House of the Dragon season 1 episode 2 recap: The Rogue Prince

This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1 episode 2.

Six months after she lost her mother and brother, Rhaenyra learns about duty and responsibility the hard way in episode 2 of House of the Dragon season 1.

Catch up here on everything from the last episode!

The second episode begins with a small council meeting where King Viserys has the duty of replacing a member of his King’s Guard following the natural death of one of his knights. Just then Lord Corlys storms in.

He has lost four more ships down in The Stepstones to the pirates led by Craghas Drahar, or The Crabfeeder. Ser Otto tries to calm down the Master of Ships but Corlys explains the weaknesses of their kingdom.

Corlys explains how in the last six months, Prince Daemon has seized Dragonstone with his City Watch army even though that land castle belongs to Rhaenyra. Otto warns Corlys for speaking so frankly about the king’s brother but the gentle Viserys explains how he has already begun talking with the Free Cities to stop these pirates.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 2: Rhaenyra chooses a knight for the Kingsguard

Rhaenyra has the idea to use the Targaryen Dragonriders to show force. While Lord Corlys does enjoy this idea of the plan, Viserys and Otto are timid.

They both decide to send the princess with Ser Harrold Westerling to choose the next king’s guard knight. During this choice, Ser Westerling and Otto show Rhaenyra the prospective knights but the princess is not interested in men who have not seen actual combat.

This only leaves Ser Criston Cole, so Rhaenyra chooses the common-born man. Ser Otto tries to explain the political advantages of choosing someone from a powerful family, but Rhaenyra does not change her mind.

In the king’s chambers, Viserys is showing Lady Alicent his reconstruction of the old country of Valeryia. The two have developed a bond over the last six months, something Viserys does not think Rhaenyra will understand.

While walking in the Sept, Rhaenyra and Alicent talk about the possibility of the king remarrying. This stresses out the princess.

In response, her best friend explains how praying to the gods has helped her mourn the passing of her mother. Rhaenyra does this and begins crying as she explains to Alicent that she wants to be seen as more than just her father’s little girl.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 2: King Viserys is given marriage proposals

Following their exchange, King Viserys meets with Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys where the monarch expresses gratitude for Corlys’ council.

After asking for permission, Corlys speaks frankly stating that their enemies see the Red Keep as weak with a widower king on the throne, the first ever girl named as heir, the king’s brother rebelling, and a pirate colony developing in one of their most important shipping lanes. To combat this, Corlys and Rhaenys believe Viserys should wed their adolescent daughter Laena.

That night at their private dinner, Viserys and Rhaenyra have their first good talk since that tragic day when they lost their family. The princess explains her decision to choose Ser Criston, something her father admires.

She begins apologizing for her input during the small council meeting, but Viserys shuts her down, blaming her naivety and ignorance. Following dinner, King Viserys goes to Maester Mellos so maggots may eat the rotten flesh of his infection.

As the bugs do their job, Viserys explains to Otto about the proposition to marry Lady Laena he received from her parents. While Otto is hesitant, Maester Mellos brings up solid points about how this would help mend the heartbreak that has been present since the Great Council.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 2: Lady Alicent is there for her king

In the morning, King Viserys takes the adolescent Laena on a walk where they talk about the dragons of Old Valeryia. Laena then recites a speech about how she will be a good wife to Viserys.

But the king is clearly uncomfortable hearing these things from a child. Looking on, Princesses Rhaenyra and Rhaenys talk about the political and ethical elements of Viserys remarrying, especially remarrying Rhaenys’ young daughter.

However, since she has been around longer than her young cousin, Rhaenys understands this is the way of things in their patriarchal country. Rhaenys is confident that Rhaenyra will never sit on the Iron Throne.

Back in his chambers, King Viserys is explaining his predicament about remarrying to Lady Alicent with the young Hightower girl responding accordingly. Alicent then brings out a gift which is a stone dragon to replace the one that broke earlier.

Otto then comes in and breaks up the sweet moment to inform the king of an emergency small council meeting. A Dragonrider is there to inform the council that a dragon egg was stolen by Prince Daemon.

He also left a note that explains his Mysaria is now the Lady of Dragonstone and pregnant with his heir. He needs an egg to place in the babe’s cradle.

When Rhaenyra asks which egg, the Dragonrider explains how it was the one intended for the king’s son. While Viserys wants to retrieve the egg himself from his rebellious brother, Otto states it is better if he goes with a small army.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 2: Prince Daemon’s actions are challenged

Ser Otto, Ser Westerling, Ser Harrold Westerling, Ser Criston Cole, and some Hightower knights travel to Dragonstone to confront Prince Daemon. Since the two outwardly dislike each other, tensions grow quickly.

Right before a fight breaks out, Syrax breaks through the clouds and Princess Rhaenyra arrives at her rightful castle. She talks with her uncle about his rebellious nature and calls out his bluff.

The king’s brother returns the egg, but these talks upset his beloved Mysaria. All Mysaria wanted was protection from fear and being sold like property.

She had no plans to have a child and give Daemon an heir.

Returning to King’s Landing and the Red Keep, King Viserys is talking with his Master of Laws, Lyonel Strong, about his potential marriage to Lady Laena. Lord Strong explains how it was a smart move on Lord Corlys’ part.

A rejection will create a much larger ripple effect than an agreement to marry his 12-year-old daughter. He thinks the king should do it.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 2: King Viserys chooses his wife

When Princess Rhaenyra returns home, she stands up to her worried and angry father stating she returned the egg without bloodshed, something she believes Ser Otto could not do. The two then have an overdue heart-to-heart about the loss of their mother.

King Viserys then goes on to state he has a duty to ensure his lineage is strong. He promises any new wife will not replace Rhaenyra’s mother and any children he has will not replace her as his heir.

This news comforts Rhaenyra and she understands this is what her father must do as king. The episode ends with a small council meeting where King Viserys is announcing he will be taking a new wife.

With Lord Corlys looking on with intrigue and Rhaenyra looking on in support, both of these emotions dissipate when the king announces he will be marrying Lady Alicent. Disgusted, Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenyra storm out of the council meeting.

The patriarch of House Valeryion returns to his home of Driftmark and calls for a meeting with Prince Daemon. The Master of Ships proposes they work together to take on Craghas Drahar together, with Daemon possibly earning a better standing by taking out this threat to his country.

Do you think Princess Rhaenyra and Lady Alicent will recover their friendship? Will Lord Corlys going to Prince Daemon damage his standings with the king? 

Let us know your answers and opinions in the comments below!

Watch the new episode of House of the Dragon season 1 next Sunday, only on HBO!