Once again X (formerly Twitter) is been aflame with memes and reactions to the latest episode of House of the Dragon season 2, and fans can't stop raving about all the twists and turns of The Burning Mill.
From Daemon singlehandedly conquering the haunted mansion level that is Harrenhal to Rhaenyra doing her best Septa cosplay— fans throw around their juiciest rifs and reactions on the latest HOTD episode.
The Nonchalant Takeover of Harrenhal
Last episode, fans saw Daemon fly off after a stern scolding from Rhaenyra, and like everyone guessed, he ended up in the burnt down castle of Harrenhal—a strategic location for anyone looking to take over the Riverlands.
What’s funny is, when Daemon arrives there, the castle is barely populated, and its lord, Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), doesn’t even put up a fight. He swears loyalty to Rhaenyra and invites Daemon to dinner without him having to say too much.
Besides the easy takeover for Daemon, there is also the case of Simon mistakenly calling Daemon "my prince" instead of "your grace, which clearly irks Daemon since he is essentially Rhaenyra’s First Gentleman and demands to be treated like royalty.
Milly Alcock's Return
One big cameo of the episode is that of Milly Alcock, who briefly reprised the role of young Rhaenyra in a vision that visited Daemon while in Harrenhal. Her appearance is a huge tell on Daemon and how he sees his niece-wife, and fans are picking up what the show is putting down.
it’s not clear if fans will get to see another return from Alcock, but with Daemon getting to know Alys Rivers, it’s possible that he could be subject to some more visions of what’s emotionally plaguing him.
Speaking of emotional plagues…
Aemond’s Other Dragon
Fans endlessly teased Aemond last episode for looking like a naked adult fetus (never writing that phrase again) during his emotional breakdown in a brothel. Episode 3, The Burning Mill, finds him in the same spot—but this time he gives audiences the full frontal treatment on his way out the door.
Admittedly Aemond is pretty skinny, but what really matters is that he controls the largest dragon around, and everyone is waiting on his eventual showdown with his idol Daemon Targaryen.
Rhaenys is a Queen Supporting Fellow Queens
Rhaenys Velaryon may be mocked as the "Queen Who Never Was", but she continues to prove herself as one of the most valuable members of Rhaenyra’s council. Not only does she understand Rhaenyra’s mindset, but she also knows everything about being a woman in a situation that’s dominated by men.
Not only does she defend Rhaenyra, she also manages to put the rest of the men on the council in their place.
Some are even comparing Rhaenys to Game of Thrones’ Olenna Tyrell a.k.a. the Queen of Thorns. Along with her quick wit, Olenna proved quite the capable politician, taking out King Joffrey and placing her granddaughter in the queen's seat.
Of course, Lady Olenna didn’t know how to ride a dragon, so Rhaenys one-ups her in that department.
Septa Rhaenyra Is the Opposite of Shame
Daemon may have his "mischief hoodie" whenever he’s out to do dirty deeds in the city, but this episode has Rhaenyra putting on a Septa outfit to sneak into the Sept of Baelor and have a chat with Alicent.
Though fans are used to seeing Rhaenyra draped in royal clothing, it was fun to see how she could wear unflattering clothing yet still manage to serve a ridiculously great face card.
This isn’t the first time Rhaenyra has been in disguise in the show either. Back in the first season, Milly Alcock’s Rhaenyra dressed up as a boy to sneak into a brothel and make out with her uncle...ew. She doesn’t go all the way with Daemon then, but she does force herself on Ser Criston Cole—and he’s never been the same since.
Alicent Realizing Her Mistake
During the final moments of his life, King Viserys Targaryen sees his family finally coming together after he makes it clear that Rhaenyra will be his heir—but all of this is quickly undone when he goes on a delusional rant about “Aegon” and “the prince that was promised” before dying.
Savvy fans know this is a reference to the “Song of Ice and Fire” prophecy that he shared only with Rhaenyra, but since it was Alicent who heard his final words, she assumes that he’s changed his mind and wants Aegon to be king.
This misunderstanding is a huge catalyst when it comes to the divide, and the episode has Alicent realizing her mistake when Rhaenyra confirms that her father was talking about a different Aegon.
However, it’s already too late to change things. Children have been killed and soldiers are off to march; so Alicent decides to bolt out of the sept without fully hearing Rhaenyra out.
When it comes down to it, Alicent is already constantly undermined in Aegon’s council. So even if she does believe Rhaenyra and tries to stop everything, it’s likely the men on the council would ignore her anyway. Besides, she would have to live with the fact that it was her misunderstanding that led to so much death and kinslaying.
The House of the Dragon continues to captivate audiences with adult fantasy drama, and fans can’t get enough of it. Hopefully other Game of Thrones spinoffs like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will manage to get the same kind of buzz when they come out.
Catch new episodes of House of the Dragon every Sunday night on Max.