there is a prevailing perception at court that Aegon possesses a more substantial claim purely based on his gender. For Rhaenyra, this constitutes a triple setback. She has not only relinquished her influence over the crown but has also lost Alicent and her father’s support. Viserys and Rhaenyra have been at odds ever since he married her best friend — which is quite understandable — and this rift deepens in episode 3 when she discovers that the King is also considering her as a potential match.

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Jefferson Hall as Jason Lannister, Milly Alcock as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon episode 3
Photo Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

Viserys confronts Rhaenyra during episode 3, exclaiming, “You must marry,” right after she learns that the pompous and self-important Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall) — the Lord of Casterly Rock, who lacks the influence of the Lannisters from Game of Thrones — engaged her merely to express his intent to make her his “lady wife.” This revelation, on top of other frustrations, leads Rhaenyra to retreat into the woods.

While the King endorsed the first marriage proposal, the Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), boldly suggests a second one in episode 3. Otto proposes to Viserys that he should arrange a marriage between Rhaenyra and the infant Prince Aegon. (Though this may seem peculiar since they are step-siblings, inter-family marriages were quite customary among the Targaryens, akin to royals of old in our world, done to safeguard the purity of their bloodlines.) However, the significant age gap — with Aegon being two years old and Rhaenyra 17 — causes Viserys to burst into laughter. Otto evidently has ulterior motives, as this arrangement would position his grandson as King Regent, or potentially even King.

Consequently, when the Master of Laws and Lord of Harrenhal, Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), proposes a third marriage during episode 3, an exasperated Viserys suspects that Lyonel’s intentions are self-serving as well. Viserys implies that Lyonel is about to propose Rhaenyra marry his own son, yet that isn’t the case. Instead, Lyonel suggests Rhaenyra be united with Ser Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate), the offspring of Princess Rhaenys “The Queen Who Never Was” and Lord Corlys “Sea Snake” Velaryon, who makes a brief appearance as the story shifts to the Stepstones in episode 3. Building on his dismissed advice from episode 2, Lyonel argues that this union could help mend the divide between the two ancient Valyrian families.

Viserys, who appears to be slightly intoxicated, pats Lyonel on the shoulder as the latter departs, hinting at greater prospects for someone who doesn’t solely seek to enhance their own status.

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Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, Emily Carey as Queen Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon episode 3
Photo Credit: Gary Moyes/HBO

As Viserys steps outside, his young spouse Alicent appears by his side. For a fleeting moment, he becomes vulnerable. Although he publicly maintains the stance that Rhaenyra is his heir — reprimanding Jason Lannister for “assuming” that Aegon would replace her — Viserys admits to Alicent that he appointed her at a moment of weakness, believing he had lost everyone. “What if I made a mistake?” he muses. Later in episode 3, when he reassures Rhaenyra that she will not be supplanted, the King confesses to her that he did have doubts at one point.

Nevertheless, one could argue that Viserys has inadvertently equipped Alicent with leverage for the future. Alicent also recognizes the stakes. As her father Otto points out in House of the Dragon episode 3, if Rhaenyra ascends the throne, life won’t be easy for Aegon and his mother. Alicent — or more accurately Otto’s — interests are bolstered by the fact that everyone surrounding Viserys seems to anticipate or expect him to soon declare Aegon as his heir. Yet Viserys clearly wishes to remain loyal to his choice. Although Rhaenyra believed her father was dismissing Daemon and disregarding her, as she confided to Alicent in episode 2, it now appears she misjudged her father’s intentions.

Viserys does indeed care about Rhaenyra’s well-being, as he first reassures Otto and later communicates the same to his daughter. The escalating tensions throughout “Second of His Name” — specifically between the King and his heir — come to a head when Rhaenyra confronts her father, just as he is preparing to send aid to Daemon and Corlys in the Stepstones, following the Queen’s counsel. Rhaenyra fears Viserys wants to marry her off for logistical advantages. The King asserts that he wishes her to marry to strengthen her succession, but when Rhaenyra observes that he did not remarry to gain an advantage for himself, Viserys admits this before urging her to find her own partner — someone who will bring her happiness and bolster her claim.

In that crucial moment, it seems the fractured bond between father and daughter is mended in House of the Dragon episode 3. A content Rhaenyra, reassured that the King will not replace her and genuinely cares for her feelings, departs with a smile.

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Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Theo Nate as Laenor Velaryon in House of the Dragon episode 3
Photo Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

Shifting focus to consolidating one’s claim, the final segment of House of the Dragon episode 3 is centered around Daemon (Matt Smith). Three years have elapsed since the issues in the Stepstones began. Daemon the Rogue Prince has been attempting to besiege the Crab Feeder with the assistance of his dragon Caraxes, but the caves offer refuge. What initially appeared as an endeavor to showcase Daemon’s worthiness to the lords of Westeros is beginning to unravel into a failing campaign. Additionally, Viserys’ meager support feels like an insult to Daemon, who had hoped to achieve glory solely for himself, without the Crown claiming any credit.

Faced with diminishing troop morale, Daemon’s new tactic — initially suggested by the quarreling Velaryons — is to capitulate to the Crab Feeder (Daniel Scott-Smith) during episode 3. The scarred Prince-Admiral recognizes that Daemon’s surrender may be a ploy to lure his men out of the caves under the guise of safety. Consequently, he watches for any sign of dragon activity before commanding his men to capture Daemon. However, he is too hasty; as the Crab Feeder anticipated, Caraxes arrives at the last possible moment, with a Velaryon at the helm. Thanks to the dragon and the forces of Westeros, the Crab Feeder’s men are decimated — and the Crab Feeder himself ultimately meets his end at Daemon’s hands.

While the Rogue Prince may have triumphed over an adversary in battle, he now must confront the looming threats posed by both the heir and the firstborn son.

House of the Dragon episode 3 is currently available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in India, and on HBO Max in other regions. New episodes drop every Monday at 6:30 am IST/ Sunday at 9 pm ET.