There wasnt a ton of action, but the episode still felt both daring and satisfying in equal measure.
The first thing we see is a monkey strolling along, so we know were not in Westeros anymore.
He looks pleased with his handiwork, which has come at the expense of hundreds of innocent lives.
© HBO
This time, Lord Larys has an urgent directive: they must leave Kings Landing at once.
At Dragonstone, a pouty Jace comes upon Ulf and Hugh lounging around the Small Council table.
At that moment, Rhaenyra and Corlys are having a related conversation.
© Ollie Upton/HBO
(Today is not the day Corlys owns up to being the kids father, apparently.)
Then they talk strategy; Corlys advises striking quickly.
Aemond now knows Team Black has more dragons, but that hasnt been the deterrent Rhaenyra had hoped.
© Ollie Upton/HBO
Heleana is no warrior, Rhaenyra insists, but as Corlys reminds her, Aemond will not be denied.
Thats a reference to Daemon, naturally!
Lurking in a doorway, Ser Simon Strong overhears every word.
© Ollie Upton/HBO
What would you think about leaving this place?
mother asks daughter, but before they can really discuss the idea Aemond barges in.
She refuses, of course, and Alicent steps in to tell her furious son to back off.
© Ollie Upton/HBO
The next scene is Alicent going to the Grand Maester and asking for passage… and your discretion.
In the forest, Ser Gwayne is finally confronting Cole about his oath-breaking illicit affair with Alicent.
Alicent saved his life twice, he tells Gwayne, and he thinks of her as his beacon.
It also seems Cole has gained something resembling a conscience thanks to the horrors he witnessed at Rooks Rest.
The dragons dance and men are like dust under their feet, he says.
And all our fine thoughts, all our endeavors are as nothing.
We march now toward our annihilation.
To die will be a kind of relief… dont you think?
You wish for us to killinnocents?
Baela (voice of reason) asks in disbelief.
She leads him to the Godswood, where the great tree at its center has a message for him.
And she tells him hes finally ready to glimpse some truth, Old Gods-style.
You know your part, an apparition of Heleana says.
You know what you must do.
We find the real Heleana in Kings Landing, halfway between the spirit realm and the real world.
I saw it, she says simply.
You were swallowed up in the Gods Eye and you were never seen again.
Rhaenyra arrives at Harrenhal, but the greeting she receives is not at all what shed feared.
Though he has certainly flirted with the idea throughout season two, Daemon has not betrayed her.
It starts off tense, but its a tender reunion, incredibly.
Meanwhile, we go to another long-overdue confrontation: Corlys and Alyn.
Corlys has no heirs left, Alyn says, and nowyou remember I live?
Now you wish to suddenly scatter the crumbs of your favor?
I am an honorable man and I will serve you because I must.
But if it is all the same, I will decline any offers of help, he hisses.
If I survive this war, I will continue as I began: alone.
Back in the Vale, Rhaena spots the wild dragon!
The gods favor you.
They put the means to victory in your hands, Mysaria says.
But Rhaenyra is feeling ill about having to slaughter innocent people to reclaim her throne.
Her father certainly wouldnt have wanted it that way.
Be strong, Mystaria tells her.
You know you are just.
You must not let the realm fall to those who care for power more than peace.
But… speaking of Rhaenyras close relationships: heres something nobody expected.
Remember when Alicent asked her Grand Maester for another favor?
It wasnt for the purposes of smuggling Heleana out of Kings Landing.
A contrite Alicent is seekingabsolution?
Rhaenyra points out that therell be no claiming the Iron Throne with Aegon still alive.
He will have to die as part of this.
If I am to take the throne, I must put an end to the opposition.
I must take Aegons head and I have to do it for all to see.
Youknowthis, she tells her former friend.
It comes back to this: A son for a son, she insists.
Alicent will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
But theres no being free for Rhaenyra.
She has her duties laid out for her, and the Song of Ice and Fire must be sung.
As the episode, and with it season two, comes to an end, we get a montage.
The dragonriders suiting up.
Various armies on the march.
Dragons screeching through the air.
We get a glimpse of the long-MIA Ser Otto Hightower imprisoned… somewhere.
Alicent solemnly heading home.
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