The war for the Iron Throne wages as Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Blacks and Aegon Targaryen’s Greens continue to clash in House of the Dragon. Rhaenyra’s ascension as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms hasn’t gone as well as she’d hoped, as several major obstacles threaten to tip the balance against her as she struggles to maintain her power in King’s Landing. Her focus has since shifted to her half-brother Daeron Targaryen, who, as it turns out, wasn’t in her custody, but rather with Ormund Hightower (James Norton) and his army in Tumbleton along with his dragon Tessarion. However, House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 4, cemented that Daeron isn’t the main threat, but rather Ormund, who is planning to usurp Rhaenyra once and for all using Daeron’s draconic power. While there’s been no shortage of grisly battles across House of the Dragon, think the Battle of the Gullet and Rook’s Rest, the mid-season trailer is promising even messier wars, with plenty of characters’ lives at stake. Several scenes show Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) at the forefront of these battles, which he hopes will etch them in the songs of history.

“We have endured much,” he says. “And though we languish, we will not lose heart. We will join them glorious in battle. And they will sing songs of it.” He’s not alone, however, as Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) is leading the charge for the Blacks, and he’s in a particularly bloodthirsty mood, telling Rhaenyra in her chamber: “We should have burned them when we had the chance.” Daemon has been put in a precarious situation after learning that Rhaena is the mysterious rider of the wild dragon Sheepstealer. While Rhaena has decided to exile herself in the Vale following Jace’s death in the first episode, Daemon’s decision to hide his daughter’s identity from his wife could have unforeseeable consequences later on, especially if she is eventually brought into the war. However, according to the trailer, he is front and center of Rhaenyra’s cause, though viewers will know his true destiny lies with Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) at Harrenhal.

Phoebe Campbell in House of the Dragon.HBO

Speaking of Aemond, the trailer also reveals what happened to him after his siege of Harrenhal in Episode 2. After arriving in the Riverlands, Aemond kills the remaining members of House Strong, including Simon Strong. However, a sneaky dagger in the back from one of Simon’s grandsons took him by surprise, which left him crawling towards Alys River (Gayle Rankin) begging for help before passing out. After that, his fate was left open-ended when he didn’t make an appearance in Episode 3. The trailer has since addressed this, showing him alive and well, with Alys having ultimately answered his call for help.

And it appears as though he’s learned from his brush with death, as he is seen training with his sword while shirtless, though he’ll likely be out of action for a while. However, it seems as though Aemond and Alys’ relationship has taken a deeper turn, as he is seen on his knees before Alys once again, telling her that Rhaenyra is “no queen,” in an attempt to sway her over to the Green’s side. But will Alys take the bait, or is Aemond in store for some trippy visions just like Daemon in Season 2?

House of the Dragon

4
/5

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Network

HBO

Directors

Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel

Fabien Frankel

Ser Criston Cole