House of the Dragon has thrown us back into the world of Westeros and the fight for power has never been so desperate, as all the different players make their moves to get closer to the Iron Throne. 

HBO’s Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon takes us back 200 years before Daenarys vowed to “break the wheel” and shows the Targaryen family at the height of their power. Ruling over Westeros is King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), his daughter Rhaenyra (Milly Alcoc), the new Queen Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) and the disgruntled brother of the King, Daemon (Matt Smith). 

This week’s episode ‘Second of His Name’ delivered on everything that we came to love about Game of Thrones. Episode 3 perfectly balanced the political and social drama within the Targaryen family with the gruesome battle at the Stepstones, full of fire and blood. 

But if you’re still processing the carnage, here is a recap to help ease the brain: 

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Spoilers Ahead!

After a losing battle between Daemon and Prince of the crab people Drahar, it is revealed it has been two years since Viserys announced he was to wed Alicent Hightower. 

In the time that has passed, they had a son, Aegon. But regardless, Viserys has kept to his promise that Rhaenrya will remain the heir to the throne. 

With Domestic bliss having returned to the Iron Throne, Rhaenrya feels out of the equation and tension between her, Dad and her ex-bestie Alicent seem at an all time high. 

The royal traditions are slowly pushing down on Rhaenyra as her father demands her to wed and uphold her duties as Princess. 

Sneakily pulling strings from the side, Otto Hightower impresses upon her daughter the importance of convincing Viserys that he name their new son Aegon the heir to the throne. 

Having realised the importance of loving his family, Visery agrees to assist in the war at the Stepstones in the hopes he may mend his relationship with his brother, Daemon. 

However, Daemon does not take this news in the kind way it was intended and instead sees it as another reminder that he is not good enough. Fueled by rage, he approaches the crab feeders under the illusion of surrender. 

Seizing the moment, he plows through enemy after enemy as arrows rain down upon him. After an epic battle, Daemon emerges from the caves with half the body of Prince Drahar. 

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