In Episode 3, we are treated to a revelatory reunion between our two star queens, some sage advice from the Queen Who Never Was, and a surprise cameo by Milly Alcock, reprising her role as young Rhaenyra in one of Daemon’s (Matt Smith) eerie visions.
Rhaenys Counsels Rhaenyra Amid Assassination Fallout
Following the fallout from the Cargyll assassination plot, Rhaenys (Eve Best) counsels Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), suspecting that the more aggressive members of Team Green are behind the attempt, as Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) would never have sanctioned it. Rhaenys believes Alicent (Olivia Cooke) prefers peace and urges Rhaenyra to meet with her in person to prevent war.
Rhaenyra Seeks Alicent’s Whereabouts
Taking Rhaenys’ advice, Rhaenyra consults with Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), now a trusted advisor, on Alicent’s whereabouts. “If war can be averted, it is my duty to avert it,” Rhaenyra declares.
Rhaenyra’s Secret Meeting with Alicent
Disguised, Rhaenyra sneaks into King’s Landing via a fishing boat and finds Alicent alone in the Sept. She tells a shocked Alicent that she’s not surrendering but seeking a path to peace. They exchange tense words about their houses’ conflicts, with Rhaenyra reminding Alicent that she’s usurping her rightful inheritance. Rhaenyra insists her father, King Viserys, reaffirmed her as his heir before his death, while Alicent believes he changed his mind in favor of King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) in his final moments.
Tensions Rise Between Rhaenyra and Alicent
Alicent recounts her conversation with Viserys, which ignited the conflict, explaining that Viserys spoke of her son as “the prince that was promised to unite the realm.” This revelation makes Rhaenyra realize that her father, in his delirium, was referencing the secretive Song of Ice and Fire and Aegon the Conqueror, not Alicent’s son.
“There’s been a mistake,” Rhaenyra urgently tells Alicent, pleading for her to help prevent the impending war. But Alicent is resolute. “It’s too late, Rhaenyra,” she says, leaving the future uncertain.
