Download House of the Dragon — Season 3 Episode 5

Episode 5 of House of the Dragon Season 3 pushes the Dance of the Dragons into its most dangerous and deceptive chapter yet, as both sides edge closer to a full confrontation and cracks begin to appear within each camp. Picking up from Episode 4's shocking revelations — Daemon's lie to Rhaenyra about the true rider of Sheepstealer, and Rhaenyra's growing rage at being outmanoeuvred by Ormund Hightower in Tumbleton — the queen's patience in King's Landing is wearing dangerously thin. She tells her small council that her tolerance for provocation has its limits, as the graffiti in the streets calls her the queen of bastards and Ormund tightens his grip just sixty leagues from her capital. Meanwhile, Mysaria grows suspicious of Daemon's account of events, making an investigation into his deception increasingly likely. At Harrenhal, Aemond Targaryen is revealed to still be inside the castle, still recovering from his wound — Alys Rivers lied to Criston Cole and his men. Aemond practises his swordsmanship in a dark chamber and tells Alys that Rhaenyra has defiled their great house by elevating baseborn dragonseeds to her cause. At Rook's Rest, Aegon refuses to accept Sunfyre is truly dead, clutching his dragon's scale with a loyalty that still burns. On the Green side, Criston Cole — now separated from Gwayne Hightower — moves without his battle armour among the civilian population, preparing to strike the Riverlands host through guerrilla tactics, rallying his men with the promise that they will endure and win glory. Outside Tumbleton, Rhaenyra's dragonseeds Hugh and Ulf stand watch over Ormund's army with their dragons Vermithor and Silverwing, while Ormund coolly reminds his inner circle that a cunning mind can outlast the most savage beast. The episode is written by Philippa Goslett and directed by Nina Lopez-Corrado.