Episode 6 of House of the Dragon season 2 is available on the Max streaming platform this Monday, July 22.
The balance of power is reversed in House of the Dragon. Episode 6 of season 2 is posted online on Max, after its broadcast in the United States on the night of July 21 to 22, 2024. The different clans continue to readjust following the events of the Battle of Firerest. And while Rhaenyra’s clan has been in difficulty since the beginning of the season, the Hightowers are suffering the consequences of the conflict. Warning, the rest of this article contains spoilers.
At the beginning of the episode, the Hightowers’ advance is slowed by the Lannisters, who refuse to march on Harrenhal until Prince Aemond and Vhagar are present at their side to fight Daemon’s dragon. Upon learning this, Aemond is furious and refuses to be summoned. He also decides to ally himself with the Triarchy, even if it means betraying the free cities, to weaken the blockade. He also takes the opportunity to oust his mother from his council.
At Dragonstone, Rhaenyra and Jacaerys attempt to put their plan into action: they ask Ser Stefon Darklyn, a distant cousin of the Targaryen family, to try to tame Seasmoke, the dragon of Laenor who has been wild since his master’s disappearance. But Seasmoke refuses Ser Stefon Darklyn as his master and has him burned alive.
At Harrenhal, Daemon continues to have nightmares and now dreams of his brother Viserys, of the reproaches he was able to make to him in his life and testifies to his guilt of not having been present enough with his brother. When he wakes up, Daemon considers leaving the place before meeting Alys, who assures him that the situation will improve in the next three days. We learn thus shortly after that Ser Grover Tully, master of the Riverlands, is dead and that even Alys dispatched to the scene could not do anything to save him (we guess that she did not try to save him, on the contrary). It is his grandson, Oscar Tully, who then becomes master of the house Tully. Daemon finally has the opportunity to rally the Riverlands to the cause of Rhaenyra.
Back in King’s Landing, news of Aegon’s awakening spreads. Upon hearing this, Aemond goes to his brother’s bedside to ensure that he does not reveal his involvement in his “incident” at the Battle of Firerest. At the same time, he refuses Larys Strong as a Hand and considers Otto Hightower to be his closest advisor. But his grandfather is nowhere to be found and does not respond to his daughter’s letters. Vexed, Larys Strong tries to get closer to Aegon, emphasizing their shared handicaps. During this episode, The audience also learns that Alicent had a third son, Daeron, now a teenager who lives with his family far from the intrigues of court.
Outside the walls of the Red Keep, Mysaria’s plan begins to bear fruit. Suffering from famine, the people are increasingly inclined to listen to positive rumors about Rhaenyra. Especially when the latter has the mother send food, causing riots. These escalate asAlicent and Helaena are at the Great Sept of Baelor. Singing praises of Rhaenyra and expressing her anger at the Hightowers rulers, the riot escalates, leaving many dead and injured.
During the episode, we also learn that Adam and Alyn are actually Velaryons, of Valyrian origin. It is implied that they would be the sons of Lord Corlys Velaryon. During the episode, Addam also finds himself confronted by the dragon Seasmoke. Will he succeed in taming it?
Finally, Rhaenyra is still prone to doubt, whether it be about her marriage or her ability to reign. She confides in Mysaria, who reaffirms her loyalty to her. The two women get closer and exchange a passionate kiss. They are nevertheless interrupted by the announcement that Seasmoke has been tamed and is flying with a master on his back. Worried that the Hightower clan has expanded its army, Rhaenyra decides to take matters into her own hands and flies away on the back of Syrax. But could it rather be Adam?