“House of the Dragon,” Season 2 Episode 3 “The Burning Mill” Review
“House of the Dragon” Season 2, Episode 3, “The Burning Mill” is a critical episode for understanding what is happening in this show. Rhaenyra sneaks into King’s Landing and talks to Alicent at the Sept of Baelor. We learn, at that point, that war between the Greens and Blacks is inevitable. The first scene in this episode is a border dispute between the Brackens and the Blackwoods, a direct consequence of the battle lines being drawn over Aegon and Rhaenyra’s dispute. Many people die in this scene, driving home the point that war is here and will be brutal.
Rhaenyra has finally read the raven Alicent sent and is going to meet with her to see if peace is possible between the two sides. She seems to think so, but we are probably too far down the path of war. After this episode, it’s hard to believe peace is still on the table in ‘House of the Dragon.’
The Burning Mill and Daemon’s Harrenhal Mission Explained
The first scene of this episode is the murderous conflict between the Brackens and the Blackwoods. This is the battle of the burning mill. The second scene is Rhaenyra throwing dirt on the dead bodies of Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk Cargyll. Opening with the Burning Mill and the Cargyll twins’ burial, the episode sets a tone that feels like the war has already claimed too much.
The next scene in the episode is a small council meeting, chaired by King Aegon. They discuss several things in a roundabout manner, and ultimately the decision is made for Ser Criston Cole and a small band of knights to head to the Riverlands. This is where the Brackens and Blackwoods quarreled, and Ser Criston views the Riverlands as strategically crucial.
The next scene is an important one between Rhaenyra and the White Worm, Mysaria, where they agree that Mysaria will take a place in the court of the Queen as an intelligence and information source. She seems to know everything. The White Worm says she wants to punish the Hightowers for what they have done and will be a valuable advisor because she knows the workings of the Red Keep.
Then Daemon arrives at Harrenhal, on dragonback, in the pouring rain. The castle has fallen into a state of disrepair, as it rains on him while he walks, with sword drawn, through the castle. He kills a guard and bursts into a supper hosted by Ser Simon Strong, and declares that he is “claiming Harrenhal.” They offer him dinner, which he does not eat and thinks the peas are poisoned. While there, he has odd dreams and meets a witch; the dream tells him that Alys Rivers will tell him that he will die there.
Why Does Rhaenyra Sneak Into King’s Landing to Meet Alicent?
Rhaenyra decides to sneak into King’s Landing to meet Alicent. This might be the biggest story in “House of the Dragon.” She travels light and in a cloak, with only one knight. To prepare for the myriad ways this meeting can go wrong, both she and the knight carry knives. She sneaks into the Sept of Baelor. The knight she goes in with waits outside while she heads in, but he has a knife tucked under his sleeve. They are both in disguises.
The meeting inside the Sept is meant to avoid war in the Seven Kingdoms. This is one of the bigger stories in “House of the Dragon.” Rhaenyra gets her chance and sits alongside Alicent, who initially does not recognize her. Rhaenyra also has a knife. Once she composes herself, she asks whether they can avoid battle and reach some sort of peace agreement. Unfortunately, after King Viserys’ death and the way his final words were twisted, that seems impossible. She brings up Viserys’ death, and Rhaenyra brings up his final words.
When Alicent says the “Prince that was promised to the realm,” Rhaenyra is shocked as she brings up Aegon the Conqueror. Alicent realizes that all of this is a mistake but also realizes it is far too late now. She’s too far, and without Otto in the council, and with both Aegon and Cole on the march, she believes it’s too late. She tells Rhaenyra to leave. It is too late to avoid war in this episode of “House of the Dragon.”
What Will Aegon Do?
Aegon and the King’s Guard go off plan to meet Ser Criston Cole, but Larys manipulates him into abandoning that plan. Aegon is dressed up in Valyrian steel. Aegon, after talking to Larys, decides to put off his haste for the war. He goes to a brothel instead and takes members of the Kingsguard, who are sworn to chastity. Such is the way it goes in “House of the Dragon.”
