House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 recap: Rhaenyra takes King's Landing

The episode opens in the aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet: the dragonseeds finish off the Triarchy’s fleet, Baela returns to Dragonstone with Jacaerys Velaryon’s body, and Rhaenyra is finally freed from her chambers to grieve her firstborn. Vhagar is later spotted in the Riverlands, safely away from King’s Landing.

Daemon tries to rouse Rhaenyra, invoking the Song of Ice and Fire and a dream of a girl with three dragons. Elsewhere, Rhaena seeks asylum in the Vale and persuades Lady Jeyne Arryn, Addam finds Corlys Velaryon who ruefully declares “If this be victory, I pray I never win another,” and Aemond razes Harrenhal, killing Ser Simon Strong and others before being wounded and stumbling toward Alys Rivers.

Rhaenyra and Daemon arrive at King’s Landing with dragonback allies; the City Watch ultimately sides with them and Aegon has fled. Daemon brings Otto Hightower to Rhaenyra, who finishes Otto’s execution in two blows, and Daemon beheads Lord Jasper Wylde after Jasper is arrested for attempting to assault Alicent.

rhaenyra, king's landing, daemon, vhagar, dragonstone, aegon, otto hightower, aemond, harrenhal, jacaerys velaryon