Directed By: Greg Yaitanes / Written By: Ryan Condal

Original Airdate: October 23, 2022

Runtime: 59 minutes

Following King Viserys Targaryen’s death and the subsequent coronation of Aegon Targaryen, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen comforts her son Prince Lucerys on the island of Dragonstone. Lucerys is apprehensive over one day becoming the Lord of Driftmark in the event that Lord Corlys Velaryon succumbs to his wounds from the war in the Stepstones. Meanwhile, after escaping the capital, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen lands on Dragonstone with her dragon Melys in order to inform Rhaenyra and Daemon that Queen Alicent Hightower and her son Aegon have usurped the Iron Throne. The shock of this news sends Rhaenyra into a painful premature labor.

main cast

dragonstone

A pregnant Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen finds her second son, Lucerys Velaryon studying the island of Driftmark on the Painted Table of Dragonstone. Lucerys insists that lordship of House Velaryon should have passed to Lord Corlys Velaryon’s broother Vaemond rather than himself. Rhaenyra assures her son, however, that she felt the same way when her father, King Viserys Targaryen, named her as the heir to the Iron Throne, and promises that just as Viserys prepared her to play that part, she will do the same for him. The moment between mother and son is then interrupted by Ser Lorent Marbrand of the Kingsguard, who informs Rhaenyra that Princess Rhaenys Targaryen has arrived on dragonback and requests an audience with her and Prince Daemon. Ser Lorent leads Rhaenys in as Rhaenyra asks if there is word of her husband Corlys' recovery, but Rhaenys interrupts to inform Rhaenyra that her father is dead and her younger half-brother Aegon Targaryen has been crowned as his successor. A stunned Daemon asks how his brother died; when Rhaenys admits ignorance, Daemon accuses Aegon’s mother, Queen Alicent Hightower, of having murdered him. Rhaenys explains that she was made a prisoner in her own chambers while the greens made their preparations, and that she witnessed Aegon's coronation at the Dragonpit before escaping atop her dragon Meleys. Rhaenyra is appalled to learn that the greens have crowned Aegon before the masses of King's Landing, knowing as Rhaenys reiterates the masses will now see Aegon as the rightful king. When Daemon angrily demands to know why Rhaenys didn't burn the greens when she had them at her mercy, Rhaenys replies that while war will follow, however, it is not her place to declare war. She informs them that she only brought the warning out of loyalty to her house and husband. After Rhaenys advises Rhaenyra to leave Dragonstone with her family before the greens come for her, Rhaenyra doubles over in pain. She reaches beneath her dress and her fingers coming away with blood. The shock of the news has sent Rhaenyra into premature labor.

In her chambers, Rhaenyra struggles with her labor pains while being attended to by Maester Gerardys and several midwives. Gerardys quietly informs one of the midwives of his fear that Rhaenyra’s pregnancy is far from full term. Meanwhile, Prince Daemon holds council with the Lords of the Narrow Sea, the Kingsguard and the captains in command of Dragonstone's garrison. The prince warns them to watch for any small ships trying to land on the island, fearing the greens may try a stealth attack against them. He then tells his captains to conscript the dragonkeepers if needs be to bolster their numbers. On the shore of Dragonstone, Princess Rhaenys finds Lucerys and Jacaerys Velaryon sparring under the watchful eye of Ser Steffon Darklyn, who brings them to their mother's chamber. Rhaenyra informs the boys of their grandfather's death, as well as Aegon's coronation, commanding that nothing is to be decided without her attendance. As Daemon’s formed council commences, he is informed by Lord Bartimos Celtigar that Lord Corlys' fever has broken and he has departed Evenfall, though his destination is unclear. Daemon commands ravens be sent to rally their closest allies and declares his intention to fly to Riverrun to secure House Tully's allegiance and rally the riverlords. Jace then enters and relays his mother's command. Daemon quickly disregards Jace then instructs Jace and the Kingsguard to follow him to the Dragonmont. On the slopes, Daemon questions Lorent and Steffon as to where their allegiance lies, compelling them to swear oaths of loyalty to Rhaenyra as queen and Jace as her heir. Daemon’s dragon Caraxes looms over the two knights to warn them of the price of treason. Meanwhile, in her chambers, a screaming Rhaenyra, ignoring the offers of the midwives to help her, tragically gives birth to a stillborn child.

