For all its political intrigue, scaly dragons, and gory spectacles, the most hair-raising moment in House of the Dragon Season 3 comes in this episode when Daemon lies to Rhaenyra about killing Jace's murderer. He presents a skull before her and claims it belongs to the culprit, but the truth is something else altogether. After acquiring gold from Jeyne Arryn to help ease King's Landing's financial crisis, Daemon mounts Caraxes to return to Rhaenyra. The dragon, however, ignores his command and takes him to Rhaena. Daemon is understandably shocked by Rhaena's haggard appearance, and even after realizing her role in Jace's death, he asks her to return to King's Landing with him so they can speak to Rhaenyra together. Rhaena, of course, rejects the offer. She knows she won't be forgiven easily. All she asks is to be left alone; she wants to spend her days in self-exile with her wild dragon. Hoping to stop Rhaenyra from continuing her search for her son's killer, Daemon presents a skull and declares it to be the culprit's. There—you’re all caught up.
While it's easy to understand why Daemon would take such a step, that doesn't change the fact that Rhaenyra will erupt in fury and anguish once she learns the truth at some point in the future. The damage it could do to her relationship with Daemon is almost terrifying to think about. Forget Daemon—what about Rhaena? With his well-intentioned yet poorly judged decision, Daemon has effectively planted a time bomb that is sure to go off sooner or later. Elsewhere, at Rook's Rest, Aegon and Larys find themselves at the mercy of a commander who orders Aegon to clean toilets. Aegon's journey with Larys has so far been one long exercise in humility. His body may be frail, and he may not survive a day without Larys's help, yet he still clings to his royal arrogance. That arrogance earns him a brutal humiliation when the commander of Rook's Rest orders him to kiss his feet like an obedient servant. Why? Because, hungry after finishing his chores, Aegon lashes out at the commander for not having enough food for everyone. Already starving, he flies into a rage when he's told there will be no supper for him. Without his royal army and majestic dragon, Aegon looks like a vulnerable insect that could be trampled underfoot at any moment.
If Aegon is oppressed by a ruthless commander, the Green soldiers serving under Ormund harass the people of Tumbleton. One of them even attempts to rape a woman—a crime for which Ormund punishes him himself because the Hightower had promised his men would behave themselves. Don't, however, take this as evidence that Ormund is a kind or just man. Toward the end of the episode, he brings the harassed woman's father before Daeron and orders him to take the man's life. Daeron hesitates at first. He argues that mercy is a kingly virtue as well. But when Ormund tells him he's acting like his father, Daeron is visibly shaken. In a state of shock, he grabs a sword and stabs the man. His dragon then incinerates the body with dragonfire. No one remains decent and sinless in House of the Dragon. Most people are cruel; they would chew up and spit out the innocent. Let's see how long Ulf remains a gentle, comic figure. With harsh retorts coming at him from almost every direction, he is bound to toughen up soon. Or maybe he'll end up dead.
Final Score - [6/10]