House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 4 is another episode filled to the brim with political maneuvering, this time focused on a wider range of characters than “Rhaenyra Triumphant.” SPOILERS ahead for House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 4. The Game of Thrones spinoff continues moving the needle on the Dance of the Dragons, with Lord Ormund Hightower scheming in Tumbleton while Rhaenyra makes plans to thwart him. We also see what Aegon II and Larys are up to, and we head to Harrenhal…though it doesn’t bring Criston Cole or Prince Aemond together as the former had hoped.
The end of Episode 4 leaves both the Blacks and Greens in delicate situations moving forward, and HBO’s preview of “the weeks ahead” teases more action and drama ahead of House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 5. That’s plenty to look forward to as-is, but viewers will also be eager to see certain questions answered. This week’s episode raises more of them than usual, complicating matters of allegiance and succession — and leaving us to wonder if a certain dragon may wake up in the midst of it all.
Is Sunfyre Actually Still Alive?
One of the biggest questions heading into House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 5 is whether there’s any truth to Aegon II Targaryen’s sentiment that Sunfyre is still alive. To viewers unfamiliar with Fire & Blood, this may seem like Aegon’s grief speaking. However, Sunfyre has a different fate in George R.R. Martin’s book, which means it’s entirely possible he’ll wake up before this outing is through. There are also minimal signs of decay on the dragon, while Meleys is obviously decomposing. We’ll be crossing our fingers this means Sunfyre comes back, mostly because we want to see the dragon survive…but also because he has a bigger role to play yet.
Where Did Prince Aemond Go After Seizing Harrenhal?
Prince Aemond seizes Harrenhal in House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 2, but he’s stabbed in the process — and we don’t see what becomes of him after. The last glimpse of him we get of him is on the ground at Alys Rivers’ feet. However, she claims he’s left Harrenhal in Episode 4. He refuses to come to Lord Ormund Hightower’s aid, which raises the question of where, exactly, Aemond is. Knowing his temperament and actions in Fire & Blood, it’s likely he’s off to light the Riverlands aflame. We’ll have to wait for more episodes to know if that’s truly where he and Vhagar are headed, however.
How Will Lord Ormund Hightower’s Daeron Targaryen Plan Go?
House of the Dragon‘s latest episode makes a slight change to Daeron Targaryen’s story, having Lord Ormund Hightower involve the young boy in his own selfish schemes. Believing Aemond won’t come to their aid and that Aegon is either dead or missing, he declares Daeron as the rightful heir to the throne. It’s a sentiment sure to put them both in more danger, which will leave viewers feeling slightly bad for the Hightower boy. Not only does this give Rhaenyra even greater reason to pursue him, but it puts him at odds with his own brothers. It’ll be interesting to see how that unfolds in future episodes of House of the Dragon.
What Will Rhaenyra Do If She Finds Out That Helaena Is Pregnant?
House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 4 brings about a surprising revelation regarding Helaena: that she’s pregnant again. Alicent only just realizes it, but there’s only so long this development can fly under the radar. Assuming the child is Aegon’s, it’s a major threat to Rhaenyra. Any new male Targaryen from the Green side would be, but this is an heir to her biggest opponent. As a result, we have to wonder how Rhaenyra will respond to the news. Helaena is clearly concerned about this herself, hence her keeping it quiet. Rhaenyra is trying to be merciful toward the Greens, but a direct heir to Aegon might push her to do something rash.
Will Rhaenyra Find Out That Daemon Is Lying to Her (& What Will She Do About It)?
Further emphasizing the fact that Rhaena is getting an altered version of Nettles’ story from Fire & Blood, Daemon learns that his daughter is Sheepstealer’s rider in Episode 4. After trying to come up with ways to rectify her self-imposed exile, he decides to lie to Rhaenyra to protect her. He takes the head of a sheepherder and chars it, making it barely recognizable. Then he presents it to Rhaenyra, claiming he’s given her justice. However, she’s outwardly upset about not getting to face the man. And it’s probably safe to assume she’ll realize Daemon’s lie at some point. If she does, it’ll be intriguing to see how she handles the situation. Yet again, it’ll present her with impossible choices.