House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2: “Rhaenyra the Cruel”
Aegon's Fury and Grief
In this episode, we see the aftermath of the murder of Prince Jaehaerys. There are explosive emotional outbursts and a tragic fight to the death.
Aegon loved his son Jaehaerys. In his fury and grief, Aegon smashes the model city that his father Viserys made. Viserys loved this model; it’s a symbol of the history of their dynasty. For Aegon to smash it, it’s like he’s destroying his own realm. Aegon shouts, “I am the king.” In Game of Thrones, Tywin says, “Any man who must say, ‘I am the king’ is no true king.” Aegon is powerless to protect his own son. Brienne says, “Nothing's more hateful than failing to protect the one you love.” Jaehaerys was probably the only person Aegon really loved. Now Aegon only has rage.
Blame and Betrayal
Aegon lashes out, blaming his own allies. He asks Criston, the Kingsguard Commander, why he failed to protect Jaehaerys. Criston says he was in bed, but he doesn’t mention that he was in Queen Alicent’s bed. If Criston wasn’t having forbidden sex that night, maybe he would’ve saved the prince. Criston failed in his sacred duty.
Aegon assumes that Rhaenyra ordered the murder – which she didn’t; Daemon did. Jasper, the master of laws, suggests some other traitor may be responsible. Mysaria helped Daemon arrange the murder. Larys replaced the castle staff with his own people. One of the maids saw Blood before the murder and did nothing. Did Larys allow this murder to happen?
Otto's Manipulation
Otto wants to use this dead child for political advantage. He doesn’t believe Rhaenyra is the killer, but he wants to publicly blame Rhaenyra anyway to make her look bad so people will support Aegon. Aegon says that’s wrong and gross, but Otto and Alicent convince him to exploit his loss for politics.
Aemond's Guilt
Aemond sees that the murderers, Blood and Cheese, escaped through a secret passage. If Aemond had stayed, maybe he could’ve caught the murderers. Blood and Cheese only killed Jaehaerys because they couldn’t find Aemond, who was the target. Aemond feels guilt for his nephew’s death. Jaehaerys’ death makes Aemond the heir to the Throne, and he has always thought himself more worthy of the crown than Aegon.
The Greens' Grief and Dysfunction
Alicent cries for Jaehaerys, and her father Otto tries to hold her, but she moves away. Alicent doesn’t hold or comfort Aegon when he cries, and Aegon doesn’t comfort Helaena. This family sucks at showing love for each other. They never learned how to love from cold Otto. The distant, cold greens contrast with how Rhaenyra and Jace grieved together last episode.
Helaena's Resistance
Helaena doesn’t want to be paraded through town; she doesn’t want her grief to be a political performance. But Alicent insists she must do her duty and pretend. Helaena doesn’t call Jaehaerys “Jaehaerys”; she calls him “my boy” because “Jaehaerys” is a political name. Helaena doesn’t want to play politics; she just wants her son, her boy, who was taken from her. Helaena gives a funeral shroud for Jaehaerys that she had started making before his death, as though on some level she knew Jaehaerys was going to die because she has dreams of the future.
Blood's Capture and Execution
Larys captures Blood, one of the men who killed Jaehaerys. Blood was trying to leave King’s Landing with Jaehaerys’ head to get paid by Daemon. Blood confesses right away when he sees Larys’ torture tool. Blood doesn’t know the name of the other murderer, Cheese. Aegon kills Blood and then hangs every ratcatcher. He kills the guilty Cheese, but he also kills ninety-nine innocent men.
The Greens' Propaganda
The greens parade Alicent, Helaena, and her dead child through the city. Helaena is stressed and panicked. In the crowd, you can see Kat, the wife of Hugh. The greens proclaim that Rhaenyra murdered Jaehaerys and call her a kinslayer. They call her Rhaenyra “the Cruel,” framing her as a monster who shouldn’t have the Throne. They send letters all over the realm spreading their false accusation.
Rhaenyra's Councillors' Concerns
On Dragonstone, Rhaenyra’s councillors are worried. They need allies, and fewer people will support Rhaenyra if they think she murdered her little nephew. Some of Rhaenyra’s own councillors seem to believe she did it, like Ser Alfred Broome. In the book, Alfred’s family’s castle was burned by King Maegor “the Cruel.” Now, Alfred thinks Rhaenyra “the Cruel” might have killed Jaehaerys. Much of the realm is biased against Rhaenyra because she’s a woman. Alfred suggests that Rhaenyra’s grief as a mother led her to impulsively kill Jaehaerys. The men are quick to doubt Rhaenyra. But Rhaenyra realises that Daemon caused this mess. Daemon says he only ordered Aemond to be killed, not Jaehaerys. But we know Daemon told Blood and Cheese, “A son for a son.” Blood thought Daemon wanted Jaehaerys dead, or else he wouldn’t have taken Jaehaerys’ head to get payment.
