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SPOILER ALERT: House Of The Dragon episode 3 recap

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Spoiler Alert: This recap will cover the entire episode, guts and all. Trigger Warning: this story discusses themes of violence.

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When we last left the Targaryens, King Viserys had just announced his engagement to Alicent Hightower. 

Prince Daemon had formed an alliance with the furious Lord Corlys Velaryon and we caught a glimpse at the monstrous Crabfeeder, the pirate lord that has been terrorising the Stepstones. 

You can stream every episode of House of the Dragon on Binge from August 22, sign up here.

This week, will Rhaenyra forgive her father and Allicent? Will the marriage put her position as heir at risk?

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And, what does Daemon and Corlys’ alliance mean for relations between Westeros and the Free Cities? Is war on the horizon?

This is Westeros so, probably!

READ NEXT: Everything you need to know to understand House of the Dragon

The war for the Stepstones
The war for the Stepstones (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)
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Three years later

We open with an image of a flag bearing Lord Corlys Velaryon’s sigil, the hippocampus, burning. The Crabfeeder is up to his old tricks of nailing men to driftwood. One of Corlys’ men curses the pirate and calls him the ‘betrayer’, a hint at who the eerie masked figure is perhaps?

The Crab Feeder’s crusade is interrupted by Daemon on the back of Caraxes who adds more fire to the current fires. Corlys’ men who hoped Daemon was there to save them are disappointed as it seems Daemon is only there to catch the Crabfeeder and after taking a fiery arrow to the shoulder he flies off into the night. 

It appears we have jumped forward in time because in the next scene we’re back at the Red Keep, Viserys is cooing over a two year old son and Alicent Hightower is heavily pregnant. The King’s Hand, Otto Hightower, is chatting to his brother Lord Hobert Hightower who wants the King to name his new son, Aegon, heir to the throne. Otto is not sure the King would favour that choice. 

We find out that the battle over the Stepstones has been going for three years, a man interrupts the King to beseech him to send men to fortify the Stepstones. Otto is against the idea since Viserys never sanctioned this war.

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Rhaenyra takes solace in the god’s wood
Rhaenyra takes solace in the god’s wood (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)

Meanwhile, Rhaenyra is tormenting a bard while studying history. It seems she is revisiting the tales of other female dragon riders to sooth her concern over the new Prince. Allicent interruptsher and it’s clear their relationship has soured over the last three years.

The Targaryen royals travel together on a hunt in honour of Aegon’s second birthday. It’s not a fun family outing, you could cut the tension with a knife. Rhaenyra reveals she feels abandoned and her father is at a loss of what to do with that information.

The royal carriage pulls up to the hunting grounds and they are met with applause. Hobert welcomes Viserys and Aegon, conveniently forgetting to mention Princess Rhaenyra.

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However, not everyone has forgotten about Rhaenyra, as she wanders through the camp a man in a red cloak takes notice of her.

Rhaenyra stumbles upon Allicent meeting with a group of ladies and Larys Strong. They are discussing the situation in the Stepstones and Rhaenyra is called upon to give her opinion. Rhaenyra says she has no insight to offer since she’s never been to the Stepstones, besides, she hasn’t seen her Uncle Daemon in years so she cannot speak to his motives.

Allicent backs up Rhaenyra
Allicent backs up Rhaenyra (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)

Lady Ceira Lannister gives Rhaenyra some grief about usurping Daemon as heir but Allicent steps in to defend her claiming Rhaenyra is better suited to the position

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Lady Joselyn Redwyne wants to start a war with the Free Cities but Rhaenyra shuts her down, “and how do you serve the realm Lady Redwyne, by eating cake?”

The red cloaked man finally approaches Rhaenyra and we find out he too is a Lannister. Lord Jason Lannister to be precise.

Jason’s younger twin Tyland serves on Viserys council but Rhaenyra is not so familiar with Jason. Jason immediately puts the moves on Rhaenyra who is taken aback by his forwardness and marches off to scold her father about his matchmaking skills.

An argument ensues between Rhaenyra and Viserys when Rhaenyra says she never intends to marry. Viserys dismisses that notion immediately and their argument is interrupted by Otto who tells the King a white hart (a type of white stag nicknamed ‘The King of the Kingswoods’) has been spotted.

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Jason is overly familiar with Rhaenyra
Jason is overly familiar with Rhaenyra (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)

Signs and Portents

A furious Rhaenyra marches out of the tent and rides off, followed by a concerned Ser Criston Cole.

