House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 explained: a big death

The Battle of the Gullet ends with Team Black holding the field, but Rhaenyra Targaryen pays a heavy personal price when Prince Jacaerys’s body is returned to Dragonstone. Grief leaves her bedridden until Daemon reports that Aemond has fled King’s Landing for Harrenhal, setting in motion the agreement she made with Alicent.

Rhaenyra rides to King’s Landing with Daemon, Ulf White and Hugh Hammer and they force their way into the Red Keep. Daemon cuts down White Cloaks, and city watch captain Ser Luthor Largent — loyal to Daemon from years earlier — helps pin the kingsguard, who are then compelled to surrender.

Aegon II has already fled the city with Larys Strong. In the cells Daemon is handed a prisoner Larys left as a “gift”: Otto Hightower. Brought before the court, Otto is executed by Rhaenyra with Dark Sister after a messy first blow, and Daemon quickly kills Lord Jasper Wylde as well.

rhaenyra, daemon, jacaerys, dragonstone, king's landing, aemond, harrenhal, alicent, otto hightower, dark sister