The Hatfield and McCoy feud is a storied one in American historical past—a story of two households in Nineteenth-century Appalachia with a rivalry so sturdy it resulted in quite a few deaths on either side. Many invoke the names of the households when describing disputes between two opposing factions, however what number of know the way that combat really began? Some level to a homicide that came about through the Civil Battle, others an argument over the rightful proprietor of a pig, however does it actually matter?
Rhaenys would say it doesn’t. As episode three of Home of the Dragon opens, she’s in Rhaenyra’s ear as they bury Erryk and Aaryk in a joint grave following the occasions that led to the twins’s deaths in episode two. Rhaenys rightly assumes that Otto Hightower has misplaced his affect amongst Crew Inexperienced in favor of “hotter blood” like Ser Criston. “The younger males have taken the bit of their tooth. They want to punish, to avenge,” she says. “Quickly they won’t even bear in mind what it was that started the warfare within the first place.”
Rhaenyra butts in, reminding Rhaenys that it was the Greens’s usurpation of the throne that began issues off. However was it? Maybe it was when Jaehaerys was beheaded, or when Aemond killed Luke, or Luke took Aemond’s eye? “We teeter now on the level when none of it’s going to matter and the need to kill and burn takes maintain and motive is forgotten.” Historical past will bear in mind the Targaryen Civil Battle like they bear in mind the Hatfields and McCoys—as a violent rivalry for violent rivalry’s sake. George R.R. Martin wrote Hearth and Blood as an array of conflicting historic accounts, as proof that whereas usually the nuanced will get misplaced to time, and tales start to battle with each other, the constants of dying, energy, and violence at all times prevail.
The Queen Who By no means Was makes use of this reasoning to influence Rhaenyra to hunt out different options to warfare, particularly speaking to Alicent, who has proven indicators of a need to keep away from the violence that may undoubtedly come from a combat between dragons. Each Rhaenyra and Alicent have been influenced by the blood and power-hungry males round them, but when they will shake off these egos and have a dialog, maybe an alternate answer may emerge.
It could simply be too late, although. The warfare and rivalry have already unfold throughout the realm, infecting all of the Hatfield and McCoy-esque feuds all over the place from the Attain to the Riverlands. Home Bracken, who’re Aegon supporters, and Home Blackwood, who help Rhaenyra, got here to blows over the royal dispute—or extra seemingly, the present civil warfare gave the 2 rival homes an excuse to homicide one another—with either side taking heavy losses because of this. It’s seen as the primary act of this now-unavoidable warfare, and the lads of Aegon’s council debate subsequent steps, ignoring Alicent aside from to apologize for any crude feedback. The brand new hand, in the meantime, makes the ultimate resolution. He’ll collect a small military and experience to the Riverlands to show the homes which have declared for Rhaenyra and ultimately take Harrenhal, the most important citadel within the Seven Kingdom and due to this fact a key to profitable the warfare. It’s Criston’s likelihood to show himself, to indicate that he didn’t simply fail upwards to his present position due to his attractiveness and spectacular ass-kissing skills.
Criston’s plan prevails, which is unsurprising because of the lack of checks and balances inside Aegon’s council. The hand should, nevertheless, deal with a brand new member of his crew—Ser Gwayne Hightower, youngest son to Otto and brother to Alicent. Gwayne simply arrived from Oldtown and is sad to seek out his father unseated as hand. It’s laborious to think about disliking anybody as a lot as Criston, however Gwayne does give the hand a run for his cash, thanks to some snide, xenophobic remarks. Alas, the 2 should discover a method to get alongside, as Gwayne is becoming a member of Criston’s firm.
As Criston and Gwayne experience off to glory, it’s Aegon who’s left behind. He defies the recommendation of his council and readies to fly off to affix Criston’s firm on the again of his dragon, Sunfyre. Larys, nevertheless, doesn’t need to threat Aegon’s dying—he has managed to control the king fairly effectively as of late, and his present successor, Aemond, wouldn’t be fairly as malleable. So, Larys convinces Aegon to stay within the citadel, the place it’s secure, whereas concurrently sowing dissent between Aegon and his household. He fills Aegon in on some rumors circulating within the metropolis. “One such is that…his grace was outwitted by his counselors and persuaded to fly to warfare with Ser Criston, so the Queen Alicent might reign in his absence with Prince Aemond at her facet.” Is it true? Maybe, however at this level, we’ve realized the reality hardly issues. Larys efficiently will get Aegon to face down, however he additionally receives an sudden reward (or perhaps Larys anticipated this; you by no means know what he’s scheming). He’s named the Grasp of Whispers on Aegon’s small council, bringing the Clubfoot even nearer into the fold.
As a substitute of flying off to warfare, Aegon engages in an exercise rather more suited to his character—an evening of consuming at a brothel alongside his Kingsquard. As Aegon terrorizes the brothel, looking for a girl to take one in every of his knight’s virginity, he occurs upon Aemond, as soon as once more within the arms of the intercourse employee we noticed comforting him final episode. It’s right here, by Aegon’s jeers, that we be taught extra of the backstory between Aemond and this lady, who was his first in addition to his solely. Not prepared to offer into his brother’s mocking, Aemond removes himself from the scenario, giving the viewers an eyeful within the course of.