Rhaenyra later prepares the stillborn for burial under the watchful eye of the Silent Sisters while Daemon goes out to the beach in order to grieve. A small funeral is held the next day along the cliffs of Dragonstone, which is eventually interrupted by the arrival of Ser Erryk Cargyll, who kneels before the princess and declares his loyalty to her. Ser Erryk then offers Rhaenyra her father Viserys’ crown, stolen from the Red Keep amidst the distraction of Aegon’s coronation. Daemon then places the crown on Rhaenyra's head and declares her his Queen, her sons, stepdaughters, Kingsguard and the congregation, save Princess Rhaenys, kneels before Rhaenyra as the rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

Following the funeral, Rhaenyra and her attendant lords gather around the Painted Table. Rhaenyra accepts a cup of wine from her stepdaughter and cousin Rhaena Targaryen, serving as cupbearer in the same capacity Rhaenyra once did. When Rhaenyra asks for a report, Daemon informs her that Dragonstone's garrison stands at thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen and three-hundred men at arms; sufficient to defend the island. Daemon adds he has sent word to men in the gold cloaks whose loyalty he can count on. After discussing potential allies, Rhaenyra then turns her attention to Rhaenys, asking for news from Driftmark. Rhaenys remarks that Corlys is sailing to Dragonstone, though she demurs when Daemon asks if he intends to declare for Rhaenyra. Daemon then asserts that House Lannister will back the greens, as Tyland Lannister has been a loyal supporter of Ser Otto Hightower on the small council and the greens will need the Lannister fleet if the Velaryons choose to back Rhaenyra. Given the Lannister's allegiance will ensure the Westerlands support the greens, Daemon asserts the support of the Riverlands will be essential. Lord Celtigar interrupts to discuss the use of dragons when Daemon asserts that the greens have three adult dragons (Vhagar, Sunfyre and Dreamfyre), while in addition to Caraxes and Syrax, the Blacks possess Vermax, Arrax and Tyraxes with Rhaenyra's sons and Moondancer with Baela Targaryen. He also notes there are several unclaimed dragons in need of riders; Seasmoke, Vermithor and Silverwing, as well as three feral dragons living wild on Dragonstone. Daemon proposes seizing Harrenhal as a base of operations and using the dragons to lay waste to King's Landing, but before further discussion can be had, Ser Erryk interrupts to inform them a galleon is approaching the island, flying the banner of a three headed green dragon.

On the bridge leading to Dragonstone, Daemon and his detachment intercept the greens' negotiation party, headed by Ser Otto, accompanied by Ser Erryk’s twin brother Arryk Cargyll and Grand Maester Orwyle. Otto declares he has been instructed by Dowager Queen Alicent to offer terms to Rhaenyra, who arrives atop Syrax. Otto greets her as Princess while Rhaenyra icily retorts that she is Queen, and Otto and his companions are all traitors. Otto presents the terms King Aegon II is offering; in return for Rhaenyra publicly acknowledging him as King, she will be confirmed as Lady of Dragonstone, a title that will pass to her son Jacaerys. Lucerys will be confirmed as heir to Driftmark and Rhaenyra's sons with Daemon will be also given places of honor at court. Daemon hatefully declares he would rather feed his sons to dragons than have them serve Aegon, venomously calling Otto's grandson a "drunken, usurper cunt". Otto then smugly informs Rhaenyra that old oaths won't make her queen, asserting that the succession changed the day Aegon was born, even if Viserys and Rhaenyra refused to see it. Outraged, a furious Rhaenyra rips Otto's Hand brooch from his cloak, denouncing him as a "fucking traitor" and no more Hand than Aegon is King. After swords are eventually drawn and Syrax roars angrily at the threat to Rhaenyra, the situation is ultimately defused after Rhaenyra informs Otto that the capital will have her answer on the morrow.

