Heavy is the head that wears the crown in House of the Dragon
James Cox
Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and Rhaenyra Targaryen learns this the heard way in the latest episode of House of the Dragon.
Before you read on, there are spoilers in this piece if you are not up to date with House of the Dragon.
After finally conquering King's Landing and securing her destiny to sit atop the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra is given a rude awakening as she realises governing is not easy.
The issues range from the small to the big quite literally, as rats surrounding the throne bear a reminder of Aegon's decision to hang all of the rat catchers.
Rhaenyra's biggest obstacle is a lack of gold, with Lannisters said to be behind the empty coffers in King's Landing.
Wanting to be seen as a just queen, she assembles the noble families who were guilty of hording food and resourcs to keep the masses hungry. After serving them a plate of unidentified gruel, she tells them their homes are currently being raided by Gold Cloaks.
This is followed by a scene reminiscent of early Daenerys in Game of Thrones, as she meets her people directly and gives them food.
Matt Smith's Daemon has been full of action in season three thus far, but his relentless lust for power and violence is more subtle in this episode.
'Rhaenyra Triumphant' also sees Rhaenyra grow closer to her new 'mistress of whisperers', Lady Mysaria. Played by Sonoya Mizuno, Mysaria looks like she will be a crucial figure in the rest of the story.
Rhaenyra's next challenge is his demand for her to look beyond Westeros to conquer Essos, and the kingdom of Dorne. She reminds him of the dangers of endless power, and that Old Valyria ended with the 'Doom'.
The normally mild-mannered Corlys Velaryon is the next obstacle for the new queen.
When he hears his illegitmiate son has been knighted as Alyn of Hull, despite his request for Alyn and Addam to be legitimised as Velaryons.
This leads to her authority being directly questioned again as Corlys openly questions the origins of her own children.
Still, the biggest challenge lies in wait for Rhaenyra, who is quickly coming to understand the skill of her father King Viserys in holding the throne with Westeros in peace.
Earlier on we saw Ormund Hightower (James Norton) reluctlantly surrender to Daemon and two of the new dragon riders.
He also handed over his ward, Daeron Targaryen... or did he?
Rhaenyra's half brother refuses to speak, and she remarks that he looks younger than she expected.
When she offers Alicent a meeting with her son, and shows mercy in telling her he will be sent to the Night's Watch instead of put to death, she inadvertently discovers Ormund's plot.
It's quickly evident that the boy is an imposter, and that Daeron, who has a claim to the throne, is still with the Hightowers along with his dragon.
She then learns the Hightowers have taken Tumbleton, with the help of the aforementioned dragon.
With the Hightowers sigils burning behind her, Rhaenyra asks: "What does Ormund attempt to accomplish? My arm is long. He cannot win."
They sound like fighting words...
You can watch House of the Dragon on NOW (via the Entertainment membership) and Sky Atlantic.
