HOTD: The Burning Mill

Episode three is being regarded as the best of the season so far, catapulting us head long into the major drama that is sure to take place throughout not only the rest of the season, but the rest of the series. Patient viewers will be rewarded from their observance of the setup of season one, while impatient viewers have finally gotten what they’ve been begging for since the series began.

The opening title sequence has now changed to no longer have Lucerys dying, but instead the death of Jaehaerys and the rat catchers. I’m curious to see if this changes according to events that are considered “war starting,” as a line from Rhaenys this episode reveals that the histories and the people at war will forget why they are fighting, and what began it, only that they are and want to win.

Opening on the Riverlands and revealing a devastatingly awful and bloody battle has occurred sinks something in our stomachs. If there is not a way to stop this war, this is what it will be, but worse. When we jump to see what house black is doing we’ll see the first of many pissed off Jace shots. He doesn’t have much screentime this episode but every moment he stands and serves angry first born son, Daemon would be proud. Rhaenys then gives the line that’s been heard in the trailers, “there is no war so hateful to the gods as one between kin and one not so bloody as the one between dragons.” These two women seem to be the only people in the realm hoping to hold back the violence while everyone else wants nothing but blood. And as it’s been foreshadowed, when these Targaryans and their dragons go to war, it’s going to be the smallfolk that deal with it the most. Rhaenys also calls Rhaenyra out on her assumptions of team green.  This episode is interested in the assumptions both sides are making of each other. Rhaenyra assumes Alicent is not accessible, she approved of her murder, of being overthrown, while Rhaenys knows that similarly the conversation is going to be that Rhaenyra was involved in the death of Jaehaerys.

We then switch over to the greens, seeing Criston Cole already acting as a poor hand to the king as Aegon announces, “To War Then.” His assumption that the blacks are considering him weak is a driving force for his decision making. While Rhaenyra was considering all options and what should not be assumed about her enemy, Aegon and the greens have made their assumptions of Rhaenyra, that dragons are necessary, that Harrenhal must be taken, and they are also ready for war.

Jumping back to Rhaenyra we see a conversation between her and Mysaria, who would like a place on her court. Her storyline last season was confounding, but this season she makes more sense with her actions. She sees that Rhaenyra is someone who is lawful in her decisions and believes if she helps her succeed in this war it will support the small folk. The bond between these two women as well has been enticing to watch, as Rhaenyra makes another ally, and forms her master of whisperers. With Seasmoke in the background, Mysaria wonders if he is lonely, which brings forth a shocked expression from Rhaenyra. It’s uncertain yet if this is a shock because it reminds her of her father, who also had a similar sentiment that even dragons get lonely, or if the show is trying to kill Laenor off screen in a subtle manner so that it does not break canon that a dragon and rider can only be bonded to one other being at a time. One of them must die for the form to be made with another one, and with all of the dragon math going on, Seasmoke needs to be available to be ridden on.

The scene that follows is maybe one of the hardest scenes with Rhaenyra as we see her speak to Rhaena as she expects to send her away with her youngest children to the Vale, and then to Pentos to avoid the war. Being sent away because she is not a dragon rider is particularly hard for Rhaena, as someone who does not yet want to be a mother, she wants to be a warrior. And it’s hard to not only watch Rhaenyra send her children away, but to ask something of her stepdaughter that she herself would’ve loathed to have been told as a child.

Then finally, we catch up with Daemon in Harrenhal. Every part of this sequence is captivating. The POV shot of the dragon flying into this decrepit castle in the middle of the rain before it crashes on top of a spire. He holds his sword as whispers are heard, a taste of what is to come. Finally, he comes across the lords of Harrenhal and claims it, and they seem to succumb easily and offer him dinner which he rejects in a perfect manner. There is a debate over what Daemon should be called, the prince, as prince consort, or your grace, and as Daemon stumbles his way through the conversation he demands to be respected. He comes up with the idea that between him and his dragon, he should be able to gather the families of the Riverlands together for Rhaenyra, and the “big chair made of swords.” But this is surely going to be a hard battle for Daemon, as the beginning of the episode let us know. It’s also noteworthy that in this sequence we learn Simon Strong is not a fan of his grand nephew Larys, blaming him for the fire that killed his brother and father.

