A 75-minute episode. Finally!

We jump straight into the opening credits? Hmm… that’s usually not a good sign. In the best way possible, naturally.

We arrive in Tumbleton, now firmly under Green control. Hugh’s wife, Sarra, watches everything unfold. Ormund’s soldiers seize the homes of the poorest families. There are around 15,000 men camped in and around the town, which simply cannot support an army of that size.

Relaxing in his bath, Ormund celebrates the capture of House Footly’s castle while continuing to call Rhaenyra a usurper, even after the Footlys have sworn allegiance to her. His message is simple: anyone who refuses to obey will be treated as a traitor and executed. Daeron remains at his uncle’s side, and we finally understand Ormund’s real objective. He intends to put Daeron on the Iron Throne. At this point, no one seems to believe Aemond will return.

In King’s Landing, Rhaenyra struggles to understand why Tumbleton has suddenly become so strategically important. Her Small Council is depleted, questions keep piling up, and she reluctantly agrees not to send dragons—for now. She also asks the same question we’ve all been asking: where is Lord Corlys Velaryon?

Torrhen Manderly is appointed the new Master of Coin, just so he gets the fall for all the economic problems of the realm.

Alicent becomes our main source of information about Ormund. It’s also the perfect opportunity for Ryan Condal to explain who Daeron is and why he has been absent for so long. Sent to Oldtown as an infant, he was essentially raised as a member of the Hightower family. Ormund, meanwhile, is described—even by members of his own family—as cultured, arrogant, ruthless… and remarkably sensitive to smells.

The full guide to House of the Dragon

Following last week’s confrontation, we learn that Corlys is still furious with Rhaenyra. He leaves to keep the Triarchy at bay and sends Alyn in his place to remain close to the queen.

Meanwhile, Aegon and Larys arrive at Rook’s Rest. One of the episode’s most emotional scenes follows as Aegon reunites with Sunfyre. Everyone assumes the dragon is dead, but Aegon insists he is still alive. Disguised as ordinary men, the two are forced to clean latrines and endure abuse from corrupt soldiers. For a king, it is an almost unbearable humiliation. His anger grows even stronger when he discovers he has officially been declared dead. Now he wants revenge against both Aemond and Rhaenyra.

Near Harrenhal, Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower find nothing but a ruined castle. There is no sign of Aemond. Alys Rivers lies, claiming he has already left. Gwayne wants to march immediately toward Tumbleton, but Cole insists on waiting. Even after learning that King’s Landing has fallen, he refuses to believe Aemond abandoned them.

Back in the capital, Rhaenyra speaks with Alyn. The tension between her and Corlys dominates their conversation, eventually leading them to reflect on their fathers. Rhaenyra remembers Viserys as a man obsessed with preserving history. She dislikes seeing him remembered simply as a weak king. To her, he was a fundamentally good man burdened with impossible expectations.

Back in Tumbleton, Ormund’s soldiers attempt to assault Sarra, Hugh’s wife. She manages to escape, but several men are injured and dragged before Ormund. The timing is significant because Rhaenyra has already ordered Ulf to fly over Tumbleton, and as Hugh had hoped to receive that assignment himself, she agreed, and he is on his way.

Walking through Flea’s Market, Ulf quickly discovers that fame comes with a price. Now that people see him as wealthy, everyone expects him to buy drinks, hand out money, or solve their problems.

Ormund is forced to deal with the scandal caused by his own soldiers. He pretends to punish everyone equally, but nothing he says should be taken seriously. The real lesson is meant for Daeron, who quietly watches his uncle rule through fear.

Rhaenyra also learns something deeply troubling: the Faith of the Seven is as closely tied to House Hightower as dragons have always been to House Targaryen. Destroying the Faith is one possible solution, but she begins searching for another way.

In the Vale, Daemon finally collects the debt owed by Lady Jeyne Arryn. He secures much-needed funds for the war but unexpectedly encounters Rhaena riding Sheepstealer, thanks to Caraxes. Their conversation is painfully honest. Rhaena admits she failed to save Jace but reminds her father that she spent her entire life being mocked for not having a dragon. Now she has finally found her place. She believes she will spend the rest of her life in exile, while Daemon is convinced Rhaenyra will eventually have her executed.

Returning to King’s Landing, Daemon chooses to protect his daughter. He presents a burned head to Rhaenyra, claiming he has killed Jace’s murderer. Mysaria immediately realizes the story doesn’t add up.

Back in Tumbleton, Ormund learns that Aemond has disappeared and panics. Holding the town without dragons will be impossible. Daeron also makes it clear that he knows all too well how violent his cousin can become, and that he genuinely fears him.

Ulf warns Rhaenyra that rumors against her are spreading throughout King’s Landing. Her response is to send guards to erase the messages and suppress anyone responsible. As so often happens, violence only makes the situation worse.

Another conflict erupts within the Small Council. Daemon wants to use the newly acquired money to pay soldiers. Mysaria argues it should be distributed among the poor instead. Rhaenyra sides with Mysaria and also lashes out at Daemon for believing he executed the man responsible for Jace’s death.

Alicent discovers that Helaena is pregnant and immediately worries about her future grandchild. In doing so, Ryan Condal addresses one of Fire & Blood readers’ biggest complaints by finally introducing Aegon’s third child: Maelor. Don’t get attached.

10 differences between the book and the series: House of the Dragon

The episode ends with Hugh flying over Tumbleton, reminding us just how terrified Ormund is of dragons. A later conversation between Ormund and Daeron reveals the true nature of their relationship. Ormund manipulates the young prince while insisting that House Hightower is superior to everyone else, yet openly acknowledges that they can never defeat dragons without controlling them. Acting under Ormund’s orders, Daeron kills Hugh Hammer’s brother-in-law.

Daeron still comes across as a fundamentally decent young man, but one who lacks the courage to stand up to Ormund. And perhaps that’s the worst news of all for Rhaenyra. She is no longer competing against a single half-brother for the Iron Throne. She now faces three rival claimants, each surrounded by increasingly dangerous advisers. And to make matters even more complicated, another heir is about to be born.

One thing still makes me nervous: where are Rhaenyra’s sons? The longer the show keeps them off-screen, the more worried I become. Because if this episode proves anything, it’s that things are only getting worse for our queen.

Oh yes: I suppose that fake Daeron was sent to the Wall nevertheless, but how will Deamon react when he hears he’s been dooped?