Rhaenyra's Confrontation with Daemon
Rhaenyra finally says she can’t trust Daemon. Daemon gets so angry that he almost chokes Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra says the reason Viserys rejected Daemon was because of Daemon’s bad behaviour, his treason, and murders. Daemon refuses to admit his failures and insecurities. So Rhaenyra calls him “pathetic” and he leaves. Daemon is dangerous, and Rhaenyra may be safer without him. But Daemon’s also a powerful symbol of Targaryen legitimacy. If he’s not by Rhaenyra’s side, she looks weaker in the eyes of the realm.
Baela's Struggles
Daemon’s daughter Baela tries to talk to Daemon, but he ignores her. Baela says she thinks she hates him. Rhaenyra orders Baela to fly her dragon Moondancer to keep a watch on King’s Landing. Baela is set to be the future Queen of Westeros when she marries Jace. But who’s looking out for Baela?
Rhaenyra's Family
Rhaenyra plays with her youngest children Aegon and Viserys. These are the sons of Rhaenyra and Daemon. Criston Cole is overwhelmed with guilt. He’s the Kingsguard Commander, and Prince Jaehaerys was murdered while he was breaking his sacred oath by having sex with Alicent. Criston gets angry at Arryk and sends him on a dangerous mission to kill Rhaenyra. Arryk will pretend to be his twin brother Erryk to get inside and kill Rhaenyra. In an unjust world, honourable men can be forced to do terrible things.
Jace's Ambitions
Jace, Rhaenyra’s eldest son and heir, has a complicated family. He wants to prove himself as a Targaryen dragonrider like his mum. Baela is the daughter of Daemon and Laena Velaryon. After Laena died, Baela grew up on Driftmark with Corlys and Rhaenys. Baela wants to understand her Targaryen father Daemon, but he’s gone again. Baela says she thinks she hates him.
Aemond's Confidant
Aemond visits Sylvi, who runs a fancy brothel. Aemond confides in Sylvi, who comforts him. Aemond admires Daemon and feels proud that Daemon tried to kill him. But deep down, he’s vulnerable and insecure.
Hugh's Struggle
Hugh, the blacksmith, is struggling to support his family. Otto gets fired, so will anyone pay Hugh? People are scared of war and the Velaryon blockade, raising prices at the markets. Alyn, the sailor, returned from fighting on the Stepstones. He reunites with his brother Addam. Alyn saved Lord Corlys, the richest man in Westeros, on the Stepstones. Addam wants Alyn to use his connection to Corlys to get money and social advancement. But Alyn is reluctant and worried about war.
Seasmoke's Appearance
Addam sees the dragon Seasmoke. Seasmoke was once Laenor Velaryon’s dragon. Laenor faked his own death and ran off to the east. Seasmoke has been hanging out on Driftmark. On Dragonstone, there are five more unclaimed dragons. Seasmoke appears to Addam. Where’s Laenor? What is Addam’s relationship with Seasmoke?
Corlys and Rhaenys' Grief
Corlys and Rhaenys mourn their dead grandchildren, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera. Corlys comforts Rhaenys, the opposite of how the greens can’t comfort each other. Corlys and Rhaenys have the closest, healthiest relationship of any of the older generation. Corlys sails his ship the Sea Snake back to Driftmark to face a tough decision. The greens killed his grandchild, Jaehaerys, but the blacks killed his son Laenor. Should Corlys support the greens or the blacks?
Rhaenys' Role
Rhaenys sees Baela off as Baela leaves on her dragon Moondancer. She sees the pressure that Rhaenyra puts on Baela, but she believes that Baela can handle it.
Criston's Confession and Arryk's Mission
Criston Cole is overwhelmed with guilt. He’s the Kingsguard Commander, and Prince Jaehaerys was murdered while he was breaking his sacred oath by having sex with Alicent. Criston gets angry at Arryk and sends him on a dangerous mission to kill Rhaenyra. Arryk will pretend to be his twin brother Erryk to get inside and kill Rhaenyra. In an unjust world, honourable men can be forced to do terrible things.
Rhaenyra's Allies and Information
Mysaria brings a gift to the Sept. Last episode, a bunch of stuff got stolen from the Sept. We now see that Mysaria stole them, probably to provoke the greens. We see a flashback of Mysaria training Talya to spy. Mysaria tried to convince Rhaenyra to work with her for mutual benefit. In the book, Mysaria wanted to be Rhaenyra’s mistress of whisperers, her main spymaster. Mysaria has sources of information. But last season, Mysaria betrayed Daemon by kidnapping his child. Rhaenyra and Daemon both have trust issues with her. Mysaria and Daemon both grew up poor. Mysaria was a sex worker, and Daemon was rejected by his brother. Their different ways of surviving hardship are what brought them together. But Mysaria’s own survival instinct is what leads her to betray her allies.
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After years of growing tension and bloodshed, Rhaenyra and Daemon’s relationship falls apart. Daemon caused the death of Jaehaerys. Rhaenyra finally confronts Daemon and rejects him. Daemon angrily walks away. He’s one of the biggest threats to her reign and her life, but losing him weakens her in the eyes of her allies and enemies.
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