The war between the Blacks and the Greens continues to heat up on HBO’s House of the Dragon. A jam-packed sixth episode saw the brutal death of Ser Criston Cole, an attempted assassination against Daeron, and more turbulence in King’s Landing. Still, even bigger events in this Dance of the Dragons are on the horizon.
What should viewers expect this week on House of the Dragon? Let’s dive into a few predictions ahead of Sunday’s seventh episode.
House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 7 Predictions
King’s Landing Chaos
As previously mentioned, times are tough in King’s Landing. Following episode five’s brutal City Watch executions, Daemon decided to do some reconnaissance. Dressed as a gold cloak, he managed to find a would-be assassin. Before giving him a fatal blow to the head, the Rogue Prince tried to extract some answers from the spy. “How many are you?” he asked, only to be told there are more than he could ever imagine that are opposed to Rhaenyra. It’s no coincidence that numerous members of the City Watch have resigned, much to the Lord of Flea Bottom’s surprise.
It’s a stark reminder of the difference in Daemon’s mindset compared to that of the people. His priority is projecting strength and planning for conquest. Meanwhile, the small folk desperately plead with their new queen for food and security; those two commodities are becoming more difficult to come by. To make matters worse, Rhaenyra has not been legitimized by the High Septon, leaving her at odds with the Faith. It’s a dangerous mix of broken promises and illegitimacy that threatens to end her reign from within. Could the commoners lash out against a ruler that’s becoming infamous rather than beloved? It would be ugly, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Another tactical disruption from Ormund could mean calamity for the Blacks.
Aegon’s Master Plan
For those familiar with George R.R. Martin’s writing, Aegon II’s plot line in House of the Dragon remains the series’ biggest question mark. There’s not a ton of text when it comes to the former king, so it’s anyone’s guess as to where this is headed. After telling Aegon he was a terrible ruler and a terrible man, Larys seems to have actually gained some trust. The Targaryen listened to his advice and decided to sail to Essos, rather than take Tyland Lannister’s suggestion of hiding away at Casterly Rock.
What awaits the men during their journey across the Narrow Sea? It’s difficult to say. It’s important to note that Larys moved Harrenhal’s gold to the Iron Bank in Essos. In short, Aegon should have little issue putting that cash to good use and raising an army…when the time arrives. Until then, he seems content to let his brother Aemond clash with Rhaenyra, crippling both the Blacks and Greens in the process. Is that a winning strategy? I’m not entirely convinced; it depends heavily on how long the Dance lasts. If there’s a swift victory for either side in the coming months, Aegon could be seen as a pretender. However, should this civil war grow even bloodier, Viserys’ son could be seen as a source of stability. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how this narrative plays out to end Season Three.
Dragonriders in Turmoil?
Nobody on the Blacks, Rhaenyra included, wants to end the occupation of Tumbleton more than Hugh Hammer. Now a legitimate dragon rider, he managed to sneak into the city gates and reconnect with his estranged wife. What his plans are next remain uncertain. Getting inside the town is one thing; escaping with other people is an even greater challenge. Ormund is using Tumbleton as a buffer, almost daring the queen to set her own people ablaze. So far, Rhaenyra hasn’t taken the bait. In the meantime, this small trading village continues to suffer under Hightower rule.
Until Rhaenyra is able to draw out Daeron and Ormund, this war is at a standstill. That’s without factoring in the continued absence of Aemond and his dragon Vhagar. The Hightowers do possess Daeron’s dragon Tessarion, although that doesn’t come close to matching Rhaenyra’s firepower. In addition to Hugh, a dissatisfied Ulf continues to operate patrols from his dragon Silverwing. After a tense interaction with Daemon in King’s Landing, the party goer might be fed up with taking orders from the Blacks. Ever-cunning Ormund has been known to surprise his enemies when they least expect it. Could he sway one, if not both, of Hugh and Ulf to switch sides? It’s the kind of move that could flip this conflict back in the Greens’ favor.
House of the Dragon FAQ
Where can I watch House of the Dragon?
House of the Dragon airs every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) on HBO, but it will be available to stream on HBO Max simultaneously.
How many episodes of House of the Dragon will there be this season?
There will be eight total episodes for Season 3 of House of the Dragon.
What is House of the Dragon based on?
House of the Dragon is based on George R. R. Martin’s 2018 book, Fire & Blood, which details the “Dance of the Dragons”, the brutal Targaryen civil war.