House of the Dragon season 1 episode 3 recap: Second of His Name

This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1 episode 3.

As King Viserys wrestles with his choice of heir, Rhaenyra tries to prove she is worthy of his decision in the third episode of House of the Dragon season 1.

Catch up here on everything from the last episode!

The third episode begins with a look into how the conflict is going down in the Stepstones. Prince Drahar, or The Crabfeeder, has the upper hand in their battle until Prince Daemon Targaryen and Caraxes arrive and take out the pirates.

The king’s younger brother calls out Drahar before being struck with an arrow and flying off after taking out a large chunk of the Crabfeeder’s army.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 3: The royal hunt begins

It has been three years since King Viserys Targaryen announced he would marry Lady Alicent and they are celebrating their son Aegon’s second name day. Aside, Ser Otto is being demanded by his older brother and Lord of Oldtown, Hobert Hightower, to make Alicent’s son and King Viserys’ firstborn son, the heir to the Iron Throne.

They are having a feast before heading out for a royal hunt for Aegon’s name day. As everyone is huddled around the two-year-old, the new Master of Ships, Tyland Lannister, comes in to let his king know about the Stepstones.

But Viserys does not want to hear it. The meal is beginning but the only thing Viserys cares about is where his daughter is.

Rhaenyra Targaryen is secluded in the godswood reading and listening to a bard sing his stories. Queen Alicent arrives to let her know they are leaving for the hunt and, since her father wants her there, Rhaenyra agrees to go.

On the carriage ride into the Kingswood, the princess reflects how she does not want to participate in the hunt since boars squeal like children. Viserys is annoyed by this since his daughter has been avoiding all of her royal duties.

This is because Rhaenyra is alone, something she is reminded of when Viserys, Alicent, and baby Aegon are celebrated, while she is left inside the carriage.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 3: Rhaenyra runs away from her issues

As the lavish feasting continues, Rhaenyra is wandering around the grounds. The princess overhears the older ladies gossiping with Queen Alicent about the Stepstones fighting.

They press Rhaenyra about this since they believe the Crown should get more involved. Rhaenyra goes to get some air when Jason Lannister, the older twin of Tyland, approaches her.

He begins talking like he will have the princess as his Lady Wife. Annoyed with her father, Rhaenyra politely leaves this conversation to confront her father for trying to pawn her off.

With the announcement of a white hart stag being spotted, the King of the Kingswood, Rhaenyra is able to flee this argument with her father and run off on horseback. Ser Criston Cole chases after his princess and the two prove to have built quite the relationship since she hand-selected the common-born knight to be a member of the Kingsguard.

The two decide to take their time getting back so they can take in the scenery.

Viserys follows his men into the Kingswood, looking worried when the hunters explain how close the white hart is. Otto keeps bringing up how this is a sign of the future prosperity Aegon will have since this is occurring on the little one’s name day.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 3: Doubts creep into Viserys’ mind

Back at camp, Ser Jason Lannister gifts King Viserys and Aegon with a spear that he hopes his Grace will use to slay the beast on this hunt. When Jason begins talking about how Rhaenyra will be well compensated given her loss of station, Viserys becomes upset that one of his lords seems to be questioning his heir.

The Lannister proves to be a little cub and backs away after upsetting his king. Following this lively discussion, Otto states it is almost time to slay the white hart while also asking his king about Jason Lannister’s proposal.

Viserys states he wants his daughter to be happy more than he wants a political marriage. Otto suggests betrothing Rhaenyra with baby Aegon, something Viserys laughs at and discards.

The night goes on as Viserys drinks wine before Lyonel Strong updates that they are still looking for Rhaenyra. He offers his council on the marriage of Rhaenyra.

The Master of Laws suggests she marry Lord Corlys Velaryon’s son for the same reason he suggested Viserys marry Lady Laena all those years ago. Viserys show physical appreciation for his Master of Laws by offering a logical and reasonable solution.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 3: Viserys gets his answers

While resting after exploring the Kingswood, Rhaenyra asks Ser Criston if they ever will accept her as ruler, something neither of them can know for sure. This conversation is interrupted when a wild boar approaches.

After some fighting back from the animal, Ser Criston wounds the swine and Rhaenyra exerts all of her frustration by slaughtering the boar, not caring about what the dying animal sounds like. Standing by the bonfire at the center of camp, Queen Alicent checks on her husband.

Drunkenly, Viserys explains how he is worried he made the wrong choice, believing Aegon might be the easier choice for his heir.

He talks about the dream he had and how he never thought he would have a son. With his worry about making the right choice of heir, the horn blows and the beast has been found.

When King Viserys unites with his huntsman, the hart is massive but it is not white. The sign he was looking for to name Aegon as his heir is not here since they did not trap and kill the white hart.

Elsewhere in the Kingswood, the duo of Rhaenyra and Criston are almost returned to camp when they notice the white hart. As Ser Criston goes to unsheathe his sword, the princess simply says “No,” and the white hart is free to go about their life.

Eventually, Rhaenyra and Criston return to camp with their slaughtered boar.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 3: Ser Otto has a talk with Alicent

The hunt is now completed, and everyone has returned home. Otto checks in on his pregnant daughter.

The King’s Hand is now pushing this belief that Aegon should be heir to his own mother, but Alicent is not a fan since this would mean Rhaenyra is screwed over. Queen Alicent goes to check on her husband following their son’s name day hunt.

She finds a letter from Lord Corlys’ brother, Ser Vaemond Velaryon, requesting aid. Viserys is hesitant to help since Corlys and Daemon objected to his rule three years ago.

Alicent poses the simple choice, either let the Crabfeeder thrive or extinguish him. In the morning, King Viserys sends a foot soldier to hand deliver a note to Prince Daemon.

Princess Rhaenyra walks into the council room to find out about this letter and the information that her father is sending aid to the Stepstones. Rhaenyra and Viserys then get into it about how much control they have when it comes to duty and tradition.

Finally understanding his daughter, the king states that Rhaenyra can marry whomever she wants. He also promises that even though he did waver on his choice to name her heir, he knows now he made the correct decision.

House of the Dragon season 1 episode 3: Daemon steps up at the Stepstones

Down in the Stepstones, Lord Corlys is planning their next attack with the minds of his son Lord Laenor, and his brother Vaemond. Laenor and Vaemond come up with a plan to use Daemon as bait, but Corlys is hesitant to offer that idea up to the Targaryen prince.

The foot soldier arrives from King’s Landing and hand delivers the letter as he is told. Daemon reads this note from his royal brother, informing him of royal aid coming, and beats up the foot soldier for being the messenger.

After his lashing out, Daemon treks to the Crabfeeder’s base to take on the pirates from the Free Cities. After luring some out of their caves, Daemon makes a run for their leader.

With arrows coming from above, and too many pirates surrounding him, Daemon is almost captured when reinforcements arrive.

These reinforcements are in the shape of Lord Laenor riding his dragon Seasmoke with Lord Corlys and his soldiers from Driftmark not far behind. This backup gives Prince Daemon a second wind and a direct route to the Crabfeeder.

The episode ends with Prince Daemon emerging from Prince Drahar’s cave after slaying the pirate by slicing him in half. Thus, he wins the conflict without the need for his brother’s aid.

How do you think the realm will deal with Viserys sticking with Rhaenyra as his heir? How do you think Daemon’s conquest down in the Stepstones will shape his claim to the throne? 

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!