He calls for the Princess to slow her ride but she ignores him. Criston has to forcefully grab her horse to stop her before she rides into the lake. 

Rhaenyra tells Criston why she is upset and Criston jokingly offers to kill Jason. 

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Criston reveals his previous romantic relationships and Rhaenyra tells him she envies his freedom, wishing she could swap standing with him. Criston tells her that he owes his position on the Kingsguard to her so he is glad things are the way they are.

Criston goes after Rhaenyra
Criston goes after Rhaenyra (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)

Otto begins pushing Viserys towards naming Aegon his heir by suggesting the white hart is a sign the gods favour the first born son over Rhaenyra. 

After the first day of hunting, and no further sign of the stag, Jason presents Viserys with a lance (or spear) for prince Aegon. Jason tells Viserys he would happily take Rhaenyra as wife and that she could be content with life at his side despite losing her position as heir. 

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Viserys is surprised by this and asks Jason when Rhaenyra lost the title of heir. Jason says the lords assumed Viserys would name Aegon heir now. Viserys shuts down this talk, telling Jason he did not name Rhaenyra his heir on a whim.

Otto asks what Viserys makes of Jason’s proposal and Viserys says the Lannister’s pride has pride. Otto suggests if the Lannister pairing is not to Viserys’ liking then perhaps he should marry Rhaenyra to Aegon. Two birds, one stone – two heirs, one marriage.

Viserys grows angry and tells Otto to bugger off, in so many words.

Ottos suggest Viserys marry Rhaenyra to her brother Aegon
Ottos suggest Viserys marry Rhaenyra to her brother Aegon (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)
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As Viserys continues to drink we are reminded of another drunk King who came home from a hunt mortally wounded and whose death fractured a Kingdom, *cough* Robert Baratheon *cough*.

Viserys’ Master of Laws, Lord Lyonel Strong offers his opinion on the matter and Viserys guesses Strong would offer his own son up to marry Rhaenyra. 

However, Strong surprises him by saying Rhaenyra should marry Corlys eldest son Laenor. His reasoning is the same as when he counselled the king to marry Corlys daughter three years ago. Corlys is the richest man in the realm and still has beef with the King. It would sooth relations and aid the realm.

Next we find Rhaenyra and Criston have stayed out together all evening. Criston urges Rhaenyra to return but the Princess appears to be in no mood to do so.

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Rhaenyra asks Criston if the realm would ever accept her as Queen. He says he would but a whinny from the horses interrupts their conversation as Criston worries there is something in the woods.

He takes his sword to investigate and an angry boar rushes out knocking him off his feet and heading straight for Rhaenyra. Criston comes to her rescue skewering the boar with his sword; however it does not kill the beast. Rhaenyra finishes the creature off with her own dagger.

Once again we are reminded of a King who was gored by a boar and his death fractured a realm. Perhaps the boar suggests even if Rhaenyra was to take the throne she might not last long. *Cough* Robert Baratheon *cough*.

Criston and Rhaenyra have a fun camping trip
Criston and Rhaenyra have a cute camping trip] (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)
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Viserys tells Allicent of his dream from before Aemma died, the one of his son sitting on the Iron Throne. He worries he made the wrong choice naming Rhaenyra heir. Allicent says she thinks he did the right thing. 

It seems like no one can finish their conversations this episode as a horn blows interrupting Viserys and Allicent. 

The King heads into the woods where his men have captured the white hart. Jason hands him the lance to inflict the killing blow but Viserys’s first blow fails to kill the creature. Second time’s the charm as Viserys impales the stag to the applause of his men. 

At first this sign seems to confirm the lord’s desires to see the King name Aegon as heir, second time’s the charm. However, we find that the woods has more than one ‘King’ as Rhaenyra and Criston stumble across a white hart of their own. 

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This beast is bigger, whiter and seemingly more regal than the one Viserys killed. Criston pulls his sword out but Rhaenyra stops him from attacking, merely admiring the creature before it runs away. 

This episode is all about signs and portents. Rhaenyra chose to take the non-violent approach, what would this mean if she was queen?

The Princess and Criston return with the dead bore. Still covered in blood Rhaenyra stuns the men as she marches determinedly through the camp. 

Viserys chose violence
Viserys chose violence (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)
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Choices, choices

When we return to the Keep, Allicent is lounging in her chambers much like Aemma did before her death. Otto tells his daughter of his plans to have Viserys name Aegon heir. She says every woman would want to see their son on the Iron Throne but reminds him that Rhaenyra is heir. She believes Rhaenyra would make a good Queen. 

