Top 10 Things You Missed in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6

Hear them roar! The Lannisters open this week’s episode with a marching army, led by Tyland Lannister’s twin brother Jason. They’re not so eager to fight, though, since Ser Jason demands hospitality for his men and assistance from Aemond and Vhagar before taking any action. The soldiers’ armor glistens with the symbol of their golden house, but did you notice the living sigil that’s visible over Ser Jason’s shoulder? As part of its cargo, the caravan carries actual lions, secured in cages. Lion imagery traditionally represents House Lannister, so leave it to the family of Casterly Rock to needlessly carry a literal example of their mascot. The detail speaks to the house’s arrogance and insistence on reinforcing their might, even if not yet in battle.

Another surreal vision gives us the brief cameo by the great Paddy Considine, as Daemon remembers a scolding taken from elder brother Viserys Targaryen. As Daemon relives disrespectful words of his past and hears disappointment from Viserys once again, he turns to flee the imagined Iron Throne chamber. But he finds the exit secured shut, and his frustration turns to pleas as the doors refuse to open. Symbolically, the scene tells us that Daemon has confined himself in his current predicament, due to his past actions and pursuit of the throne. As Rhaenyra later points out accurately, unresolved fraternal issues and desire for power have motivated Daemon’s mistakes. His current self-made predicament is just like being trapped in a locked room.

You probably remember “Game of Thrones” popularizing the phrase “valar morghulis,” which functioned as a season finale title and a commonly repeated sentence. It translates from High Valyrian to mean “all men must die.” The proper response is “valar dohaeris,” meaning “all men must serve.” The ancient language of High Valyrian appears sparingly in “House of the Dragon '', used mostly by the Targaryen royal family and the educated dragonkeepers. Listen closely, and you’ll hear Ser Steffon Darklyn using a conjugated form of the word during his unfortunate attempt at taming Seasmoke. Dragons must also understand some Valyrian, since its terms have typically been used as commands for the creatures. Often in the world of “Thrones” and “Dragon,” death and service do go hand-in-hand, so it’s a grimly appropriate call and response.

Alliances during the Dance of Dragons are fleeting, and we learn that the Greens have just lost another. Grand Maester Orwyle briefly informs Queen Alicent that the Beesbury family has turned on her. The last Beesbury we saw was Lord Lyman, who met his end at the hands of Criston Cole, and that seems to have catalyzed his family’s shifting loyalty. One of the strengths in the “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon” writing is the way simple actions can have unexpected ripple effects. Robb Stark’s beheading of Rickard Karstark, for example, later caused Karstark men to declare for Ramsay Bolton in favor of Jon Snow. Every decision feels dire, since even taking a single life can drastically affect the outcome of war.

When Daemon again seeks advice from Alys Rivers, she’s joined by an inconspicuous brown owl. Owls can be an auteur’s manner of communicating allegory,often indicating that great wisdom should be associated with someone. Throughout “A Song of Ice and Fire” book lore, owls appear in a few different ways. In “A Game of Thrones”, Catelyn Stark is escorted to the Eyrie by Mya Stone, a girl who’s said to have the eyes of an owl. She, like Alys, is the bastard girl of a noble house. In common Westerosi tongue, the “hour of the owl” directly precedes “the hour of the wolf,” or the darkest hours of nighttime. Its appearance, then, might signify that we’re now heading into the blackest part of the story.

As Mysaria’s plan to win Rhaenyra support from the common people unfolds, we learn that it involves sending supplies to the starving class of King’s Landing. In one of her more optimistic lines, Rhaenyra briskly makes mention of “the Blackwater.” This means that the boats of food she’s sent to the capital eventually arrive in Blackwater Bay, an important cove that’s just outside the city. This was the location for the pivotal Battle of Blackwater Bay back in Season Two of “Game of Thrones”, when Stannis Baratheon laid siege to the harbor. Tyrion Lannister played a major role in the city’s defense, strategically using wildfire to take down part of the enemy fleet. Now it seems that new schemes are afloat on the same waters.

It looks like we’ll be seeing more of brothers Alyn and Addam, who we’ve learned may be illegitimate children of Lord Corlys Velaryon. Their attitudes about success differ greatly, though, with Alyn being hesitant to accept a promotional position from Corlys. But Addam’s ambitions are higher, imagining wealth, success, and even the Driftwood Throne as desirable goals. While they’re debating these ideas, carefully cut close-ups show Alyn razoring the dome of his head. The book characterizes Alyn of Hull with silver hair, and though the change could be simply to differentiate the brothers visually, it could also represent their opposing viewpoints. Addam’s hair is long, which can symbolize rebellion, while Alyn keeps his head clean-shaven, which is more indicative of practicality and his grounded personality.

Queen Helaena might be the most prophetic character on the whole show. She’s had dreams and left behind images that indicate she’s seen many things in the past and present of both “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones.” She’s back to work here, focusing on some small caged crickets as Alicent comes to see her. Helaena notes curiously that one of the insects on her table has ceased producing sound. Given that Alicent is approaching her with concern for Aegon’s life, the observation could be foreshadowing a dismal fate for the king…or perhaps some other impending character death. In some cultures, Crickets have traditionally been seen as signs of good fortune, so a silent one probably doesn’t mean anything good.

Aemond’s position on the throne could be dangerous, and none are more aware of that than Alicent Hightower. Unfortunately, there’s little she can do when the Prince Regent decides to remove her from his council. Realizing that she’ll never get through to him, she solemnly utters this trailer-worthy question. On the surface, she’s referring to Aemond’s long-standing rivalry with his nephews and the loss of his eye. But she maternally touches his cheek as she’s saying this, suggesting that Alicent could be referring to wrongdoings that she may have caused. It’s possible she blames herself for Aemond’s injury, having been unable to stop it. She might also be looking at both her grown boys, wondering how responsible she is for making them what they are.

Yes, Rhaena, there is a dragon in the Vale! Or so she discovers when she comes upon some animal carcasses and scorched earth. Jeyne Arryn can tell her only that it’s a large and untamed creature. Bookreaders might suspect this to be Sheepstealer, a wild dragon that’s mastered by a young girl named Nettles. There’s no confirmation as to whether or not Nettles will appear on the show, but there’s speculation that parts of her character may be assimilated into Rhaena. That means we might get to see Rhaena ride the unclaimed Sheepstealer. She is sitting in a room full of dragon and livestock-looking statuettes when she learns about the dragon, after all…


Did we miss anything? Let us know what Easter eggs you caught in the comments! And what dragon are you most excited to see more of!?