House of the Dragon Series 2 Episode 3: The Burning Mill

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House of the Dragon Series 2 Episode 3: The Burning Mill

Sunday night’s episode of House of the Dragon opens with the kind of family spat that makes you think Thanksgiving dinners in Westeros must be a real hoot. And oh, what a delightful mess it is. This week, we open on a quaint scene of decapitation and treachery. Yes, you read that right. A group of Cargyll twins are duking it out over who gets to claim some unremarkable plot of land that no one watching the show actually cares about. Yet, as we’ve come to expect from Westeros, the trivial becomes monumental in the blink of an eye.

The Tale of Two Princes

In the grand tradition of the Targaryen family squabble, this episode plunges us headfirst into a conflict that’s as messy as a dragon's lunch. We see Daemon (Matt Smith) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) looking like they’ve stepped out of a medieval rock band, fully ready to incite war. They swagger about with all the subtlety of a dragon in a pottery barn, hell-bent on turning the simmering tensions into full-blown chaos. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) continue their passive-aggressive chess match, which is as much about maneuvering armies as it is about throwing shade.

Rhaenyra’s latest brilliant idea? Disguise herself as a nun and ambush Allicent in the Great Sept. Because, you know, nothing says "serious political negotiation" like pretending to be a nun. As it turns out, this not-so-eloquent tête-à-tête at the Sept reveals a significant plot point: King Viserys I’s dying words were not about Aegon his son, but about the ever-mysterious “Prince that was Promised.” A revelation that shakes Allicent to her core but, predictably, does nothing to change her ironclad resolve that war is inevitable.

Rhaenyra’s attempt to avoid war is as half-baked as her plan to sneak into the Sept. She offers no concessions, no deals, just a stern reiteration of her right to the throne. It's almost laughable. One might wonder if she genuinely believed a heartfelt chat and a few nostalgic anecdotes would be enough to convince Allicent to overthrow her own son. As if Aegon would just sigh, hand over the crown, and apologize for the inconvenience. Oh, Rhaenyra, sweet summer child, war isn't a toddler’s toy to be tidily put away.

Daemon's Wet Adventure

Daemon, never one to miss an opportunity for drama, sets up shop in the decrepit, rain-soaked Harrenhal. The ever-dour castle now serves as his base of operations, a perfect backdrop for his sinister plotting. Meeting with Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), Daemon swiftly and bloodlessly captures the fortress—courtesy of his dragon, Caraxes. It’s almost disappointing how smoothly this conquest goes, especially in a show where bloody battles are the norm. One can't help but feel a bit cheated, expecting more gore and less administrative maneuvering.

Daemon’s eerie vision of young Rhaenyra sewing young prince Jaehaerys’s head back on (Milly Alcock makes a surprise reappearance) adds a touch of the supernatural. This witch-induced hallucination suggests that Daemon’s fate is entwined with Harrenhal. A grim prophecy that he, naturally, ignores in favor of more immediate concerns—like stoking the fires of war and solidifying his power.

New Faces, Same Old Problems

We’re introduced to Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), who swans into the scene with all the arrogance of someone who’s just discovered they’re vaguely important. His character, previously MIA in Oldtown, appears as a new player in this ever-expanding chess game. Even Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) is visibly irritated by Gwayne’s entitled behavior—a sentiment that’s surprisingly easy to share. The two head off to the Riverlands, dragging their respective armies behind them.

Speaking of new faces, we meet a Dragonseed—a bastard with Targaryen or Valyrian blood, like a genetic lottery ticket in Westeros. This particular one, Ulf White (Tom Bennett), claims his lineage with the confidence of someone who knows how little it actually matters to anyone but himself. It’s a nice bit of exposition in a tavern scene that otherwise serves as a reminder that even bastards can have delusions of grandeur in this world.

A Night at the Brothel

As if the political machinations weren’t enough, we’re treated to a night out with Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), who stumbles into a brothel, three sheets to the wind. The scene is a wild mix of gratuitous nudity and drunken debauchery, featuring Aemond sprawled on the lap of an older prostitute, clearly regretting his life choices. The brotherly interaction is a highlight, especially Aegon’s laughable attempts at moral superiority. It’s a moment that reinforces just how ill-suited he is to rule, more a caricature of a king than a competent leader.

This episode, like a well-oiled machine, moves its pieces with a calculated precision. Yet, it feels like a long setup to an inevitable, bloody payoff. The small council’s debates, Daemon’s sinister plotting, and Rhaenyra’s desperate maneuvers all build towards a crescendo of conflict. The Riverlands become a focal point, with both sides vying for control, and we’re left to wonder just how bloody the next episodes will get.

The episode sets the stage for the coming storm, leaving us eagerly anticipating the clash of dragons and the roar of battle. Whether you're here for the intricate plot or the sheer spectacle, one thing is clear: the dragons are far from done, and neither are we.