In the meantime, on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra confronts Mysaria and thanks her for the warning about Arryk final episode. As a reward, Mysaria asks for a spot in Rhaenyra’s courtroom. She now has respect for the queen, who confirmed Mysaria mercy, one thing she has by no means skilled from these in energy. In fact, Mysaria can show helpful to Rhaenyra—her information and affect inside the Purple Maintain has been useful prior to now. The concept of Rhaenyra and Mysaria teaming up is a enjoyable one. Ladies have lengthy been pitted in opposition to one another within the Thrones universe, however after all, Dragon pushes more durable on themes of gender and misogyny than its predecessor, and this relationship—in addition to the continuation of no matter might come from a reunion between Alicent and Rhaenyra—is a really welcomed improvement.
Rhaenyra’s day of conferences continues. Subsequent, she sees her niece/step-daughter Rhaena, asking the lady to accompany Rhaenyra’s younger sons to security in Pentos. The Greens have confirmed to be aggressive and violent, and even Dragonstone is not secure. Not like her sister, Baela, Rhaena by no means claimed a dragon, and due to this fact is little assist to Crew Black’s trigger. Any energy constructed upon the female-driven narratives in Dragon is dissipated when Rhaena is decreased to being a caregiver despatched to dwell out her days as a surrogate mom in a overseas land.
However Rhaena just isn’t the one member of Crew Black venturing off Dragonstone. We lastly reunite with Daemon after he fled Dragonstone in episode two. As soon as once more seemingly appearing on his personal accord, the king consort has landed within the ruins of Harrenhal to say it for Rhaenrya (maybe an “I’m sorry for ordering the homicide of a younger youngster in your title” present). Whereas he’s apparently ready to combat a complete military on his personal, he’s met with no resistance, with Simon Robust instantly bending the knee, unbothered by the loyalties of Harrenhal’s true lord, Layrs, who has confirmed his place in Aegon’s pocket. “He’s a scourge on this citadel and this household,” Simon says of Larys. Robust updates Daemon on the standing of the Riverlands, which was beforehand the most important undeclared host within the realm. As of late, although, Harrenhal has misplaced affect over the homes surrounding it, and plenty of have already declared for his or her respective sides.
Clearly, Rhaenyra’s council feels its maintain on Westeros slipping. The dispute between the Brackens and Blackwoods—now titled the Battle of the Burning Mill—has left the Riverlands in disrepair. Plus, Daemon—who we all know to be in Harrenhal—has not despatched phrase and is due to this fact, for all intents and functions, lacking in motion, an embarrassing actuality for Rhaenyra, little question. The council pushes for motion, for dragon fireplace. Due to Baela and her dragon Moondancer, they now have proof that Ser Criston is main a power within the Riverlands. Nonetheless, that little birdie, Rhaenys, continues to flutter in Rhaenyra’s ear. She is aware of a combat between dragons means mutually assured destruction for each the Blacks and Greens. Her council of males just isn’t desperate to proceed with such warning and so they counsel Rhaenyra goes someplace secure whereas they conduct warfare enterprise on their very own, a patronizing (and treasonous) thought that’s unsurprisingly shot down instantly.
Later, whereas mourning the departure of her youngsters, Rhaenyra occurs upon the notice Alicent despatched her following the preliminary usurpation of the throne. With Rhaenys’s phrases coming to thoughts as soon as once more, Rhaenrya is lastly able to see what her previous buddy has to say. Alicent’s notice is clearly efficient because it prompts Rhaenyra to go meet with the queen dowager herself. Rhaenyra enlists the assistance of her new ally, Mysaria, who arranges journey plans to King’s Touchdown. As soon as there, dressed as a silent sister, Rhaenyra approaches Alicent whereas praying on the Grand Sept, mirroring a scene from the primary season’s second episode when the 2, then younger ladies, pray collectively on the similar altar earlier than the rivalry takes maintain.
It’s enjoyable to see a reunion between Alicent and Rhaenyra, and good to see Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke share the display once more, as the 2 have a lot chemistry. However this assembly is way extra essential than a dialogue of one’s favourite cocktail. Rhaenyra is there to attempt to forestall warfare, although that already appears to be a misplaced trigger. Sons have died, thrones have been usurped, and neither celebration is prepared to offer in. As a substitute, they recount the night of Viserys’s dying when he, in line with Alicent, modified his thoughts concerning his inheritor. Alicent remembers her remaining dialog with Viserys, which makes Rhaenyra understand it was all a miscommunication. Visersys wasn’t naming Aegon the Prince That Was Promised, he was merely rehashing his favourite story of Aegon the Conquerer and the Music of Ice and Hearth. Alicent realizes her blunder and the issue with listening to the ramblings of a person on the verge of dying, however she declares it too late. As with the Hatfields and McCoys and so many feuds in historical past, the explanations behind the inception are irrelevant when violence and hatred take over.