Back with the greens Criston has gotten a new haircut to match his new position and makes him look like just as much of an idiot as he makes himself out to be. He meets Ser Gwayne Hightower, Alicent’s brother who seems to pick up on the body language that Criston Cole, hand of the king, is not to be trusted. In a final very public annoyance, Criston asks for Alicent’s favor, calling back to the moment Rhaenyra gave him her favor in season one. But as she hands him the handkerchief in her dress, the look she gives him is that of foul disdain.

There are a series of shorter scenes here. One between Rhaenys and Corlys that make us dreadfully fear that one or both of them will die. The parting of ways between Rhaenrya and her boys, shot beautifully as Joffrey hugs her from behind. Knowing this could be the last she sees of them so small, or maybe even ever, is devastating as she says goodbye to motherhood and embraces being a queen. And then a beautifully acted and intriguing scene between Alicent and Helaena where Helaena admits that she misses her son. She also recognizes that as a royal, this loss is a rare one to her, as the smallfolk must experience it every day. And as Alicent tells her sadness is a part of motherhood, Helaena forgives her. Small moments like all of these between magnificent actors just make the show rich in texture. There is so much plot we have to get to, but it’s only interesting if we care about the people that are a part of it.

Larys is truly cooking as he convinces Aegon not to go to battle, and Aegon makes him his Master of Whisperers, a position Viserys never found personal use for. And right before Aegon takes all of his boys out to the local pub (slightly intimidating them by reminding them of their oath of chastity) we are introduced to a character that swears he has the blood of the dragon. Will this mysterious new figure be another dragon rider for one of the sides? Dragon math keeps mathing. And after HBO pulled out all the stops showing a literal blowjob in the brothel, Aegon steps in on Aemond with Sylvie. He laughs and cackles and points at his brother. Here he is lying with his first whore, the woman we saw Aemond was comfortable and vulnerable with last episode. And as he gets up and announces, “one whore is as good as another,” we see a part of him hallowed out and hardening. Aemond, maybe the most vicious of the greens, keeps getting pushed further and further into his position as an emotionless vile human being.

An incredible sequence of Baela going after the greens party making their way to Harrenhal ensues, and the only thing I could personally think while watching was, “Baela get his ass!” While Criston Cole barely got away, the fear of dragons in a fight is starting to hit everyone as Gwain Hightower shudders beneath the trees. Rhaenyra’s council is begging her to fight, but she wants to do one last thing before she uses her dragons and their fire power.

The eeriness of Harrenhal returns as Daemon has a visitor arrive at his door which he has locked with swords. There are whisperings that the castle is haunted, but Daemon has been a character that has always rejected the supernatural, even stating, “dreams didn’t make us kings, dragons did.” He actively rejects the original dream that sent the Targaryans from Valyria before the doom occurred. Now, as he walks through the halls of Harrenhal, he is struck by the image of Rhaenyra, but not of Emma D’Arcy’s portrayal, Milly Alcock’s. A pleasant surprise to see the young actress return to the role. As showrunner Ryan Condal notes, it’s important that Daemon saw this version of Rhaenyra. This is the one that made a great impression on him, and the one that was desperate for his approval, and ultimately the one he let down more fatally than Emma D’arcy’s. He awakes from his vision in front of a Wearwood tree, as a young woman tells him, “You will die in this place.” Daemon is being confronted by the supernatural in a way he never has before, and this is the storyline that I think will be one of the most captivating as it continues to unfold.

With an entirely original scene not even alluded to in the books, Rhaenyra makes her way to King’s Landing, she’s appearing as a Septa, reminding us of a very iconic character from Game of Thrones. She follows Alicent inside the Sept, the palce she always goes alone, the place she brought rhaenrya to as girls. As she reveals herself in quite frankly a ludicrously comedic way, the two women finally get to talking. Rhaenyra is trying to avoid war, Alicent is assuring her not only would it happen, but that Viserys wanted Aegon on the throne. And then it’s all revealed, Viserys wasn’t taking about his son, he was talking about the conqueror. And the way Olivia Cooke chokes out the word conqueror should be studied in a masterclass. The sudden realization that maybe, yet again, all of Alicent’s righteousness has been wrongly placed. She shuts down, telling Rhaenyra, no, it wasn’t a mistake, and even if it was, there’s nothing that can be done now. Alicent has limited power over her boys, and her father has been removed from the court, she no longer has much influence. What we’re then left with, is a Rhaenyra that is making the decision, yes, it is finally time for war. It is finally time to use the dragons.