Otto says Rhaenyra is robbing Aegon of his birthright. Denying him the throne, he says, is denying the laws of gods and men. Women don’t seem to factor into this equation. Otto urges Allicent to encourage Viserys to name Aegon heir.

Allicent meets Viserys in his rooms where he is nursing a mighty hangover. Viserys believes she has come to discuss Rhaenyra’s prospects for marriage. Allicent advises him that Rhaenyra must believe she is making her own choice.

Allicent spots a letter from Corlys brother Veamond, the letter is a plea for aid. Viserys worries sending aid would make the King look weak. Allicent believes it is better for the realm as a whole to be rid of the Crabfeeder and Viserys agrees to send men.

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Rhaenyra and Viserys meet in the Small Council’s chamber and Rhaenyra reveals why she’s been so distant. Rhaenyra is certain Viserys intends to replace her with Aegon. She says she feels useless now and that his only need for her is to marry her off to the highest bidder.

Viserys tells Rhaenyra that it is her duty to marry for alliances and strength, which seems hypocritical since Viserys recently married the daughter of a second born. A fact Rhaenyra points out to him.

Viserys assures Rhaenyra he doesn’t intend to replace her and just wants to see her happy but she must marry. However, she can choose her husband herself. He swears on Aemma’s memory that he will not replace her as heir.

Otto wants Allicent to change the King’s mind
Otto wants Allicent to change the King’s mind (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)
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Food for crabs

Back at the Stepstones the bay is awash with burnt ships. 

Corly tells his war council they have a fortnight of supplies left. Laenor suggests they bait the Crabfeeder and his men out of the caves. Vaemond asks which madman would offer himself up as bait just as Daemon returns on dragon back.

The men appear to be losing faith in Daemon and they look on him with little more than disdain. However, the mood shifts as the King’s men arrive to tell him Viserys is sending aid.

At first Daemon appears smug, but soon anger takes over and he begins to beat the King’s messenger. Vaemond, Laenor and Joffery Velaryon have to pull him off.

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The news from the King does not please Daemon
The news from the King does not please Daemon (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)

Daemon takes a row boat and sails off to the Crabfeeder’s caves. There is only one mad man willing to be bait.

He waves a white flag as he approaches the Stepstones and slowly the masked pirate emerges. The Crabfeeder looks to the skies but there is no dragon to be found. Soon the rest of his men leave their caves. 

On the cliff more pirates from Essos stand ready to fire at Daemon and it seems like this gambit is not going to pay off. The pirates take Daemon’s sword but of course he is not unarmed. 

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After stabbing one pirate with a dagger the mad Prince sets out on a one man crusade to, he narrowly avoids the archers and men that asail him making his way to the pirate Lord. The Crabfeeder sends more men after Daemon but they are cut down. 

However, soon Daemon’s luck comes to an end. 

Corlys to the rescue
Corlys to the rescue (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)

Struck with an arrow (same as before it seems) Daemon lies injured among the debris. But, surprise! He wasn’t alone.

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Corlys’ men rush the beach and Laenor flies overhead incinerating the pirates with his dragon Sea Smoke (remember, Laenor’s mother is Princess Rhaenys Targaryen meaning he has dragon blood like Daemon and Rhaenyra).

READ NEXTGetting confused about characters? Read our character guide here.

We finally get a messy, gory battle scene. Welcome back Game of Thrones!

As the fight rages on the beach Daemon runs after the Crabfeeder. Unfortunately that skirmish happens off screen and we see a bloodied Daemon emerge with the torso of the fearsome Pirate Lord. 

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Daemon and Corly have won their war, without the aid of Viserys. 

Winner winner, crab for dinner
Winner winner, crab for dinner (Credit: HBO/BINGE) (Credit: HBO/BINGE)

[These recaps are usually just about the story but Matt Smith’s incredible performance as Daemon needs to be acknowledged. Without saying a word this episode Smith portrayed Daemon’s anger and madness with ease. MVP. He really made this episode.]

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House of the Dragon premiered Monday August 22 and is available to stream on BINGE and watch on Foxtel now.

You can catch up on the original Game of Thrones series on BINGE. Stream them now, live and on demand with a 14-day free trial. START FREE TRIAL.

WATCH BELOW: Sydney transformed for the House of the Dragon premiere

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