That evening, Rhaenyra and her advisors discuss the terms offered to them by the greens. When Daemon insists that the fact they have numerical superiority of dragons gives them an advantage, Rhaenyra counters that she has no wish to rule over a wasteland of ash and bone. Lord Celtigar expresses incredulity that Rhaenyra is considering the terms offered by the Hightowers, but Rhaenyra asserts her duty as her father's heir is to keep the realm stable and unity rather than plunge it into war, whether or not she sits on the Iron Throne. Daemon scoffs at this, protesting that the greens have already declared war. After Rhaenyra clears the chamber, Daemon privately insists that Rhaenyra cannot submit. She insists, however, that they are bound by more than personal ambition, reminding Daemon of Aegon the Conqueror's prophetic dream that a Targaryen must keep the realm united against the return of a great evil in the North. A furious Daemon then seizes Rhaenyra by the throat and angrily hisses that Viserys was obsessed with prophecies in order to give his feckless reign meaning. He asserts that dreams didn't make House Targaryen kings, “dragons did.” A shaken Daemon releases Rhaenyra, and though taken aback by his violence against her, Rhaenyra is stunned to realize Viserys never told Daemon about the Conqueror's vision, indicating he never in his life considered Daemon as his heir.

In a bed chamber in Dragonstone, Corlys Velaryon awakes to find his wife sitting beside his bed. Rhaenys angrily accuses him of having abandoned her and their granddaughters to go adventuring in the Stepstones. Corlys admits his error amidst coping the deaths of their children. Rhaenys also alerts him to his brother Vaemond's death. Saddened by what ambitious pursuits have cost his family, Corlys insists to Rhaenys he will abandon his pursuit of the Iron Throne, not declare for either faction, and retire to Driftmark to spend their remaining days with their grandchildren. Rhaenys argues against it, reminding him that Jace, Luke and Joffrey (who, while not technically their grandsons, Corlys cares for as such) are all claimants to the throne and will never be safe under the reign of the greens. Corlys is dismissive of the idea of supporting Rhaenyra, insisting she was complicit in their son Laenor Velaryon’s death, but Rhaenys insists Rhaenyra is the only one exercising restraint to prevent Westeros from sliding into war. The next morning, Lord Corlys joins the Black Council and considers the gathered lords of the Narrow Sea. He bluntly declares them too few to win a war for the throne. Upon discussing noble support, Rhaenyra asserts that all of the Great Houses swore to support her claim when Viserys named her heir. Corlys then notes that Rhaenyra's house and his are bound by blood and a common cause, and insists that the Hightowers cannot be allowed to get away with their treason. Rhaenyra thanks him and Rhaenys for their support, but insists that she will not be the first to strike. Corlys then adds that, despite his near-death in the Stepstones, House Velaryon now controls the islands, having driven the Triarchy's forces out of the region and properly garrisoned the islands against their return. Corlys states that his men will institute a blockade of the shipping lanes that pass through the Stepstones, if they haven't already, and his fleet will place a second blockade across the Gullet, reinforced by Rhaenys atop her dragon Meleys at her own suggestion, to cut off all sea trade and travel to and from King's Landing. Lord Celtigar insists that a sea blockade and a landward siege could starve the greens into surrender, but Rhaenyra asserts that to have enough men to surround King's Landing, they will need the support of House Arryn, House Baratheon and House Stark. Jacaerys then speaks up, volunteering himself and Luke to carry Rhaenyra's demands for their support on dragonback, as the lords will find it more difficult to refuse dragonriders than ravens. Upon acquiescing, Rhaenyra decides that Jace will travel first to the Eyrie and then to Winterfell in order to win over the allegiance of Lady Jeyne Arryn and Lord Cregan Stark. She then informs Luke that he is to fly to Storm's End to ensure Borros Baratheon's support.

That evening, on the bridge to Dragonstone, Rhaenyra speaks with Jace and Luke before they depart on their mission. Rhaenyra notes that the people of Westeros consider the Targaryens closer to gods than men, but if they aspire to rule Westeros, House Targaryen must answer to the gods of its people. To that end, she has Jace and Luke swear on The Seven-Pointed Star that they will be only messengers, not warriors, and take part in no fighting. Rhaenyra tells Jace that Lord Cregan Stark is closer to his age than hers, hoping that they can find some common ground as young men, while assuring Lucerys that the eternally proud Lord Borros Baratheon will be honored to host a prince of the realm. With that, three dragons depart Dragonstone: Jace atop Vermax, bound for the Eyrie and Winterfell, Rhaenys on Meleys to the Gullet, and Luke on Arrax headed for Storm's End. Concurrently, Daemon heads into the caverns beneath the Dragonmont, singing the High Valyrian song Hāros Bartossi. He enters the pitch darkness of a large cavern, from which a dragon growls, before with a gout of fire, the beast reveals itself: Vermithor, the dragon once ridden by King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, unclaimed since the Old King's death. Angered by the intruder in his lair, Vermithor snarls and advances on Daemon, but as the latter locks eyes with Vermithor and holds his ground, Vermithor becomes more subdued.

storm’s end

Prince Lucerys flies over Shipbreaker Bay and lands at Storm's End in the midst of a severe thunderstorm. A detachment of Baratheon guardsmen are waiting for him, as is the giant Vhagar, much to his horror. Despite knowing the dragon’s presence means Prince Aemond Targaryen is present, Lucerys tells the Baratheon guards his purpose as Rhaenyra's emissary. In the great hall, Lucerys finds himself confronted with Lord Borros and Aemond himself, who glares at his nephew silently. When Lucerys tells Borros he has brought a message of fealty from Rhaenyra, Borros scoffs that King Aegon did the same. Borros then calls his maester to read the message, as he then takes offense when the maester tells him that Rhaenyra means to remind him of his father Boremund Baratheon’s oath to support her. He points out that the greens at least offered him a marriage pact, betrothing Aemond to his daughter Floris. Borros asks which of his daughters Lucerys will wed if he supports Rhaenyra’s claim, to which Lucerys admits that he is already betrothed to Rhaena Targaryen. Borros scornfully dismisses Lucerys for coming empty-handed, but before he can leave, Aemond, mocking Luke as "Lord Strong," demands Lucerys put out his own eye, as payment for his own. When Lucerys refuses, a furious Aemond draws a blade and charges at Aemond, intending to take it. Borros angrily states that he will not have bloodshed underneath his roof. After departing the hall, by the time Lucerys returns to Arrax, the storm is in full force. Howling wind and heavy rain batter the pair as they take off, unaware that Aemond is pursuing them atop Vhagar. Aemond suddenly attacks out of the clouds and eventually Luke loses control over his dragon Arrax, who spits fire at Vhagar. An enraged Vhagar then disobeys Aemond's commands not to attack as the old dragon returns and bites down on Arrax and Lucerys in one go. A horrified Aemond watches as Arrax's mangled remains fall from the sky, aware that his rage and lack of control has not only made him a kinslayer to Luke, but has now ensured that Rhaenyra will never accept a peaceful resolution to the conflict. A guaranteed war will now ensue. Meanwhile, some time later at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra holds another council with her lords when Daemon approaches and whispers in her ear the news of Lucerys' death. Rhaenyra briefly staggers from grief, before turning to face her council with an expression of vengeful fury.

*Episode descriptions from GOT Wiki